| Holly Sugar will start its harvest on Sept. 17
and the factory will open Sept. 18. Well be off and
running after that, said Russ Fullmer, agricultural manager
for Holly Sugars Sidney, Mont., facility.
Fullmer referred to this years crop as neither exceptional
or poor but an average crop. It was affected by a poor
spring start but after plenty of rain (helping irrigation) and
fairly good conditions through the summer, the crop looks
better, said Fullmer.
Hail storms have hurt some areas, said Fullmer.
Disease also has been a problem with hot humid conditions
and warm sultry evenings, helping fungus like leaf spot
cercospora get established in the beet crops.
Cercospora has been a common disease worldwide for a long
time and was introduced into the Sidney area in the early
1990s, according to Fullmer.
When asked about prices, Fullmer said, Not a lot of
sugar has been contracted for this season at this time.
Farmers are waiting to see where the new Farm Bill comes down
concerning beets.
He felt a lot of people from the Yellowstone Valley area of
Montana and areas in Wyoming and Colorado would be heading to
Washington in September to let their feelings be known about
the new farm bill.
Fullmer wanted his growers to know, Holly Sugar in
Sidney will be holding a tare lab at the factory on Sept. 13.
Farmers can bring in samples to check for sugar content at
that time. We will be open from 6:30 p.m. until we are done
with samples. Bags are available from Holly Sugar, said
Fullmer. |