Disease, Expenses Challenge Sugarbeet Producers

Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association Vice President Jared Kovar says growers across the country are facing the same challenges. “A lot of times, sugarbeets are there to kind of cover up for some of the other crops and commodities that we raise to pull us through the tough times, but right now it seems like even the beets aren’t helping us get over that hump.” Disease pressure, particularly in the southern Red River Valley and southern Minnesota, was also a factor. “Those are the guys that are really suffering; at least we got the crop and we can plow through for another year and kind of keep our head above water.”