Know How / Sugar beet / Harvest and crop storage

As the beet harvest or lifting approaches, crop recovery and harvester losses are influenced by the weather, as well as by harvester and operator performance. Discover how to reduce both surface and root breakage losses, improve crowning and minimise sugar losses associated with surface damage and bruising.

See how to apply appropriate storage strategies and techniques help to minimise beet damage, reduce sugar losses and prevent crops deteriorating, whether stored in the field or in clamps.

Case studies

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ARABLE

Early sugar beet yields promising for Cambridgeshire grower

Sugar beet growers have made an unusually early start to this year’s beet harvest as British Sugar offers a premium for early-lifted crops in an attempt to make up for…

SUGAR BEET

Video: Good early sugar beet yield as harvesting speeds up

Sugar beet harvesting is kicking off with promising yields for one Suffolk farmer amid more optimism among growers due to low disease levels and a price rise in the pipeline.…

HARVEST AND CROP STORAGE

Beet chaser cuts sugar losses by 10% on Cambridgeshire farm

The addition of a sugar beet chaser bin to a Cambridgeshire farm’s harvesting and haulage fleet is allowing it to retain 10% of the sugar content usually lost through storage.…

Practical advice

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SUGAR BEET

Advice on clamping sugar beet for optimal harvest storage

This year’s sugar beet harvest campaign is now under way, and a shortage of HGV drivers is expected to limit crop collection times, which may force some beet growers to…

SUGAR BEET

How to minimise sugar losses in beet clamps at harvest

Storing beet in the field or purpose-built clamps is a must for many growers where “just-in-time” harvest and delivery is not feasible. A recent shift to whole-beet delivery and more…

LIVESTOCK

Guide to new rodenticide rules for livestock farmers

Changes in the law on rodenticides use means farmers have more options to tackle rats effectively this autumn. We discuss how the law changes affect farmers and offer practical tips…

ARABLE

How to minimise sugar beet harvest crop losses

The best sugar beet harvest operators can lift up to 9.5t/ha more crop from the ground by paying careful attention to ground conditions and the state harvested beet is in…

ARABLE

New rules for rodenticides explained

New rules for buying and using rodenticides means that farmers will now need a certificate of competence. The new requirements will be phased in over the next 12 months and…

ARABLE

Avoid last-minute grain store cleaning to prevent insect attack

Growers should not waste time in cleaning out their empty grain stores to avoid the build-up of damaging insect pests. With the grain price slump, some may still have a…

Insights

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External resources

AHDB Grain storage guide

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HSE Grain dust

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AHDB Grain sampling guide

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AIC grain passport

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