(Regular updates will be available on the Alberta Pulse Growers website.)

Pulse Canada and the CSCA are partners of the Ag Transport Coalition (ATC)*, which tracks performance of the Canadian railway network for the movement of grain.

A new grain network status report has been created to provide stakeholders with comprehensive insight on the performance of the Canadian rail system for the 2020-2021 grain year. The report provides information and data on the status of the rail network as of midnight the previous day.

The railway performance data reported in these reports reflect the performance of rail shipments specifically for grain shippers participating in the Ag Transport Coalition’s railway performance measurement program – estimated to encompass approximately 90-95% of western Canadian originated grain shipments by rail.

April 19, 2022: Report Synopsis

Loads on Wheels

System loads on wheels declined slightly remaining above 5,400 cars yesterday but early in week 38 continuing to lag last week’s levels.

The slight decline on a net basis reflects slightly higher volumes for CN more than offset by a decline on CP.

Cars Not Moving

System idle car counts declined for the 3rd consecutive day yesterday falling below 1,000 cars for CN and CP combined for the first time since November.

Both railways showed improvement yesterday, albeit more notably CP.  System counts are currently on a pace to see a 30% week over week improvement.

Port Unloads

West coast unloads (415) declined from the prior day reflecting lower unloads at Vancouver and slightly better unloads at Prince Rupert as anticipated.

Thunder Bay unloads (244) improved but three days into the current week continue to lag last week’s pace by 25% averaging less than 200 cars per day thus far this week.

For more information, go to www.agtransportcoalition.com* The Ag Transportation Coalition is comprised of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC), Pulse Canada, Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (MPGA), Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Inland Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC) and the Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA). All daily network status reports are available on the Pulse Canada website.