New York | Reuters — Some cannabis stocks are seeing their prices surge as investors hunt for winners in the ashes of an industry shakeout that hammered share prices last year. Shares of Tilray Inc. and Canopy Growth Corp. have climbed more than 20 per cent since the start of the year, while Cronos Group […] Read more
Bargain hunters fire up rally in cannabis stocks
Favourable growing conditions forecast for major ag regions
MarketsFarm — Canadian producers looking for challenging growing conditions elsewhere in the world to prop up commodity prices may be disappointed during the 2020 growing season. South America “If you’re looking for any help from South America for your canola or soybeans or corn, you’d better look somewhere else,” Drew Lerner, president of World Weather […] Read more
Zimbabwe says grain stocks running out after drought
Harare | Reuters — Zimbabwe has only 100,000 tonnes of grain in its strategic reserves, enough to last just over a month, as the southern African nation suffers the effects of a severe drought, according to the agriculture minister. More than half the country’s population faces food shortages after maize harvests halved last year. The […] Read more
Trump administration scales back U.S. water protections
Washington | Reuters — The Trump administration finalized a rule on Thursday to pare back the types of waterways protected from pollution under federal law, easing burdens on industries such as agriculture and mining but angering environmental groups. The Navigable Waters Protection Rule could win political points ahead of the November election for Republican President […] Read more
Variable Prairie weather makes for uncertain spring ahead
If nothing else, a rainy harvest season helped replenish topsoil moisture
MarketsFarm — Late-season rains wreaked havoc on the 2019 harvest season but were helpful in restoring topsoil moisture to key growing regions in the Prairies. Since snow coverage has been variable across the Prairies so far in 2020, however, the growing season may get off to a rocky start. “If we take a look at […] Read more
Starbucks to add more plant-based food in latest green push
Chicago | Reuters — Starbucks Corp. aims to add more plant-based food and drinks to its menu as part of the company’s latest plan to become more environmentally friendly, CEO Kevin Johnson said on Tuesday, prompting a surge in shares of Beyond Meat Inc. Over the past year, with the rise of companies including Beyond […] Read more
Alberta’s Crop Management Network expands reach
A crop input dealer northwest of Edmonton is the newest link in the Crop Management Network ag retail chain. CMN, whose chain includes retailers in seven other central Alberta communities, said Thursday it has purchased the assets of Dow Fertilizer, which operates sites at Onoway and Mayerthorpe, effective Jan. 9. “We are very excited to […] Read more
Spring weather to determine Prairies’ crop pest load
MarketsFarm — How problematic insects fare across the Prairies in 2020 depends largely on the weather this spring, according to three provincial insect specialists. Be the insects grasshoppers, flea beetles, cutworms, or a few other types, their potential to cause significant damage to Prairie crops will partly depend on how dry and warm this coming […] Read more
Canary seed one step closer to ‘official’ status
MarketsFarm — Canary seed may still be a relatively minor special crop in Western Canada, but the grain is one step closer to gaining official status. Producers at the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan annual general meeting on Monday in Saskatoon voted in favour of formally requesting canary seed’s inclusion under the Canada Grains […] Read more
Fraser: The case against carbon pricing for farmers
The federal government continues to suggest the carbon tax imposed on Prairie farmers is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and may not be causing undue harm to the country’s agricultural sector. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks publicly about “special considerations” for farmers, while at the same time openly questioning carbon pricing’s effect on their […] Read more
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