Idaho growers anticipate digging another record-yielding sugarbeet crop and potatoes with excellent quality, thanks to ideal weather during the critical points of this growing season.
Rupert grower Duane Grant, chairman of the board at Snake River Sugar Co., said a “phenomenal” beet crop has matured about 10 days ahead of normal, and the company expects a “third year in a row of steadily increasing, record yields.”
Grant said beets have begun turning yellow, suggesting plants have exhausted nitrogen and are shifting from vegetative growth to sugar accumulation. Grant said early beet harvest will begin during the first week of September—earlier than many years—and new equipment at the Mini-Cassia processing plant will “help push the tons through more efficiently.”
Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association Executive Director Mark Duffin said growers reported good emergence, strong stands, virtually no replants and plenty of heat throughout the growing region—a formula for an excellent crop.
“I think the beet crop could be very, very good yield wise,” said Hazelton grower Randy Grant, adding now through Oct. 1 is the critical period for sugar formation.
Aberdeen grower Andy Povey has noticed beets have been using a lot of water, evidencing rapid growth. Having a thick stand also bodes well for sugar, he explained. Thick stands consume nitrogen quickly, triggering sugar accumulation, and yield a large number of small beets, which tend to have a better sugar percentage. Recent cooler nights should also boost sugar formation, Povey said.
Source: www.capitalpress.com