| Sugarbeet planting has been delayed some by recent snow and
rain, according to Russ Fullmer, ag manager of Holly Sugar,
and MonDak Beet Growers Association President Terry Cayko. Thats
exactly what were looking at right now, Cayko said of a
slow start. The moisture is great. You cant ever
complain about getting moisture in this country.
Cayko said some growers usually start about April 10. But
the majority are done about April 15-20.
He said theres a chance growers might become their own
enemy by not waiting long enough.
His prediction is for the majority of the beets to be
planted about April 25.
It might be later than that, too, Cayko said. Its
not considered too late until about May 10.
He feels the moisture may be the start of a great beet
season.
Because weve seen such good moisture, we have the
makings of a real good crop, Cayko said. Theres
nothing like moisture from Mother Nature.
Further down south its a little drier, Fullmer said, and
sugarbeet farmers there may possibly start planting the first
of the week.
Holly Sugar has agreed to all of the conditions of the
growers stemming from recent bankruptcy developments. Holly
Sugar has agreed to pay the producers the money due on the
2000 crop, consented for the producers to run the plant if
necessary and allowed the growers to have a lien on this years
crop and the sugar it produces to guarantee first payments to
the producers.
All of these agreements are contingent on court approval
because of bankruptcy proceedings.
We just hope they can come out of the bankruptcy,
Cayko said. I think it kinda is going to make Imperial
Sugar stronger. Fullmer said Holly Sugar has been
contracting acres for about two weeks. He said the plant is
looking for similar acres to what they had last year. We
have a fairly strong demand for beets and are having no
problem getting acres, he said, adding that Holly Sugar
usually has more demand for beets than they have acres. |