Interest rate increase could slow demand for farmland

Sep 09, 2022

The Bank of Canada announced this week an increase to its policy interest rate of 75 basis points to 3.25%, as it continues to address inflation.

FCC Chief Economist JP Gervais talked about the impact on farmers.

"Higher interest expenses actually has an impact on margin. I think the good news is that the demand for what we grow is still very robust, both domestically as well as globally. We've had to deal with elevated input costs. Costs have been coming down a little bit now but so have commodity prices. I think margins remain positive for grains and oilseeds. I think the fact that feed prices have declined a little bit, brings a little bit of relief to livestock producers. Overall, margins are projected to be positive for this coming marketing year but no doubt that higher interest expenses are going to be impacting margins."

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Video: Dr. Fei Yang Discusses Corn Rootworm, European Corn Borer, and Pest Monitoring

What insect threats are Minnesota corn growers facing, and what research is helping farmers stay ahead of them?

At the 2026 MN Ag Expo, University of Minnesota entomologist Fei Yang shared updates on three Minnesota Corn-supported research projects focused on insect monitoring, seed treatments, and pest resistance.

Current work includes statewide monitoring programs that use pheromone, light, and sticky traps to track key pests such as black cutworm, true armyworm, corn earworm, European corn borer, and corn rootworm. Researchers are also evaluating whether high-rate seed treatments provide effective corn rootworm control and studying the development of resistance in European corn borer populations to Bt corn traits.

These projects help researchers better understand pest pressures across Minnesota and provide farmers with practical information to support informed management decisions.