‘Serving The Nation’s Sugarbeet Community Since 1963’ Volume 51 Number 4 April/May 2012
Sugar Publications 4601 16th Ave. N. Fargo, ND 58102 Phone: (701) 476-2111 Fax: (701) 476-2182 E-Mail: sugar@forumprinting.com Web Site: www.sugarpub.com Publisher: Sugar Publications General Manager & Editor: Don Lilleboe Advertising Manager: Heidi Wieland (701) 476-2003
Page 4 Page 10
— Feature Articles — Meeting Vic’s Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Idaho program tests ag staff advice
Managing Cercospora Resistance . . . . . . . . 10 Issues — and recommendations — in Michigan
Graphics: Forum Communications Printing
The Sugarbeet Grower is published six times annually (January, February, March, April/May, July/August, November/December) by Sugar Publications, a division of Forum Communications Printing. North American sugarbeet producers receive the magazine on a complimentary basis. Annual subscription rates are $12.00 domestic and $18.00 for foreign subscribers. Advertising in The Sugarbeet Grower does not necessarily imply endorsement of a particular product or service by the publisher.
— Regular Pages —
— Front Cover —
Dateline: Washington . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Imports, Biotech, Insurance, Farm Bill
The 2012 growing season is off to an early start in several sugarbeet regions.
Write Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Photo: Don Lilleboe
And Which Is Illusion?
30 Years Ago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Excerpts from our April/May 1982 issue
Visit Our Website! Updated & Expanded!
Around the Industry . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Who, what & where it’s happening
www.sugarpub.com
THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
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(with the cooperating grower conducting the actual field operations, per the consultant’s directions). Then, at season’s end, each portion’s yield/quality and per-acre revenue would be tallied and the results shared with other growers and company ag staff. The program, whose name was changed in 2011 to “Vic’s Challenge� (after Amalgamated’s president, Vic Jaro), is now entering its third year. From all accounts, it has been a useful exercise that has helped both the grower/cooperators and the participating consultants to fine-tune their respective best-management-practices approach to sugarbeet production. “One of our goals was to show growers that what we’ve been recommending does work,� explains John Schorr, Amalgamated’s corporate director of agriculture. Some growers have a tendency to view company ag staff with a ‘You’ve never grown sugarbeets yourself, so why should you tell me what to do’-type perspective, Schorr notes. “So this allows us to say, ‘Here’s a demonstration field. Our guys did it the way we’ve been telling you to do it — and this is the result.� That endeavor can carry some inherent risk, of course, as there’s the looming specter of “egg on face� if the crop consultant’s approach isn’t as productive. “We don’t ‘fudge’ the data,� Schorr emphasizes. “If the consultant’s results didn’t turn out so well, we put that up on the screen along with an explanation of what we believe occurred. But in many cases, we’ve also been able to show that our field staff does have the knowledge that can help our growers improve their productivity and revenue.�
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Photo: Don Lilleboe
Meeting Vic’s Challenge
Program at Amalgamated Sugar Puts Ag Staff Recommendations to the Test eing a sugar company agriculturist entails wearing a lot of hats. One of the most important is that of crop advisor, fielding growers’ questions and providing management recommendations on everything from choosing seed varieties to harvest timing and procedures. But what if the agriculturist had to follow his own advice and put his recommendations into practice on his own field? Would he do things differently? And, would he be able to produce a crop as good as — perhaps even better than
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— that of the growers with whom he works? Such was the premise behind the Amalgamated Sugar Company’s establishment of a program called “Beet the Pro� prior to the 2010 growing season. The idea was for some of the company’s crop consultants (formerly known as “fieldmen�) to essentially raise a crop of sugarbeets side-by-side with one of their growers. The grower would manage his beet acres as he saw fit; the crop consultant would do likewise on his portion
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ob Huffaker and Terry Cane are two of the Amalgamated crop consultants who have participated in the program. Both are based in the Nampa factory district of western Idaho/eastern Oregon. Huffaker worked with two veteran producers in 2010: brothers Al and Ray Saito of the Weiser, Idaho, area. The Saitos had been dealing with low sugars, and Huffaker wanted to see if he could help turn that around. “They’ve always been very good growers — pretty
‘One of our goals was to show growers that what we’ve been recommending does work.’ THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
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Photo: Don Lilleboe
Above: Amalgamated Sugar Company crop consultant Bob Huffaker (right) is shown with Weiser, Idaho, area sugarbeet growers Ray (left) and Al Saito. much at the top every year in terms of yield, averaging around 41 tons,” he points out. The low-sugars problem stemmed from nitrate levels. The Saitos often place beets behind onions in their rotations. Like other growers, they base
their applied nitrogen rates on what the soil test shows. Still, something was amiss. The nitrates in the Saitos’ 2009 furrow-irrigated beets, for instance, averaged a very high 611 ppm across 227 acres, with a conductivity of 0.93. For 2010, fertilizer was applied to
both of the Vic’s Challenge field portions (“Saito” and “Huffaker”) based on soil tests. Huffaker suspected the nitrate problem experienced by the Saitos might have its roots in their irrigation water supply source. The Saitos preferred to irrigate with well water; Huffaker decided to go with ditch water “because I thought there might be nitrates in the well water.” Lab tests showed he was right, indicating that every time the Saitos irrigated with the well water, they were adding about 7.0 pounds of nitrogen per acre. (The nitrates are naturally occurring in area wells, according to hydrologists.) “That’s why the nitrates and conductivity were so out of whack,” Huffaker notes. “And why their sugar percentage was low.” The Saitos adjusted their 2011 fertilization as a result. While they were forced to go with well water again on that season’s beets (due to those fields’ locations), “they cut back on their applied nitrogen, realizing they were getting that extra N from the wells,” Huffaker explains. “There’s no question the way we watered (in 2011) lowered the nitrates and raised the sugars,” says Al Saito. The brothers are now factoring in the extra
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! The 29th International Sweetener Symposium will be held August 3–8, 2012, at the spectacular Coeur d’Alene Resort in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Attendance at this year’s Symposium is a must for all industry stakeholders given the critical state of play of sugar policy with the pending renewal of the Farm Bill. Will we have a completed Farm Bill by August or will it still be a work-in-progress? Additional program topics will include the U.S. and world market supply-demand outlook, the effect of multilateral, regional and bilateral trade agreements on world sugar policies and U.S. commodity programs, the upcoming Congressional and Presidential election outlook, trends and forecasts in the food sector, and other key topics. All industry players will want to explore these issues with the Symposium’s panels of renowned industry experts and key policymakers. Listen, learn, and add your views at lively and informative sessions on these and other vital topics.
