Sugar beet “ >>


EU sugar prices will be more closely aligned to world market prices


will reduce the competitiveness of some countries.


Transport costs are extreme- ly high because of the tonnages involved. Again, France, with its 20 factories, may have an advan- tage because growers will be more able to find a nearby outlet, help- ing them to keep transport costs to a minimum.


Outside the core sugar beet growing and processing areas in the north-west European region transport costs may play an even bigger role. Away from factories and away from the key outlets for sugar products in the more northern EU countries, member states in the south may find it increasing- ly hard to compete. But other fac- tors come into play such as climate and efficiency.


Weather


In terms of weather, frost is the big enemy for the sugar beet grower as it destroys the water-laden root so countries with milder climates – such as the UK – may have an advantage over colder countries in central Europe. Germany and Poland, two of the largest sugar beet producers, suffer harder frosts that come ear- ly in the season and it is common for factories in these countries to end the processing season at Christmas as temperatures fall. To extend their processing sea- son and make more efficient use out of their assets, crops will have to be lifted and stored in greater quantities on-farm or at the fac- tory. This will require significant investment and puts frost-prone countries at a disadvantage. By contrast the UK’s mari-


time climate allows growing and harvesting to continue through to March, making efficient and cost-effective use of the process- ing facilities over a longer period without incurring the additional cost of extra storage. *Former British Sugar agri- cultural business manager Rob- in Limb is an independent agri- cultural consultant. Simon Allen is a senior lecturer at Harper Ad- ams University.


36 ANGLIA FARMER • JUNE 2017 Adama sets out to beet the weeds


Two of Adama’s key sugar and fodder beet herbicides are Goltix 70 SC and Sniper. Together, these products provide good protection against a wide range of weeds. Goltix 70 SC contains 700 g/l metamitron, the key residual ac- tive for sugar beet. This long-last- ing selective herbicide provides foliar and root activity without compromising crop safety, and should be used as the founda- tion for an effective herbicide programme.


Sniper is a co-formulated product containing all the key ac-


tive ingredients required for com- prehensive weed control in sug- ar beet: phenmedipham (150 g/l), desmedipham (50 g/l) and etho- fumesate (200 g/l). Together, these three actives provide excellent residual and triple contact activity and en- able Sniper to perform consist- ently well in all conditions from cool or warm to wet or dry. Snip- er provides contact and residu- al, post-emergence protection against a range of annual broad- leaved weeds including fat hen, black-bindweed,


polygonums,


mayweed, cleavers and common chickweed. As part of Adama’s ongoing commitment to provide practical and impartial crop management advice, the company will soon be launching its second Crop Management Knowledge Hub – this time with a specific focus on managing and controlling grass weeds in winter cereals and oil- seed rape. To find out more, or to regis- ter to receive the latest news and advice, please visit www.adama. com/uk/en/


End of quotas gives farmers the chance to grow more beet


they can sell for the first time in almost 50 years. This means opportunities for arable farmers who want to enter the market – as well as for existing growers. With all the major processors across Europe looking to expand production, and many actively seeking new growers to come on board, there are good opportuni- ties. First refusal for contracts and expanded tonnages will most likely go to existing grow- ers, at least initially.


T


Even so growers are being ad- vised to look at introducing beet, both for its potential profit and because of its value within a ro- tation.


Beet is a spring-sown crop so provides a winter break, offers an opportunity to tackle weeds and it is beneficial for biodiversity. It is also deep-rooting and breaks down the soil profile improving the structure.


Even though exposure to world market prices will limit prices, the crop can still make fi- nancial sense. Processing compa- nies are aware that their facili- ties have only one use – to handle beet. They will therefore have to pay a price that will encourage farmers to grow the crop. Prices beyond 2020 are ex- tremely difficult to predict. But estimates would suggest that it


More farmers are expected to start growing sugar beet


could be between €25-30/tonne. Even if the price is as low as €25/t, on farms where yields are at 100t/hectare, that would still represent a decent income. In the UK three-year con- tracts are on the table and these come with a guaranteed base-price that will increase if market prices start to rise. The main variable is yield but there is a strong upward trend which shows no signs of abating. However, there are downsides that must be considered before


growers make a commitment. Chiefly transport costs are no- toriously high. Sugar beet is 75% water and as the crop is harvest- ed during the winter, mud, muck and stones add to the weight. This is the major reason for the trend towards production being located close to factories. Another potential downside to growing beet is the harvest time. For the industry to be profitable, factories need to run between September and as long into the following year as possible.


he end of EU sugar quo- tas will free growers to produce as much beet as


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76