Jeff Kostuik of Verve Seeds, left, and Clarence Shwaluk of Manitoba Harvest speak at a southwestern Manitoba field day near Melita in July.  |  Gord Leathers photo

Hemp sector pins hopes on improved genetics

Seed, food companies say there is a market for the crop, but the varieties Prairie farmers are growing require fine tuning

Glacier FarmMedia – Hemp has had its ups and downs on the Prairies. Jeff Kostuik of Verve Seeds would like to see it get a better foothold, and he thinks new genetics, better tailored for western Canadian conditions and western Canadian markets, can help make that happen. “We’re a very small, yet mighty company … […] Read more

AltaGreen is developing three products for chicks, broilers and hens and will seek Canadian Food Inspection Agency approval to move to market in Canada once the research is completed.  |  File photo

Poultry feed offers new market for hemp sector

The livestock feed industry is always seeking new sources of protein to deliver better production results and reduce farmer costs. With seed protein content commonly cited around 25 percent, hemp could fill that niche. It’s a feed option that Alberta-based company AltaGreen hopes to see integrated into Canada’s poultry barns. Hemp is rich in omega […] Read more

Few farmers will return to hemp or choose hemp over canola in 2024. A modest increase in production near fibre processing plants in Alberta is possible, but an acreage jump for hemp seems unlikely, says a leader in Canada’s hemp industry. | File photo

Status quo likely for hemp acres

WINNIPEG — In theory, Canadian acres of industrial hemp should increase in 2024. Canola prices have dropped this winter to around $13 per bushel, so there could be opportunity for an alternative crop like hemp to grab some acres. Related story: Hemp sector sees success in hybrid varieties During the winter, production contracts were around […] 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