Despite a concerning start to the growing season, the sugarbeet harvest in the Red River Valley boasts a record yield and a high-quality crop. A cool and damp start to the planting season caused delays, and then drought conditions plagued field moisture throughout the growing season. However, the sugarbeets proved resilient, with producers remarking on their excellent appearance late in the summer.

Sugarbeets are perishable, which means harvest must occur in a minimal window. Sometimes, that means making the tough decision to leave beets in the ground, as processing plants can handle only so many beets. Harvest wrapped up around October 23, ending harvest season in about ten straight days. This year’s crop averaged 18.4% sugar content with a record volume of 12.7 million tons.

Read more on this year’s sugarbeet harvest here.