Canadian Pacific Railway has booked a solid increase in its 2012 year-end gross from hauling Prairie grain — despite a marked drop in its grain handle. The railway’s year-end and fourth-quarter (Q4) financials, released Tuesday, show the costs involved in what the Calgary company describes as a "transformational journey to become the most efficient railroad […] Read more
CP’s 2012 grain handle down, grain revenue up
Canada’s farm fatality rate seen declining
Newly-gathered data on work-related farm deaths in Canada over an 18-year span shows a marked drop in such deaths after the turn of the millennium, suggesting a "greater commitment" to managing safety risks. A report from Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting (CAIR), documenting farm fatalities from 1990 to 2008, puts the average number of such cases […] Read more
CN’s grain handle up slightly in record 2012
Grain and fertilizer traffic rose 13 per cent in Canadian National Railway’s fourth fiscal quarter, toward a small full-year increase in an otherwise record year on CN track. Canada’s largest rail network on Tuesday reported a fourth-quarter profit of $610 million on a record $2.53 billion in revenues, up from $592 million on $2.38 billion […] Read more
Beef code of practice open to comment until March
Ranchers, farmers and consumers are all able to have their say until March 8 on the proposed Canadian code of practice for care and handling of beef cattle. The public comment period opened earlier this month on the draft code, which can be viewed online with an option to submit comments. The draft code, under development […] Read more
Coop federee, BMR hardware chain courting
Agrifood processor and ag retailer La Coop federee is in talks with an Eastern Canada hardware store network toward an “eventual business relationship” in Quebec. Coop federee and Groupe BMR, a chain of 187 home reno and hardware stores, announced Tuesday that “discussions are currently underway towards an eventual business relationship.” The talks are in […] Read more
W. Man. equipment dealer to join ‘consolidator’ chain
A pair of farm equipment dealerships in western Manitoba are set to become the latest links in a Prairiewide chain of equipment outlets by next month. Rocky Mountain Equipment, a Calgary-based "consolidator" of 39 equipment dealers across the Prairies, mostly handling Case IH, New Holland and Case Construction brands, said Friday it will buy Murray’s […] Read more
Biofuel exemption planned for home heating oil
Home heating oil would get a permanent pass from Canada’s mandatory minimum for renewable content in fuels, in a new proposal from the federal environment ministry. Environment Minister Peter Kent on Dec. 31 said he plans to propose an amendment to the federal Renewable Fuels Regulations installing a permanent, nationwide exemption for home heating oil from […] Read more
Sask. grain conveyor maker to expand shop
A well-known southwestern Saskatchewan company making portable belt conveyors for the grain, seed and fertilizer markets plans to retrofit a recycled paper processor’s building as its new and expanded factory. Batco Manufacturing, the founding company of grain handling equipment maker Ag Growth International (AGI), plans to spend $8.7 million to buy and renovate the former […] Read more
Agco to retire SpraCoupe
In a machinery market with fewer farmers interested in handling their own spraying, farm equipment giant Agco plans to close the history book on another of its storied brands. The Atlanta-area manufacturing firm announced Monday it will discontinue production of SpraCoupe compact self-propelled sprayers for the North American market, effective this spring. Production of all […] Read more
Ont. biodiesel firm pulls back from U.S. expansion
Facing what it sees as a "significant change" in market dynamics, the southern Ontario company billed as Canada’s biggest biodiesel producer has stepped back from expansion into the U.S. market. Biox Corp. said Monday it will terminate its land lease deal with New Orleans-based International-Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT), set up in June to lead to […] Read more
