Sugarbeet Plantings Ahead Of Schedule

While it’s just by the slightest of margins, the national planting progress when it comes to sugarbeets is officially past the 1/5 mark.  The latest numbers from USDA have plantings nationwide at 21%, which is slightly ahead of the five-year-average for this time of year at 20%, but behind last year’s 23%.

“Idaho has had a wide-open sugarbeet planting season actually should be wrapping things up in the next couple of weeks," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "83% of Idaho's sugar beet acreage planted by April 20th that is ahead of the five-year average of 54%.”

Rippey noted on the other end of the spectrum is growers in the east.

“We had some wet weather in Michigan, 28% planted there, but things opened up during the week and Michigan actually planted 26% of its acreage just in the last week, still behind the five-year average of 35%," Rippey added.  "Meanwhile, a lot of the sugar beets come out of the north central U.S and the Red River Valley in that area, and they are kind of waiting for soils to warm up a little bit.  And so, a little bit of a slow start, 2% planted in Minnesota five-year average, 8%; 3% planted in North Dakota versus 5% on average.”

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