Sugarbeet growers in the Northern Plains are focusing on timely fungicide applications and new technologies to manage cercospora leaf spot. Speaking at the Ag PhD Field Day, UPL Agronomy Lead Nathan Popiel stressed the importance of staying ahead of the disease. “The biggest thing with Cycospera that I look at is pay attention to those recommendations that we’re getting from the sugar companies, what (American) Crystal puts out, what Southern Minn puts out. Pay attention to those things.” Growers using Vacciplant alongside traditional fungicides are seeing benefits beyond disease suppression. “We’re getting increases in recoverable sugar as well as decreases in the sugar lost to molasses.” With humidity lingering into late July, Popiel advises farmers to stick to a 12-day spray schedule and adjust management plans based on this year’s results.
