Sugarbeet planting is moving forward across the country with mixed progress.
The latest USDA report shows 21 percent of the crop is planted, which is just ahead of the five-year average but slightly behind last year’s pace.
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says Weather conditions continue to shape the pace of progress from state to state.
“We had some wet weather in Michigan. 28 percent planted there, but things opened up during the week, and Michigan actually planted 26 percent of its acreage just in the last week, still behind the five-year average of 35 percent. Meanwhile, a lot of the sugar beets come out of the north-central U.S. and the Red River Valley in that area, and they are kind of waiting for the soils to warm up a little bit, and so, a little bit of a slow start. Two percent planted in Minnesota, with a five-year average of eight percent; three percent planted in North Dakota versus five percent on average.”
In 2023, Minnesota led the nation in the production of sugarbeets with an impressive yield of 12.6 million tons.
Alissa White with American Farmland Trust joined us to provide insight into climate resilience efforts and strategies to help farmers manage weather-related risks.
January 14, 2026 02:20 PM
·
Agronomy experts explain why standing crop residue protects soil and reduces costs for crop growers, while shredding often yields little benefit at higher costs.
January 14, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Freight volatility increasingly determines export margins, making logistics costs as important as price in marketing decisions.
January 14, 2026 06:00 AM
·
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
·
USDA flash corn sales, Cattle on Feed and Inventory reports, and beef packer antitrust concerns dominate January agricultural market news.
January 13, 2026 01:53 PM
·
Larger grain stocks increase supply pressure, but strong fall disappearance — especially for corn and sorghum — suggests demand remains an important offset.
January 13, 2026 01:02 PM
·
