The Heavy-Weight in Pulvi-Mulchers Gets BIGGER.
The 3600 Series Pulvi-Mulcher from Brillion features wider working widths, increased trash clearance and reduced downtime in the field.
The series is available in 21’, 25’, 30’ and 36’ working widths. The 30’ model weighs 80% more than the popular WL360 for more clod crushing power. The 36’ unit is the widest PulviMulcher offered by Brillion.
All 3600 Series models feature 8” roller axles with heavy-duty bearings that improve reliability and reduce maintenance interruptions in the field. The design includes three rows of two-piece edge bent s-tines on overall 6” spacing. 25” of under frame clearance improves trash flow through the machine. A leveling harrow in front of the rear roller helps level ridges left by the shanks.
Innovation is transforming sugarbeet farming. At Betaseed, we’re using advances in science to optimize the potential of every seed you plant. Our state-of-the-art breeding and testing process takes up to ten years. It’s the only way to ensure the hybrid your Betaseed rep recommends has the best traits to manage disease and drive yields for this region, and your farm. It’s what we call next-gen breeding for next-gen confidence. Learn more at betaseed.com
FEATURES
12
2024 GROWER OF THE YEAR
Idaho grower Layne Thornton grows sugarbeets for Amalgamated Sugar.
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CALENDAR
NEW PRODUCTS
Latest and greatest
OFF THE TOP
News, people and updates
FROM THE ASGA
New Congressional Leaders: Friend Or Foe?
21
BUYER’S GUIDE
Irrigation Equipment
22
FROM THE AMERICAN SUGAR ALLIANCE
Back To Basics: Sharing Sugar Policy With Congress
FROM THE SUGAR ASSOCIATION
10 Interesting Facts About The History Of Hot Chocolate
Field-proven Solutions™
defoliators are your solution!
Amity Technology 50 Series Defoliators are engineered to match harvester speed with the ability to properly defoliate at 5 mph vs. 3mph with traditional defoliators. 50 Series Defoliators are field-proven to deliver high-quality, properly defoliated sugar beets.
How does it work?
The shrouded, combination steel front drum removes and finely sizes foliage and distributes it evenly between the rows. Combined with a 10-pin second drum and height- adjustable third drum, 50 Series Defoliators are capable of matching harvester speed, taking advantage of the natural crop canopy in both heat and frost conditions.
CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 2-4
AMERICAN SUGARBEET GROWERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, CA www.americansugarbeet.org
FEBRUARY 2-4
SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE
Ski Hi Regional Event Center Monte Vista, CO www.agconferencesrm.com
FEBRUARY 11-13
WORLD AG EXPO
International Agri-Center Tulare, CA www.worldagexpo.com
FEBRUARY 12-15
NATIONAL FARM MACHINERY SHOW
Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY www.farmmachineryshow.org
FEBRUARY 19-20
INTERNATIONAL CROP EXPO Alerus Center Grand Forks, ND www.cropexpo.com
FEBRUARY 23-26
INTERNATIONAL SWEETENER COLLOQUIUM
La Quinta Resort & Club Palm Springs, CA www.idfa.org/events
FEB. 27-28
USDA AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FORUM
Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, VA
www.usda.gov/oce/ag-outlookforum
MARCH 2-4
COMMODITY CLASSIC
Colorado Convention Center Denver, CO www.commodityclassic.com
PUBLISHER Jason Harris
EDITOR Lane Lindstrom lane@sugarproducer.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Rob Erickson rob.erickson@sugarproducer.com
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Chuck Harris
Horne
Basic subscription rates are: U.S., 1 year-$20, nine issues; Canada/International 1 year, $90 U.S., nine issues. All subscriptions are U.S. funds only. Limited back issues available for $10 U.S. each.
Sugar Producer Magazine is published nine times yearly. 2025, Harris Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Publisher not responsible for content of submitted materials.
Back copies or subscriptions: (208) 524-7000
AMERICAN SUGARBEET GROWERS ASSOCIATION (202) 833-2398 www.americansugarbeet.org
U.S. BEET SUGAR ASSOCIATION (202) 296-4820
AMERICAN SUGAR ALLIANCE (703) 351-5055 | www.sugaralliance.org
BEET SUGAR DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (303) 832-4460
SUGAR ASSOCIATION, INC. (202) 785-1122 | www.sugar.org
HARRIS PUBLISHING, INC. 190 1st Street Idaho Falls ID 83401 (208) 524-7000 FOUNDER Darryl W. Harris
in Idaho Falls, Idaho by Falls Printing rob.erickson@fallsprinting.com
NEW PRODUCTS
POLARIS ELEVATES THE
SIDE-BY-SIDE OF ALL TIME WITH THE 2025 FULL-SIZE RANGER LINEUP
Polaris Off Road announced a wide range of owner-inspired upgrades to its class-leading full-size RANGER lineup.
Building on the already best-selling side-by-side in the industry, the 2025 RANGER lineup features a redesigned front end and new front bumper for added durability, an upgraded Gen 2 transmission for smooth and consistent shifting, and additional factory-installed accessories for added rider value and convenience.
In addition to the upgrades, Polaris is introducing the all-new RANGER CREW XP 1000 NorthStar Texas Edition, as well as bringing back a fan favorite – the RANGER CREW XP 1000 Waterfowl Edition.
