The sugarbeet crop in the Red River Valley is progressing ahead of last year. American Crystal Sugar Company’s board chairman and Fisher, Minnesota farmer Curt Knutson says growers were spot-on for beet planting. The recent rain should carry the crop into the middle of July. “I think they call it a billion dollar rain. I think that we were getting pretty dry all over.” The middle of the Red River Valley has disease pressure due to plenty of moisture. Farmers are monitoring for sugarbeet root maggot. “We’ll see what happens the rest of the summer, but as of right now the crop is off to an excellent start.”