It’s been a disappointing crop year for everyone. Yields are down, and in many cases quality also is not up to usual standards. Overall, this will not be a banner year for anyone, sugarbeet growers included.
“Our last root sample taken last month was 16 tons, and last year at the same time it was 24 tons,” says Russ Fullmer, Sidney Sugars agricultural manager. “We’re expecting a 22-23 tons per acre crop, which is definitely not a record crop year.”
He adds, “Other crops didn’t do so well either. Grain didn’t like the year, and the potato harvest is disappointing. It hasn’t been a record year for anyone. However, prices are up so that is a help. There is usually a bright side somewhere.”
The hail some beet fields received last month did set the beets back but didn’t kill them. “It’s hard to kill a beet at this time of year,” Fullmer remarks. “Hail will set beets back in yield and sugar but it won’t kill them.”
He continues, “Otherwise, beets are growing well with the heat even though we are behind in grower degree days. Some fields have started to yellow off so they should be starting to produce sugar.”
Growers and Sidney Sugars will see increased activity as the busy harvest season approaches. “Things will start to get busy now,” Fullmer comments. “The Grower Board will hold pre harvest meetings and Sidney Sugars will hold station meetings in September. We’ll also have grower night at the tare lab at the last part of September.”
He continues, “Sidney Sugars crews are scrambling to get pile grounds ready. We have the new scale in at Savage but it still has to be hooked up and tested by the state and we need to finish landscaping and haul things out of the way.”
Sidney Sugars still needs employees to help at harvest and to work in the factory for the winter. Interested people can contact Fullmer and he’ll direct them where to go to apply. “Any locals looking for seasonal harvest jobs should get hold of us,” Fullmer says. “Express Employment will be here again this year to hire. People wanting to work during harvest can come to the Sidney Sugars Agriculture Department. Anyone wanting factory work can come here or go to Job Services. Factory work will last from October through the end of January.”
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