The on-farm storage question

The on-farm storage question

Should you build new or expand existing grain storage on your operation? There’s no easy answer

There are compelling reasons for farmers to invest in on-farm grain storage. It offers them flexibility in marketing and the opportunity to get better prices later in the crop year.



VIDEO: Moving grain at the speed of air

VIDEO: Moving grain at the speed of air

Depending on the condition of your equipment, the mechanical nature of a traditional grain auger can damage grain as it moves from point A to point B. To help reduce damage, Walinga has designed a pneumatic system that uses air flow to move grain. Here, John Medemblik with Walinga talks about the company’s upgrade to […] Read more

Signage on Viterra’s office building in Regina. (Dave Bedard photo)

Sask. union serves Viterra strike notice

Grain handling giant says its committed to negotiation, but has contingency plans in place

Yesterday, the union issued Viterra a 72-hour notice that they intend to strike as early as 2:00 pm on Jan. 5. GSU members from Viterra Country Operations and Maintenance and Viterra's Regina head office have been negotiating for "fair wages, improved work-life balance, and workplace respect," for more than a year, the union said.


File photo of laker vessels navigating the Welland Canal. (JonathanNicholls/iStock/Getty Images)

Seaway strike backs up Ontario grain

Prairie grain may follow suit if strike backs up traffic via Thunder Bay, GFO warns

The nature of eastern Canadian grain logistics, and a strike by St. Lawrence Seaway workers who operate the system’s canals, will see cascading impacts across the system if the situation isn’t resolved quickly, according to Crosby Devitt, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario. Unifor workers in both Ontario and Quebec walked off the job Sunday […] Read more

Signage on Viterra’s office building in Regina. (Dave Bedard photo)

Bunge, Viterra confirm marriage plans

Firms to merge under Bunge banner

The grain handler built out from the foundations of the former Prairie pools is set to be absorbed into one of the world’s biggest grain trading firms in a cash-and-stock deal. After the news leaked out last month, Rotterdam-based Viterra confirmed Tuesday morning it’s “concluded an agreement” to merge into Bunge — the St. Louis-based […] Read more

J.P. Morgan’s estimate puts the market cap of a combined Bunge and Viterra at around US$25 billion.

Bunge, Viterra merger would create global ag trading giant

Companies have some overlap in Canadian crushing

Reuters — A merger of U.S. grains merchant Bunge Ltd. with rival Viterra would grow the combined entity’s businesses in the U.S., Brazil and Australia and may raise competition concerns in parts of Canada and Argentina, where key oilseed processing assets overlap, analysts said. Sources last week said Bunge and Viterra were in talks for […] Read more


File photo of vessels on the Mississippi River south of New Orleans on Nov. 5, 2017. (Dave Bedard photo)

Shallow Mississippi River expected to persist as dry winter hits U.S. South

River levels at historic lows this fall

Reuters — Low water levels on the Mississippi River are likely to persist this winter as drier-than-normal weather is expected across the southern U.S. and Gulf Coast, U.S. government forecasters said on Thursday. Drought, which currently spans 59 per cent of the country, is expected to continue or worsen in the middle and lower Mississippi […] Read more

A large storage bin with two centrifugal fans mounted through the sidewall. This bin has numerous vents around the roof to help with aeration. The vents are placed about two metres (six ft.) back from the eave of the roof.

How to reduce grain handling and storage hazards

Practical strategies for a safer season

Handling and storing grain are dangerous tasks that expose farmers to numerous hazards. Power take-off (PTO) entanglements and suffocation from grain engulfment or entrapment are two of the most common incidents involving grain.  Why it matters: Keeping stored grain in good condition and following recommended safety measures when working with grain can prevent incidents. To […] Read more