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By Kelsey Banks, Ottawa-Rideau Regional Communication Coordinator
On July 27, 2022, the Ottawa-Rideau Regional Soil and Crop Improvement Association (ORRSCIA) hosted their Summer Tour, after two years of virtual events due to COVID-19. A mix of 34 members and non-members attended the event.
The first tour stop was Ingredion, located in Cardinal, ON, right along the St. Lawrence River. For some of the attendees, they recognize the Ingredion location as the past corn crushing plant business name Casco. Ingredion is a global ingredients solutions company. They make sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients and biomaterials that are used by customers in everyday products from foods and beverages to paper and pharmaceuticals from corn.

During the tour of Ingredion, many were amazed by how many by-products of corn were made at the plant. One of the most interesting parts of the tour for some attendees was seeing the grain grading room. Many questions were asked about what Ingredion is looking for when grading the corn, in order for it to be graded better and be accepted by Ingredion.
In eastern Ontario, there are more growers starting to grow non-GMO corn. This makes sense as Ingredion is a prominent delivery location for some growers in the region. As the grower is crop planning, they may be looking at the market for their crop. For corn in the area, it may be a benefit for the grower to grow non-GMO as it may reduce their trucking fee depending on the farm’s location. Ingredion does accept GMO corn, but only at certain times throughout the year.
After a delicious lunch at BridgeView Restaurant located about 20 minutes east of Cardinal in Johnstown, the next tour stop was at the Port of Johnstown.

The Port of Johnstown was built in the early 1930’s and remarkably, much of the original structure is still used. The Port of Johnstown is one of Eastern Ontario’s Premier Ports for truck, vessel, and rail shipping and receiving of grains, as well as other goods and services.
Since it was built there have been new technologies and grain bins added to the port to make it safer and easier to manage the grain coming in and out of the port. The elevator complex comprises of a main concrete structure of 389 silos, ranging in capacity from 85 to 600 tonnes each. The new annex consists of 8 – 5,000 ton bins. There is a hopper on the north side of the elevator for unloading vessels; shipping spouts for vessels; track shed for shipping and receiving grain by rail or truck; a grain dryer; and a grain cleaner.
As a bonus, attendees were brought to the top of the port by elevator for a great view.

If you would like a tour of either Ingredion or the Port of Johnstown, please contact the Ottawa-Rideau Regional Communications Coordinator, Kelsey Banks, for direct contact information.
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