Samples project record sugar beet crop

The Nebraska sugar beet crop is growing at a record pace in this summer's hot dry heat.

Western Sugar Cooperative has taken its second sample and found there is more than 16 ton per acre in the field right now. Area Ag Manager Jerry Darnell says hot, dry weather is pushing crop development, with a nearly three ton per acre growth in the latest samples. Currently Western Sugar is projecting the crop will finish at nearly 32 ton per acre.

In evaluating sugar content of the crop, Darnell says currently there is 12.36 sugar in the field and with projected gains til harvest the crop comes out to a 19. 3 percent sugar project.

Darnell says the projected tonnage and sugar content figures would be records, blowing by any previous figures.


Darnell says the crop has faced few issues with limited freeze damage at planting and hail damage through the summer the crop. Over the last week, growers have face increased pest pressure from the beet army worm. Darnell says most growers are scouting fields and where it's economically feasible growers are treating for the beet army worm, so yields will likely remain strong through harvest.

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