From The Fields

MIELKE, from pg. 11

age fell 1.3 percent after inching up 1.5 percent on June 7 — ending five consecutive declines prior to that.

Cheddar led the declines, dropping 9 percent after falling 3.6 percent in the previous event. Anhydrous milkfat was down 4.7 percent after gaining 2.7 percent, and whole milk powder was off 0.6 percent following a 0.3 percent slip.

Butter was up 2.4 percent which follows a 5.6 percent advance, and skim milk powder was up 1 percent after a 3 percent rise last time.

StoneX says the GDT 80 percent butterfat butter price equates to $2.7496 per pound U.S. This is up 6.5 cents after gaining 14.1 cents in the previous event, and compares to Chicago Mercantile Exchange butter which closed June 24 at $2.9150.

GDT cheddar, at $2.2114, was down 22.2 cents after losing 12.3 cents last time, and compares to June 24’s CME block Cheddar at $2.09. GDT skim milk powder averaged $2.0573 per pound, up from $1.9231. Whole milk powder averaged $1.8713 per pound, down from $1.8861. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed June 24 at $1.79 per pound. n

Indications are the elephant in the room is still not in the room; meaning lack of China’s purchases plays a big role in the GDT. May dairy imports likely reflect that much of China’s population was in lockdown. Whole milk and skim milk powder imports totaled just 162.9 million pounds, down 36.9 percent from May 2021.

Whey products totaled 98.3 million pounds, down 39.3 percent, although HighGround Dairy points out that China increased whey and nonfat dry milk imports from the United States — thanks to our competitive prices.

Butter imports amounted to 16.8 million pounds, down 26.5 percent. However, HighGround Dairy says China continues to lock in product at the GDT “indicating supplies are tight.”

Cheese totaled 37 million pounds, up 2.6 percent. HighGround Dairy says the pairing with larger purchases of fat on GDT, hint toward an inventory rebuild for foodservice — especially with May cheese imports moving counter-seasonally to the upside.

HighGround Dairy adds New Zealand’s exports to China nearly halved from a year ago, down 46 percent. Whole milk powder saw the steepest losses, down 66 percent, skim milk powder fell 51 percent, fluid milk down 20 percent, and butter was down 44 percent from 2021. high June price, but $8.45 above July 2021. The seven-month average sits at $23.69, up from $16.31 a year ago, $15.94 in 2020, and $16.12 in 2019.

Block cheese fell for the fifth week in a row at the CME, closing the Juneteenth holiday-shortened week at $2.09 per pound. This is down 5.5 cents on the week, 30.25 cents below its recent peak, but still 60 cents above a year ago.

The barrels finished at $2.1475, down a penny, sixth week of loss, 29.25 cents below its peak, but 65.75 cents above a year ago, and 5.75 cents above the blocks. There were three sales of block on the week at the CME and only one of barrel.

While cheese producers continue to face labor and supply chain shortages, milk availability is moving in the other direction, according to Dairy Market News. Spot milk prices fell as low as $5 under Class, with no expectation of change before the July 4th holiday. Plants continue to work through widely available milk while having lighter employee numbers.

Demand for cheese is trending lower across both retail and food service markets, in the West. Restaurants are reducing operating hours due to high food costs, reduced consumer spending, and labor shortages. Export demand remains strong. Cheesemakers are running busy schedules, as Class III milk remains available, though some remain below capacity due to labor shortages and delayed deliveries of production supplies, according to Dairy Market News.

n

Cash butter oscillated some, but closed the last Friday of June at $2.915 per pound. This is 2.5 cents lower, but $1.1975 above a year ago on 17 sales for the week.

Central butter makers say cream is still “reachable,” despite stronger ice cream production; but some loads are easier to pull from the Rocky Mountain region. Butter prices near $3 prompted a push of production; but week after week, regular reports of employee shortages continues to depress full output. Butter demand is quiet, as expected in the early days of the summer, but there remains a concern that late summer/early fall demand will outweigh availability. Inventories are balanced now, says Dairy Market News, “but expectations are unclear moving into a hot summer with clear expectations of lower milkfat output at the farm.”

Western butter makers say cream remains available, but declining milk output due to warmer weather is contributing to tighter inventories. Cream demand is steady as butter makers try to build inventory. Higher retail butter prices are contributing to a decline in sales and food service demand is softening as restaurants reduce hours. Market sentiments remain bullish and prices expected to rise in the coming months, says Dairy Market News.

Grade A nonfat dry milk closed June 24 at $1.79 per pound. This is down a penny on the week, but 52.5 cents above a year ago, with seven cars finding new homes.

Dry whey fell to a June 24 finish at 47.5 cents per pound. This is 3.25 cents lower and 10.25 cents below a year ago, with 14 sales reported on the week at the CME.

See MIELKE, pg. 14

How wet fields can affect soil nutrients

ST. CLOUD Minn. — Heavy rains have affected crop producers this season by delaying their planting date due to wet and uneven fields. The rains may have also caused soil erosion and changes to the available nutrients in the soil.

