Thomas Eckschmidt's Page

Rail Inflation Index Increased for Maximum Revenue Entitlement for Western Grain

New VRCPI determinations from the Canadian Transportation Agency show modest increases for CN and CPKC that will influence regulated western grain transportation revenues in the 2026–2027 crop year.

Pet Obesity a Growing Concern

Pet obesity is common but manageable. Veterinarians explain how to identify excess weight, manage feeding habits, encourage activity, and support long term pet health.

Lab on a Drone Lab Tests Farm Waterways Fast

Iowa State researchers developed a drone-based water testing system that measures nitrate levels quickly, helping farmers monitor runoff, protect waterways, and improve fertilizer use with real-time data.

Grain Transport Disruptions Can Cost Sector $540 Million in a Week

A single week of rail and port disruptions during peak export season can cost Canada’s grain sector up to $540 million, with most of the damage tied to lost sales that are unlikely to be recovered, according to a new analysis. Commissioned by the Ag Transport Coalition, the study found roughly 94% of the financial impact from supply chain disruptions comes from reduced sales rather than penalties or added costs. The report said that when Canadian grain does not move, international buyers often turn to competing suppliers, leaving sales permanently lost rather than simply delayed. The coalition released the findings April 27 as part of its Too Much on the Line campaign, which is calling for changes to Canada’s labour regulations to reduce the risk of future supply chain shutdowns. The report said the financial damage can begin even before a strike or lockout officially starts. Uncertainty ahead of a disruption can cause railways to stop accepting new shipments, exporters to pull b

Domestic Canola Crush Rebounds in March

After dipping below 1 million tonnes for the first time in the 2025-26 marketing year in February, the Canadian canola crush rebounded in March. A Statistics Canada crush report Thursday pegged the March canola crush at 1.097 million tonnes, up a hefty 15.3% from February’s 951,353, and 7.1% above the same month last year. The year-to-date 2025-26 crush (August to March) now stands at 8.163 million tonnes, 4.1% above the same period a year earlier. As of the end of March, the cumulative crush for the current marketing year represented 68% of Agriculture Canada’s full year projection of 12 million – nearly identical to the previous year when the crush totaled 11.412 million tonnes. At the end of February, the 2025-26 crush was running 3.7% ahead of a year earlier and represented about 58% of the full-year crush forecast. In its April supply-demand update, Agriculture Canada left its 2025-26 canola crush forecast unchanged from March at 12 million but lifted its new-crop crush ou