Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay discussed the current rail backlog during a stop in Winnipeg last week.

MacAulay said if Bill C-49 passes, it won't solve the issue right away, but it will benefit the industry in the future.

He added that as farmers continue to produce more and more, and a reliable transportation system will be critical.

"This year's big crop will be just a regular crop in a year or two because we're going to produce more on the same amount of land. We have over the years, and we'll continue to produce more, which means there's more grain to ship. We have to have the proper system in place. We know as an exporting nation, we must do that and we will."

Bill C-49 has passed through the Senate with amendments and is currently before the House of Commons.

There is also much concern within the Ag industry as to what will happen with the trade dispute between the United States and China.

China has threatened a number of tariffs on U.S. Ag products, which would have a direct impact on Canadian producers.

Macaulay addressed the issue.

"My job is to make sure I support our great farmers and ranchers in this country and to make sure that we move their product and that's exactly what we are going to do."

Macaulay was in Winnipeg to sign the new five-year Canadian Agricultural Partnership.