Over the last few weeks, we've seen grain shipments picking up in the Prairies. 

CN's Assistant Vice-President of Grain David Przednowek says they saw fairly consistent grain movement for March with demand picking up.

"CN shipped over 530,000 tons of grain and processed grain products out of the country in grain week #34. That's slightly below supply chain targets, but very similar to the average of the past three years for that specific week."

The demand for grain cars had a slow start last fall and into the early part of the winter, but has been fairly steady since the beginning of January.

He points out that there has also been more grain moving to Thunder Bay now that the laker shipping season has resumed.

Przednowek says while grain movement has picked up they have seen some additional challenges, with some adverse operating conditions at Vancouver that were out of CN's control.

The next biggest impact will be the Spring Road Ban season and rthe restrictions on commercial and heavy vehicles including agricultural loads and/or equipment.

A number of areas have started implementing Spring Road Bans.