A Farm Credit Canada economist predicts this country's farmers will remain profitable this year, despite slightly lower prices.
J. P. Gervais suggests the loonie will provide producers with some support, to varying degrees, across all sectors.
He forecasts beef feedlot profitability will be challenged in the first half of the year, then improve.
Cow-calf operations are expected to remain profitable this year, although not as profitable as last year.
Gervais expects profits in the hog sector to be positive, especially for operations benefitting from economies of scale or managing operating expenses below the industry average.
He's predicting large global stocks will bring margins lower than average for wheat, corn and soybean producers.
However, this is one of the areas where Gervais figures the low Canadian dollar will keep basis levels strong, protecting this country's prices from falling to below-profit levels.
