CPKC Update

May 07, 2024

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference announced the results of its strike vote this week, with 98 percent of members voting in favor of a strike mandate.

Negotiations have been taking place this week with CPKC for its Train and Engine, and Rail Traffic Controllers

In a statement on the CPKC website they emphasize that they don't want to see a work stoppage and remain focused on reaching a balanced and responsible agreement through the collective bargaining process.

While discussions continue at the bargaining table, grain movement has been strong for this time of the year.

Elizabeth Hucker, CPKC's Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bulk, says normally during the shoulder season they'd start to see a decline for demand in rail services for grain as farmers head to the field.

"Over the last month, we've seen strong grain shipments for this time of year. Actually, in the week that began on April 21st, we moved approximately 525,000 metric tonnes to markets like Vancouver, Thunder Bay, the U.S. and other Eastern Canadian destinations."

She says they've also seen some strong fertilizer shipments into Western Canada to support the seeding efforts.

To hear Glenda-Lee's conversation with CPKC's Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bulk Elizabeth Hucker click on the link below.

Source : Pembinavalley online

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.