Sponsored by American Sugar Alliance
Traditionally around 400 people from all sectors of the sugar, corn sweetener and food manufacturing industry attend the Symposium to hear the most significant and timely issues affecting the industry and to network with their sweetener industry colleagues. In addition to the compelling program content, the Symposium schedule allows free time every afternoon to enhance your industry relations in this comfortable setting. Preliminary program and registration materials will be available in May. This is one sweetener industry meeting you won’t want to miss. Preliminary program and registration materials will be available in May. Additional information also available at www.sugaralliance.org/symposium.
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August 3–8, 2012 Coeur d’Alene Resort | Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
Terry Cane nitrates in any beet field that’s being irrigated with well water. erry Cane collaborated with an Owyhee County grower, located about 100 miles southeast of the Saitos, during the 2011 season. They split a 32-acre furrow-irrigated field, applying similar fertility packages, based on soil test results. While they planted different varieties, the main differences, in terms of in-season crop management, fell into two categories: in-row seed spacing and irrigation. Cane’s half of the field was seeded at a 4.0-inch spacing, while that of the cooperator went in a more-standard 4.7inch spacing. Both acreages were planted on April 11 in 22-inch rows. By May 2, Cane’s beets had an average stand count of 247 per acre; those of his cooperator, 162. At-harvest plant stands (November 2) were 240 and 155, respectively. While the majority of Owyhee County beet fields are under sprinkler irrigation these days, this field and a few other small and/or irregular-shaped ones remain furrow irrigated. Often, only alternate rows are watered throughout the season, due to the labor required to switch back and forth. On Cane’s half of the Vic’s Challenge field, his goal was to alternate irrigations between “dry� and “wet� rows on a regular basis. “But after two irrigations, he (the grower/cooperator) could no longer move sufficient water down those dry rows; they just did not have a good furrow established,� Cane relates. “So we end up switching back.� Still, monthly soil samples showed that “even though we had only two irrigations down that dry row, I found better moisture all season long from one end of the field to the other, compared to where we didn’t do it.�
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THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
The grower’s half of the split field ended up with a slightly higher yield: just over 43 tons per acre, compared to Cane’s 42.5-ton average. However, the crop consultant’s sugars averaged 18.55%, compared to the grower’s 17.33%. At-harvest nitrate levels were 228 ppm (Cane) and 435 ppm (grower). Cane’s beets had an extractable recoverable sugar (ERS) of 13,741 pounds per acre, providing a gross revenue of $2,806.22. The cooperator’s ERS was 12,866 pounds, with per-acre revenue of $2,612.83 — $193.39 less than Cane’s. “I think the difference (in ERS and revenue) was due to a combination of three things,� the Amalgamated consultant observes. “First, lower nitrates definitely helped. Also, I think the variety I used was a little better sugar variety. And finally, the higher population helped to better utilize the nitrates.� Cane is working with the same cooperator again in 2012. Both used the same seed variety this time around. (The grower has gone with a higher seeding rate on some of his other acreage, given those fields’ conditions and the chances of having a lower final plant stand.) Cane does not recommend the 4.0-inch spacing as a general practice, however. “We did show we can do it
successfully; but it’s not something I would advocate across the board,� he says. “Somewhere in that 4.5-5.0 spacing range is still preferable.� One area Cane hopes to compare this year is irrigation intervals under furrow irrigation. He wants to see if watering the dry rows allows a lengthening of irrigation intervals without negatively affecting yield and quality. The benefits could be two-fold: (1) improved utilization of nitrates throughout the field, and (2) stretching out irrigation water in years of limited supply. — Don Lilleboe �
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Dateline: Washington Additional Imports On April 10, USDA issued its most important supply and demand estimate of the year. Once this estimate is finalized, USDA typically uses this information to make a decision on any additional imports from our foreign suppliers. USDA has a window from April 1 (the earliest date, barring an emergency) until approximately July 15 to announce additional imports for the market, with the likelihood that they will be delivered before the end of the fiscal year ending September 30. This does not prohibit USDA from making late import announcements and extending the entry period into the following fiscal year. April estimates are that stocks will drop to a level of 6.8%, due to imports from Mexico dropping by 385,000 tons from the previous month’s estimates. Speculating how much sugar will come from Mexico is a very difficult process, and numbers can fluctuate significantly from month to month. Prior to the April estimates, industrial sugar users asked the secretary to import volumes in the 700,000- to 900,000-ton range, which would clearly oversupply the market and collapse prices. Most of the domestic industry has advised the Secretary to be cautious in any consideration of additional imports. We have an earlierthan-usual spring this year. If we avoid late-spring frosts and have a good growing season, we could see earlier harvests and production for the 2012 crop that would be sold in the current fiscal year ending September 30. This administration has done an admirable job in managing additional imports while constantly facing the uncertainty of unrestricted imports from Mexico and operating the policy at no cost to taxpayers.
