Sugarbeet Crop on Track in Red River Valley

Sugarbeet growers in the Red River Valley are feeling positive heading into harvest. Despite a growing season marked by weather extremes, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association Executive Director Harrison Weber says the crop is shaping up well. “But when the dust settled here, I think there’s a lot of potential in this crop. We’re kind of forecasting right around a 30-ton crop, and that’s kind of on base with our five-year average.” While soil moisture levels are mostly adequate, growers continue to manage disease threats. “One of the main things, though, with these hot, humid, warm nights is our cercospora that we’re always monitoring and can rob us of sugar content.” The pre-pile harvest is scheduled to begin on August 12.