News Sugar beets
Difficult harvest and falling sugar content
The last stretch weighs the heaviest and that certainly applies to the sugar beet harvest this year. According to Suiker Unie, more than 10% of the beets are still in the ground. Meanwhile, sugar levels drop.
A lot of sugar beet was harvested last week, but due to precipitation, these harvesting activities cannot continue unhindered. Looking at the outlook, the last beets are not coming out of the ground in the short term. Relatively much still has to be harvested in the east of the Netherlands, Suiker Unie reports.
The sugar content has now fallen slightly to an average of 16,3%. Sugar levels are particularly disappointing in areas where drought and later leaf fungus infestation by cercospora has occurred. This applies to the regions of Salland/Twente, North and Central Limburg and the Bommelerwaard, among others. Here it is percentage near 15%. The tare content in the various regions differs considerably this year, but is equal across the board to last week.
Limited seed availability
Suiker Unie also reports that a large number of varieties are available for seed orders to a limited extent this year. Particularly in the resistance segment of beet cyst nematodes and breakthrough rhizomania, the supply is insufficient due to problems with seed production. The growers are advised to check whether nematode resistance is necessary on the 2020 plot. With ample sugar beet rotations or no demonstrable nematode infestation, it is best to opt for an additional rhizomania-resistant variety without nematode resistance.
Jeanette Pennings
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