CP seeks to strengthen grain supply chain in North Dakota

Canadian Pacific continues to move more grain from North Dakota to key markets domestically and internationally as it improves and expands its network, said Vice President Marketing and Sales-Bulk John Brooks yesterday at an agricultural conference in Fargo, N.D.

"The CP team is focused on investing more, moving more and working with all stakeholders to strengthen the supply chain," he said at the event, which was hosted by North Dakota State University's Center for Agriculture Policy and Trade Studies, and organized by U.S. Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).

CP is well positioned to move grain with its rail partners to the East and West markets, and plans to invest more than $500 million in infrastructure on its upper plains network between 2014 and 2016, said Brooks, according to a press release. The Class I's current grain performance is robust, with record levels moved to the Pacific Northwest in October, and asset velocity will be key in driving sustainable grain-volume growth, he said.

CP is working with customers to enhance the transparency of car supply and service predictability. The Class I has developed a dedicated car program for larger shippers and smaller producers, and implemented a flexible, open distribution system, said Brooks.

The agricultural conference also attracted attendees from the Surface Transportation Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Corn Growers Association and other grain shippers, and academic experts in agribusiness.