Ontario grain companies form strategic alliance

Great Lakes Grain, Bacres Grain Inc., and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative have joined forces in what the companies are calling a “strategic partnership aimed at providing enhanced services to the agricultural community.”

Why it matters: Great Lakes Grain already supplies grain marketing expertise to cooperatives and other elevators across the province.

The collaboration “leverages the unique strengths of each company to offer a more comprehensive and customer-focused approach,” the companies said in a release. The partnership, the companies said, is rooted in the idea that each company brings something unique to the table.

Great Lakes Grain is a grain marketing partnership between AGRIS Cooperative Ltd., GROWMARK, Inc. (including FS PARTNERS, a division of GROWMARK, Inc.), and Embrun Co-op. It operates multiple branded locations across Ontario, offering grain marketing solutions and a wide range of products and inputs. Great Lakes Grain operates 28 grain elevators from Windsor north to Barrie and East to the Ottawa Valley.

Bacres Grain Inc. is an independent and fully licensed grain elevator business owned and operated by the Buurma Family in Alviston. It was established to meet the needs of the local farming community. 

Wanstead Farmers Co-operative is a 100 per cent farmer-owned grain marketing and farm-input supply company serving farmer owners in Lambton and Middlesex counties. In addition to providing full-service grain marketing programs, Wanstead Farmers Co-operative also provides precision farming technology, seed, and agronomy services.

The companies said GLG and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative will continue to provide  customers with “dynamic grain marketing opportunities” in Ontario, while Bacres Grain will focus on delivering “operational excellence” at the grain elevator.

Benefits to farmers, said the companies, is industry expertise and more comprehensive services. This includes helping farmers achieve their marketing goals and maximize returns.

Customers that have existing grain contracts with Bacres will be transferred to Great Lakes Grain. Great Lakes Grain will execute these contracts on behalf of Bacres, the companies said.