A buzz of activity defines the Red River Valley as the 2023 sugarbeet pre-pile harvest gets underway. Spearheading this are farmers who have partnered with American Crystal Sugar Co., with factories spread across various cities in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Kicking off on August 15, these farmers set their sights on tapping the full potential of this season's yield. On this day, bright and early at 8 a.m., farmer’s equipment was busy unearthing sugarbeets in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. The beets then journeyed from the harvester to a semi-tractor trailer, destined for the factory. Farmers expressed satisfaction over the digging conditions, crediting the recent rain for the soil's perfect consistency.
A similar scenario played out in North Dakota, the very next day. Farmers noted the positive difference from the previous year. Despite the summer being relatively drier, recent rains were welcomed. Interestingly, this dry spell seemed to have sweetened the sugarbeet crop, enhancing the sugar content in their beets.
American Crystal Sugar, based in Moorhead, planted 435,000 acres this year, slightly down from the previous year. The company's vice president, Steve Rosenau, estimates an average yield of 28 tons per acre and 16% sugar content, slightly above the historical average.
These numbers aren't set in stone. Nature, as always, will have the final say. The weather in the lead-up to the stockpile harvest will play an important role in determining both the average sugar content and yields.
For those curious about timelines, American Crystal Sugar is slated to commence the stockpile harvest come early October.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-luiscarlosjimenezi
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Sugar Beets