Notable upgrades for 2025 include:
• RANGER XP 1000 and XP 1000 NorthStar have a bold, restyled frontend design, with new bumper and grille for added durability. Additionally, RANGER XP 1000 and RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar models now come stan-
dard with 29-inch tires that provide an extra inch of ground clearance for added comfort and better capability to maneuver around rough and rocky terrain.
• RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar Ultimate models get new JBL audio that comes factory-installed for a more premium and immersive sound experience.
• RANGER 1000 Premium and XP 1000 now come factory-installed with a roof for added protection and a Polaris HD 4,500-pound winch with synthetic rope, autostop and wireless remote for pulling power when you need it.
• Across the lineup, an upgraded Gen 2 transmission reduces shifting effort up to 50 percent to enable easier and smoother shifting.
• Redesigned cab nets with a new single-latch connection point for easier entry and exit.
• An upgraded electric power steering system with enhanced control and responsiveness, especially at low speeds.
• New accessories such as an upper front
bumper for enhanced durability and premium look; and coming this summer, JBL audio upgrade kits will provide excellent sound quality and premium vehicle integration, and a new reverse light harness will automatically turn on rear accessory lighting when the vehicle is in reverse or by the flip of a switch when the vehicle is parked.
For more information, visit www.ranger.polaris.com/en-us/.
NEW PHOSFORCE NUTRIENT ENHANCER UNLOCKS ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS TO BOOST CROP PRODUCTIVITY AND SOIL HEALTH
Now farmers can access tied-up phosphorus in their soil through the new enzyme mode of action in PHOSFORCE nutrient enhancer from Koch Agronomic Services.
This novel phosphorus use efficiency product works immediately to create more plant-available phosphorus in soils, resulting in optimal crop root systems, increased yield and improved soil fertility and health in row crops and more.
Soils contain organic phosphorus which is tied up and unavailable to plants. PHOSFORCE uses a unique active ingredient — phosphodiesterase, a naturally occurring enzyme — to accelerate biochemical reactions in the soil and unlock tied-up organic phosphorus. This makes phosphorus more readily available for plant uptake to support healthy root development, improve vigor, and provide nutritional balance to
overcome early environmental stress.
One application of PHOSFORCE works immediately to provide several weeks of consistent phosphorus mineralization in the soil. This is because PHOSFORCE derives its performance from enzymes which do not need to grow, survive or propagate in the soil, resulting in immediate activity and predictable reactions, regardless of field conditions.
PHOSFORCE has proven effective in many years of trial data to support its performance in improving soil health and crop productivity. In corn, tissue sampling results show corn treated with PHOSFORCE had 23 percent more phosphorus than untreated corn, and treated corn averaged a 5 bu/A yield advantage over untreated corn. In soybeans, yield advantages over untreated crops averaged 3.5 bu/A. In other crops, PHOSFORCE showed a 22.4 cwt/A yield gain in potatoes and a 57 lb/A yield increase in cotton. Additionally,
when PHOSFORCE is applied, side-byside root digs reveal improved lateral root formation for increased plant nutrient uptake, and soil tests show an overall increase in soil activity.
PHOSFORCE is formulated to be a flexible and convenient addition to most crop production systems, with features that include:
A liquid solution compatible with commonly used herbicides, starter fertilizers, UAN products and water, making it easy to incorporate into current practices.
The ability to be applied on the surface, in the furrow, as a sidedress or through other applications such as fertigation.
This is concentrated formulation that provides a two-year shelf life and versatility to target the ideal application for corn, soybeans, cotton, potatoes and other crops.
For more information, visit PHOSFORCE nutrient enhancer. n
OFF THE TOP
LINDSAY FURTHER ENHANCES PORTFOLIO, COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF MINORITY INTEREST IN PESSL INSTRUMENTS
Lindsay Corporation announced it has completed its acquisition of a 49.9 percent minority interest in Austriabased Pessl Instruments.
The investment in Pessl, a global provider of advanced technology solutions, helps advance Lindsay’s efforts to drive significant investment and innovation in AgTech and address the food, fuel and fiber demands of the world’s growing population.
The strategic partnership between Lindsay and Pessl has evolved and progressed since it was announced in May 2023, and producers are gaining significant advantage from the integration.
Growers utilizing Lindsay’s award-winning FieldNET and FieldNET Advisor remote irrigation management platforms, in conjunction with Pessl’s METOS weather stations, soil moisture
probes and data-driven FieldClimate software, benefit from advanced agronomic solutions.
With the combining of these innovative tools, producers worldwide have access to a vast array of data points from in-field sensors, enabling them to make informed decisions that promote healthy crops, optimize inputs like water, fertilizer and pesticides, and achieve higher yields.
Pessl boasts more than one million sensors connected to 100,000 in-field data collection devices globally, with 50,000 active customers using its FieldClimate online interface. These connected devices include weather stations, soil moisture probes, insect monitoring traps, crop monitoring cameras, soil and nutrient sampling, machine and asset trackers, providing key agronomic
health indicators.
Lindsay’s agreement to make this investment was previously announced on April 3, 2024, and was subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals. As previously disclosed, Lindsay also has an option to acquire the remainder of Pessl at a later date.
