(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC predicts drop in farm cash receipts for 2024

Interest rates, inputs costs may come down but farmers urged to sharpen their pencils

FCC's top economist is urging farmers to find any way they can to save money, as the ag lender projects a 4.8 per cent decline in farm cash receipts in 2024 on the heels of lower commodity prices.

(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC announces new 4R incentive

The program is open to FCC customers who use AgExpert platform

FCC announced the new Sustainability Incentive Program at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon. The program is open to FCC customers who put a 4R nutrient management plan in place, record production activities through AgExpert Field, and have their 4R practices verified by a 4R designated agronomist.

(Screengrab from Merit Functional Foods video via YouTube)

Merit Foods pays off operating lender, no deal yet for plant

Plant-based protein processor in receivership since March

A Winnipeg pea and canola protein processor in receivership since this spring remains mothballed for now with no firm buyer — but has paid off one of its three secured creditors. Merit Functional Foods, which entered receivership March 1 after just two years’ operation, has sold all its remaining finished and raw inventory and directed […] Read more

FCC sees calmer waters ahead on input market

FCC sees calmer waters ahead on input market

Has the market finally steadied, or it is the calm before another storm?

Glacier FarmMedia – Farmers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing crop input prices have stabilized as the world adapts to global supply challenges. That was the message as Farm Credit Canada provided its latest update on input prices for the 2024 crop year. Why it matters: Wild price swings for crop inputs, especially fertilizer, appear […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC to offer beef heifer replacement loans

Loan program for those wanting to build, maintain herds

Cattle producers wanting to expand or maintain herds — in a time of nationwide herd contraction — are the expected beneficiaries for a new loan program from Farm Credit Canada. FCC on Tuesday announced what it calls the Replacement Heifer Program, consisting of a loan with a maximum loan life of seven years and a […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC and Western Fair District partner to create Innovation Farms Ontario

A long-term partnership between Farm Credit Canada (FCC)  and Western Fair District aims to deliver the knowledge, innovation and research Canadian producers can use to complement their own expertise in the advancement of their farming and food businesses. The partnership announcement includes new on-farm research called Innovation Farms Ontario powered by AgExpert, located at Haggerty […] Read more

Although farm debt and interest rates are rising, and land is expensive, conditions are not forming for another crisis like that seen in the 1980s, say experts.

New support not indicative of debt crisis: FCC

The agriculture lender has announced new credit lines with waived fees, but maintains there is no debt crisis on the horizon

Farm Credit Canada has new support for farmers facing financial difficulties. On May 23, the lender announced it will offer unsecured credit lines up to $500,000 to agricultural producers and will waive loan processing fees. A similar offer was extended to the hog sector. Why it matters: Unsustainable debt following interest rate spikes has wreaked […] Read more

File: Ontario farmland.

To buy or to rent?

Rent-to-price ratio can help farmers decide what’s best for them

Higher interest rates don’t seem to be affecting the ratio between land values and land rental costs — at least not yet. Farm Credit Canada’s latest analysis of farmland rental prices shows they’re roughly maintaining their traditional linkage, says J.P Gervais, the organization’s chief economist. WHY IT MATTERS: Understanding the rent-to-price ratio for farmland can […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC offers new credit line against ‘current economic environment’

Ag lender to waive loan processing fees

Farm Credit Canada’s recent outreach to specific agrifood sectors hit by unusual environmental conditions has now extended to those hit by the broader “economic environment.” The federal ag lender on Tuesday said it will offer an unsecured credit line of up to $500,000 with loan processing fees waived, “to help producers, agribusinesses and agri-food operations […] Read more

(Shotbydave/iStock/Getty Images)

Buy or rent? Land rent-to-price ratio can help farmers decide

FCC sees current ratios on farmland as (roughly) stable

Higher interest rates don’t seem to be affecting the ratio between land values and land rental costs — at least, not yet. Farm Credit Canada’s latest analysis of farmland rental prices says they’re roughly maintaining their traditional linkage, says J.P Gervais, the organization’s chief economist. “We were curious to see whether that would bring up […] Read more