NASS Sugarbeet Production Forcast

Production of sugarbeets in 2008 is forecast at 26.1 million tons, down 3 percent from the August forecast and down 18 percent from last year. Production forecasts are down from last year in all estimating States except Colorado. Growers expect to harvest 1.06 million acres in 2008, up 1 percent from the August forecast but down 15 percent from last year. The yield forecast, at 24.7 tons per acre, is up 0.6 ton from August but down 0.9 ton from 2007. Yield expectations are higher than last month in all States except North Dakota and Washington.