For more information, visit lindsay. com/irrigation and www.metos.global
AGCO CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF AGCO TECHNICIAN TRAINING CENTER AT PARKLAND COLLEGE
AGCO Corporation celebrated the grand opening of the AGCO Technician Training Center at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. The new 22,000-square-foot facility is the home of the school’s AGCO Agriculture Service Technician Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program, which provides instruction specific to the company’s popular machinery and precision ag technologies.
Made possible by a $5 million donation from AGCO Corporation, this advanced training center is set to revolutionize diesel technology education and address the critical shortage of skilled technicians in the agricultural industry.
The AGCO AAS program at Parkland College is registered as an official apprenticeship through the U.S. Department of Labor, providing students with a unique combination of classroom learning, paid on-the-job training and nationally recognized credentials. The new facility offers state-of-the-art immersive classroom technology, 18,000 square feet of shop space stocked with special tooling and training aids and access to some of the latest equipment from AGCO’s Fendt, Massey Fergu-
The new AGCO Technician Training Center at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, is the home of the AGCO AAS program, which is registered as an official apprenticeship through the U.S. Department of Labor. With 18,000 square feet of shop space and three state-of-the-art immersive classrooms, the facility will equip technicians with world-class skills for high-demand careers. Photo by Craig Pessman, Parkland College
son and PTx brands for a highly relevant, hands-on learning environment. The location will also host training events for AGCO’s dealer network, at which student-apprentices can learn alongside veteran industry technicians.
AGCO’s North American dealer network actively seeks passionate students to sponsor through internships, mentorships and post-graduate employment
opportunities. The apprenticeship degree program aligns with the company’s Farmer First strategy and FarmerCore initiative by preparing a well-trained workforce for high-demand careers that support the economic growth of farmers and their communities.
For more information, visit AgTechnician.com and Parkland.edu/AGCO
SIMPLOT NAMES G.REY REINHARDT AS AGRIBUSINESS PRESIDENT
The J.R. Simplot Company has named G.Rey Reinhardt as president of its AgriBusiness Group. Reinhardt will take over for Doug Stone who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Reinhardt has spent a total of six years with the company. He most recently served as vice president of Business Development and Optimization for Simplot AgriBusiness where he and his team were responsible for the development and execution of strategic growth initiatives across all business segments. This included leading the group in acquisitions and partnerships, operational efficiency
initiatives, offtake opportunities, and new product evaluations.
In previous roles at Simplot, Reinhardt also served as interim vice president for Simplot AgriBusiness’ Mining and Manufacturing division, interim general manager of Jacklin Seed, and as senior director of Operations with the company’s retail agriculture division, Simplot Grower Solutions.
Stone retires after eight years with the company. He will stay on to help in Reinhardt’s transition through the end of this year.
Prior to joining Simplot, Reinhardt was at Nutrien (formerly Agrium) for
11 years, where he served as vice president of Retail Operations, vice president of Operational Excellence, and led the Corporate Environmental Health, Safety and Security team, amongst other senior leadership roles. Before entering the agriculture industry, Reinhardt began his professional career in 2000 as a law clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and served as an attorney in Boise, Idaho. He holds both Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Idaho.
For more information, visit www.simplot.com.
SMITH JOINS NDSU EXTENSION AS PESTICIDE SPECIALIST
Madeleine Smith has joined North Dakota State University as an Extension pesticide specialist. Joining Oct. 2, Smith has been working on the NDSU campus in Fargo, North Dakota. She has served NDSU as an Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Pembina County for almost five years. She has enjoyed working with farmers and ranchers and helped administer the private pesticide recertification training for applicators.
Since Smith started, the NDSU Pesticide Certification Program has already conducted three commercial recertification trainings, as well as Extension agent and support staff in-service training.
“I hope that through the certification and training program we can help applicators stay connected to regulations, safety information, emerging applica-
tion technologies and new research on pest management,” says Smith.
Smith is excited to build on the program that Andrew Thostenson developed and managed for nearly 30 years. She is looking forward to fulfilling the needs of pesticide applicators as agriculture continues to evolve in North Dakota.
Smith worked for three years on viral diseases of sugarbeet at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Amarillo before moving to the University of Minnesota Northwest Research and Outreach Center where she worked as an Extension specialist in small grains and canola pathology.
Smith is from Nottinghamshire, England. She completed her bachelor’s degree in plant science, master’s in plant breeding and biotechnology and Ph.D.
Smith has joined North Dakota State University as an Extension pesticide specialist. Photo courtesy of NDSU
in plant and environmental science specializing in plant pathology in the United Kingdom. n
For over a century we’ve served customers who can do just about anything. You deserve a financial partner who works as hard as you do.
Madeleine
GROWER OF THE YEAR LAYNE THORNTON
BY LANE LINDSTROM
At first glance, Layne Thornton’s southwest Idaho farm looks very similar in many ways to other sugarbeet farms in the region.
Except for one thing, which really stands out.
In addition to raising sugarbeets, silage corn, wheat and alfalfa seed, Thornton has a healthy and thriving sod business, of which the sod is used as a rotation crop with his sugarbeet crop.
The sod, grown for Thornton’s Swan Falls Sod Farm, is an important part of Layne Thornton Farm’s operation but the sod side of the business (going on six years in business) has a longer “season” than the other crops, meaning there are few breaks compared to planting, growing, harvesting and marketing his other crops.
