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WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE – SOUTH REGION

• Sugarbeet crop is progressing nicely with irrigation and heat.
• Fungicide applications have started in Eastern Colorado as CLS monitors have tripped.
• Weed control is mixed, glyphosate resistant kochia and palmer amaranth have been challenging. Palmer amaranth has started to appear in fields that were clean 10 days ago.
• First samples are being taken the week of July 14th by the ag staff.
• Water is the biggest factor now, surface water supplies are scheduled to last until the first part of September, while well water supplies are as good as your allocation and well.

WESTERN SUGAR COOPERATIVE – NORTH REGION

• Irrigation, Irrigation, Irrigation, the theme for this time of year in MT and Northern Wyoming. With hot, dry summer conditions on us, all growers are methodically irrigating all crops as best they can as the Malt Barley, Corn, Alfalfa, and Sugarbeets need water all at the same time.
• Sugarbeet crop continues to look good with nice stands and excellent plant health, the result due to timely spraying and nurturing from growers. Growers east of Billings and Hardin have concentrated on CLS spraying as row closure quickly came on towards the end of June.
• Montana crop experienced at least 3 localized hail storms, defoliating about 4,000 acres over the past 4 weeks. Top growth has come back nicely with those acres hit growing at full strength again.
• Ag Staff is anticipating a solid average to above average crop if Mother Nature cooperates! The first root samples will be July 14th and 15th.

WYOMING SUGAR

• With good spring conditions, timely planting and irrigation for germination where needed, the crop has reacted well with excellent stands and plant health. Quite a few fields had row closure by the 20th of June.
• Growers have done an excellent job of irrigating, spraying—keeping weed pressures down, and have started putting on 1st and 2nd applications of CLS spray.
• Ag Staff are thinking the crop will be at least average or better with continued warm days and sunshine.

AMALGAMATED SUGAR – IDAHO

• The beet crop is 7 to 10 days ahead of last year due to the extra heat units to-date.
• Temps have been in the upper 90s to low 100 range the past week.
• Rhizoctonia is beginning to show in some fields due to the heat.
• There are more reports of RR resistant palmer, waterhemp and kochia.
• First fungicides have been applied, and some are on their second application within the next 7-10 days.

MICHIGAN SUGAR

• The crop in Michigan and Ontario has responded tremendously to recent rainfall and all planting dates and row widths are now at or near row closure. Excess rainfall in some areas has led to minor crop injury.
• Most growers are currently completing their second fungicide application for Cercospora Control with some approaching their third application, except in a few outlying areas.
• Cercospora has been found and confirmed in several areas, mostly along fencerows, adjacent to past years' fields, or in areas with high inoculum load from 2024.
• Current MSC Agronomy Staff yield estimates are 34.5-36 tons per acre, the first pre harvest samples will be taken the week of August 14th.
• Waterhemp continues to pop up in many areas and most growers are being forced to resort to manual labor to remove the troublesome weed.
• Winter wheat harvest is in full swing and will continue over the next few weeks based on growing area. Frequent rains have growers concerned with quality and ability to harvest.

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY – RED RIVER VALLEY

• The sugarbeet crop is progressing very well, despite the challenging spring we endured.
• Weather has been a factor this year as areas of the Red River Valley have been hit with adequate rains, while other areas have been strained.
• Herbicide applications are complete, and growers are now actively spraying fungicide for Cercospora leaf spot.
• Aphanomyces and Rhizoctonia are being monitored as we start the second half of the growing season.

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA BEET SUGAR COOPERATIVE

• Overall crop is in decent shape with full row closure in majority of the fields less some of the later replants.
• Excessive rain has flooded low spots resulting in lost acres. Too late to replant in those spots. Expect total lost acres across the coop due to flooding to be +-4,000ac.
• Weed control is mostly wrapped with growers handling escapes on a case-by-case basis in fields with reduced stands.
• Majority of the acres have had first pass of fungicide applied for CLS, some already on second pass.
• CLS spots have been confirmed in multiple locations across the area.
• Staff took first round of yield samples this last week and are currently estimating a 25–27 ton crop.

MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE

• Crop is in good shape with earliest beets looking the best.
• Excessive rain has promoted the spread of some root disease but currently not a major concern. If it stays wet root rot will be issue going forward.
• Almost all fields have reached row closure and even fields with reduced stands have closed well.
• Weed control will continue to be an issue moving forward with escapes due to reduced stands from spring heat and rain.
• Almost all fields have had first pass of fungicide for CLS, with some already on their second pass.
• Ag staff will pull their first round of samples and next.

LANTIC

• Things are looking good in the Lantic market.
• Gowers got a little later start than normal due to a delayed contract negotiation. Nevertheless, crop was put in quickly and catching up to historical averages.
• Weed control is complete and crop has filled the rows.
• Main focus right now is water with growers running their allocations when possible.
• Ag staff will pull samples towards the end of July.

Betaseed, one of the nation’s leading Sugarbeet seed producers, announced changes to their sales team as a result of recent retirements and promotions. These changes will support Betaseed’s top-notch service to their sugarbeet growers

Blake Buck became the new Betaseed Key Account Manager for our Minn-Dak (MDFC), Southern Minn (SMBSC), and Lantic regions on May 19th, replacing Cody Lehman, who retired on July 1st after nearly 28 years with the organization. Blake holds a B.S. degree in General Agriculture from North Dakota State University and spent 14 years at MDFC as an Agriculturalist prior to this role. Blake resides in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

John Samdahl was promoted to Betaseed Regional Sales Manager for the American Crystal (ACSC) region on July 1st, replacing Lynn Dusek who has accepted a new role as General Agronomist for KWS. John holds a B.S. degree in Crop & Weed Science from North Dakota State University and has been a Betaseed Sales Manager since 2020. Prior to his time with Betaseed, John spent 14 years at ACSC as an Agriculturalist. John resides in Thompson, North Dakota.

Sydnie Shepherd was promoted to Betaseed Sales Manager for the ACSC area on July 1st. Sydnie holds a B.S. degree in Crop & Weed Science and Agribusiness from North Dakota State University and completed two internships within our organization prior to her role as a Betaseed Sales Associate in 2022. Sydnie resides in Durbin, North Dakota.

Clarke Alder will begin his new role as Betaseed Sales Manager for the Amalgamated region (Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) on July 7th, working alongside Joe Freiburger until Joe’s retirement on September 1st, when he will complete more than 21 years with the organization. Clarke holds an M.S. degree in Weed Science from Utah State University and spent 13 years at Amalgamated Sugar in their Weed Scientist (formally Research Agronomist) and Crop Consultant roles. Clarke resides in Middleton, Idaho.

“We’re very excited for the future of the Betaseed brand and look forward to welcoming new team members, as well as congratulating those who are completing their time with the organization,” Betaseed Brand Sales Leader Jason Evenson says of the management changes.