Interesting tidbit

[samhill]

Railways

Twinning lines would make passenger cargo feasible, airlines would lose a lot of traffic, possibly not survive in domestic passenger competition. Dredging to Churchill or even rail to Churchill would remove too much grain freight to Ontario and Quebec, Richardsons, Cargill et al would not have control.
Tech advances likely make it feasible now compared to old feasibility studies but not gonna happen. Stepping on somebody's toes.

[foragefarmer]

For all those commenting on the dredging of the Sk River to Churchill, if it could make shipping more efficient and cost effective, why hasn't Potash Corp not looked into it?

[Klause]

For all those commenting on the dredging of the Sk River to Churchill, if it could make shipping more efficient and cost effective, why hasn't Potash Corp not looked into it?

Because they are a potash mine ? That's the same as asking why didn't pics build their own railway

[Integrity_Farmer]

I wonder where Chuck and grassy stand on building a high speed passenger train network....


Connect cities with more than 200,000 people... You could take how many cars off the road.


Would do a lot more for the environment than what a carbon tax would do.

The US got w lot of use out of the barge system during the time they spent as a major grain exporter... Today they have enough mouths to feed that exporting isn't as important anymore.

Canada is very different... Huge breadbasket tiny population.

Right on Klaus, a carbon tax is a tax and has no measurable benefit. I suppose the carbon tax plan was to invest the money from the tax in environmental programs. With Morneau the tax will no doubt go to his friends and his companies of course. We need concrete action on the environment. A railway system to serve small communities would do more for the environment and the economy. Rail passenger service absolutely

Trucks hauling grain hundreds of miles before it goes by train is insanity. A carbon tax will pass those trucking costs onto the farmer. Rail transportation is known to be 10 times more energy efficient than truck. Why are the railways and highways treated differently?

Grain transportation needs to be organized. The Canadian Wheat Board also did a great deal for the environment and the efficient movement of grain.

Grain production the the prairies has never been viable without a Canadian Wheat Board. With $4.20 1RS wheat low protein wheat farmers need a Canadian Wheat Board. Malt barley and durum used to be go to crops for many farmers and that was because of the Canadian Wheat Board.

Producer car loaders also had a market for their wheat with the CWB, no wonder the car loading sites are being shut down. The rail line to the port of Churchill was financially viable because of the Canadian Wheat Board.

Finally since the CWB was eliminated farmers have lost billions in revenue.

[furrowtickler]

IF - agree on most thing but the CWB illusion.
Just sold some more HRSW for $7.40 , delivered and will get a check for 100% of it . That was a pipe dream with the CWB .
Sorry but agree and disagree with ya

[furrowtickler]

Also had to sell hrsw with frost damage in 2004 through the board for well under $3 and had to wait 18 months to get paid that full amount . Regardless the CWB is gone and would do nothing to help us today . It's really irrelevant to even bring it up any more .

[Bowerpower]

We are the highest cost producer in the world. Highest inputs, cold climate, short season, ridiculous taxes and equipment costs, tax government policy that will makes us even less competitive. Far away from key markets. We need demand to keep rising, other countries will continue to ramp up production.

[seabass]

I agree Klause! U might be only able to use it half the year but would save us alot in the long run. Anything can be done just costs money. Beauracracy would be the biggest hurdle. CN and CP would have a hissy fit.