Reuters — Walmart’s Canadian unit said Tuesday it is exploring the possibility of selling cannabis-based products, but has no immediate plans to get into the business. Walmart is the first major retailer to show an interest in being a part of Canada’s burgeoning marijuana industry, as other big U.S. companies, mainly in the alcohol and […] Read more
Walmart Canada exploring possible sale of cannabis-based products
Report looks to connect the North’s new growth with consumers
More food is being grown and raised in Northern Ontario, but systems are still being developed to get it to local residents
Northern Ontario is a vast region that contains “many locales (that) can be considered a food deserts” despite growing production in the area, a new University of Guelph report says. The report was prepared by a team from the university’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, led by Dr. Wayne Caldwell. It was released […] Read more
Vegetable seedling grower, cannabis grower to merge
A B.C. company that raises seedlings for greenhouse vegetable growers is set to devote its existing square footage to weed, following a takeover by a B.C. cannabis grower and processor. Langley-based, publicly-traded Bevo Agro on Thursday announced a reverse takeover deal with Surrey-based, privately-held cannabis firm Sun Pharm Investments, which will see Sun Pharm shareholders […] Read more
Conservation planning is about more than the environment
ALUS project numbers continue to grow across the province
Is it possible to grow better crops by removing specific areas from production? Some Ontario farmers participating in Alternative Land Use Services conservation programs think so. They say they also see conservation projects as beneficial to the overall profitability of their farm business. Why it matters: On-farm conservation is expensive, but given the right partners, […] Read more
CAQ’s ag critic among winners in Quebec election
The agriculture critic for Francois Legault’s Coalition avenir Quebec (CAQ) will be among the party’s returning MNAs as it forms Quebec’s next government. The CAQ pulled a majority government in Monday’s election with 74 seats, defeating Philippe Couillard’s Liberals, who were reduced to 32 seats, followed by Quebec solidaire with 10 seats and the Parti […] Read more
Trade pact clause seen deterring China trade deals with Canada, Mexico
Washington | Reuters — China’s hopes of negotiating a free trade pact with Canada or Mexico were dealt a sharp setback by a provision deep in the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement that aims to forbid such deals with “non-market” countries, trade experts said on Tuesday. The provision specifies that if one of the current North […] Read more
Mexican president-elect insists on trilateral NAFTA
Washington/Mexico City | Reuters — The United States and Mexico are due to release the text of their trade agreement on Friday, increasing pressure on Canada to join its partners in revamping the North American Free Trade Agreement while Mexico’s president-elect said he would insist on a trilateral pact. President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said […] Read more
Global fertilizer market prices vary
An expected drop in potash prices has not happened as quickly as thought
Fertilizer prices are expected to vary over the next few months, with some types continuing to increase while others should drop, according to an analyst. Why it matters: Fertilizer can make up a sizable portion of farmers’ input costs, so rises and falls in the market can significantly impact farm margins. “The fertilizer market has […] Read more
Sobeys parent to buy fresh-food grocer Farm Boy
The owner of the Sobeys and Canada Safeway chains has a deal in place to buy southern Ontario grocery retailer Farm Boy, a well known patron of the region’s producers. In a deal still subject to review by the federal Competition Bureau, Empire Co. announced Monday it will pay $800 million for the grocery chain, […] Read more
Aurora Cannabis plans U.S. stock listing in October
Reuters — Canada’s Aurora Cannabis said Thursday it plans a U.S. listing of its shares in October, as it looks to cash in on strong investor appetite for marijuana producers. Interest has boomed in Canada’s marijuana companies ahead of legalization of recreational cannabis in the country next month. Several U.S. states have also legalized marijuana […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
