Sugar beet growers begin harvest for 2024/25 campaign
20th September 2024
As the sugar beet campaign for 2024/25 officially launched this week, some beet growers have already started this year’s harvest, and completed deliveries into Bury and Wissington.
Alex Wilcox of Hill Farm in Stowbridge, Norfolk, has already lifted 25ha out of 40ha of his sugar beet and delivered them to be processed.
The farmer said that he has been growing sugar beet “on and off” for many years, due to price fluctuations.
Talking to Farmers Guide, Mr Wilcox confirmed: “We drilled in early March with a cool wet growing spring and a dry summer. The seeds were treated with Cruiser. Why would I not use perfectly safe and effective chemistry?”
Mr Wilcox said that he used two fungicides on the beet to be lifted early, and three for the later lifted beet fields to manage virus yellows and other diseases.
He added that this year’s crop has better sugars compared to last year, with an average sugar content so far of 16.13%.
Mr Wilcox explained that, in his opinion, price drops are the biggest challenge for sugar beet growers right now.
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Two factories open
Bury St Edmunds and Wissington factories officially opened on Monday, 16th September, and have already begun receiving deliveries, marking the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign.
British Sugar confirmed that the Newark factory will open on 23th September, while Cantley site will be ready for deliveries from 7th October.
Sugar beet growers, hauliers and industry partners have been advised of beet intake times at the factories by email and via the online portal for growers, My British Sugar.
READ MORE: 1.5 tonnes of sugar pulp caught fire at British Sugar factory
Find more information about the sugar beet campaign 2024/25 in our sugar beet hub.
