Sugar beet: Weather conditions result in lower yields and sugar levels
15th November 2024
Beet yields and sugar levels are lower than hoped for on Andrew Ward’s farm, but not as bad as expected given the late drilling in a very wet year.
Lincolnshire grower Andrew Ward has so far seen average yields of 70 tonnes per hectare and sugar content of 16.7% – which he says is “disappointing” but not too bad considering it couldn’t be drilled until 9th May due to the wet spring.
Late drilling has a significant impact on yields and the wet spring compounded it – and early rain in autumn resulting in them lifting beet “in conditions you wouldn’t believe for September,” Andrew added.
It’s the second summer in a row with poor sunshine levels, which has meant sugar levels are lower than they have been in the past.
Additionally, Andrew says plant breeders tend to breed yield into varieties rather than sugar which means higher haulage costs for farmers.
READ MORE: Storability is vital for the quality of sugar beet
Disease, however, has not been a problem, with the seed treated with Cruiser SB, followed by two fungicides on the heavy land beet, and three on light land beet which won’t be lifted until December/January.
Lifting the heavy land beet is now complete, though it will likely be a few weeks before it goes into the factory, and cultivation is underway to get wheat in by mid-November.
Cultivating for the following crop has also been a challenge, with the headland compacted from trailers moving across to the beet heap, Andrew said in a recent YouTube video.
Ongoing wet weather has seen torrents coming off a field planted with wheat and a field cultivated and ready for sugar beet next year under water. Andrew commented: “Astonishing, never seen water like this before”.
Read more sugar beet news.
