As you plan your sugarbeet seed orders for 2021, look back to the 2020 pre-harvest. The need for improved sugar content while managing key disease challenges like Cercospora leaf spot, Rhizoctonia and Aphanomyces are key priorities for many sugar companies throughout the U.S. Hilleshög Seed’s varieties stood strong in the 2020 growing season, and the company is launching new varieties—bred to withstand local growing conditions and disease pressures across U.S. sugarbeet-growing regions—for the 2021 season.
Growers can look to Hilleshög for hybrids that maximize yield potential while maintaining disease packages required for profitability. Contact a local agent for additional hybrid information as well as new financing options available for 2021.
Breeding
Sweden is the home base for Hilleshög’s research and breeding program that extends to various locations in the U.S. The worldwide focus is to accelerate the speed to market of varieties through genomic selection and proprietary breeding methods. Trial and nursery activities in the U.S. are escalating in response to the increased disease challenges in all growing areas. Hilleshög’s aim is to respond to challenges in the field as swiftly as possible while maintaining high quality and purity standards.
Michigan Sugar
Hilleshög continues to bring industry-leading Cercospora tolerance while maximizing extractable sugar. Based on 2019 official variety trial (OVT) approvals, Hilleshög has unveiled two new hybrids. The first is HIL2238NT, a high-yielding nematode variety with a superior disease package. HIL2240 brings excellent Cercospora protection and root aphid tolerance while focusing on high extractable sugar potential. Building off that foundation, Hilleshög is on track for 2021 approval of 2332NT, which offers excellent Cercospora and Rhizoctonia tolerance while maintaining high sugar quality.
American Crystal
New varieties with high yield and solid disease protection are coming to market, based on OVT approvals. These new offerings include HIL2320, with a robust yield/sugar and a broad disease package. The second newcomer is HIL2233, which boasts great yield and sugar production and has a moderate disease package. The third new hybrid, HIL2317, features high tonnage with good sugar. Hilleshög continues to offer financing options through American Crystal Sugar Company for 2021, giving growers the opportunity to plant industry-leading hybrids on convenient terms.
Minn-Dak
Hilleshög has a potential new option for Minn-Dak growers in 2021. Based on OVT approval, HIL2325 has looked great in the trials with its strong disease package and very competitive yields and sugars. HIL4302RR offers field-proven performance with competitive yields and excellent Cercospora tolerance.
SMBSC
New to the fields in 2020 was HIL2327. In many company strip trials, this variety excels at Rhizoctonia and Cercospora protection while achieving good extractable sugar potential. HIL2219 is a great option for any field, with its many great attributes elevating it to be a market contender.
Amalgamated Sugar
Hilleshög has three potential nematode-tolerant varieties up for approval for 2021. HIL2204NT, HIL9919NT and HIL2301NT have excellent nematode protection with great yield potential. It also brings a superior broad disease package for multiple disease challenges. HIL9916 has shown great field performance with excellent sugars. And don’t forget about PM9172’s excellent track record; it is a top-ranked variety in Amalgamated field record performance.
Western Sugar South
Recognized for disease tolerance in Hilleshög’s genetics, HIL2309NT is on track for approval. It offers nematode tolerance coupled with Rhizoctonia, Cercospora and Fusarium. Many eyes are viewing this variety as a strong competitor in Western Sugar’s fields.
Western Sugar North
HIL2311NT is a new variety that brings increased disease tolerance packages, which have showed very well in the 2020 trials. Be sure to include this hybrid in your field plans.
Wyoming Sugar
HIL9928 is a nematode option for growers of Wyoming Sugar Company. This hybrid brings a good disease package with strong yield opportunities. Other great Hilleshög varieties for Wyoming growers include HIL2214NT and HIL2213NT—both offering strong disease packages.