Idaho Continues To Lead In Sugarbeet Plantings

Very little change was reported when looking at sugarbeet planting numbers this week, thanks to cool wet weather in the Great Lakes region, the Red River Valley.  When it comes to national numbers, 12% of the U.S. crop was in the ground as of Sunday April 19th, off from the 20% reported this time last year.  The five-year average is 18%.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey said Idaho is the reason the national numbers don't look too bad despite the weather struggles back east.

“Idaho is dominating with about two thirds, 66% of the sugar beet acreage planted there by the 19th of April ahead of the five-year average of 56%,” Rippey said.

Rippey added when looking at the Midwest, Michigan has 1% of its crop in the ground, while Minnesota and North Dakota have yet to report any sugarbeet acreage planted at this point.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com