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“Sugarbeet Report” presented by NDSU Extension, features growing tips from NDSU sugar beet specialists and researchers.
This is the Sugarbeet Report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU throughout the sugar beet growing season. Even with a fresh layer of snow, the season for sugar beet is coming fast. Eric Branch, NDSU and University of Minnesota Extension Sugarbeet Specialist, is here to kick off the 2026 Sugarbeet Report season. Eric, can you compare last year's sugar beet season with the upcoming 2026 season?
Eric Branch:Well, Bruce, the 2025 sugar beet season was variable was my word during that year, and and at the end, variable is what we saw. We saw some delayed harvest due to the heat. We saw the effects of sugar beet cercospora and the leaf spot epidemics that were really serious in those wetter parts of the valley and in Minnesota. We saw some regions where the rain cooperated and the environment played well and the crop was okay or good in some areas, but really variable across the valley. You know, we don't know what 2026 is gonna give us in the weather wise. We can, of course, be optimistic. Think by nature in the agricultural world, we are optimistic. My role here at NDSU Extension is to help Sugarbeet growers and other stakeholders do the best job that they can. We're gonna be on the radio program this year again with a panel of experts covering topics from diseases and weeds and entomology and other updates from the region with the co ops and provide that in a timely manner and help folks get the information they need.
Bruce Sundeen:It's hard enough to foresee outcomes with the unpredictable weather. What about weeds, insects, disease? What can NDSU do to ease the pressure?
Eric Branch:A lot of things are out of our control in terms of how the crop season is looking up to be. But once the season gets rolling and either the dynamics of what I like to call the pest environment situations, we can react to those in kind of a risk averse way to set ourselves up for success as best we can. Proactive control for weeds, proactive control for diseases and insects, these are the kind of steps that we hope to help with.
Bruce Sundeen:When do you think farmers will get into the field?
Eric Branch:Yeah, so here in the valley, think we're overall fairly dry, which again could be a mixed bag. Our associates in Michigan and Idaho, for example, will start planting very soon, if not already. Late March is when those regions typically get underway here in the valley mid April.
Bruce Sundeen:Eric, from our earlier conversation, you mentioned successful themes for the growing season. Could you explain what that is?
Eric Branch:In 2026, one of the themes that I hope to to carry forward to is how to protect your investment. Each crop here across all the crops, but sugar beet in particular, is an investment. These input costs, they've been made for our growers and our stakeholders, and they will be made all the way up to the end of the season. By the time our disease management seasons or crop release spot, for example, really takes effect in late June, early July when those management decisions and applications have to be made, we're thinking about not just adding expenses to the crop, but having a mindset of protecting the investment that is the seed and the planting and the diesel to get to that point. So fungicide applications, in my opinion, are just the cherry on top to make what the rest of the crop is count and ensure a profitable season for the rest of the year.
Bruce Sundeen:Thanks, Eric. Our guest has been Eric Branch, NDSU and University of Minnesota Extension Sugarbeet Specialist. This is the Sugarbeet Report, bringing you the latest information from NDSU throughout the sugar beet growing season.