The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is congratulating CN and CP on January's record volume of grain and grain product movement.

Chair Daryl Fransoo says our international customers depend upon reliable grain delivery to move our products from the local terminal to port, which is done almost exclusively by rail.

"Winter months have been a transportation challenge in the past, but this year, record volumes of our grain was successfully moved."

The Wheat Growers say with over 20 million metric tonnes or 90% of the wheat grown in Western Canada being exported, a reliable transportation chain is paramount.

The Canadian grain and oilseeds market is largely offshore and with stiff competition, they say we need to be certain our product moves efficiently to those markets.

"To lose our competitive edge through transportation slowdowns, input costs or weather disasters means competitors take the upper hand."

Secretary-Treasurer Jim Wickett says we are reassured that this puts Canada back on track as a reliable shipper and grain farmers expect it to stay that way. Both rail companies deserve credit for upping their game, and we ask them to continue to grow this level of service.