Sugar beet growers are being encouraged to adopt a just-in-time approach to lifting the crop as mild autumn weather continues.
Preserving sugar content during harvesting, cleaning and loading is a priority – especially while temperatures remain warm, says the latest bulletin from the British Beet Research Organisation.
Crops should spend a minimum time in the clamp. Growers should strive for optimum crowning – and avoid excess remaining tops for just-in-time loading and delivery with low levels of root damage and bruising.
To minimise root breakage, avoid running the harvester too aggressively, assessing for root breakage and bruising at the clamp, says the BBRO bulletin.
“Ensure a regular dialogue between harvester and haulier. If clamping is required, avoid too much soil or tops. Keep clamps low and wide to help with air flow which is particularly important in warmer weather, do not push-up or level the clamp.”
Sugar beet crops should still be monitored for foliar diseases, says the BBRO. Powdery mildew has been most prevalent this year and should have been well managed with fungicides.
“Rust and Cercospora are now evident in most fields and need to be closely monitored in case we suddenly experience warm weather conducive to either disease,” says the BBRO bulletin.
“If disease symptoms begin to show, be prepared to spray an additional fungicide, especially on crops planned to be harvested from mid-November onwards as this will protect the crop canopy and, therefore, yield.”
British Sugar agriculture director Dan Green said: “We look forward to working together with growers, harvesters and hauliers. We’d like to wish everyone across the British beet sugar industry all the best for a safe and successful campaign.”
Growers with queries as lifting progresses should call their British Sugar agriculture manager or British Sugar Services on 0800 090 2376.