Rail backlog hurting Manitoba farmers

A rail backlog which is delaying grain shipments is hurting Manitoba farmers.

That’s the word from the province’s biggest farm lobby group, Keystone Agricultural Producers.

Dan Mazier told Global News the backlog is affecting the farmer’s cash flow.

“We would normally be hauling out about 50 per cent of our crop during this January to March time period while the roads are frozen, but that window is gone now.”

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Mazier pointed out the backlog is continuing, even though farmers will start seeding operations in the next four to six weeks.

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Grain producers said billions of dollars could be lost if the rail car backlog keeps millions of tonnes of grain trapped in the prairie provinces.

CN Rail has apologized for the backlog and said it is mobilizing more train cars and workers to get things moving as quickly as possible.

This is the second backlog in the past four years.