The sod (all Kentucky bluegrass)
side of the farm operation takes about a year of growth before it’s ready to cut, Thornton said, adding, “We like it if you can turn it over in a year.” The sod, raised on about 200 acres annually, needs to be watered 9-10 months out of the year, mowed twice a week starting in the spring and can be harvested (cut) year-round when weather permits.
Thornton has purchased very specialized equipment to cut and roll the sod for shipping.
SUGARBEETS ARE CORNERSTONE
While raising sod is important (and an interesting part) to Layne Thornton Farm, his 500 acres of sugarbeets might be considered the cornerstone.
Thornton commented, “I’ve heard it said over the years that beets are the
(l to r) Michael, Lori, Layne and Tanner Thornton of Layne Thornton Farm raise 500 acres of sugarbeets in southwest Idaho for Amalgamated Sugar Company.
crop that pays the mortgage. Beets have been a valuable crop for us over the years and will continue to be.”
Raising beets dates back dozens of years, starting with Thornton’s grandfather (Lavar) and father (Lavar K) who each bought 320 acres of desert land in the early 1960s, cleared the land of sagebrush, drilled wells and started to farm where the present day farm still operates.
The two Lavars started growing beets in the 1960s but then stopped. Layne Thornton started farming with his dad, then rented land from his father and was
able to start purchasing farm ground in the early 1990s after Lavar K passed away. Layne purchased the farmland from his siblings and has grown to a 2,000-acre operation of which he owns 95 percent of the ground he farms today. It was back in 1988 that Layne started raising beets again on the farm. Before that, he said, it was tough to get acres. Nearly 10 years later (1997), growers formed a cooperative to buy and operate Amalgamated Sugar Company. “It’s nice to be a part of a co-op,” he said. “It’s growers working together to make something work.”
His 2,000 acres of farmland are all in southwest Idaho’s Ada County with his fields mostly south of Kuna while a few acres are east of town and about 200 to the west. His land south of Kuna borders Bureau of Land Management
ground and more desert. He did purchase an additional 200 acres of land 6 or 7 years ago but had been leasing it to a neighbor until this year. He plans on farming it himself and putting it into sod this first year.
SWEET SPOT
When asked if he wants to expand even more, Thornton said, “To me, there’s kind of a sweet spot. I think it’s about where we are. If we get more acres, we have to travel more. This number seems to work for us.”
He has seven full-time employees who help him run the farming operation and rarely hires any additional help, even during harvest, he said. He may also hire a couple of trucks to help during the harvest.
Thinking back over the years that
“Lori is a very important part of the farm and I couldn’t do it without her,” Layne Thornton, shown here with his wife Lori, said.
he has farmed, from his early days with his father, in partnership with his wife Lori and now with his sons Michael and Tanner, there are plenty of memories for sure. One that stands out, he said, is when he was 8 years old. He remembers working in the beets, driving a John Deere 4020 tractor with a power shift transmission that he could take in and out of gear, because “I couldn’t reach the clutch.” He said he was helping push trucks during an especially wet harvest.
Circling back to using sod in his crop rotation, Thornton explained his sugarbeets follow the silage corn (which is custom harvested by a local dairy) or
wheat with the beets followed by silage corn or sod. He commented that the farm used to grow peppermint as well but verticilliam became too widespread in the soil and yields dropped, making it not economical to grow mint anymore. An interesting side note with using sod in the rotation, as Thornton pointed out, is that when the sod is cut it takes some dirt with it so that’s a definite consideration when figuring out where the sod fits in the crop rotation. “We can’t lose dirt,” he said. “That’s why rotation is important.”
Having reclaimed the land from the desert, it’s no surprise there is a need for
irrigation in this semi-arid region. Kuna gets a little more than 10 inches of rain a year. All his farm ground is irrigated; 90 percent with deep wells and the other 10 percent coming from reservoirs with water delivered by the area’s canal system. Three-quarters of his fields utilize center pivot irrigation with the rest a mix of gravity-fed surface water, wheel lines and solid set.
IDEAL GROWING CONDITIONS
Steady and reliable irrigation and warm days and cool nights help create great sugarbeet growing conditions.
As for his 2024 crop, Thornton said.
(top) This 200-acre parcel of land is one of Layne Thornton’s newest acquisitions. He leased it to a neighboring grower for the past handful of years but will be farming it himself this year. (lower left and right) Swan Falls Sod Farm, part of Layne Thornton Farm, uses specialized equipment for its sod operation near Kuna, ID. Sod is an important rotation “crop” in Thornton’s 2,200-acre farming operation.
“This year we had good yields and good sugars. We didn’t have to replant much, which is always a good thing. The previous two years we had to replant a lot due
to frost. Frost in the spring is a frustrating part of raising beets. Also, sometimes harvest conditions are frustrating but this year was good.”
Growers in southwest Idaho usually have good numbers when it comes to sugarbeet production and Thornton is right in line there when it comes to tonnage and sugar content. “I like to be up at the 50 tons per acre level if we can,” he said. “It we can get them in early and the conditions are right, we can make it.” As for sugar content he aims for 17 percent or above. “We’ve had as high as 19 percent, which is really rare, but we’ve also had 14 percent so …”
Using both Betaseed and Crystal sugarbeet seed, he said the target date to start planting is March 20, “although one year we planted one field just to try it on Feb. 20 and they made it.”
Early pile (all his beets go to Amalgamated’s Nampa factory) digging starts Sept. 17, with the main harvest beginning Oct 15 and running for two weeks. The farm tries harvest 40-50 acres of beets a day.