Biotech The United States District Court for the District of Columbia has scheduled oral arguments on June 15, 2012, on the summary judgment motions in the Grant litigation. The summary judgment motions that will be heard by the court include motions by the sugarbeet industry and USDA that ask the court to conclude that the partial deregulation of Roundup Ready® Sugarbeets was proper, and a motion by the Center for Food Safety asking the court to find that even partial deregulation with conditions required a full Environmental Impact Statement. It is unclear how soon after the argument the court will rule on the parties’ motions. We are also waiting to see a final Environmental Impact Statement, which we believe will be ready this summer.
Crop Insurance For years we have tried to address the problematic lack of adequate compensation for costs to replant our
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By Luther Markwart Executive Vice President American Sugarbeet Growers Assn.
crop. The system that is currently in place has two key factors for determining coverage: price election (which changes each year based on the presumed value of the crop before it is planted) and a multiplier of the price election. When market prices are stronger, this formula is helpful to cover replant costs. But when market prices drop, so does the replant coverage when using the current system. Grower leaders have asked for — and we have now achieved — a fixed number for replant coverage. Having a fixed number decouples it from market price swings, so when market prices drop and your costs don’t, you have a better risk management tool. In April, RMA published a fixed number for replants for the 2013 crop at $80 per acre in California (closing date is April 30); and we expect that this will be applicable to all other growing areas. This number can be changed as future costs continue to increase. The coverage only applies to seed and fuel, which is why it does not fully reflect your actual cost of replanting the crop.
2012 Farm Bill A clear path for completing a farm bill in 2012 remains shrouded in a cloud of uncertainty. The Senate Agriculture Committee is committed to reporting out a bill in April for consideration on the Senate floor as early as May. There is no assurance as to when it will come up for debate, but the Senate will need to act promptly in order to force the House to move on a farm bill. Typically, the House forces members to take tough votes on bills, only to have the bills die in the Senate — which creates political risk for House members. So, in an election year, the House will wait for the Senate to act before taking a bill to the House floor. There also are two fundamental problems that have to be dealt with. First, the Senate is writing a farm bill with cuts of $23 billion over 10 years from the commodity-related provisions. Under the House budget (which is not law because the Senate will not agree to it), the House version is supposed to cut about $33 billion out of the commodity provisions of the farm bill. So the two bodies would have to somehow reconcile a $10 billion difference between their bills, which is no simple task. Second, time is slipping away. When the House returns on May 7, there will be only 51 legislative days before the election, which is not a lot of time to pass a bill as major as the farm bill. Four anti-sugar policy bills (two in the House and two in the Senate) remain active, but with relatively few co-sponsors — most of whom are the usual fervent opponents. The industry is well-prepared to oppose such proposals when they are brought to the floor as amendments to the farm bill. ❖
THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
USDA Now Celebrating the Department’s 150th Birthday Abraham Lincoln Signed Establishment Act in May 1862 griculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off the commemoration of the department's 150th anniversary at USDA’s recent 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum titled “Moving Agriculture Forward.” To commemorate USDA’s rich history as well as its potential, Secretary Vilsack moderated a panel discussion with former secretaries of agriculture Ed Schafer, Mike Johanns, Ann Veneman, Dan Glickman, Mike Espy, Clayton Yeutter, John Block and Bob Bergland. “Nine secretaries of agriculture, representing 35 years of service, in one place at the same time was an incredible opportunity to learn about USDA's contributions to the strength and health of this nation with an eye for the impact the department can have in the future,” Vilsack remarked. “As we reflect on the
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department’s 150 years, this historic gathering will help us guide how we transform USDA into a more modern and efficient service provider.” At the forum, USDA introduced a short film titled “Secretaries of Agriculture – 30 Leaders, 150 Years.” Available at http://www.usda.gov/USDA150, this film looks at the history of USDA from the viewpoints of its nine most recent secretaries. Each secretary shared reflections on his or her time at USDA and presented ideas and challenges to the future of American agriculture. The film explores the history and role of USDA in American life, and why it continues to be known by the name given it by its founder, President Abraham Lincoln: “The Peoples Department.” The secretaries of agriculture featured in the film include:
THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012 (Upper Midwest)
• • • • • • • • •
Tom Vilsack, 2009-Present Ed Schafer, 2008-2009 Mike Johanns, 2005-2008 Ann M. Veneman, 2001-2005 Dan Glickman, 1995-2001 Mike Espy, 1993-1994 Clayton Yeutter, 1989-1991 John Block, 1981-1986 Robert Bergland, 1977-1981
resident Lincoln established USDA because he recognized the potential of America’s farmers and ranchers to provide a safe, ample food supply for the nation and the world. Throughout 2012, USDA will recognize important events, such as President Lincoln’s signing of an act to establish the Department of Agriculture on May, 15, 1862, and the July 1862 signing of the Morrill Act that established public land grant universities. Employees in many USDA field offices across the country also will find ways to celebrate this landmark anniversary. Visit http://www.usda.gov/USDA150 to sign up for daily email alerts and fun facts about USDA’s history. Visitors also can view photos from the USDA gallery and the National Archives and Records Administration that represent USDA’s 150 years of service. ❖
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Acreage Up Slightly: USDA USDA’s March 30-released planting intentions report for the 2012 sugarbeet crop came in at just over 1.24 million acres. That’s slightly above the 2011 level of 1.23 million. On a percentage basis, the biggest projected rise is in Colorado, where USDA is projecting 32,100 acres this year, compared to 29,400 in 2011 — a 9% hike. At a projected 183,000 planted acres, Idaho comes in at 4% above that
state’s 2011 level of 176,000. Nebraska is expected to plant 4% fewer beet acres: 50,000, compared to 52,200 last season. Wyoming also is forecast to be down slightly. At 480,000 projected acres, Minnesota again leads the way, followed by North Dakota at 230,000. Michigan is fourth, behind Idaho, at 154,000. The next USDA planted acreage report will be released in late June. ❖
2010 25,600 28,900 171,000 147,000 449,000 42,600 50,000 217,000 10,300 30,500 1,171,900
2011 25,100 29,400 176,000 153,000 479,000 45,000 52,200 231,000 10,900 31,200 1,232,800
2012* 25,000 32,100 183,000 154,000 480,000 45,500 50,000 230,000 11,000 30,700 1,241,300
