5-3 IAN Status of Sugar

 I had a conversation the other day with Mark Duffin, executive director of the Idaho sugarbeet growers Association regarding the state of sugar beets and sugar in Idaho.“ Planting was definitely delayed because of the rain and cold weather but I am getting good reports as far as planting progressing right now depending on rain storms and which cloud you are under and what your soil type is.” Aren’t the fields awfully muddy? “That is a big challenge for them and it does depend on the soil type. Farmers with sandyier soil are able to get on them, and those with heavier soils have had to hold up but it has been a challenge for everybody, not just the  wetness but the cold weather. It is not ideal for getting your crops up but we have to deal with what mother nature gives us.” As a result of all of this are we going to be lower on the sugarbeet harvest? “It’s really too early to tell. It depends on the growing season. Also re- plants, last year we had a lot of re-plants. Again if we get a good growing season we can make up for a lot of lost time.”