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MILKER’S MESSAGE www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — APRIL 15/APRIL 22, 2022
Inflation hits a 40-year high of 8.5 percent
This column was written for the marketing week ending April 14. As reported last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture raised its milk production estimate for the first time in a while in its latest World News and information for Minnesota and Northern Iowa dairy producers Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, citing expected higher dairy cow numbers. Pakistan, and the EU. ports. The USDA says Ukraine’s corn exports will MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY Price forecasts for cheese and butter Soybean supply and use changes included drop to 23 million tons, down 4.5 million from last month’s estimate, while wheat exports were lowered were raised due to tighter stocks and increased exports and seed use, and lower By Lee Mielke firm demand. Non-fat dry milk prices ending stocks. Soybean exports were raised to 19 million tons, down 1 million tons from the previous estimate. were raised fractionally while whey 25 million bushels to 2.12 billion. prices were lowered. Class milk price projections In the week ending April 2, 61,000 dairy cows were Soybean ending stocks were projected at 260 milwere also raised. sent to slaughter, down 3,200 from the previous lion bushels, down 25 million from last month. week, but 1,000 head or 1.7 percent above a year ago. 2022 production and marketings were estimated Soybean oil changes include increased exports and at 226.3 and 225.3 billion pounds respectively, up lower ending stocks. A lower soybean meal export n 300 million pounds on both. If realized, 2022 proforecast is offset by slightly higher domestic disapThe Good Friday week gave us some startling duction would mirror output in 2021. pearance. news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which Cheese is now projected to average $2.15 per The global supply and demand forecasts include reported that inflation hit a 40-year high of 8.5 perpound in 2022, up 12 cents from last month’s estilower production, crush, trade, and ending stocks. cent, as fuel and food prices skyrocket. mate, and 47.5 cents above the 2021 average. Global soybean production was reduced 3.1 million The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s food tons to 350.7 million on lower crops for Brazil and Butter was projected at $2.64 per pound, up 6.5 price index hit record levels for three months in a cents from a month ago and 90.75 cents above 2021. Paraguay. row, according to Chicago-based StoneX Dairy Estimates for Ukraine’s corn and wheat exports Nonfat dry milk was projected at $1.745 per See MIELKE, pg. 13 were reduced, citing the shutdown of Black Sea pound, up a half-cent from last month’s estimate and 47.6 cents above the 2021 average. Whey is projected to average 69 cents per pound, down 2 cents from last month’s estimate but 11.6 roots. If that crown stays consistently wet in the soil, SWENSON, from pg. 10 cents above the 2021 average. it’ll rot. It’s called crown rot and the plant will die,” The 2022 Class III milk price was projected to same spot immediately following a harvest because she explained. average $22.75 per hundredweight, up $1.10 from the plant will not thrive. Becky said their practice is The only day the Swensons water is the day they what was expected a month ago, and $5.67 above to harvest the bare roots, fertilize with cow manure, the 2021 average of $17.08. and plant a cover crop of mixed annual grasses. plant bare roots. Becky said that by keeping the root Swensons then allow the ground to lie fallow for dry, it causes the root system to send out feeder roots The Class IV average was projected at $24.05, up three years. According to Becky, this provides chal- very quickly which helps with plant vigor and dis35 cents from a month ago, and $7.96 above the lenges in managing the land well — yet it also helps ease resistance because of the fast growth. 2021 average of $16.09. with soil health, minimizes erosion and suppresses Swenson Gardens invites the public to come and The WASDE stated Russia’s recent military action weeds. walk through the peony fields when they are in full in Ukraine significantly increased the uncertainty Another challenge they face is proper drainage. bloom during the month of June. “We just love sharof agricultural supply and demand conditions in the Peonies do not like wet roots. “We have to be really ing peonies with people! Come and enjoy the peoregion and globally. careful how we steward those fields. We’ve got some nies!” Becky offered. Field days are free. This month’s corn outlook is for offsetting changes really low spots and peonies don’t like water. They You can find out more about Swenson Gardens on to feed and residual use and corn used for ethanol like to stay fairly dry. That is because the root system their website, www.swensongardens.com, as well as production, with unchanged ending stocks. Feed and has two parts to it. Thicker roots, a crown and feeder social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.v residual use was lowered 25 million bushels to 5.625 billion. Corn used to produce ethanol was raised 25 million bushels. Ending stocks were unchanged at 1.44 billion bushels. The season-average farm price was raised continue to add different varieties of flowers. For MILKHOUSE FLOWERS, from pg. 9 15 cents to $5.80 per bushel based on observed priceach year to help boost nutrients and organic matter. instance, Dawn said she planted 500 tulip bulbs for es to date. Another challenge all specialty cut flower farmers the first time last fall which will hopefully allow her Global coarse grain production was forecast 2.7 face is making sure there is a market. “(Cut flowers) to offer flowers earlier in the growing season. million tons higher to 1.5 billion. This month’s forare a perishable crop. I can only hold them so long For more information on Milkhouse Flowers you eign coarse grain outlook is for higher production, and then they need to move.” can find them online at www.milkhouseflowers.com reduced trade, and larger ending stocks relative to The future looks bright for Dawn and Milkhouse and Facebook. You can also look for Milkhouse last month. Foreign corn production was forecast Flowers. She hopes to add her own hoop house in the Flowers’ telltale milk bottle logo featuring Dawn’s higher with increases for Brazil, Indonesia, v future to extend her growing season and she will favorite flower, the zinnia, at your local grocer.
Swensons enjoy showing fields to public
Schauer has added tulips to offerings
