By Scout Nelson
A newly developed, custom-built sugar beet harvester has been introduced to North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the University of Minnesota, offering a major step forward in agricultural research.
This machine is the result of a collaborative effort involving NDSU, the University of Minnesota, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, the Sugar Beets Research and Education Board, growers, and industry partners.
The harvester was officially revealed at the International Sugar Beets Institute on March 19 at the Fargodome. Representatives from all participating groups attended the launch.
“This is a partnership between the universities and other groups, including farmers and allied industry partners,” says Tom Peters, NDSU Extension sugarbeet agronomist. “All the groups pooled their resources together for this project.”
Previously, researchers relied on a harvester originally built in the 1950s and modified in 1996. Frequent breakdowns and hard-to-find parts made harvesting difficult and inefficient. The new equipment promises a faster, smoother harvest with fewer workers needed.
“This is a great success story of collaboration between the universities, private industry and growers,” says Ross Pape, Sugarbeet Research and Education Board president. “Everyone involved recognized the need to continue world class sugar beets research right here in the valley.”
The updated harvester also allows for better and more accurate data collection. This will help researchers deliver stronger field trial results, supporting efforts in weed, disease, and insect management.
“Sugar Beets growers in North Dakota and Minnesota depend on our Extension programming for data-based recommendations,” says Eric Branch, NDSU Extension Sugar Beets specialist.
The new machine will help researchers analyze key crop metrics like yield, sugar content, and revenue per acre. This leads to better guidance for those managing sugar beets production.
Photo Credits:north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Sugar Beets, Equipment & Machinery