The Bank of Canada in Ottawa. (Video screengrab from BankofCanada.ca)

Bank of Canada interest rate cut to give some borrowers relief

Effects on financial markets likely to be muted says FCC economist

The Bank of Canada trimmed its key policy rate on Wednesday to 4.75 per cent from a 23-year high of five per cent. Inflation is now running at 2.7 per cent, above the central bank's two per cent target, but down from a high of 8.1 per cent in June 2022, Reuters reported.

A Nuffield Scholar and Senior Relationship Manager with FCC’s Indigenous financing team, Tatum Claypool is studying how Indigenous communities in other countries have navigated the systemic barriers that prevent them from growing agricultural businesses.

How Canada can support Indigenous farm entrepreneurs

Tatum Claypool, Nuffield scholar and FCC relationship manager, discusses historical barriers and current opportunities

For Claypool, Canada’s Indigenous communities are a relatively untapped resource when it comes to agricultural economic development. With favourable age demographics and a strong cultural connection with the land and agricultural production, developing farm and food enterprises would be a boon for communities where economic opportunities are few, as well as for Canadian agriculture as a whole



Photo: yalcinsonat1/iStock/Getty Images

Food and beverage sales to fall in 2024; processor margins to improve

Stabilizing or declining input prices working their way through the supply chain, FCC says

Farm Credit Canada is predicting Canadian food and beverage sales will fall slightly this year as consumers manage tight budgets. Gross margins, however, should increase as the effects of falling commodity prices work their way through the supply chain, the farm lender said in an April 9 news release.


File photo of northern Alberta farmland. (Wonganan/iStock/Getty Images)

Farmland value growth slowed in 2023, FCC says

Saskatchewan, Quebec and Manitoba saw strongest growth in 2023, report shows

Farmland is still getting more expensive, but not quite as quickly as in recent years, according to the latest farmland value report from Canada’s biggest agricultural lender.


(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’s top economic charts to monitor in 2024

Downward trends for cattle, swine herds; positive bent to feed, fertilizer affordability

As we start the new year amid elevated inflation and major headwinds facing the economy, here are our top charts to help make sense of the economic environment for farm operations, agribusinesses and food processors.

(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.