Disease and Rain Tested Sugarbeet Growers

The Red River Valley sugarbeet harvest is officially complete after a long and challenging season. Harrison Weber, executive director, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers, says wet weather made it difficult for many growers to finish, particularly in the northern part of the region. “However, all in all, we had some pretty good numbers in terms of tonnage with the beets this year. I think we’re definitely pleased there right around 13.3 million tons, which is kind of at where we need to be in today’s day and age, and we’re going to finish it just a hair over 18 percent sugar.” Cercospora leaf spot remains a major threat to sugar quality across the Red River Valley. “The further south you went, the worse it got, and so it’s certainly going to be a production challenge for us moving forward.