Of course, aside from what Mother Nature might throw at the farm, there are other challenges in raising sugarbeets in the area, Thornton said. “Kochia is getting to be more of a problem to control because it’s becoming resistant. They’re working on a triple stack for that but it’s not approved yet. Cercospora hasn’t been much of an issue here on the edge of the desert. I’m not sure why but it wasn’t as much of an issue this past summer.”
When asked what lesson(s) he’s learned over the years, particularly from his father Lavar, Thornton said, “One time we were experiencing a wet fall and conditions were muddy. I was complaining a little about the harvest and how it was going. And my dad said, ‘Sometimes things that have a potential for more reward take more effort.’ Since then, I’ve approached things differently, remembering what he said.”
When it comes to his own two sons and the farming life, Thornton said, “I feel a responsibility to them to help them get started, just like my dad helped me to get started farming. If they want to do it (farm), I want to give them the opportunity.”
Perhaps that’s why his wife Lori said, “This would be a man who has farming in his blood.” n
• Increased Ground Speed
• Decreased PTO RPM Speed
• Increase flexibility in difficult defoliatin conditions
• Minimal Damage To Beet
• Available for all defoliator models
• Available in 4, 6 and the new 8 bar unit
• Available in 12” (6 flail), 14” (7 flail), 16” (8 flail) depending on row width
• Balanced unit for minimized vibration
• 50% thicker flail mounting bracket
• Hardened 3/4” diameter flail rod for the best wearability in the industry
• Designed to eliminate side to side flail movement
• Eliminates the need for steel units allowing for increased adjustability of front & middle drum.
• Available in Standard Duty & Heavy Duty high quality flails.
• Units can be installed 1 drum at a time
• Easily shipped UPS or Freight in US & Canada - Visa accepted
Richmond Brothers Fabrication
IRRIGATION BUYER’S GUIDE
DRAGON-LINE
Dragon-Line Mobile Drip Irrigation combines the efficiency of surface drip irrigation with the flexibility and economics of mechanized irrigation systems. It converts any pivot or linear to drip irrigation. Dragon-Line is powered by the Rivulis D5000 pressure-compensating self-flushing emitter which is welded into the internal heavy wall of the drip-line. It is fully operational at 10 psi.
Dragon-Line’s orange drip-line tubing and flexible hose allows for precise water placement and reversing. Its unique, adjustable design eliminates
wheel track issues and reduces evaporation, soil compaction and crusting. Save 20-50 percent on water, labor and energy when you convert your system to Dragon-Line. Apply water and fertilizer precisely where it’s needed for any type or size of crop. Keep your foliage dry, disease-free and thriving. With Dragon-Line, your water won’t run off – it makes every drop of water count, banking water into your soil and dollars into your account.
R65 END OF PIVOT SPRINKLERS
The new R65 and inverted R65i are further extending Nelson’s multi-stream, end-of-pivot sprinkler performance. With a narrower body and new nozzle system, the sprinklers reach farther and better fill in the water pattern. They use the same blue/green plates as the R55. Focused streams increase effective radius for increased coverage. A 270-degree water pattern brings water behind sprinkler for overlap with pivot sprinklers for increased uniformity
FIELDNET ADVISOR
Dragon-Line Mobile Drip Irrigation (844) 424-3724 www.dragonline.net
at end of iron. The R65 nozzle is shaped to provide a distribution pattern that complements the sprinklers on the iron to maximize uniformity of the traveled profile. Save water, save energy and do a better job of irrigating with Nelson Irrigation Products.
Nelson Irrigation Corporation (509) 525-7660 www.nelsonirrigation.com
an easy-to-use tool utilizing real-time agronomic data collected from on-farm Pessl weather stations.
FieldNET Advisor is the smartest irrigation solution on the market for potato and sugarbeet producers who want to maximize yields as they grow healthier and more uniform crops, increasing their operation’s bottom line.
Recognized as the 2025 AE50 award winner from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, FieldNET Advisor is a whole farm water management solution. Made to help simplify complex irrigation decisions, it’s
By combining FieldNET Advisor’s recommendations with the advanced agronomics of FieldNET and Zimmatic pivots, growers are empowered to build more sustainable farming practices while reducing risk and operational downtime, significantly expanding the traditional capabilities of the pivots in their fields.
IRRIGATION INJECTION PUMPS
Experience unmatched accuracy, quality and dependability with John Blue irrigation injection pumps — trusted leaders in the chemigation and fertigation industry. Choose from our robust Full Range units or the lightweight and versatile E-Z Meter Injection Series, both designed with user-friendly features to meet your agricultural needs.
The Full Range models boast proven piston pump technology, offering exceptional durability and reliability for demanding applications.
The E-Z Meter Series stands out for its portability and an easy-to-read setting system, perfect for quick adjustments and movement between pivots. Available in simplex and duplex configurations, these fertilizer and chemical injection pumps are tailored for advanced fertigation and chemigation processes. Built with 316 stainless steel, chemically resistant polypropylene, and top-tier seals, these pumps ensure superior performance and longevity in the harshest conditions.
