American Crystal Sugar Company General Agronomist Joe Hastings expects sugarbeet growers to hit it hard this week. “Planting is the most important part to get a good start to the crop. Yes, conditions are drier than we want them to be, but the crop has a greater potential if it’s planted early. The earlier a crop can get planted, the crop can progress, add tonnage and have a good growing season. Getting sugarbeets seeded in April is a big deal.” Conserving moisture at planting will be a priority. “If farmers are tilling ahead of the planter, don’t work too far ahead. It will be critical to conserve the soil moisture and pack the ground. We may see more planting directly into the soil without tillage to conserve moisture.”
