Source: Red River Farm Network
University of Minnesota and NDSU extension agronomist Tom Peters says sugarbeets in the southern part of the Red River Valley stretching into western Minnesota have some stand establishment problems. The problems were likely caused by the weather at planting.
“Some of the seed is still viable; some of it we lost,” Peters says. “So we’re probably not going to get that postcard sugarbeet stand we’ve come to experience the last couple of years or so. However, when you move north in the Red River Valley, I’ve seen some beautiful fields.”
There have been some struggles with weed escapes in parts of research fields. Peters says weed escapes must be addressed immediately.
“Weeds will also need to be managed longer this year,” he says.