Saskatchewan Wheat Pool
| Company type | Cooperative (1923–1996); Public corporation (1996–2007) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Grain handling, agri-food processing, marketing |
| Founded | August 25, 1923 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Founder | Saskatchewan Grain Growers' Association, United Farmers of Alberta, United Farmers of Manitoba |
| Defunct | 2007 |
| Fate | Merged with Agricore United to form Viterra |
| Headquarters | Regina , Canada |
Area served | Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, North America, international |
Key people | Alexander James McPhail (first president), Mayo Schmidt (last president) |
| Products | Grain handling, marketing services, agri-food processing |
Number of employees | Not specified |
| Parent | None (before merger); later part of Viterra |
The Saskatchewan Wheat Pool functioned as a grain handling, agri-food processing, and marketing enterprise headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan. It established an extensive network of marketing partnerships throughout North America and abroad, emerging as the foremost agricultural grain handler within Saskatchewan. Prior to its integration into Viterra, the Pool managed 276 retail locations alongside more than 100 grain handling and marketing facilities. In Manitoba and Alberta, the company operated under the name AgPro. Originating as a cooperative during the 1920s, it transitioned to a publicly traded corporation in the 1990s. After acquiring its rival Agricore United in 2007, the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool brand was discontinued. The combined organization functioned under the Viterra banner until its purchase by Glencore International in 2013.
Establishment and growth
Between 1900 and 1920, farmers pursuing equitable wheat pricing explored cooperative marketing strategies. Early groups included the Territorial Grain Growers' Association (established in 1902), which divided into the Alberta Farmers' Association and the Saskatchewan Grain Growers' Association (SGGA) by 1906. Concurrently, the farmers’ cooperative elevator firm known as the Grain Growers' Grain Company was founded; it eventually merged into United Grain Growers. The Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevator Company was formed in 1911.
On August 25, 1923, the SGGA allied with the United Farmers of Alberta and United Farmers of Manitoba to create the Saskatchewan Co-operative Wheat Producers Ltd., commonly referred to as the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. This entity aimed to collectively negotiate improved wheat prices. Alexander James McPhail served as the inaugural president, and construction of the first grain elevator took place in Bulyea in 1925. The company acquired the Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevator Company in 1926 and adopted the name Saskatchewan Wheat Pool officially in 1953.
Grain elevators operated by the Wheat Pool became emblematic landmarks within prairie communities and formed a foundational element of early grain marketing systems. Their calendar maps displayed railway routes, incorporated municipalities, and elevator sites—illustrating the sector’s progression from horse-drawn delivery methods to contemporary port operations.
In the early decades of the 20th century, elevators situated roughly every six to ten miles accommodated farmers transporting their grain via horse-drawn wagons. These sites provided services such as grain purchasing and grading, along with fertilizer and chemical supplies through Pool Farm Service Centers. Following World War II, advancements including improved highways, trucks, tractors, and combines revolutionized agricultural logistics. Deregulation of railways resulted in branch line closures and increased railcar loading requirements for grains and oilseeds. This shift prompted development of modern SWP Terminals engineered for higher volume throughput across broader service regions.
The original wooden 'crib' style elevators processed approximately 100 tonnes per hour with pits capable of holding about one truckload (~10 tonnes). By contrast, newer slip-formed concrete "high-throughput" elevators boast capacities reaching up to 418,000 bushels (equivalent to 11,500 tonnes), while condominium-style storage facilities can accommodate up to 582,000 bushels (approximately 15,800 tonnes).
Transition from Co-operative to Corporation
In March 1996, the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool converted from a co-operative structure into a publicly listed corporation. Although the company initially recorded profits, it experienced substantial financial setbacks between 1999 and 2003, primarily due to depressed commodity prices. The competitive landscape intensified following the merger of the Alberta Wheat Pool with Manitoba Pool Elevators, which formed Agricore. Subsequently, the Pool ceded its position as Canada's leading grain handler when Agricore acquired United Grain Growers in 2002, resulting in the creation of Agricore United.
In November 2006, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool launched a takeover attempt for Agricore United, contending with Winnipeg-based James Richardson International ("JRI") for control. The Pool proposed stock-exchange offers that were declined by AU’s Board of Directors, which instead endorsed JRI’s February 2007 merger proposal to establish "Richardson Agricore," a publicly traded company.
This sparked a bidding contest: the Pool countered with a combined stock and cash proposal, whereas JRI offered an all-cash bid as a private entity. Ultimately, in May 2007, the Pool's superior all-cash offer of $20.50 per share prevailed. More than 81% of voting shares were tendered to the Pool, exceeding the 75% threshold necessary to amend AU’s corporate structure. After shareholder ratification in June, AU became a fully owned subsidiary of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. AU’s CEO Brian Hayward and its Board resigned, transferring governance to the Pool’s management team. The Toronto Stock Exchange delisted AU shares on June 20, 2007.
Following the merger, the new organization was renamed Viterra, with its headquarters established in Regina, signifying a strategic evolution for the company.
Presidents
- A. E. Wilson 1923–1924 (Interim)
- Alexander James McPhail 1924–1931
- Louis C. Brouillette 1931–1937
- John Henry (Jack) Wesson 1937–1960
- Charles W. Gibbings 1960–1969
- E. K. Turner 1969–1987
- Garfield Stevenson 1987–1993
- Leroy Larsen 1993–1999
- Marvin Weins 1999–2004
- Terry Baker 2004–?
- Mayo Schmidt 2005–2007
See also
- Alberta Wheat Pool
- Manitoba Pool Elevators
- Wheat pool
- Agricore United
- United Grain Growers
- Paper Wheat
- List of Canadian Heritage Wheat Varieties
Books
25 Years with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Published by Saskatchewan Co-Operative Producers Limited, Regina, 1949
From prairie roots: The remarkable story of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool by Garry Lawrence Fairbairn HarperCollins Canada / Greystone Book, 318 pages, 1984
Wheat Kings: Vanishing Landmarks of the Canadian Prairies by Greg McDonnell Boston Mills Press, 120 pages, 2004
The Diary of Alexander James McPhail by Harold A. Innis and Alexander James McPhail Reviewed in Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science, Vol. 7, No. 1 (1941)
External links
- Archived official website (Snapshot from June 23, 2007 via Internet Archive)
- Viterra corporate site
- University of Saskatchewan Archives – Saskatchewan Wheat Pool
- Civilization.ca – Canada Hall – King Wheat – Saskatchewan Grain Elevator
- Saskatchewan Country Elevator System Maps
- CBC Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Wheat Pool
- Saskatchewan Settlement Experience
- Post Offices and Postmasters
- Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Wheat Pool
- Wheat production in Canada
- Agricultural co-operatives in Canada
- Defunct agriculture companies
- Defunct companies of Saskatchewan
- Agricultural marketing cooperatives
- Companies based in Regina, Saskatchewan
- Agricultural organizations based in Canada
- Former co-operatives of Canada
- Food and drink companies established in 1924
- Food and drink companies disestablished in 2007
- 1924 establishments in Saskatchewan
- 2007 disestablishments in Saskatchewan
- Agriculture companies established in the 1920s
- Companies established in 1923
- Agriculture companies disestablished in 2007