Lindsay Corporation (866) 404-5049
www.lindsay.com/fieldnetnextgen
John Blue Company (800) 253-2583
johnblue.com
AG SERIES FLOWMETERS, RANGER TELEMETRY TRANSMITTER
The Seametrics AG series magnetic flowmeters feature no moving parts to foul or wear out, offer long battery life and operate in the toughest of flow conditions. These meters can be installed near the well, on the pivot, or anywhere there’s a need to measure water use. They offer a long battery life and are backed by an industry-leading 5-year warranty. Also available is the Ranger telemetry transmitter.
EDGE CONTROLLER
The Edge Controller gives irrigators the power to monitor and control pivot operations remotely from any device. With no physical control panel needed at the pivot point, the controller is strategically installed on the end tower, increasing accuracy and reliability of pivot function.
Having the pivot water pressure sensor at the end tower is optimal, as it ensures the entire system is reaching the necessary water pressure for consistent, uniform application. The water pressure sensor is wired directly into the Edge Controller as are sensors and controls for critical functions like direction control, GPS position and end
The Ranger is a robust, costeffective, reliable, easy way to deliver your flow meter and sensor data where you need it, when you need it. The Ranger comes complete mobile device ready with cloud interface to send meter information by text or email. Startup is simple – no external power needed. Install the Ranger in minutes and start managing your water resources … wirelessly.
tower speed.
The Edge Controller provides closed-loop speed control. Real-time data is constantly incoming, and adjustments are being made right at the end tower to provide precise pivot speed. Combined with the steady movement of T-L Irrigation hydrostatic drives, this system provides even, precise application—all controlled and monitored remotely.
The Edge Solar eliminates the span cable and collector ring otherwise needed to provide 24-volt DC power to the controller. Solar panels are installed next to the Edge Controller at the end tower, converting to fully wireless. Edge
IRROCLOUD IC-10 SENSOR MONITOR
The IRROcloud IC-10 Sensor Monitor is a simple, affordable and reliable solution for automatically collecting sensor data for irrigation scheduling and storing it in the cloud for quick access at any time. Using only four C batteries with a 2 plus year life, the IC-10 Sensor Monitor reads up to 10 sensors and reports directly to IRROcloud without any need for additional gateways or devices. With
IACO HOSE BOOM
The Hose Boom is available in 10or 15-foot lengths. Use the Double Hose Boom to create a 30-foot spread between sprinklers. The Hose Boom is the No. 1 selling Boomback in the world. It comes with hose preinstalled, so water never touches the steel, eliminating the possibility of rust flakes plugging the nozzle. The Hose Boom can be used with any full- or part-circle sprinkler on the market today. Hose Booms come with all the necessary parts to hang a piece of hose or to be
SOILPAM TRACKLOGS
SOILPAM Tracklogs have several benefits, including increased soil moisture in the root zone, decreased soil crusting, and reduced wheel track ruts caused by center pivot irrigation systems. The Tracklog allows for longer
no need for a solar panel or height requirement to communicate with other devices, the IC-10 can easily be installed in orchards or beneath center pivots. The IC-10 reads and reports on soil moisture, air and soil temperature, rain and pressure. The IRROcloud web platform provides an intuitive interface with a quick reference dashboard, graphing suite, and optional frost alerting.
pulled up close with IACO’s customdesigned Torque Clip and Side Force Control Fitting for use with part-circle sprinklers. Install four Hose Booms trailing the tower with part-circle sprinklers for dry wheel track or put them in opposing directions for the tower cloud to lower the Average Application Rate (AAR). You can download the free Boombacks APP and quickly calculate the difference in the AAR from drops to hose booms. Available for Apple or Android.
Seametrics (800) 975-8153 www.seametrics.com
Solar provides extra peace of mind where span cable theft is a concern.
The Edge Controller and the Edge Solar option are available for new systems and can be easily retrofitted to existing systems.
T-L Irrigation
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Irrometer Company (951) 682-9505 www.irrometer.com
Irrigation Accessories Company (IACO) (360) 896-9440 www.boombacks.com
periods of soil treatment and hangs from pivot irrigation systems, treating the soil below and reducing wheel track ruts. SNF (912) 884-3366 www.agriculture.snf.com
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New Congressional Leaders: Friend Or Foe?
ASGA optimistic about new congressional leadership
In preparation for a new administration and a new Congress, the first task is the selection of leaders across important congressional committees and agencies. These leaders will oversee the laws, policies and regulations that directly impact our industry.
In his book Good to Great, Jim Collins emphasizes that you must, “get the right people on the bus and in the right seats. A great vision is irrelevant without great people.”
The new American agricultural leadership in Congress understands the challenges that farmers face and the urgency to address them.
A big concern has been the attacks on pesticides through the courts. That won’t stop in a new administration.
In the Senate, John Thune (R-SD) is the new Majority Leader and has a long history advocating for farmers. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has been elevated to Ranking Member on the Agriculture Committee. She has strong bipartisan skills that bode well for working with the new chairman, John Boozman (R-AR) to advance a Farm Bill. Of course, one of our greatest champions, John Hoeven (R-ND), chairs the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and has done amazing things for our industry. The sugar industry is well positioned in the Senate.
In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are both from Louisiana and Tom Emmer is from Minnesota. Agriculture
Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA), who advanced a Farm Bill out of committee with strong sugar provisions last year will again helm the committee. A key change is the elevation of Angie Craig (D-MN) to the Ranking Member of the Ag Committee. Having a strong sugar supporter leading the Democrats on ag policy is critically important.
