Sugarbeet Report

Mark Boomquist, Director of Research for Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, has an update from Southern Minnesota.

What is Sugarbeet Report?

“Sugarbeet Report” presented by NDSU Extension, features growing tips from NDSU sugar beet specialists and researchers.

Bruce Sundeen:

This is the Sugarbeet Report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU throughout the sugar beet growing season. Today, we're checking out the sugar beet activity in the Southern Minnesota area. Here to update us is Mark Bloomquist, director of research for Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative. Mark, how are the sugarbeets doing in your area?

Mark Bloomquist:

The 2026 growing season began with nearly the entire crop being planted during April. This is an excellent planting date for SMBC. In early and mid May, the area did experience high winds on several days as the crop was emerging. This resulted in replants on approximately 5% of our acres. The crop developed rapidly during the late May and June timeframe. Many fields were beginning to close the rows by June 20. The rapid canopy development led to an early Cercospora leaf spot management season with most fields receiving the first fungicide application by June 22.

Bruce Sundeen:

What kind of impact is Cercospora leaf spot having in your area?

Mark Bloomquist:

High inoculant levels from the 2025 crop combined with warm temperatures and high humidity have created highly favorable conditions for CLS infection. The growing area has received sufficient rain in July and August to create very high humidity within the Sugarbeet canopies. So Cosper disease index values have been moderate to severe across the growing area for much of the summer. Timely fungicide applications are helping hold down CLS levels in many fields. We are starting to see scattered fields reach economic loss levels due to the disease. It will be important to scout fields and apply additional fungicide applications as needed in September to protect the yield potential.

Bruce Sundeen:

How is pre pile progressing and what are the expectations for the crop?

Mark Bloomquist:

Our pre pile harvest began on Monday, August 17. We experienced some spotty rain on Monday evening that slowed harvest the next day. But we have seen very nice pre pile harvest conditions since then. Root samples taken by our agriculturalists during July and August, as well as the initial yield reports from pre pile harvest indicate the potential for an above average crop. Sugar content is currently slightly below our average for this time of the season. We will continue our pre pile harvest until the first week of October when we will transition to our full harvest period.

Bruce Sundeen:

Mark, any final thoughts?

Mark Bloomquist:

Pre pile harvest is in full swing at all three cooperatives. This means additional truck traffic and large farm equipment on the roads, especially near receiving stations. We want to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be safe in the fields, on the roads, and at the receiving stations this harvest season.

Bruce Sundeen:

Thanks, Mark. Our guest has been Mark Bloomquist, research director for Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative. This is the Sugarbeet Report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU throughout the sugar beet growing season.