The Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance said the report fails to provide "meaningful guidance" on how Canada should manage and oversee hemp production and processing in the future. | File photo

Hemp sector disappointed new report ignored deregulation

WINNIPEG — Leaders in Canada’s hemp industry were hoping that an expert committee would recommend significant changes to hemp regulations so it could be treated the same as wheat, canola and other crops. That didn’t happen. Instead, the committee of experts reviewing the Cannabis Act barely mentioned hemp in its 91 page report published March […] Read more

The shift toward hybrids and better crop genetics is seen as necessary because hemp has struggled to gain traction with farmers and within the food industry over the last decade.  |  File photo

Hemp sector sees success in hybrid varieties

WINNIPEG — Alberta’s hemp industry has decided to go in a new direction with the focus on increasing yields and reducing the price point of a crop that’s too expensive for most food companies and many fibre processors. The Alberta Hemp Alliance is pursuing a project that will deliver new genetics to farmers — high-yielding […] Read more

Since canola prices have dropped below $14 per bu., some farmers may be thinking more seriously about hemp, and acreage could climb in 2024. | File photo

Hemp proponents optimistic crop will rebound

The economics have become more promising as buyers offer production contracts of 70 to 75 cents per pound this winter

BRANDON — The last few years have been challenging for Canada’s hemp industry. When canola is priced at $18 to $20 per bushel, it’s difficult to convince farmers to grow alternative crops such as hempseed. In 2019, Canadian farmers planted about 91,000 acres of hemp, using Health Canada statistics on licenses to grow industrial hemp. […] Read more