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Planted U.S. Sugarbeet Acreage: 2010, 2011 & 2012* California Colorado Idaho Michigan Minnesota Montana Nebraska North Dakota Oregon Wyoming United States
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THE SUGARBEET GROWER (Upper Midwest) April/May 2012
Sugar Alliance Testifies to Farm Bill Success hanks to the no-cost sugar policy passed by Congress in 2008, the widespread closures of sugar facilities that once plagued sugar farmers and sugar workers have largely subsided, the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) reported to the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee on March 15 in written testimony. “U.S. sugar policy has been a resounding success during the 2008 Farm Bill and deserves to be extended,� ASA wrote. “It has achieved its goals of providing reliable supplies of high-quality sugar at reasonable prices, and a critical safety net for producers. It has done so without government expenditure. Furthermore, if extended, USDA predicts zero expenditures through 2022.� All told, the U.S. sugar industry “has shed 139,000 jobs in the past 19 years� because of two decades of low, stagnant prices and rising input costs. But there have been fewer facility closures under the current farm bill than any of its predecessors, ASA noted. In addition to U.S. sugar producers, who rank among the world’s most efficient, the current no-cost policy is working well for others, ASA found. Consumers continue to benefit. “Amer-
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ican retail prices for sugar have been remarkably stable over the past three decades,� ASA wrote. And according to global surveys, “consumer prices in the rest of the developed world have averaged 10 to 30% higher than here.�
Confectioners — who are one of the few opponents of sugar policy — have increased U.S. production by 2.5% since the 2008 farm bill became law, according to U.S. Census data, the ASA testimony pointed out. �
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THE SUGARBEET GROWER (Upper Midwest) April/May 2012
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ISBI Marks ‘50th’ Milestone
articipants in the 2012 International Sugarbeet Institute were part of an especially noteworthy event: the 50th anniversary of ISBI. Held at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D., on March 14 and 15, this year’s show featured about 125 commercial exhibitors and drew more than 2,300 visitors during its two-day run. Speakers at the 50th ISBI were Owen Wagner, senior economist-North America, for LMC International, and Leon Osborne, president of Meridian Environmental Technology, Grand Forks. Wagner addressed the outlook for NAFTA sugar markets, while Os-
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borne focused on the weather patterns of the past winter and what’s anticipated for the 2012 growing season. Roots of the International Sugarbeet Institute, North America’s largest trade show dedicated solely to the production of this crop, date back to 1963. In that year, a growers seminar was held at the Red River Valley Winter Shows building in Crookston, Minn. The show soon became a full-scale trade show and educational seminar, held annually since 1969. It gained its “International” monicker in 1986 from the inclusion of Manitoba committee members and grower/visitors in the era
when the Canadian province had a sugarbeet industry. Though that ended in 1995, the ISBI still draws visitors from Canada and occasionally other countries, so the “International” tag has been retained. In its early years, the first day of the trade show was on a Tuesday in West Fargo, N.D. Wednesday was a “travel day” during which exhibitors moved their equipment and wares to Crookston, where they set up once again for the show’s second day on Thursday. That arrangement — conducted for the convenience of growers at both ends of the lengthy Red River Valley — didn’t last too long. The ISBI was then housed exclusively at the Red River Valley Winter Shows, Crookston. The Crookston connection continued until 1998, when the ISBI took place for the first time at the new Fargodome in Fargo, N.D. Since 2002, the show has alternated between the Fargodome and the even-newer Alerus Center in Grand Forks. The ISBI is organized and hosted by a 21-person committee comprised of representatives from North Dakota State University, the University of Minnesota, American Crystal Sugar Company, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative, Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative and the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association. Also on the committee are representatives from the floor and booth commercial exhibitors community. The committee’s chairman is Mohamed Khan, extension sugarbeet specialist with NDSU/UM. Don Lilleboe, editor of The Sugarbeet Grower, is committee secretary, and Kelly Brantner, a beet grower from Felton, Minn., currently serves as ISBI treasurer. The 2013 International Sugarbeet Institute will be held at the Fargodome on March 14 and 15. ❖
Above: ISBI Chairman Mohamed Khan (left) presents an appreciation plaque to Russ Severson, who served on the ISBI committee while with the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
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THE SUGARBEET GROWER (Upper Midwest) April/May 2012
Write Field By David Kragnes
And Which Is Illusion? hose of you about my age may remember the title of this piece as the last line from the poem that comes at the end of the Moody Blues song, “Nights In White Satin.” For several varied reasons, that line has repeatedly come back to my head this winter. In February my wife and I took the grandkids to Disney World. At Disney they go to great lengths to make things look real. All cast members must remain in costume at all times and never be seen out of character. Yet with all their focus on the appearance of reality, we have come to expect complete fan-
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ilable! Now Ava /12 The 2011
tasy. So much so that when anyone wants to describe a person or idea as completely without basis in fact, they are described as being from Disneyland. Illusion has become reality. In March I attended a training class
Expecting anything from Washington in an election year that isn’t a well-crafted illusion shows I may have spent too
in San Antonio. Having dinner outside along the River Walk, I realized I was sitting next to what had started as a stream in the area but was now a concrete ditch with well-tended plants that were kept up at great expense so tourists could eat “genuine” Mexican food while watching “nature.” And which is illusion? At the River Walk, seated at a nearby table, four young girls sat without speaking for the whole time it took to get their food, as they feverishly typed on their phones — presumably, communicating with their friends. And which is illusion? At the American Sugarbeet Growers Association meeting this winter, there was much discussion about the “Farm Bill” — a bill before Congress in which 80% of the money spent never sees a farmer. At what point will it be relabeled “The Food Stamp Bill?” Am I wrong in thinking, if this were a canned food product, the USDA would not allow it to be so misleadingly labeled? Then again, expecting anything from Washington in an election year that isn’t a well-crafted illusion shows I may have spent too much time in Disney World. “And just what the truth is I can’t say anymore” seems to be the appropriate verse from the song. I hope you have a great summer. ❖ David Kragnes farms near Felton, Minn. He is a former chairman of American Crystal Sugar Company and currently serves on the board of directors of CoBank.
