Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


BMO expects farm sector to grow

Friday, April 29, 2011

by PAT CURRIE

The Bank of Montreal on Thursday forecast that Canada’s agricultural sector will grow by between 3.5 and 4 per cent this year barring major flooding that may hurt crop yields.

"Momentum from the second half of last year has carried over into 2011, with farm output up 3.3 per cent from a year ago in January," said Kenrick Jordan, senior economist, BMO Capital Markets.

After two years of contraction, Canada's agricultural sector now enjoys the prospect of "better prices, healthier global economic activity, improved financial conditions, expanding global economic activity and improved financial conditions as favourable factors," according to the bank’s Canadian Agricultural Prospects report.

The crops segment is expected to grow faster than its livestock counterpart, where activity will be limited by smaller breeding herds and high feeding costs. Canadian farmers are likely to continue to experience solid financial performance this year, with crop and livestock prices expected to remain buoyant and output rising on stronger demand and improved yields.

"Our agriculture customers tell us they are well poised to capitalize on this opportunity," said David Rinneard, National Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal.

The BoM report was released only a day before the Supreme Court of Canada upheld Ontario’s ban on farm labour unions.

"That gives farmers of little bit of confidence, some cautious optimism going at a time when volatile fuel prices are causing some concern," said Ron Bonnett, a Sault Ste. Marie area farmer and president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, a group that represents 200,000 Canadian farm families. BF

 

Current Issue

March 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Farmer Planting Decisions for 2025 Taking Shape

Thursday, March 13, 2025

As farmers across Canada prepare for the 2025 crop year, Statistics Canada says their planting decisions reflect a complex mix of factors including moisture conditions, crop rotation considerations, and market prices. Nationally, farmers are expected to plant more wheat, corn for... Read this article online

Grain Growers of Sounding the Alarm Over U.S. Tariffs

Monday, March 10, 2025

Not surprisingly, the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is raising concerns over the United States' decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian grain and grain products, a move that could jeopardize the livelihoods of family-run grain farms and lead to higher food prices for American... Read this article online

International Women’s Day – Angela Cammaert

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, Farms.com is asking women in ag about what they’d tell their younger selves about being a farmer, to give a piece of advice to young women entering the ag sector, and to highlight a woman in agriculture they consider a mentor or... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top