By Lisa Kopochinski
The importance of grain quality and the impact it has on a grower’s profit cannot be understated. Investing in high-quality grain storage and handling infrastructure is a must.
CORR Grain Systems – located less than 20 kilometres northwest of Regina – offers high-quality grain storage, handling systems and technology to a diverse clientele across Western Canada. The company provides services for small family operations, large producers, pulse and seed plants, and major companies in the export industry.
“The past year has been quite strong for our company,” says Brett Schmidt, president and CEO of CORR Grain Systems Inc. “We have seen another year of significant growth in our grain storage and handling business. Going into the 2025 season, our focus has been on maximizing our customer experience and ensuring that our product and construction services are ready for the upcoming build year.”
Over the past year, he notes the company has not seen many big changes. “We are closely monitoring the tariff conversation south of the border and we continue to enhance our product offerings and services as Canadian farm demands evolve.”
CORR Grain’s regional sales managers assist customers in determining their grain storage and handling needs by providing product information and tailored ideas. This assistance can be dispensed over the phone or through on-site farm visits, particularly for larger and more complex projects to help lay out comprehensive handling and dryer systems.
“Our focus is on understanding our customers’ needs and ensuring product and construction services are ready for the upcoming season,” explains Schmidt. “This process is managed from our central ordering and distribution centre near Regina. Our selling season begins towards the end of harvest and continues throughout the winter. Construction typically begins in early April and slows down during winter months. We offer a range of products, from 10,000-bushel hopper bins and dryers to large flats with terminal-type handling and dryer systems. Orders for larger and more complex systems need to be placed earlier to ensure timely delivery.”
As for the most popular storage and handling options for farmers, Schmidt says the company’s bestselling product is its flat bottom bins ranging from 30,000 to 45,000 bushels.
“We offer a product mix and construction services perfectly suited to meet the needs of western Canadian producers. In terms of handling, the most common system we see involves hopper bin wet storage in front of a dryer, followed by delivery from the dryer to large flats using a pneumatic system.”
The company has also installed farm systems that rival the size and complexity of grain handling terminals. Some of these farms handle significantly more grain than the old wooden elevators that once dotted the Prairies.
Schmidt notes it can be challenging for farmers to decide what grain storage and handling options to choose since this can vary greatly depending on the size of the farm.
“Customers need to consider their current and future requirements when planning grain handling systems. Building a system that accommodates both present and potential future needs is crucial. Providing ample space for expansion is advisable, as farm sizes and equipment continue to grow. Most farms prioritize systems that minimize stress and manpower, while balancing costs. This consideration initiates the planning process for grain management solutions.”
Considerations for Various Farm Sizes
As one of the largest independent grain bin and grain dryer dealers in Western Canada, Wall Grain brings new and innovative ideas to grain management. Located in all three Prairie provinces – with the head office in Winnipeg – the company is celebrating 41 years in business this year.
“We design grain bins and grain dryers, putting packages together for better return on the dollar,” explains owner Dave Wall. “We strive to make grain management less labour-intensive with grain monitoring systems and efficient grain drying techniques.”
He says there are different considerations for farms of varying sizes, and implementing three or four different ways to dry grain is a better way to get returns on investments.
“Things will definitely be different on a 25,000-acre farm versus a 5,000-acre farm. The first thing you do on a larger farm is refine a proper drying site. It needs to be set up with three-phase power. If the site does not already have three-phase power, then it can be set up with a genset.”
One of the company’s most popular options, the GrainX Command Automated AI, can cut power usage by more than 50 per cent and reduces shrink by at least one per cent by incorporating fan automation with grain management services.
“In terms of handling, the most common system we see involves hopper bin wet storage in front of a dryer, followed by delivery from the dryer to large flats using a pneumatic system,” says Wall. “We are seeing trends toward full grain handling sites which we can design to be built out gradually or all at once. A well-designed grain handling system with a grain dryer can reduce the need for extra combining and manpower.”