Farm to Fork: Thriving agriculture scene in the northeast drives grain storage expansion

A robust agricultural scene in northeastern Ontario has spurred Co-op Régionale to expand its storage at its Timiskaming (Thornloe)) and West Nipissing (Verner) locations.

Brandon Tuinema, agriculture manager for Co-op Régionale, said the 4,000 member-owned organization is adding two grain bins, one each at its Timiskaming and West Nipissing locations this summer in anticipation of another large crop this year.

The 60-foot-diameter bins have the capacity to hold 3,000 tonnes of wheat.

The almost $2-million investment is largely attributed to the growth in acreage under cultivation, the changing crop mix, higher yield crops and more consistent year-by-year successful crop years, especially in the Verner area, Tuinema said.

The expansion and investment is representative of the state of agriculture in northeastern Ontario.