SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.—The recent warm weather in the panhandle may put the area`s sugarbeet harvest at risk.
Currently Western Sugar is buying just enough sugarbeets to keep their factory up and running but if the weather continues to stay warm it may put some of the sugarbeets in trouble. The bad thing about warm weather around this time of year is that it can cause the sugarbeets to rot. Right now the harvest is 5 percent complete and the sugar content is showing an encouraging 16 percent, however the factory is prepared to limit its harvest if the weather interferes.
"We`ll look at the weather forecast since the regular harvest is supposed to start next Tuesday, Oct. 6," said Jerry Darnell, ag manager. "If it`s going to be too warm we`ll limit the harvest or if it`s going to be too cold for that matter, but right now it looks like it may be a little bit warm. We`ll look at the forecast and make a decision at that time."
Last year the weather forced Western Sugar to give away 10,000 pounds in sugarbeets after the weather caused the beets to rot.
Source: www.kotatv.com