Sugar beet yield broken

Growers in the UK have achieved record average sugar beet yields in 2011-12, British Sugar has announced.

Last season’s average yield of 75.6t/ha beat the previous record of 71.7t/ha, set in 2009. It is the fourth time in seven years that the record has been broken.

“The average sugar yields were 18.4%, which is the second highest we have ever recorded,” said Robin Limb, central agricultural manager for British Sugar.

“Back at the start of the season it was the earliest drilling we’ve had in terms of average drilling date, into very good seed-beds.

“That resulted in healthy plant populations of around 93,000/ha, so the yield potential was always there,” he added.

Despite a dry spring challenging the crop in its early stages, deep root growth was encouraged in search of moisture, which stood the crop in good stead for the rest of the growing season, said Mr Limb.

Each year the UK sugar industry invests over £1.8m on research and development, which is a key driver in the impressive yield increases that have been seen in the sugar beet crop over the last decade.

“Enhanced genetics, producing new varieties have, and will continue to, improve yields,” said Mark Stevens, head of site at Rothamsted Research-Broom’s Barn.

“Sugar beet really has bucked the trend in terms of yield increases when compared with other crops,” he said.

A better understanding of canopy management and in particular fungicide applications to control foliar diseases, have also contributed to the record year, keeping crops greener for longer.

British Sugar and the British Beet Research Organisation, through their 4×4 yield programme, intend to continue the upward trend.

“The 4% increase year on year is inclusive of all growers, regardless of whether they are high yielding or not, and should be achievable,” added Mr Limb.