U.S. Sugar Industry Directory The new 2011/12 U.S. Sugar Industry Directory is by far the most comprehensive “who’s who” of U.S. sugar, providing listings for several hundred companies, organizations and agencies involved in the production, processing and marketing of U.S. beet and cane sugar and co-products. The 148page full-color 8-1/2” x 11” book includes: • Address, phone, fax, email, website & names of key personnel for all of the sugarrelated entities, along with types of products/services provided.
• Personnel & basic production information for each of the nation’s sugarbeet factories, sugarcane mills & cane sugar refineries. • Mexican & Canadian sugar sections. • Listings of local, state, regional, national & international sugar organizations. Also, listings of USDA & university sugarbeet & sugarcane researchers. • Commentary & statistics (current and historic) on the U.S. sugar industry — plus a color map depicting U.S. beet & cane growing areas.
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Lilleboe Communications Ltd. P.O. Box 2684 Fargo, ND 58108 THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
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Managing Cercospora Cercospora Leafspot Resistance Resistance An Outlineofofthe theProblem Issue Description
— leafspot, And Recommendations — Cercospora caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola, is oneIn of the most serious diseases of sugarbeets in Michigan Sugarbeets Michigan. This disease can cause reduced tonnage and sucrose and increased impurities. Yield losses of 2 tons per acre and By GreginClark* 1/4 point of sugar are common our growing region. Fields hat burndown will lose more than 5 tons per acre and up to 2 Description of isthe Problem ercospora leafspot among the most serious diseases of points of sugar. sugarbeets in Michigan, capable of inflicting significant Cercospora leafspot has been more difficult for some tonnage and sucrose losses as well as increased impurities. rcosporatoleafspot, caused by the fungusTypically Cercospora growers control the past two seasons. growers losses of two tons per acre and one-fourth point of use (a strobilurin) for Rhizoctonia control then apply la, Quadris is oneYield of the most serious diseases of sugarbeets in sugar are common in our growing region, with some fields Proline, Eminent, Enable, or Inspire (triazoles) as the first gan. This disease can cause reduced tonnage and sucrose having lost upwards of several tons and a couple points of eafspot or Gem generally sugar. Headline creasedspray. impurities. Yield losses(strobilurins) of 2 tons perare acre and Cercospora has and been difficult for some he leafspot spray itmore appears that we areMichigan losing intsecond of sugar are common in our growing region. Fields to control during pastper twoacre seasons andtoit 2apcontrol ofgrowers Cercospora at that urndown will lose more thantime. 5the tons and—up pears resistance issues with a couple strobilurin fungicides of sugar.lie behind the problem. Typically, the region’s growers use Sentinel Plot control; rcospora Quadris leafspot(ahas been more difficult for some strobilurin) for Rhizoctonia then apply Proline or Inspire (all triazoles) as the rs to control the, Eminent past two, Enable seasons. Typically growers A sentinel plot was conducted Elkton, MI in apply 2011 to leafspot spray. Headlinenear or Gem (strobilurins) are genuadris (a first strobilurin) for Rhizoctonia control then erally the second leafspot spray, and that’s where it appears evaluate the efficacy of fungicides for leafspot control. e, Eminent, Enable, or Inspire (triazoles) as the first we are some control of Cercospora. Results from thislosing trialor show that Headline and ot spray. Headline Gem (strobilurins) areGem generally A sentinel plot was conducted Elkton, Mich., in in 2011 strobilurins) did not provide adequatenear leafspot control 2011 cond leafspot spray and it appears that we are losing to evaluate the efficacy of fungicides for leafspot control. ReGraph 1).sults Thisfrom graph shows leafspot control for fungicides that trial (graph at upper right) showed that ol of time. Cercospora time. over Values at arethat based Cercospora scale of Headline and Gem didon notthe provide adequaterating leafspot control 0-9 and are expressed as a to percent of the(Values untreated. At on thethe last year, compared prior years. are based Sentinel Cercospora rating scale ofPlot 0-9 and are expressed a percent entinel plot in 2011, Eminent, Inspire, Proline and as Super Tin of the untreated.) Proline andand Super Tin provide good Cercospora Eminent, control, Inspire, while Headline Gem did provide good Cercospora sentinel plot wasleafspot. conducted nearcontrol. Elkton, MI in 2011 to ailed to control Leaves from the 2011 for sentinel were gathered and ate the efficacy of fungicides leafspot control. Leavessent from the sentinel plot were plot gathered and sent to to Michigan State University and to North Dakota State ts from this trial show that Headline and Gem Michigan State University and to North Dakota State University to analyze for Cercospora resistance. Results ilurins) did provide leafspot control in 2011 University tonot analyze for adequate Cercospora resistance. Results from from both universities indicated that Cercospora spores from h 1).universities Thisthegraph shows leafspot control for fungicides both indicated thatresistant Cercospora spores from sentinel plots were to Headline and Gem.the Sugar agriculturists alsoscale sampled entinel plot Michigan are Headline and Gem. ime. Values areresistant based ontoCompany the Cercospora rating of leaves from the sugarbeet growing area, and Michigan Sugar Company agriculturists also sampled d are expressed as around a percent of the untreated. At thea high of those leaves tested positive for resistance to eaves around the sugarbeet growing area a high el plotfrom inpercentage 2011, Eminent, Inspire, Proline andand Super Tin Headline and Gem. Analysis from both universities (illuspercentage of those leaves tested positive for resistance de good Cercospora control, and Gem tration of NDSU results while depictedHeadline at right) showed thatto Headline and Gem. Analysis from both universities more than 90% of the samples had an effective concentrato control leafspot. Fig. 1from & tion 2) the showed that plot over 90% of the samples had an (EC50) greater than 1.0 ppm, which indicates insensieaves sentinel were gathered and sent to tivity (resistance). effective concentration (EC50) greater than 1 ppm, which gan State University and to North Dakota State “Why did resistance happen?” That question has been ndicates insensitivity (resistance). rsity to analyze for Cercospora resistance. Results from The sameindicated question has asked multiple “why did niversities thatbeen Cercospora spores times, from the esistance happen?” ThisHeadline is a difficult question to answer, el plot are resistant andMichigan Gem. Sugar * Greg Clark to is agronomist with Com-Here ince many variables could lead to this resistance issue. ichigan Sugar Company alsopublication sampled pany. This article isagriculturists based on a recent of MSC and Sugarbeet REACH. from around theMichigan sugarbeet growing area and a high ntage of those leaves tested positive for resistance to 10 ine and Gem. Analysis from both universities
