Grain Movement 2015

[Hopalong]

With January over, a look back at first month.
Some of same problems as a year ago but do not see "no bids" to any extent at local elevators. A good sign.
Movement to US and domestic not under revenue cap seems much improved.
Federal govt, perhaps deservedly, likes to take credit for movement to port position. Railways say they would have done it anyway.
AV complainers seize on grainco basis levels although only a few admit to being forced to sell.
Given normal weather, movement crisis is going to sideline while we look at production and supply and demand for coming year.
Rail regulation,freight rates and hopper cars remain unresolved issues just as they have been for decades.

[bucket]

It's all better.

Another 20 years of doing SFA in regards to rail and grain shipping. Another generation will be lost thinking we have a functioning grain handling system.

[tstep]

That's what I'm afraid of is that the youngins of today don't have a friggin clue how good it used to be.

[ColevilleH2S]

Basis levels found here:
<a href="http://s335.photobucket.com/user/npksetal/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-01-30%2012.38.06_zpswckyd0kb.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m441/npksetal/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-01-30%2012.38.06_zpswckyd0kb.png" border="0" alt=" photo 2015-01-30 12.38.06_zpswckyd0kb.png"/></a>

[sumdumguy]

As we have been told the western ports in the US are on slow down or strike for awhile. The US grain cars are being funnelled through Vancouver. This is buggering up the port. Now the workers there are grumpy and prolly gonna slow down for more pay. Since St. Lawrence, Thunderbay, Churchill is closed, guess what- Vancouver is our only option. The basis discourages farmer sales cause the graincos don't want to store it. Hopefully the congestion will improve. We just don't have flexibility in shipping and it's hurting our country.

[sumdumguy]

Nice graphs posted, looks like only half the cars are supplied, BUT pictures don't always tell the story, because the local shippers order more than they need. That's why as the year goes on there is bigger discrepancies on the graph.

[sumdumguy]

Nice graphs posted, looks like only half the cars are supplied, BUT pictures don't always tell the story, because the local shippers order more than they need. That's why as the year goes on there is bigger discrepancies on the graph.

[SASKFARMER3]

Well some one explain why two weeks ago a 100 car train was canceled or what ever other BS comment could be conceived. Then following week the promise of the next 100 was changed to 25. Then last week this coming weeks 100 cars were canceled or shifted around again and Hm were down a lot of cars.
Terminal at 90% full. So What the hell great service from all in the grain industry.

[bucket]

It does show the railways can't handle the job.

If a point misses a spot those cars still have to spotted eventually.

I think they are further behind than that graph indicates because of the new ordering rules.

[bucket]

Sf3

It's all good.

Ritz just hired depape to fix the problems.

Why worry. We will soon have an industry led initiative that will solve the problems.

Railways have made a car ordering system that will show they are never behind. And graincos now have a spokesman to explain prices to us.

It's all good.

Don't do the math about 60 mmt moving in 52 weeks or less, that just confuses the issue.

It's easier to set lower targets in great winter weather to say the RRs are doing a fantastic job.

[ColevilleH2S]

"the local shippers order more than they need"
Then doesn't logic dictate that they should receive more cars then they need.

[wmoebis]

We have at least 3 commissions or groups whatever you want to call them working to monitor and control grain handling.

The Canadian Grain Commission who's mandate is to "regulate grain handling in Canada" and make sure it is a dependable commodity for market. I think getting it from farm to port in an orderly manor would make it a little more dependable.

The Quorum Corp. who: On June 19, 2001 the Government of Canada announced that Quorum Corporation had been selected as the monitor for the prairie grain handling and transportation system.

Crop logistics working group who -The working group provides a venue for collaboration throughout the supply chain to help improve the efficiency in how grains move from farm to customer, whether in Canada or around the globe.

[tubs]

grain is moving alot better this year than last year, but we have to be able to move alot more to get a better basis we probably need a 25 to 40 percent over capacity in shipping

[gustgd]

http://www.producer.com/2015/01/small-shippers-want-big-changes/

.......

"Small block shippers, who normally ship a handful of rail cars rather than a full unit train, say rail service to their industries has suffered since Ottawa implemented a federal order requiring Canada’s major rail companies to meet weekly hauling targets."

.............

[fjlip]

Coleville, but the omnipotent RR know what they need and supply accordingly.
How the hell should the RR's have the power to dictate WHERE the cars go!
Imagine you order a semi and the trucker tells you where it's going?