Despite weather challenges, area sugar beet growers complete harvest

By Bill Vander Weele

Sidney Herald
Published on Friday, November 13, 2009 4:06 PM MST

Although area sugar beet growers faced their own challenges with the weather this harvest, the region apparently fared better that in the Billings area.

On Wednesday, Western Sugar Cooperative members spoke to Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer about their fear of losing frost-damaged beets.

“Apparently, when they got the cold weather the same time we did, but their beets were damaged more,” Russ Fullmer, agricultural manager at Sidney Sugars, said.

According to the Billings Gazette, Western Sugar Cooperative members only have 80 percent of their crop harvested. That translates into leaving roughly $5 million in the field.

Sidney Sugars reported producers managed to get their entire crop in despite the weather challenges.

“We have everything harvested, and they seem to be storing well,” Fullmer said.

editor@sidneyherald.com

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