A near record number of wheat and barley growers chose to use producer cars during the 2005-06 crop year.

 

Canadian Wheat Board manager of rail logistics Mark Dyck says more than 11,000 farmers loaded their own rail car, the highest number in 15 years.


He notes growers who take advantage of producer cars can expect to save about $1,000 per car on elevation charges, but there are risks.


Those include not knowing the grade of your grain until it's unloaded at port, and if the car is infested with bugs farmers may be on the hook for the infestation bill.


As for the 2006-07 crop year, Dyck expects similar numbers.