Beet Harvest Wrapping Up

After a rocky start which included heat, rain and frost delays, the 2012 beet harvest was able to go full speed until rain and wind shut down several stations October 17 and 18. Sidney Sugars agricultural manager Russ Fullmer reported tremendous tonnage averaging 27 to 28 tons per acre, but a disappointing sugar average of approximately 17.9. “The frost the first week of harvest stopped the sugar, “ Fullmer said. “The plant also uses some of the stored sugar to regrow leaves, reducing the content even more. The sugar content would have continued to go up if we hadn’t had that frost.”

Once harvest truly got underway, over 60,000 tons of beets per day were harvested, creating some of the strongest receiving days Sidney Sugars has seen in years. “The piler crews are worn out,” Fullmer said. “But we’ll get through the last of it.” Sidney Sugars had adequate help for harvest, although they were a little shy in some places including the quality lab. Fullmer estimated that 75% of the pile grounds workers are retired individuals. Jobs are, and will be, available throughout campaign which will last until January or February.

Sidney Sugars continues to remind everyone to drive defensively, be courteous, and get through the remainder of harvest safely.