Graph 1: Cercospora Fungicide Efficacy 120
Cercospora Leafspot Resistance Management in Sugarbeets % of untreated
100
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40 Graph 1: Cercospora Efficacy Cercospora Fungicide Fungicide Efficacy / Michigan
C
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Inspire Eminent Super Tin Headline Gem Untreated
80
120 20 100
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Inspire Eminent Super Tin Headline Gem Untreated
Fig 1: Red Counties Indicate Strobilurins Resistance - MSU, 2011
40 20
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2011
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asked multiple times — and it’s a difficult one to answer, Figmany 1: Red Counties Indicate Strobilurins since variables could contribute to the resistance issue. Possible reasons include: Resistance - MSU, 2011 • Increased use of susceptible varieties. • Failing to rotate fungicide modes of action. • Stretching spray intervals. • Spraying other crops (e.g., corn, soybeans, dry beans, wheat) with Headline and Gem (strobilurin) and not rotating the mode of action. • Late first leafspot application. Resistance Fig. 2: Strobilurins • Poor spraying techniques. (Con’t. on Page 12)
NDSU, 2011
Mich. Samples Cercospora Analysis, 2011 (NDSU)
Legend Insensitivity (Resistance)
Fig. 2: Strobilurins Resistance NDSU, 2011
Sensitivity (No Resistance)
THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
Photo: Don Lilleboe
Management in Sugarbeets
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• Not tank mixing with other modes of action. • Earlier planting dates. • Not controlling leafspot to the end of the season. There are two general types of fungicide resistance: “quantitative” and “qualitative.” With quantitative resistance, resistant fungus strains develop slowly; and initially, an increased dosage or shorter spray intervals will compensate for the decreased fungicide efficacy. Triazoles (e.g., Inspire, Eminent, Proline, Enable) can develop resistance in this way. Full-blown resistance with triazoles develops over a long period of time. With qualitative resistance, the resistant fungus strains develop very rapidly, and an increased dose or shorter spray intervals will not compensate for the decreased efficacy. When a fungicide develops qualitative resistance, the effect of spraying that fungicide is akin to spraying with water. Strobilurins (e.g., Headline, Gem) develop resistance in this manner. When different fungicides have the same mode of action, the fungus does not distinguish between the fungicides. This is called “cross-resistance.” For example, if a fungus is resistant to Headline, it also will be resistant to Gem since they have the same mode of action.
Management for Cercospora Leafspot Resistance Cultural Practices — Since the Cercospora fungus overwinters on infected beet leaves and on some weed species, crop rotation is an important strategy in resistance management. A three- to four-year rotation is recommended for reducing carryover of the fungus. Since spores can be blown several hundred feet, it’s important to check with surrounding growers to learn whether they had poor performance with a given fungicide the previous year. Under the “right” conditions, spores will germinate from last year’s sugarbeet fields and infect this year’s adjacent beet fields. The spores break down more rapidly if buried, but they can survive 10 months or longer if buried eight inches or less. Burying sugarbeet litter via tillage helps reduce inoculum survival and dispersal. Fall tillage is most effective for reducing Cercospora populations, but it likewise may increase soil erosion. Varieties — Referring to the Michigan sugarbeet region specifically, there are large differences in varietal susceptibility to Cercospora leafspot. The disease develops slowly on tolerant varieties, and normal control measures will effectively control Cercospora. However, leafspot is difficult to
Michigan Spray Schedule Recommendations, 2012 If Headline or Gem Performed Well in 2011 • Triazole tank mix with an EBDC or Copper • Super Tin tank mix with Topsin or EBDC or Copper • Headline or Gem tank mix with an EBDC • Triazole tank mix with an EBDC or Copper • Super Tin tank mix with an EBDC or Copper 12
If Headline or Gem Failed in 2011 • Triazole tank mix with an EBDC or Copper • Super Tin tank mix with an EBDC or Copper • Topsin tank mix with an EBDC • Triazole tank mix with an EBDC or Copper • Super Tin tank mix with an EBDC or Copper
