Reading Time: 2 minutes A researcher working for a group calling for the return of single desk marketing misinterpreted data in former Canadian Wheat Board annual reports to conclude the board paid lower rates for shipping grain. Several sources, including a former Canadian Wheat Board director, say University of Saskatchewan Ph.D. candidate Laura Larsen used an inaccurate comparison in […] Read more

Red pens come out for postmortem report on CWB era

CN’s 2015 grain handle down, grain revenue up
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canadian National Railway’s (CN) fourth-quarter and full-year ledgers show lower traffic, but increased revenue, from its grain and fertilizer business in 2015, en route to record full-year earnings. Montreal-based CN on Tuesday reported overall net income of $3.538 billion on $12.611 billion in total revenues for 2015, up from $3.167 billion on $12.134 billion for […] Read more

Ocean freight cost index breaks another floor
Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada — The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) continues its downward slide, dropping below 400 points for the first time ever as ocean freight rates struggle to find their bottom. The BDI was quoted at 394 points on Wednesday, marking a new low since records began in 1985. The index was trading above 1,200 as […] Read more

Bulk shipping cost index sinks to 30-year lows
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada –– The Baltic Dry Index, which tracks global bulk shipping rates, has fallen to its lowest levels in 30 years, which should make North American grains and oilseeds more competitive in the international market. The index (BDI) was quoted Monday at 554 points, the lowest reading since records start in 1985. The index […] Read more