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'Sowing sugar beets off to a good start'
The first 1.000 hectares of sugar beet have been sown. Cosun Beet Company reports that. Especially in the southwest, growers have seen their chance. Conditions are generally good, according to Cosun. The ground falls neatly and the seedbed looks good, quite a difference from last year.
According to the knowledge and research center for sugar beet cultivation, early sowing results in a longer growing season, which increases the yield potential. The downside is that sowing early increases the chance of shooters. Cost formation or excessive rain during or shortly after emergence also increase the chance of shooters. There are, however, major differences between the breeds. The general rule, according to the IRS, is to be careful sowing before March 10.
Risk of mouse damage
The cold weather causes the beets to germinate slowly. This increases the risk of mouse damage. Sowing sufficiently deep and in the moisture helps to prevent this damage. A sufficiently fine seed bed also helps against mouse damage. The seed is then difficult to find for the mice. If the beets have been sown and mice do get in, then offering an alternative can offer solace. Place the food under a roof tile or half PVC pipe, so that the birds cannot reach it. Once the beets have sprouted, they are no longer attractive to mice.
It is expected that 82.000 hectares of beet will be sown this year in the Netherlands. The acreage will therefore shrink by approximately 1,5% compared to 2020. This is a smaller decrease than is expected on average in Europe. There are various signs that the acreage is shrinking by approximately 5% in a number of European countries.
Jurphaas Lugtenburg
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