President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, grew up on a farm in Texas. President Trump trusts her and listens to her. Those are two incredibly important credentials. She has a reputation for surrounding herself with good people. The deputy secretary, USDA’s second in command, is Stephen Vaden, a judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade. He served as USDA’s general counsel during Trump’s first administration. He understands USDA extremely well and is experienced with complicated trade issues, a real asset to the team. We await the announcement of undersecretaries that will oversee and manage U.S. sugar policy, but whoever is chosen, we are optimistic that they will prioritize domestic producers.
A big concern has been the attacks on pesticides through the courts. That won’t stop in a new administration. But we are hopeful for regulatory relief. Lee Zeldin, a former NY congressman, has been selected to lead the EPA, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has been selected as Secretary of the Interior. Senators are thankfully asking hard questions about Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration Marty Makary. Both are outspoken critics of the U.S. food system, the use of pesticides and of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
The new Department of Government Efficiency is co-chaired
by entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. While they have little direct authority, they will be a significant influence with the President as the catalyst to drive cutting programs and regulations. There are several other cabinet picks that should prove to be helpful. Typically, the Senate supports the nominees the President wants in his cabinet, but their review and consent of the nominee is critically important to make sure those who lead meet the appropriate standards.
Expect this administration to move quickly and decisively on several fronts. We will see if the House, with its narrow margins and propensity for unruliness, will fall in line. There are only two years of certainty for Republican control of Congress and the Presidency. Speed of action, drama and change will all be key elements of this administration.
We are restarting our internship program this year for a college-age student. This will be a very exciting year as we renew a farm bill along with a number of other opportunities. Please visit our website at americansugarbeet. org to download an application. Applications are due March 20. n
Former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
BY ROB JOHANSSON, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMICS & POLICY ANALYSIS
10 points farmers aim to make Back to Basics: Sharing Sugar Policy with Congress FROM THE ASA
Every February, sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers from across the country trade in their work boots for ties and suits as they head to Washington, DC, to advocate for a strong U.S. sugar policy. This February will be no different.
However, with a new Congress comes many new members and staffers who need to hear from farmers about the important role sugar and sugar policy play in our national food supply.
To that end, we’re working on taking our sugar policy messaging back to the basics and starting at square one to build the educational foundation necessary to maintain congressional support for a strong farm safety net.
The world sugar market is volatile and unpredictable due to heavy foreign government intervention.
Here are ten facts that we want a new Congress to know about sugar:
1. Real sugar comes from plants. Sugarbeets are a root crop while sugarcane is a perennial grass. Both crops have about 15-20 percent sucrose content and produce one essential, all-natural commodity: sugar (which is the same no matter which crop produced it).
2. Sugar is grown in 14 states by family farmers. Sugarbeets are grown mainly in the colder conditions in the upper Midwest and Northern Plains, while sugarcane is grown in Louisiana and Florida. Did you know? Sugarbeets are also grown in Southern California, where they are planted in the fall and harvested all summer long.
3. Sugar production supports more
than 151,000 jobs. Sugar production supports good jobs – including union jobs, family farms, and local communities across the country. In rural areas, the sugar industry is the linchpin of local and regional economies. In cities, it is often one of the few remaining manufacturing employers.
4. America’s sugar companies are farmer-, employee-, and family-owned. Together, sugar production contributes more than $23 billion each year to the U.S. economy.
5. About 75 percent of America’s sugar is proudly Made-in-America. America is one of the world’s largest producers of sugar thanks to our farmers and workers and our reliable and strategically located network of sugar production and distribution.
6. U.S. sugar policy is designed to cost taxpayers nothing. U.S. sugar policy is a critical component of the farm safety net for our producers, and since it is based on loans – not subsidy checks – it costs taxpayers $0 since those loans are repaid each year with interest.
7. U.S. sugar policy ensures we always have sugar. Sugar is a critical ingredient to our food supply for baking, food service, and food manufacturing. Thanks to U.S. sugar policy, we always have more than three billion pounds of surplus sugar available to supply grocery stores, restaurants, and America’s food manufacturers.
8. American-made sugar is produced under some of the highest standards for labor and the environment. Our farmers and workers have dedicated decades to investing in and championing sustainability. Protecting the air, land and water and producing sugar sustainably is a profound commitment for our industry. The same is not true for other large sugar-producing countries.
9. The global sugar market is neither free nor fair. The world sugar market is
volatile and unpredictable due to heavy foreign government intervention. Foreign governments incentivize the production of sugar to sustain their local workforce and industries. That is why Congress, through U.S. trade law, does not allow heavily subsidized imported sugar to be dumped on our market.
10. Sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers need a stronger safety net. Our family farms are facing new economic pressures due to significant increases in the cost of production. Since the last five-year Farm Bill, the cost of growing, harvesting, and producing sugar has increased more than 30 percent. Last Congress, both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees put forward Farm Bill proposals that would have raised the loan rates for sugar producers.
Sugarbeet and sugarcane production is neither simple nor easy. Yet the hard work, dedication and innovation of our farmers and workers means that we can proudly ensure a reliable and affordable supply of sugar in America. Talk about sweet! n
Sugarbeet field in Michigan.
