Manitoba agriculture officials are remaining positive after last week's meeting in Saskatoon to discuss grain movement and rail transportation.

The get-together saw federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau and federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay meet with reps from a number of grain commodity organizations, as well as provincial agriculture ministers and farm lobby groups.

Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler said everyone seemed to be on the same page.

"I certainly feel that we spoke as one unit right across western Canada, not just Manitoba. [Saskatchewan Agriculture] Minister [Lyle] Stewart was very clear in supporting my comments and also, Oneil [Carlier], the minister in Alberta was also very supportive."

Eichler says they're hoping to hear a response back from Garneau towards the end of the year.

Keystone Agricultural Producers President Dan Mazier said they reminded Garneau that any changes to the file would affect producers.

"We had to remind Garneau that producers are bearing the cost of that," he explained. "So whether they tweak the MRE (Maximum Revenue Entitlement), do a full costing review, get levels of service improved so shippers can haul grain at appropriate times. All these changes, it doesn't matter whatever they do, the farmer is still paying that bill."

Mazier noted he was pleased that Manitoba farmers were able to voice their concerns to the top levels of government.