What's Growing ON? Where did all the wheat go?

There are over a hundred grain elevators in Ontario. Elevators receive grain from local farmers, grade the grain for quality, and store the grain until the farmer is ready to sell. Farmers will watch the grain markets closely, similar to watching stock markets, and will sell their grain when they can get the best price. Once sold, the elevator ships the grain to an Ontario flour mill (for use in many local products) or to a lake terminal where boats are loaded that will travel down the St. Lawrence River, destined for export. There are six main grain terminals in Ontario and ten flour mills.

As you drive through the countryside, see if you can spot a grain elevator with its many three story high bins of wheat with pipes running to their tops to carry grain. Also, watch for wheat and flour trucks on the road and if you are near an Ontario port on Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, or the St. Lawrence River watch for big ships full of wheat heading for the ocean ports in Quebec.

You can learn more about Ontario grains online at www.whatsgrowingon.ca.

www.newscanada.com