Crop producers may need to reevaluate their nutrient management plan this year to be able to maximize yields. Excessive rainfall can cause changes in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus levels in crop fields. Nitrogen in water-saturated soils has the potential to go through denitrification and be converted into its gaseous form and escape into the atmosphere. Other water-soluble nutrients in watersaturated soils can be leached past the crops rooting depth — making it unavailable for crops to utilize. Other nutrients which are not water soluble, like potassium or phosphorus, can be moved by soil erosion and may be very low or very high in some areas of your field. Phosphorus levels can also be affected by decreasing populations of microorganisms responsible for promoting phosphorus.

Increases and decreases of nutrients in the soil can cause nutrient deficiencies or toxicities in crops. Soil testing of fields can help you determine how to manage the nutrients in your field. It can tell you what your nutrient levels are in your field and whether you will need to add fertilizer or not to maximize crop yields.

However, soil tests may not be able to account for all available potassium and phosphorus. Some of the nutrients will react with the soil to convert to forms which cannot be detected in a soil test.

If you have decided not to plant cash crops this year, planting a cover crop will help protect your soil from further erosion and encourage the growth of microorganisms essential for nutrient cycling. Following these steps will help you properly manage the nutrients in your field and promote soil fertility.

For more information on soil testing visit z.umn. edu/soiltest.

This article was submitted by Kaitlyn Czeck, University of Minnesota Extension. v

Matt Erickson Fertile, Minn. June 23

The Land spoke with Matt Erickson on June 23 as he reported soybean planting finished on June 10. “The beans are out of the ground and starting to look like beans.” The corn is taking off as well.

“This third storm got our farm.” The Land spoke with Leah Johnson on June 23 as she reported the severe weather on June 20 resulted in 80-mile-per-hour wind gusts.

Leah Johnson Evansville, Minn. June 23

See ERICKSON, pg. 14

“It’s amazing how fast the corn has grown.” The 22-inch rows are just about “We got substantial damage to our bin site.” There was destruction on all of canopied. “It’s almost knee-high.” Johnson’s corn bin roofs. Thankfully, she found the bins will be able to be The growing season is moving right along for Erickson. “The rye is all baled repaired as soon as possible, as the parts to do so are available. up and in storage.” He has some prevent plant ground which will be seeded As for the crops? “They are looking good … considering” — though with sorghum stand.

“Talking some rain tonight or tomorrow evening.” Three-fourths of an inch of rain fell at the Erickson farm on June 20. “Right here we didn’t have any bad weather.” That rain was perfect timing. “We’re about right.” The gusts that have been present in the spring and now summer, remain. “The wind has been a little relentless.” Erickson is all caught up spraying. He plans to spray Dicamba 2022  on the beans next week. He’ll plant sorghum-sudangrass tomorrow as well as German millet. He is still in the process of moving cattle to the six pastures. It’s been a slow process, hampered by trying to get the rest of the crops planted. FROM THE FIELDS Compiled by KRISTIN KVENO, The Land Staff Writer  

Johnson has observed that the late-planted corn is experiencing rootless corn syndrome. This root development issue occurs when there is little or no nodal root development. Some of that corn tipped over on the June 20 storm. In the next few weeks, Johnson will continue spraying soybeans. “We are going to ramp up to some top-dressing sidedressing of corn.” “We could use a little rain. There is a chance of rain tomorrow.” Moisture is welcome, more wind is not. “We would really appreciate it if the wind would shut off.” “We haven’t gotten a break,” Johnson explained that all three damaging storms in the area came from the southwest. This is unusual as storms mostly come from the northwest.

See JOHNSON, pg. 14

Bob Roelofs Garden City, Minn. “We got almost three inches of rain Monday.” The Land spoke with Bob Roelofs June 16 on June 16 as he reported the rain fell quickly. Along with rain this week came some heat. According to Roelofs, the growing degree days have really taken off. Roelofs side-dressed the corn with nitrogen last week and got the crop sprayed. “The beans have really taken off as well. We’ll start looking at spraying beans.” One of Roelofs’ bean fields near Amboy, Minn. received some hail damage from a June 13 rain event. Roelofs will be assessing the field on June 17.

Roelofs likes what he sees in the crops. “So far it looks pretty good.” The temperature will be on the rise in the area soon. “We’re going to heat up again, 100 degrees by Monday.” At this point, Roelofs feels that there’s good soil moisture. That should help the crops through these upcoming high-heat days.

New this growing season is son Wyatt working on his Supervised Agricultural Experience for FFA

“It’s windy again today.” The Land spoke with Scott Winslow on June 16 as he reported the wind-blown growing season is well underway at the farm. “Things are greening up nice, growing nice.”

See ROELOFS, pg. 14

Scott Winslow Fountain, Minn. June 16

“Corn has good color. Beans are changing due to the rain and heat.” The crops are sitting well for moisture with 3.6 inches of rain so far for June “We’re in good shape. The next 10 days look pretty decent. It should be good growing conditions.”

On the livestock side, Winslow is working on replacing one of the fans in the barn. “There’s always maintenance to do when you have livestock.”

Winslow will be spraying this week for weeds in the yard to try to keep them at bay. He’s still in the process of tearing down his old machine shed. The plan is to put up the new shed starting on July 11.

Winslow will be attending upcoming meetings in Burnsville, Minn. for the Minnesota Corn

See WINSLOW, pg. 14

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