In northwestern Minnesota, western Norman County has been in a D3 drought, with very little rainfall since early July. Halstad farmer Rachel Arneson says the deep root systems have helped the beets find moisture, but not enough. “They are more dehydrated and smaller overall as a result.” Sugar content is running higher, helping offset some of the lost tonnage. “I’d rather haul sugar than tons because at the end of the day, we are paid by the amount of sugar that we deliver to our cooperative.” However, Arneson says conditions are extreme enough that she would gladly trade some of that higher sugar content for additional tons.
