Changes to grain handling in the Peace continue, but it’s good and bad news depending on how close you are to new facilities.
Cargill Inc. recently completed upgrades at the nearby Fairview fertilizer facility and plans to build a distribution centre in McLennan, but the company closed its crop-inputs facility at Grimshaw near Peace River effective July 31.
Construction has begun on a 28,000-tonne grain terminal at McLennan that will feature a state-of-the-art dryer and have the ability to load 104 cars of grain in 12 hours or less. The new facility will be the most efficient in the Peace region, said Mike Witkowicz, Cargill’s Peace farm service group manager.
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“We are targeting it to be open for operations for the fall 2012 harvest,” said Witkowicz.
Also on tap at McLennan is a crop-inputs building.
“Our new 13,000-metric ton fertilizer storage shed is still on target for a September opening,” Witkowicz said.
Rainy summer weather has caused delays, but the project remains on schedule, he said.
“The construction crews have done an outstanding job given the weather challenges to keep this project on track,” he said. “The main delay from the weather has been on the rail-line build.”
On the downside is the closure of the Grimshaw facility.
“This facility was a crop-inputs-only facility with fertilizer shed and blender, and seed and chemical shed,” said Witkowicz. “The decision did not come lightly, however our commitment to safe and efficient facilities led us to this decision.”
Producers can receive direct-to-farm shipments of chemical and fertilizer.
“Alternatively, they can pick up at Fairview, which recently had a $2-million upgrade to its fertilizer blending and handling equipment, or McLennan,” said Witkowicz.
Both of those facilities can turn out a three-part fertilizer blend in 20 minutes (compared to 50 to 60 minutes at Grimshaw) so “there will be a time saving for customers,” he said.
The Albright facility west of Grande Prairie that Cargill closed last summer and is now on the sale block. Witkowicz said the company hosted two days of viewings by appointment in the latter part of July. Expressions of interest on the Albright asset will be accepted until August 5.
All told, Witkowicz said, it’s business as usual for Cargill in the Peace.
“Our plans are to continue to service our customers in the safest, most efficient way with our facilities and look at service options that are a win for the customer and a win for Cargill,” he said.
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“Theconstructioncrewshavedone anoutstandingjobgiventheweather challengestokeepthisprojecton track.”
Mike Witkowicz
