Rains Beneficial To Agriculture

Timely, adequate rainfall may have changed a looming high dollar loss into a positive gain, not just for beet growers but for farmers throughout the area. "This rain will really help," says Sidney Sugars Agriculture Manager Russ Fullmer. "The first rain cost us a million; this one gives us a million. Every crop needed water, especially in the south, so this rain gives us a breather."

He continues, "The first rain gave us enough moisture to sprout the beets but not enough to keep them going. Hot temperatures and hot winds just sucked the moisture right out of the ground. As a result there are fields with thin stands, and we have approximately 3900 acres of replant, where beets sprouted but then dried out and died. So, our overall potential is not as good as it could have been."

Beets are doing well in fields that had adequate moisture.

To date, no major disease or insect problem has arrived to plague growers. "We're seeing a few flea beetles, but they are nothing unusual and they are under control," Fullmer says.

Agriculturists will conduct crop estimates in early June, and take root samples in July. These samples will give Sidney Sugars some idea as to what to expect for crop yield in the fall.

Fullmer also announces that Sidney Sugars has hired a new agriculturist. Todd Erickson, formerly with Busch Ag and currently employed by a business in Fairview, will begin agriculturist duties with Sidney Sugars in mid-June. Erickson will serve the Savage, Powder River, and Pleasant View districts.

To date, Sidney Sugars has not replaced General manager Steve Sing, who retired at the end of May.

 

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