Karst Farms Counts on Mother Nature

Karst Farms, one of Sidney Sugars Top 10 growers in 2012, does not believe in waiting for it to rain.

“The year started out dry. We had to irrigate our crop to get them to start,” stated James Karst, of Fairview, MT. Karst currently farms around 2000 acres with his sons, Tim and Ted, to whom he gives much of the credit for their success. “They know how to do everything. If I’m not around, I can count on them and know it’ll get done.”

Karst also contributes a big part of their success to timeliness, “As soon as we know it won’t frost, we’re planting. We take more of a risk than most, but at least 90% of the time it works for us. We count on the help of Mother Nature – She has to cooperate. If never froze in the fall, so that was good.”

Karst gives a lot of credit to Roundup Beets, “They’re weed free and easier to grow. They keep making seed better and that increases the tonnage.” When asked how his harvest was Karst replied, “We had quite a bit of shut down due to heat and wet spells. It’s a big worry for the farmers because it takes away harvesting days. We worry about freezing in the fall. They won’t pile the beets if they reach 55°F or go below 28°F, but it seems to be working good to do that. We have a lot less spoilage in the piles. They store better.”

Karst admits that his favorite part of farming is when harvest is over. He’s been farming since 1965 and prior to that he farmed with his dad. “I’m hoping to be able to hand it over to my boys before too long.”