Squeeze every last ounce put of yield

The 2009 sugar beet harvest promises another impressive result in the wake of last year's record-breaking crop.However, it is one thing to grow a good crop, but if the biological sugar yield is to be translated effectively into delivered and paid-for yield, much care is needed during harvest, storage and delivery to maximise root recovery and minimise sugar losses.
Early indications show many UK beet growers may be on target to exceed the 70t/ha industry benchmarking 2009. However, with up to one-third of the yield potential yet to be realised, growers need to focus clearly on squeezing every last ounce out of their beet crops. Last year, 35% of growers beat the industry target, and this year yields look just as good.

BBRO monitoring continues to reveal a wide variation in harvesting losses seen on-farm during the lifting season, despite the dramatic overall improvements seen in recent years. A few moments taken to check machine settings can pay big dividends. We hope this contribution to Farmers Weekly Academy helps you make the most of your 2009 beet crop.