GrainsWest Spring 2020

Spring 2020 grainswest.com 25 hile statistics are limited, some industry insiders estimate about 50 per cent of farmers haul their own grain, while the other 50 per cent rely fully or partly on commercial trucking services, popularly referred to as custom grain haulers. Cropping about 5,000 acres near Killam, Roger Chevraux looks for strong service and flexibility in grain haulers. Chevraux’s experience closely reflects what commercial trucking companies say they see in Alberta. Depending on the time of year, he’ll use his own trucks to deliver grain and oilseeds to local elevators. For longer hauls, he hires a commercial trucking company to complete deliveries, particularly at seeding and harvest. “What I am looking for is a trucking company that has some independence,” said Chevraux. “It takes a bit of time to build that relationship, but if I am hiring a commercial grain truck it’s because I’m busy. I want the trucker to have the independence to come into the yard, get the grain loaded on the truck and W then head out for the delivery. If I have to stop what I’m doing to help the trucker, then that’s not really helping me.” Hiring mostly commercial truckers allowed Chevraux the flexibility to work on- and off-farm simultaneously for several years. Now, as a full-time farmer, he handles much of his own trucking requirements. He has a couple of smaller tandem trucks, as well as a tri-axle truck that can carry about 32 tonnes of grains and oilseeds. He is planning to upgrade to a Super B unit. Chevraux feels fortunate on all fronts. He and his hired man both have class 1 licences. He has also hired the same custom grain hauler for the past several years. A retired farmer, he is conveniently familiar with the Chevraux yard. “I can just leave the auger in the yard and sometimes he brings his own drag auger,” said Chevraux. “I tell him what bin I want to move, he’ll get the grain loaded, clean out the bin and be on his way without my help. If something breaks, he can fix it, and he’s even gone for fuel when the auger has run out of gas. Andrew Scafe of Go-Fer Ag Services focuses on developing good working relationships with his Red Deer area customers.