Healthy beets thanks to timing and technique

Mark Karstenberg and his brother Jeroen run a 150-hectare arable farm in Nieuw-Dordrecht, Drenthe. Among other things, they grow 33 hectares of sugar beets on this farm. Mark hopes for strong growth and an optimal yield again this season. His approach is careful and based on years of experience.

To ensure the health of the beet plants, Mark grows sugar beets on the same plot once every four years. This promotes soil fertility and contributes to a strong crop. The results are visible, partly due to the fertile valley soil on which they grow. "In the past, this soil consisted largely of peat. That was dug years ago to break up the hard subsoil. That made it suitable for agriculture," he explains.

On average, he harvests between 80 and 90 tons of beets per hectare, but there are also outliers. "In 2023, we even got 94 tons on some plots. I'm very happy with that," says Mark.

Preparation starts in winter
For Mark, beet cultivation starts well before spring. "In the winter, we determine which plots the beets will be grown on. If the sugar campaign is still running, we lime them with foam soil (Betacal Flow) to improve the pH value. We also drain the soil to remove excess water. I always say: drained soil always yields more, even in dry years."

Usually, sowing is done around Easter. "It's all about the right timing," he says. In the meantime, the beets are firmly in the ground and the weed spraying - often five times - has been completed.

Stay ahead of Cercospora with Spyrale
The fungal disease cercospora is a well-known enemy in beet cultivation. "Hot days, warm nights and heavy showers cause infections," says Mark. He uses Spyrale twice in his four-part fungicide regimen. "When I saw the first cercospora spots, I immediately applied Spyrale. That first application was crucial for protecting my crop."

During the first spraying, he combines Spyrale with 1,5 litres of copper. "We alternate to prevent resistance. Spyrale also works against rust and mildew. Moreover, it fits well within the regulations, with 90% drift reduction and a cultivation-free zone of 1 metre."

Technology and data in arable farming
Mts. Karstenberg has been using for years Cropsvision, a crop registration app. "This way we can demonstrate that we work food-safely. The app also shows weather data, so that we can use Spyrale at the right time."

Mark has been using the drug since it was approved. "If something doesn't work, we don't use it anymore. But Spyrale works - if you use it at the right time."

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