Just in time for the 2024 Ontario corn harvest, the Port of Johnstown has upgraded its grain handling capabilities.
Located on the St. Lawrence Seaway system between Toronto and Montreal, the eastern Ontario port last week announced the completion of a $6-million state of the art propane grain dryer.
"This new dryer will more than double our drying capacity, allowing us to handle soybean and corn simultaneously," Edwardsburgh Cardinal Mayor Tory Deschamps, who serves on the Port Management Committee, said in a release. "This expansion addresses a significant constraint, as soybean harvest often overlaps with corn harvest, challenging our ability to process both crops efficiently."
The project received $2 million from the federal government’s Agriculture Clean Technology (ACT) Program, which supports Canadian agricultural operations in implementing cleaner technologies. The remainder of the cost was covered by port reserves. The new grain dryer, built with advanced heat retention technology, is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 30-45%.
The Port of Johnstown is a major agricultural and industrial port in Eastern Ontario, serving the needs of regional farmers, manufacturers, and businesses. The Port handles a variety of commodities, including grain, salt, and petroleum products.
