The Inland Terminal Association of Canada met in Saskatoon on Monday, the group represents grain companies that have significant farmer ownership.

Executive Director, Kevin Hursh, says over the years they've gotten smaller with some facilities being sold to private companies.

“It’s four members,  CMI Terminal at Naicam/Spalding area, North West Terminal at Unity, South West Terminal with its main facility near Gull Lake, Saskatchewan and Providence Grain Solutions with assets in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and container port ownership.”

He says they’ve gone from about nine or ten members down to four, with Gardiner Dam Terminal also being sold this year.

Hursh says ''Sharpening Your Pencil" was selected as the theme for ITAC's Convention in Saskatoon given the industry’s tight margins and marketing challenges.

“There’s also a lot of new competition in the grain handling realm if you look at the number of new builds, especially with G3 coming on stream with new facilities. There’s more and more choices out there, so, the thought is that margins will continue to be tighter and tighter and not only producers but the entire Ag industry, including grain terminals will be sharpening their pencils.”

The group heard a number of presentations ranging from the Financial Upheaval in the Ag Value Chain, to Emerging Opportunities from Plant Protein, as well as an Ag Commodity Market and Trade Outlook and a discussion around Grain Transportation.