Here is an update on this spring’s sugarbeet planting progress, which has been hampered by cool, wet weather in certain parts of the country.
American Crystal Sugar Company
As of Tuesday, May 24, American Crystal shareholders/growers have 182,000 acres planted, representing 40 percent of the total the company expects for the year. The growing region is facing historically wet conditions and it has put growers on pace for the latest average planting date the company has seen in the last 40 years.
That said, American Crystal shareholders have made significant investments in planting equipment, and it’s allowing them to make quick progress as the field conditions improve.
Michigan
Improving weather in Michigan has allowed sugarbeet growers there to make some big gains in planting this past several days.
Following are figures from the USDA on percentages of sugarbeets planted in the four states that represented 84 percent of 2021 sugarbeet acreage:
State Week Ending 2017-2021
May 15, 2021 May 8, 2022 May 15, 2022 Average
(percent) (percent) (percent) (percent)
Idaho 98 95 97 95
Michigan 100 36 94 87
Minnesota 100 8 8 83
North Dakota 98 2 9 84
Average 98 26 37 86