Reading Time: < 1 minute The country’s top ag lender says that in order to serve Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs, it needs to “better understand” them. “Diversification of Canada’s agriculture and food industry is one of our top priorities,” said Michael Hoffort, president and CEO of Farm Credit Canada. “It begins with developing a deeper understanding of Indigenous agriculture — […] Read more
Ag lender pledges new approach to Indigenous people
Up, up, up — farmland prices take another big jump
Strong canola and grain prices along with low interest rates fuel six per cent rise
Reading Time: 5 minutes It’s another good news story — especially if you’re selling farmland. Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Alberta’s farm economy was robust enough to fuel a six per cent jump in land prices last year. That’s the highest price rise between Quebec and B.C., and above the national average, according to the latest land […] Read more
FCC AgriSpirit Fund taking applications until March 31
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farm Credit Canada is now accepting applications for the FCC AgriSpirit Fund until March 31. The fund will award $1.5 million in grants (ranging from $5,000 to $25,000) to rural community groups for community improvement initiatives. Over the past 17 years, grants have been given, for example, for refrigeration and equipment to support food waste […] Read more
Farmland appreciation continues through pandemic year
FCC report puts Canada's average land value increase at 5.4 per cent
Economic churn across Canada from the global COVID-19 pandemic didn’t faze the country’s real estate market — nor its farmland market in particular — in 2020, according to the latest review from the federal farm lending agency. Farm Credit Canada on Monday released its 2020 Farmland Values report, showing an average increase of 5.4 per […] Read more
Be bold, go big, and sell more to China, urges ambassador
Leverage the Canada brand, target consumers directly, and get to know the many Chinas, says Dominic Barton
Reading Time: 4 minutes China’s pandemic buying spree has ag commodity prices soaring — but as canola growers (and others) know, Beijing can quickly turn hostile. But the ag sector here needs to be bold and aim to grow its ag and agri-food exports to China, says Canada’s ambassador to the country. “Even when things were really rough and […] Read more
FCC: Cattle feeders and backgrounders to struggle
Reading Time: < 1 minute Not bad for some, not good for others sums up Farm Credit Canada’s outlook for the livestock sector this year. “Farrow-to-finish operations will continue to witness pressures on margins, while isowean/ weanling operators will see a turnaround in profits,” states the FCC forecast. “Cow-calf margins should be strong while feedlot operators and backgrounders may struggle […] Read more
Opportunities await in the post-pandemic world
Interest in local food, pent-up consumer demand, and Canada’s reputation are strong pluses
Reading Time: 3 minutes Things may seem bleak now, but there are silver linings in those dark clouds, says Farm Credit Canada’s chief ag economist. “In a lot of ways, things are different than they were 12 months ago,” said J.P. Gervais. One is that consumers are more interested in local and specialty foods, and knowing where those foods […] Read more
Seize the opportunity to grow Canadian food exports
Canada can be ‘a leading supplier of food’ in the world if it strategically targets the right markets
Reading Time: 4 minutes Canada will need to grow and diversify its export markets if it hopes to reach its export targets by 2025, says a new report from Farm Credit Canada. “As an industry, we have quite ambitious targets when it comes to exports,” said J.P. Gervais, FCC’s chief agricultural economist. “The federal government put a $75-billion target […] Read more
Farm Credit Canada forecasts prices gains ahead
Reading Time: < 1 minute Prices for canola, wheat and red lentils will go higher in the comings months, Farm Credit Canada says in its latest price projections. Canola will average $520 a tonne over the next six months, the ag lender said in an early-November e-newsletter. That compares to $443 a tonne for the Jan.-Sept. period. FCC pegs spring […] Read more
FCC identifies export, market opportunities for Canadian food
The ag lender's latest report highlights canola oil, pork, potato products, crab meat
Canada is already a major exporter of agricultural goods, food and beverages — but increasing food and beverage exports is still one of Canada’s biggest trade opportunities, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) says. And by diversifying exports, farmers will become less dependent on current major markets, reducing their financial risk. “When borders close for any number […] Read more
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