control with highly susceptible varieties, so an aggressive spray program then is required to protect the crop. Fungicides — There currently are two general types of registered fungicides: protectants and systemics. Protectant Fungicides — Protectant fungicides such as Super Tin, the EBDCs (e.g., Dithane, Manzate, Penncozeb) and copper products kill fungi on the leaf surface and do not penetrate the leaves. These fungicides generally provide broad-spectrum disease control and have several modes of action, so that they do not develop resistance easily. Protectant-type fungicides do not provide long residual control and are susceptible to being washed off the leaves by rain. They should be tank-mixed with fungicides with higher risk for resistance development. Used in this manner, they will help slow resistance development. Systemic Fungicides — Systemics (e.g., Headline, Gem, Enable, Proline, Eminent) are absorbed by sugarbeet leaves and are rain-fast when dry. Systemic fungicides are active against Cercospora for a longer period of time, compared to protectants. They are highly susceptible to the development of resistance, however, and should always be tank-mixed with a protectant fungicide. The main value of protectants, for our sugarbeet situation, is for resistance management as tankmix and rotation partners with the triazoles and strobilurins. All of the fungicides used in sugarbeets should be applied preventively, as they do not “cure” an established Cercospora infection. Unlike protectant fungicides, penetrant fungicides are rain-fast within a few hours of application and may require less-thorough application coverage to be effective. Both types of fungicides provide good disease control when applied prior to infection and are best applied on a preventive schedule. he following list of Cercospora resistance management recommendations was developed for Michigan growers in 2012. The first two points are obviously already in the “history book” as of this writing, but are still important to keep in mind for next year and beyond: • Plant susceptible varieties only if you are willing to follow an aggressive spray recommendation. • Use of more-tolerant varieties is especially important when planting next to a field that had Cercospora problems the previous year. • Tank mix triazoles, strobilurins and Topsin fungicides with an EBDC, Super Tin or copper product. • Never spray with the same modes of action back to back. • Use Headline and Gem (strobilurins) and Topsin only once per season. • Use the highest labeled rates of all fungicides, even in tank mixes. • Apply fungicides in a manner that ensures maximum coverage, as enhanced coverage results in improved Cercospora leafspot control. • Use 20-25 gallons of water with 90 psi or greater, as higher pressure and gallonage produce the best control. (A minimum of 20 gallons and 80 psi would be acceptable.) • Use surfactants and additives as required by product labels. • Do not delay your first leafspot application. Follow the BEETcast model; or, if scouting, don’t apply later than the first leafspot appearance in your area. • When using Headline or Gem in other crops, always tank mix with a fungicide that has a different mode of action — or use available combination products. • Longer crop rotation plays a key role in reducing the threat from Cercospora leafspot. ❖
T
THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
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30 Years Ago Markwart Assume[s] ASGA Executive Vice Pres. Position — “Luther A. Markwart assumed the position of Executive Vice President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association as of April 1, 1982. Markwart’s responsibilities will be to represent the common interest of sugarbeet growers from 13 states to Congress, the Administration and also internationally. He will also work closely with other farm organizations on a national basis to promote and protect the interests of agriculture. “Markwart leaves his position as Executive Vice President of the Farmers and Manufacturers Beet Sugar Association based in Saginaw, Michigan, to accept the national position in Washington, D.C. He replaces Richard W. Blake, who has retired after 33 years of service to the sugar industry. “As a 1977 Michigan State University graduate in business administration, Markwart has a background in sales, public relations and photography. He is also an instructor of public speaking and human relations for the Dale Carnegie Courses in Saginaw.” Beet Tops: A Good Source of Nitrogen — “Have you ever wondered what those beet tops you leave in the field might do for the next crop? An experiment at Davis (California) [has] given an answer concerning the contribution of the tops to the nitrogen fertilization of a following wheat crop. “A beet crop (US H11) was planted April 22, 1980, received 140 pounds fertilizer nitrogen (N) per acre, and was harvested October 9. The harvest was by hand with the tops being cut off just below the oldest living leaf. The crop produced 42 tons of roots (12.7% sucrose) and 16 tons of tops per acre. Tops were removed from some plots; but in others they were rototilled into the top 4 inches of soil on November 10. On November 11 the area was fertilized for Anza wheat, which was planted on November 12. The mature wheat was harvested June 22, 1981. . . . “Where tops were incorporated, they furnished the equivalent of 40 pounds of fertilizer N for wheat production; an additional 80 pounds of fertilizer N were needed to maximize economic return. When tops were not incorporated and were removed from the field, 120 pounds of fertilizer N were necessary for maximum economic yield.” Nor-Am Introduces New Herbicide, Betamix® — “Nor-Am Agricultural Products, Inc., is introducing Betamix®, a new broad-spectrum sugarbeet herbicide, according to H. Broughton Smith, Product Manager, Herbicides, for the company. “Betamix, a selective post-emergence herbicide, controls a wide range of weeds such as wild mustard, lambsquarters, redroot pigweed and kochia that infest
14
Excerpts from the April/May 1982 Issue of The Sugarbeet Grower
sugarbeet plants. The product is a ready-to-use 50:50 mix of Nor-Am’s Betanal® (phenmedipham) and Betanex® (desmedipham), the two largest selling sugarbeet herbicides throughout the world, including Russia . . . . “ ‘Betamix was developed as a convenience for growers,’ explained Smith. ‘Approximately 50 percent to 60 percent of the sugarbeet growers were mixing [Betanal and Betanex] to control a large number of weeds more effectively. Between the two, these products control 18 different types of weeds. The application of Betamix achieves the same results, with the added advantage of a premixed herbicide.’ ” News in the Sugar Industry — “Sugar, once king of Hawaii’s economy and the catalyst that resulted in the multiracial mix on these tropical isles, is in serious trouble, industry and union officials say. “The industry is looking to state and federal governments for help in surviving the erratic swings in sugar prices of recent years, which saw the industry earn $200 million in 1980 and then lose $83 million in 1981. A similar loss is expected this year by the industry, which is now the state’s third largest behind tourism and defense. “ ‘The sugar industry in this state is presently in a precarious financial position,’ says Robert H. Hughes, president of the 100-year-old Hawaii Sugar Planters Association. ‘As a consequence, the state is facing a significant change in its economy both now and in the future.’ “The sugar industry employs 30,000 people, pays 10 percent of the state’s revenues and provides the tourist industry with scenic expanses of lush cane fields, Hughes recently told the state Senate Committee on Agriculture. “For 40 years, from 1934 to 1974, prices for American sugar were stabilized under the U.S. Sugar Act, which used import fees to protect domestic producers from lowcost competition by foreign producers. Congress allowed the Sugar Act to die in 1974, and the price for raw sugar in the American market has been on a pogo stick ever since. “The immediate impact was a surge in the price to 65 cents a pound in 1974. It then plunged to 9 cents in 1976, rebounded to 44 cents in 1980 and now is back down to about 16 cents. The Hawaiian companies say it costs them 19.2 cents a pound to produce sugar.” Great Western Announces Cease of Operations for 3 Beet Plants — “The Great Western Sugar Company has announced that beet processing plants at Ovid, Colorado; Bayard, Nebraska, and Fremont, Ohio, will not operate in 1982. The company also announced that acreage in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and Nebraska will be cut by 37%.” ❖
THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
Around The Industry 29th International Sweetener Symposium Set for Aug. 3-8 The 29th International Sweetener Symposium, hosted by the American Sugar Alliance (ASA), is scheduled for August 3-8 at the Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Traditionally, about 400 people attend the International Sweetener Symposium to hear about timely issues of significance affecting the sweetener industry, and to interact with industry colleagues. “Attendance at this year’s symposium is a must for all industry stakeholders, given the critical state of play of sugar policy with the pending renewal of the farm bill,” according to ASA. “Will we have a completed farm bill by August, or will it still be a workin-progress?” Other 2012 symposium program topics will include U.S. and world market supply-demand outlooks, and the effect of multilateral, regional and bilateral trade agreements on world sugar policies and U.S. commodity programs. The acclaimed Coeur d’Alene Resort is located in scenic northern Idaho, about 30 miles east of Spokane, Wash., and 100 miles south of the Canadian border. The world-class resort is perched on the shores of spectacular Lake Coeur d’Alene, flanked by the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains. For more details on the 2012 International Sweetener Symposium, visit ASA’s website: www.sugaralliance.org.
Sugarbeet Scholarship Program Again Sponsored by Syngenta
strates an investment that directly impacts the industry, its leaders and now its future leaders.” The four $1,500 scholarship awards are available to students who meet these requirements: 1) Current high school senior interested in agriculture or college freshman, sophomore or junior intending to major in an agriculture-related field, as of fall of 2012; 2) involvement in 4-H, FFA and/or the sugarbeet industry; and 3) reside or attend school in one of the following regions: Region 1 — Idaho/Washington/ Oregon; Region 2 — North Dakota/ Minnesota; Region 3 — Wyoming/Colorado/Nebraska/Montana; Region 4: Michigan. Applicants will need to complete the application form at: www.SyngentaSugarbeetScholarship.com. They will be asked to describe their involvement in 4-H, FFA and/or the sugarbeet industry, and submit an essay in 700 words or less that answers the following question: The sugarbeet industry has a rich history and has made significant advancements through the years. What do you think has had the biggest impact on production or the industry in general, and why? Also, what would you do to improve sugarbeet production, or the industry, for the future? Applications must be submitted by June 15, 2012. Syngenta will be addressing questions on Facebook and Twitter. Applications can be submitted online or sent to: Emily Reynolds, Gibbs & Soell, 125 S. Wacker Drive, Ste. 2600, Chicago, IL 60606; phone (312) 648-6700; fax (312) 422-0660; email ereynolds@gibbs-soell.com. Scholarship winners will be an-
nounced in August. Previous sugarbeet scholarship winners are not eligible for future scholarship awards. For additional information and instructions to apply online, visit www.SyngentaSugarbeetScholarship.com.
New U.S. Sugar Industry Directory Now Available The newest biennial U.S. Sugar Industry Directory is now available. The 148-page 2011/12 edition is the most comprehensive “who’s who” for the nation’s sugar industry, encompassing production, processing, marketing and research entities. It also include basic information and factory listings for the Canadian and Mexican sugar sectors. Along with sections on sugarbeet factories, sugarcane mills and cane sugar refineries, the U.S. Sugar Industry Directory carries listings of sweetener organizations, university and USDA beet and cane researchers, as well as sugar-related federal agencies. Industry production and use statistics are included, as is a map showing the location of U.S. sugarbeet and sugarcane growing areas. Another section lists hundreds of companies providing products and services to the U.S. sugar industry. The 2011/12 U.S. Sugar Industry Directory is available for $49.50 per copy (postage and handling included). Foreign orders should add $10.00 for airmail postage. Volume discounts also are available. To order, or for more details, contact Lilleboe Communications Ltd., P.O. Box 2684, Fargo, ND 58108; phone (701) 238-2393; email: lillcomm@yahoo.com.❖
Continuing its investment in the future of agriculture, Syngenta is accepting applications for the Syngenta Sugarbeet Scholarship program through June 15, 2012. “The Sugarbeet Scholarship is one of many ways Syngenta demonstrates its commitment to and passion for sugarbeet growers and the sugarbeet industry,” explains Tyler Ring, Syngenta’s crop portfolio head for sugarbeets. “Through investments in research and development and partnerships with leaders throughout the sugarbeet industry, Syngenta consistently demon-
THE SUGARBEET GROWER April/May 2012
15
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