the company’s approach to quality management, economic and market research, distribution and logistics and proprietary innovation. Collectively, the sessions offered a broader perspective on the complex business operations and strategic considerations that support the global agricultural supply chain. The day concluded with a private tour of Black Fox Distillery, operated by fifth-generation farmers John Cote and Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote. The farm and distillery provide a unique example of agricultural entrepreneurship and value-added production, with nearly 95 percent of the ingredients used in their products—including triticale, grains, fruits and flowers—grown on their own farm. More than simply a distillery, Black Fox represents a living farm, a cultural symbol, and a compelling testament to the connection between agriculture, craftsmanship and entrepreneurship. The operation has earned significant recognition, including Saskatchewan and Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers awards, as well as Saskatoon’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2018. Altogether, the trip was one for the books. The WGLP Class VIII and alumni were able to bond and share experiences like no other. From traveling more than 3,000 feet underground to watching potash go from raw ore to a finished product ready to be shipped around the world, to learning all about Nutrien and its part in the agriculture industry, the experience gave us all a whole new appreciation for the scale and complexity of the potash industry. We are incredibly thankful to Nutrien and their amazing team for their generosity.
potassium chloride from the salt, cleaning and concentrating the product, drying it and finally seeing the different types of finished potash. After seeing the finished product, we then got to see how it makes its way to customers. We watched the process of loading the potash into railcars, where they average about 77 rail cars per day and ship about 2.4 million tons of potash a year. While the potash produced at this mine is primarily used for fertilizer that gets shipped around the world, potash also has a variety of industrial and medical uses. It was a very eventful and informative day, and we feel extremely fortunate and grateful to have had the opportunity to experience something that so few people ever get to see firsthand. You may have noticed that this article has two authors. There is a reason for that: one of us came down with a terrible bout of the flu and was unfortunately unable to make it to the activities of day two. So, while we may have started this adventure together, only one of us made it through the entire experience. … Following a full day observing Nutrien’s Cory Potash Mining operations, the group had the opportunity to visit the breeding facility located on the University of Saskatchewan campus. The University of Saskatchewan and Nutrien share a long-standing partnership focused on advanced agricultural research, including crop breeding and development. Led by Senior Director Bruce Harrison, the tour provided an inside look at the facility’s on-site laboratories, where subject matter experts shared insights into molecular science, chemistry and plant pathology. The group also received a hands-on tour of the greenhouse facilities, highlighting the research and breeding efforts focused on developing climate-resilient crops and advancing agricultural innovation. In the afternoon, the group traveled to the Nutrien Tower in downtown Saskatoon for a series of presentations from Nutrien leadership. The presentations provided valuable insight into
Nutrien staff explains how the continuous miner machine works.
45 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com October – December 2026
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