Spring 2026 A Challenging One For Northwest Sugarbeet Growers

Between high input costs, and low commodity prices, the farm economy has been challenging for sugarbeet growers.  And this spring has made it even more difficult.

A Large Percentage Of Acres Were Replanted

“The weather started out very warm. A lot of growers were anxious to get out and plant," said Samantha Parrott, Executive Director of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association.  " And then we had not just one, but two really bad freezes. And so if your beets didn't get froze on the first round, they definitely got froze on the second.  And so, this is probably the largest replant event that we've experienced in the history of the co-op. We're looking at about 90,000 acres being replanted, which is significant.”

The total growing region is roughly 180,000 acres.  And in case the freezing temperatures this spring weren’t enough, a large portion of southern Idaho had an “awful” windstorm.

"And so the wind also not great for those little beets because it, it's almost like sandpaper, and sandblasts them," Parrott said.  "Or if the wind is bad, it can twist the top and then break the growing point. And so I just, I feel for our growers right now. It's been a really, really challenging spring.”

Better Weather Is Coming

Parrott added growers were replanting as late as May 19th, which is very unusual for the Northwest.  While Mother Nature as challenging this spring, Parrott said she's optimistic that the weather will cooperate as the year marches on.

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