By Courtney Gaine, R.D., Ph.D., President & CEO
10 Interesting Facts About The History Of Hot Chocolate From bitter to sweet FROM THE SUGAR ASSOCIATION
When temperatures drop and the snow starts to fly, nothing hits the spot like drinking a steaming cup of hot chocolate, a favorite winter pastime perfect after an afternoon of sledding, skating or working in the cold. While folks of all ages associate a cup of cocoa with marshmallows, whipped cream and that signature sweet chocolate flavor, the original drink was very different. Below are 10 stops along the timeline from the drink’s origins to what it is today.
Swiss Miss fans include Antarctic explorers such as Will Steger, who packed enough of the powdered drink to make more than 2,000 cups of hot cocoa when he embarked on a dogsled journey across Antarctica in 1989.
3000 BC – Mexico/Central America
The Olmec, Mayan and Aztec cultures of present-day Mexico and Central America cultivated the cacao tree, ground up its beans, and mixed them with water to make an unsweetened drink. This bitter, lukewarm beverage, also made with chilies, corn, vanilla, spices, and flowers, was made frothy by being repeatedly poured from one vessel into another.
Drinking chocolate, an activity reserved for nobility, played an
important role in medicine and was not part of the average person’s diet.
1544 – Spain
After the Spanish invaded the birthplace of chocolate in the 1500s, the beverage underwent several changes as it made its way to Europe. Spanish missionaries were likely the first to adapt the Aztec drink and when it arrived in Spain around 1544, it was warm, sweet, and whipped to a froth using a wooden molinillo. Hot chocolate did not gain widespread popularity in Spain until chefs began adding sugar and cinnamon.
1640 – Spain
One of the earliest known printed recipes was included in the 1640 Spanish book, A Curious Treatise of the Nature and Quality of Chocolate. The expensive recipe called for one hundred cacao beans, chilies, anise seed, vanilla, cinnamon, almonds, hazelnuts, half a pound of white sugar and annatto for a beverage the author called “the king of chocolates.”
1659
– France
After a century, hot chocolate began spreading around Europe while remaining accessible only to nobility. The drink became particularly popular
in Italy and France. In 1659 King Louis XIV granted a royal patent to chocolatier David Chaliou, allowing him to manufacture drinking chocolate with the king’s stamp on it. As European countries gained wealth and power, more cacao became available and was eventually mass produced on a limited scale, making hot chocolate increasingly available to non-noble wealthy citizens.
1675 – England
Chocolate arrived in England in the mid-1600s and was a smash hit in London, where chocolate houses sprung up on many street corners. These unregulated establishments quickly became known for anarchy and were hotbeds of gambling and other socially unacceptable activities. Chocolate houses were also breeding grounds for sedition, where people gathered to discuss politics.
Alarmed at the unrest brewing in these establishments, Charles II put out an edict in 1675 banning public houses from selling coffee, tea or chocolate. The new law encountered massive popular resistance and, to chocolatedrinkers’ delight, was rescinded after only a few weeks.
1775 – America
Diplomat and third U.S. president Thomas Jefferson purchased his first batch of chocolate in 1775 and was immediately a fan. In 1785, he wrote to John Adams about the bright future he saw for hot chocolate, saying that “the superiority of chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the preference over tea and coffee.” During the Revolutionary War, medics would often dole out cups of hot chocolate to wounded and dying soldiers.
1827 – Netherlands
Cocoa is very fatty, and its fat, called cocoa butter, does not dissolve in water or milk. This means a cup of hot cocoa would come with a layer of cocoa butter at the top! In 1827, Dutch chemist Coenraad J. Van Houten invented cocoa powder (cocoa solids separated from the fat), and in 1828 patented his method for removing most of the cocoa butter from processed cocoa, leaving a powdered chocolate.
To improve this powder’s ability to mix with liquid, Van Houten treated it with alkaline salts, which came to be known as “Dutching.” This
process resulted in an easily prepared powdered hot chocolate drink which was much less greasy. Van Houten’s powdered chocolate also led to the production of creamy, solid chocolate as we know it and ushered in the modern era of chocolate making.
1875 – Switzerland
Van Houten’s cocoa press directly led to the invention of the first commercial solid milk chocolate in 1875. Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter teamed up with his neighbor, Henri Nestlé, a powdered milk pioneer, to invent milk chocolate by mixing cocoa solids with milk powder.
1950s – America
In the late 1950s, Wisconsinite Charles Sanna invented the first instant hot chocolate made with hot water. His family’s business, Sanna Dairy Engineers, had been supplying American troops with packets of powdered creamer during the Korean War and found themselves with a surplus. Charles Sanna decided it would make an excellent ingredient for a hot cup of cocoa. Using a combination of powdered creamer, cocoa, sugar and vanilla, and hot water, he arrived at a formula for
a delicious drink. He constantly tinkered with his mix and made it longer lasting by substituting nonfat milk powder for creamer. The result, ultimately sold in grocery stores under the name Swiss Miss, is credited with launching America’s instant hot chocolate industry.
About 50 million boxes of the popular treat are sold every year.
2013 – America
In 2013 at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa Bay, Fla., 300 local students worked with teachers to produce the largest cup of hot chocolate ever made. The 880- gallon cup included 1,100 pounds of cocoa and 87 gallons of powdered milk. At the unveiling ceremony, kids shot marshmallows into the hot chocolate using homemade catapults.
The next time you take a sip of hot chocolate you may have a greater appreciation for how far it has come from its less tasty and less accessible beginnings.
References
Institute of Culinary Education, History.
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