For area sugarbeet growers, 2024 was a good year. 

 

“We saw great yields, great sugars this year. Mother Nature was very cooperative, so I think our growers all across the growing region were pretty happy with their yield overall," said Samantha Parrott Executive Director of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association.

 

She said the storage piles across Idaho, Oregon and Washington are looking good, and as long as the weather cooperates, remaining cool, the piles should hold up in the months ahead.

 

When it comes to the season ahead, Parrott says growers are feeling optimistic.  She said the hope is that the weather will be cooperative again, and that input costs will drop, improving the bottom line.

 

“Those costs, really [make growers nervous].  I think in ‘25, they're supposed to kind of stabilize, but I know that's on growers minds, because we're really running on really thin margins right now," Parrott said.  "I think that's kind of the biggest topic weighing on sugar beet growers.”

 

Parrott added these elevated input costs are really hurting young farmers and those new to the sugarbeet industry.

 

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

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