Madelia	Corn	Soybeans
Change	Bid	Change	Bid
May 12	10.50	6.48	-33.00	13.60
June 12	10.50	6.48	-33.00	13.60
July 12	10.50	6.48	-33.00	13.60
August 12	10.50	6.44	-25.00	13.12
October 12	8.75	4.99	-18.25	12.24
November 12	8.75	4.99	N/A	N/A
December 12	8.75	5.01	N/A	N/A
January 13	7.25	4.99	N/A	N/A

Summer 2011 Agronomy Operations Update

Published On:8/5/2011
Author:Dale Botten
Categories:Agronomy, Admin

A late spring resulted in a short and fast planting season for both the corn and soybean crop. A large percentage of the crop was planted within a week. A wet and windy June resulted in a short window to get post –emerge spraying completed for corn and soybeans. We saw record amounts of nitrogen side dressed on the corn crop this summer. With the addition of three high clearance sprayers, Crystal Valley was in a better position to handle additional requests by customers for side dressing nitrogen. With the large number of corn acres that our agronomy staff was able to tissue sample in June, we were able to identify nutrient deficiencies in the corn crop. Secondary and micronutrients were added a t the time of post emerge spraying to address those deficiencies. Crystal Valley was able to offer side dressing of corn in the form of aerially applied urea on a significant number of acres. This is a new customer service for Crystal Valley. If there is a continual interest in this service, we plan to offer again in the future.

Crystal Valley is offering to our customers the option to contract fertilizer for the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 application season. Customers should consider contracting and prepaying for their crop nutrients as they contract their grain for the 2012 production year. Early fertilizer contracting will allow customers to purchase crop nutrients at a set price, allowing your cooperative to have those products available when you need them.

With the higher cost of crop nutrients, soil sampling is still the best way to obtain the most efficient use of your fertilizer dollar. Our agronomy staff has been soil sampling this summer. A large percentage of this sampling was grid sampled. Because of the large amount of grid sampling completed this summer, we expect a large amount of VRT application this fall. This would include VRT application of dry fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, and lime. Our locations are equipped to handle all your VRT custom application needs. If you have not signed up to have your fields soil tested, please contact your nearest Crystal Valley agronomy location.

After experiencing a very late spring planting season, it reminds everyone that getting as much fertilizer application done in the fall of the year saves time and money. The fall season is still the best time, because of timing and price, to apply your crop nutrients and pre-emerge Dual herbicide.

With all the changes going on in agriculture today, Crystal Valley is committed to focusing on your needs now and in the future. Thank you for your support of Crystal Valley and let us know how we can serve you better in the future.