Reading Time: < 1 minute 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.
Bank of Canada interest rate cut to give some borrowers relief
Effects on financial markets likely to be muted says FCC economist
ICE Canada weekly: Interest rate cuts to have positive or negative effect on canola
Reading Time: 2 minutes With the growing likelihood of an interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada, spillover from the move could prove to be beneficial for canola prices, according to Calgary-based Errol Anderson of Errol’s Commodity Wire.
Farmland value growth slowed in 2023, FCC says
Saskatchewan, Quebec and Manitoba saw strongest growth in 2023, report shows
Reading Time: 2 minutes 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.
Feds reduce interest-free portion of cash advance
Increases implemented over the last few years have been discontinued, leaving farmers to pay higher interest cost
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers applying for spring cash advances should be aware the interest-free portion has dropped back to 2021 levels.
Dairy sector set to stabilize in 2024: FCC
Feed prices, butter stocks, retail demand and inflation top trends to watch
Reading Time: 2 minutes The dairy sector seems set to stabilize in 2024 amidst high processor demand and leveling-off input costs, Farm Credit Canada says.
FCC predicts drop in farm cash receipts for 2024
Interest rates, inputs costs may come down but farmers urged to sharpen their pencils
Reading Time: 2 minutes 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.
FCC’s top economic charts to monitor in 2024
Downward trends for cattle, swine herds; positive bent to feed, fertilizer affordability
Reading Time: 5 minutes 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.
Canada’s jobs growth stalls in December as wages accelerate
Declines in goods sector driven by job losses in manufacturing, construction and agriculture
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canada's economy added far fewer jobs than expected in December and the jobless rate remained at 5.8 per cent, but permanent employees' wages increased at the fastest pace in three years, data showed on Friday.
Commodity prices to remain high in 2024, drop in 2025 – HSBC
Most agricultural products expected to outperform energy, industrial metals amid supply constraints, dry weather
Reading Time: < 1 minute Squeezed supply, improved Chinese demand and the global energy transition will keep commodity prices elevated in 2024, before falling the following year, forecasted British banking group HSBC today.
U.S. grains: Soybeans set 6-1/2-week high
Weaker U.S. dollar lifts grains complex
Reading Time: 2 minutes Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures touched a 6-1/2-week high on Friday, lifted by uneven crop weather in top soy producer Brazil and fresh export demand for U.S. supplies, coupled with a plunge in the dollar that bolstered corn and wheat futures as well. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) January soybean futures settled up […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
