Cannabis Archives | Alberta Farmer Express

StatsCan expects to see hemp acreage double from 41,200 acres  in 2018 to 82,500 acres this year.

Alberta college courses offer hemp agronomy 101

NorQuest College of Edmonton hopes to provide new growers with information on the crop

As hemp production jumps across the Prairies, more first-time producers are being drawn to the crop, prompting an Alberta college to offer a course in how to grow it. NorQuest College offers two courses, one on hemp production and another on processing and products. The Edmonton community college aims to equip continuing education students with […] Read more

Crops, Reuters

Cannabis firm Tilray sees growth slowing

By Reuters August 13, 2019

Reuters — Pot producer Tilray Inc. reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss on Tuesday, as it ramped up investments to boost production and warned of muted growth in the Canadian recreational marijuana market for the second half of the year. Shares of the Nanaimo, B.C.-based company fell eight per cent after hours. Canada in October became […] Read more

Crops

Couche-Tard takes stake in cannabis retailer

By GFM Staff August 11, 2019

One of Canada’s biggest convenience store operators is moving ahead on its stated goal of getting into the retail cannabis business. Edmonton-based cannabis retailer Fire + Flower announced Wednesday it has issued a $25.99 million debenture, convertible to a 9.9 per cent ownership stake, to Quebec’s Alimentation Couche-Tard. The Laval-based firm said its planned investment […] Read more

General, Markets

Calgary to step out of Federated Co-op grocery system

By GFM Staff August 11, 2019

Calgary Co-op’s grocery business plans to get all its goods from suppliers other than Federated Co-operatives (FCL) starting in April next year. Saskatoon-based FCL said Thursday it had received notice from Calgary Co-operative Association that it would “discontinue the procurement of all products for their grocery stores from FCL” at that time. The Saskatoon StarPhoenix […] Read more

Reuters

Canadian greenhouse labor shortages worsened by growing cannabis producers

By Kelsey Johnson July 29, 2019

Ottawa | Reuters – Canada’s labor-strapped greenhouse vegetable and flower growers are ramping up efforts to keep and recruit more workers in the face of pressure from the country’s budding cannabis industry, farm groups say. “Many of the cannabis producers are very cash rich. They’ve got the resources to pay a very good wage,” said […] Read more

General, Machinery & Shop

Consultations begin online for replacing Alberta’s Bill 6

By GFM Staff July 12, 2019

A new online survey and direct consultations this summer are expected to inform the new Alberta government’s plans to swap out its predecessor’s legislation on farm and ranch worker protection. Alberta’s governing United Conservatives — who made repeal and replacement of Bill 6 a core plank of their platform before unseating the NDP government back […] Read more

General, Markets

Agriculture foreign workers get new path to residency

By John Greig July 12, 2019

Updated, July 15 — The federal government has announced a pilot program that will make it easier for farms and food companies to maintain workers they recruit from around the world. Ahmed Hussen, minister for immigration, refugees and citizenship, announced the program Friday at Maple Leaf Foods in Mississauga. Why it matters: There’s a labour […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

Ontario’s slow rollout of weed outlets could help black market

By Moira Warburton July 8, 2019

Toronto | Reuters — Ontario has blamed a shortage of legal cannabis from the federal government for its slow rollout of retail outlets, a claim dismissed by the federal government and regulatory bodies from other provinces, raising prospects the black market for weed may thrive longer in Canada’s most populous province. Canada became the first […] Read more

Crops, Reuters

Weed leader Canopy Growth ousts co-CEO

By Debroop Roy, Nivedita Balu July 3, 2019

Reuters — Canopy Growth Corp. fired founder and co-CEO Bruce Linton, a surprise move that comes just a week after the Canadian cannabis producer’s largest shareholder expressed disappointment over its loss-making streak. The world’s largest pot company announced earlier in the day that Linton was stepping down, leaving Mark Zekulin in charge of the company. […] Read more

General

Former Ontario Tory ag critic returns to file as assistant

By GFM Staff June 29, 2019

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has added a second veteran MPP to assist Ag Minister Ernie Hardeman with the agriculture, food and rural affairs portfolio. Ford on Wednesday named Toby Barrett as parliamentary assistant to the minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, with responsibility for agriculture and food. Randy Pettapiece, who since June last year […] Read more

Japan set to grant TPP-level access for U.S. beef, pork

New EU import curbs on fruit not Canada-specific

U.S. livestock: CME hogs limit down as trade war heats up

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