US Sugar Beet harvest update

With five processing facilities and four R&D labs, we deliver seed treatment solutions and services that meet region-specific needs throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, United State, Canada, Mexico, and beyond. This month we want to share some insights about our Sugar beet harvest in the US

In contrast to the UK sugar beet harvest which takes up to 7 months, over in the States things are a little different. Starting at the beginning of September on a limited basis their “prepile harvest” begins. This allows the factories to begin processing while allowing the rest of the crop to continue to mature.

The main “stockpile” harvest would then begin around the start of October moving into a 24-hour operation lifting the “beets” from the fields. Our North American colleagues have kindly sent us some images from their sugar beet harvest in Michigan. The harvest campaign started on the 16th October and with the good weather, estimate it will take two weeks to complete.

To start the trailed scalper/topping unit takes the tops off

Growers then transport their sugar beets by truck to designated piling stations where they await until processing. 

Image below shows piling station with ventilation storage, this process designed to reduce spoilage. The system uses ventilation channels constructed with sugar beet piles in order to pre-cool and then deep freeze the sugar beets. 

Reports from Germains North American Sugar Beet Sales and Marketing Manager, Kevin Bigger are of a near perfect harvest conditions in the Red River Valley. “The biggest problems in Michigan, Southern Minnesota and the valley are Cercospora, Roundup resistant weeds and Rhizoctonia.” Says Kevin

For more information on Sugar Beet and our key contacts in North America details can be found here.