Sugar beet crop may set record

Martin Nagelkirk Both wheat and sugar beets are early in Sanilac County and all indicators show it will be an exceptional year for both crops.

Corn, soybeans, hay and dry beans are all doing well too, said Field Crop Extension Educator Martin Nagelkirk.

“For the most part we are having an extremely good season. Crops have really responded favorably to near-adequate rainfall and warm temperatures,” he said.

“The wheat harvest is nearly complete. Overall yield and quality are very good and may rival the best yield levels of past years.”

Official wheat statistics will not be compiled for several months, but overall this season is a marked improvement over last year’s serious quality issues caused by continuous rain and cold temperatures.

The same is true for the sugar beet yield, which is supposed to be the biggest ever, said

Paul Pfenniger, vice president of agriculture for Michigan Sugar Company.

Paul Pfenniger “We’re looking at a potentially record setting crop,” said Pfenniger.

Two years ago, Michigan Sugar piling grounds recorded 28.9 tons of beets. Last year was more average at 24.6. This year the company is estimating a 29- ton crop.

Beet planting was three weeks early this year because of the favorable weather. Also, more total acreage was planted - 156,000 acres. This, combined with better seed and adequate disease prevention are contributing to the expected record yields.

“Growers have been out and in most cases we’ve sprayed 85- 90 percent for Cercospora, a fungus that attacks the leaves when there are warm temperatures and high humidity,” Pfenniger said. “It is easy to control with timely sprayings.”

A pre-harvest sample will be dug randomly on July 30 to look at what’s underneath the ground. The harvest will start early too, on Sept. 1, compared to Sept. 15 last year.

“With potential additional tonnage, we’d rather slice now than in March. We pay premiums to farmers who deliver early,” he said. “The regular harvest is mid-October, which is no change. It will be a new challenge. It’s kind of exciting.”

Sugar beet markets remain good as well, as consumers are demanding natural sugar over corn syrup.

The only shadow on the horizon is a lawsuit brought by Oregon organic farmers against Monsanto, who produce Roundup Ready, a genetically modified seed that is resistant to the herbicide RoundUp.

The organic farmers want to block RoundUp Ready from being planted near their land.

“One hundred percent of local farmers’ crop is now Roundup Ready,” Pfeniger said. “Oregon provides ideal conditions to grow the seed.”

The next hearing in the case is in August, he said.

Nagelkirk said corn and soybeans also are doing well.

“What is most gratifying is that the harvest will be timely this year,” he said. “Last year’s corn and soybeans were slow to mature and that always adds worry and expense. This year’s crop is one to two weeks ahead of normal. “Dry beans are looking good too for the same reason – at least right now.”

Alfalfa has been up and down.

“Showers have caused hassles in terms of quality but the yields have been good,” Nagelkirk said. “The bigger question is can you get it off the field in dry conditions.”

Alfalfa and other hay crops are harvested 3-4 times a season. While growth in the field has been very good, pop-up showers have caused some harvest issues.

“Hay is the one that’s a little bit bumpy. It’s really an individual field situation, but I think it will go down as an okay year for hay,” Nagelkirk said.

The wheat harvest this year is early by about a week and about two weeks earlier than last year. “For wheat that’s a lot, actually. We usually don’t get that much swing. Last year had one extreme – this year very early,” Nagelkirk said.

The southern end of the county had planting challenges because of excessive rainfall.

“They definitely had some disadvantages in pockets in late April and May. Heavy rains kept them from the field. But especially the last two months, things have really favored some crops.”

Prices have definitely strengthened over the last few weeks, which also adds optimism. “Wheat in particular strengthened by a dollar just in the last few weeks. Corn and soybeans have followed suit to an extent, but wheat paved the way and is most notable,” Nagelkirk said.