> Now available for the US and Canada: 4-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 12-row harvesters with row widths of 20, 22, 24, 28 and 30 inches.
> EasyLift™ automatic depth control for each single row >
> WY - Robert - 307-388-0736 LOOKING FOR A CLEANER LOADER? TERRA FELIS 3 > and independent testing (Seligenstadt, Germany). Best output per hour, lowest beet loss, lowest tare.
> Proven performance in MI, MN and ID
FEATURES
12
ROPA DIE ZUCKERRÜBENERNTE AUF DIE NÄCHSTE
STUFE HEBEN
Germany’s ROPA sugarbeet harvester manufacturer builds each machine by hand … and that’s only part of the fascinating story of this company that is nestled in the Bavarian countrysidesugarbeets for Amalgamated Sugar.
DEPARTMENTS
6
8
10
18
CALENDAR
NEW PRODUCTS
Latest and greatest
OFF THE TOP
News, people and updates
FROM THE AMERICAN SUGAR ALLIANCE
Advocacy At All Levels Of Government Critical To Sugar Industry
16
BUYER’S GUIDE Crop Protection
20
FROM THE SUGAR ASSOCIATION
Consumers Want Natural, Safe Food: Real Sugar Is Here For Them
22
FROM THE ASGA “Turbulence” Might Be An Understatement
CALENDAR
MARCH 30-APRIL 1
SNAXPO
Orange County Convention Center Orlando, TX www.snaxpo.com
APRIL 9-11
AGRI-MARKETING CONFERENCE Kansas City, MO www.nama.org
MAY 12-15
FOOD SAFETY CONFERENCE
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, IL www.food-safety.com
JUNE 3 AND 5
12TH ANNUAL AG
WORLD GOLF CLASSIC
June 3 – Canyon Lake Golf Course, Kennewick, WA
June 5 – The Links at Moses Pointe, Moses Lake, WA www.agworldgolf.com
JUNE 23-26
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF BEET AND CANE GROWERS COUNCIL Cairns, Australia www.wabcg.org
AUGUST 1-6
INTERNATIONAL SWEETENER SYMPOSIUM
Grand Traverse Resort Traverse City, MI www.sugaralliance.org
AUGUST 3-6
SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION
SOCIETY ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa, CA www.swcs.org/events
AUGUST 26-28
FARM PROGRESS SHOW Decatur, IL www.farmprogressshow.com
SEPTEMBER 9-11
HUSKER HARVEST DAYS Grand Island, NE www.huskerharvestdays.com
NOVEMBER 19-21
MONTANA AGRITOURISM CONFERENCE
Montana State University Bozeman, MT www.montanaagritourism.com/events-2-1
JANUARY 9-14, 2026
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU CONVENTION Anaheim, CA www.fb.org
JANUARY 25-27, 2026
AMERICAN SUGARBEET GROWERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING
Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort Indian Wells, CA www.americansugarbeet.org
PUBLISHER Jason Harris
EDITOR Lane Lindstrom lane@sugarproducer.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Rob Erickson rob.erickson@sugarproducer.com
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Chuck Harris
PRODUCTION STAFF Lavon Horne IT DIRECTOR Chuck Harris CONTROLLER Clayton Ward PRESIDENT Jason Harris
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
Printed in Idaho Falls, Idaho by Falls Printing rob.erickson@fallsprinting.com
NEW PRODUCTS
NEW HOLLAND’S NEXT-GEN POWER STAR SERIES TRACTORS OFFER POWERFUL UTILITY INSIDE AND OUT
For decades, New Holland’s PowerStar Series tractors have been synonymous with power, utility and comfort. The next generation is no exception, offering powerful utility along with sleek new styling outside, greater comfort inside and a wide array of productivity-enhancing features across all four PowerStar models — the 90, 100, 110 and 120.
Power is important for a utility tractor and, as the name implies, the PowerStar Series delivers. Underneath the new hood is a powerful, fuel-efficient FPT Industrial 3.6-liter four-cylinder engine featured in all four models.
This lineup complies with Stage V emissions standards, which reduce particulate matter by 40 percent compared to Tier 4B. Along with a 3.4-gallon (13-liter) DEF tank, these tractors utilize Compact HI-eSCR 2 technology, resulting in higher torque, an increase of up to five horsepower and greater efficiency. For maximum visibility and compact dimensions, which are critical during loader work, the Compact HI-eSCR 2 is neatly concealed under the tractor’s hood while a new U-shaped exhaust also has been incorporated. Combining this feature with a larger fuel tank and
long 600-hour service intervals that maximize uptime, operators will find powerful operational advantages.
While a 12x12 transmission with a column-mounted electronic power shuttle is available on the three largest models (the 100, 110 and 120), operators can gain an advantage in their day with the proven 24x24 Dual Command transmission available as an option on all four models. The Dual Command transmission features the same electronic power shuttle but provides a Hi-Lo speed in each of the four gears.
For added convenience, the PowerClutch button that’s placed on the back of the handle lets operators shift the gearshift lever without having to use the clutch pedal.
On 12x12 and 24x24 Dual Command transmission models, a new feature, Dynamic Start-Stop or “brake-to-clutch,” is included to help reduce operator fatigue during jobs that require frequent stops, like round baling. When activated, operators will simply need to press the brake pedal to stop the tractor and then release it to start driving again.
Another set of novel options designed specifically for the PowerStar
Series are all-new, factory-installed LU Series front loaders. These loaders offer more lifting capacity, greater lifting height, faster cycle times, improved visibility, easier coupling and refined control.
To lift productivity, a new joystick is available on Dual Command models. This joystick provides control of more than just the loader, housing buttons to shuttle, shift between Hi and Lo and toggle between preset engine speeds. By enabling the ability to simultaneously lift and shuttle with the same hand during repetitive motions, operators can boost their efficiency.
Along with a new air suspension seat, a new digital instrument cluster provides greater insight into operating parameters and settings. Directly overhead a new super-high visibility panel offers outstanding visibility when the loader is raised to full height, such as when stacking bales. For unsurpassed ride smoothness, Comfort Ride cab suspension can be added to Dual Command models for a 25 percent reduction in shock loads that can reach the operator.
For more information, visit www.agriculture.newholland.com/en-us/nar.
CASE IH SENSEAPPLY OFFERS AFFORDABLE,
Case IH is launching SenseApply technology, an economical and adaptable automated Live variable rate application solution, purposefully designed to maximize the output of every input.
SenseApply consists of a single cab-mounted camera system that offers multi-season uses for unmatched versatility and productivity without compromising quality or functionality.
• Base + Boost applies a consistent base rate over the entire boom while boosting individual nozzle sections to a higher rate when passing over areas with higher weed pressure.
Live Variable Rate Application (VRA)
• Burndown VRA
• Nitrogen VRA
• Harvest Aid VRA
• Plant Growth Regulator VRA
• Fungicide VRA
SenseApply technology includes
lifetime Live VRA use and a one-time activation fee for Selective Spray, eliminating both per-acre fees and annual fees for the life of the device. The technology is designed for simple and efficient application, at speeds of up to 25 mph, with the camera self-calibrating to the crop within the first 150 feet during Live VRA. The SenseApply camera – which is mounted on top of the cab to maximize field of view – senses plant biomass and responds accordingly, depending on the application type the operator selected.
SenseApply also integrates with Case IH FieldOps and Raven Slingshot, enabling operators to connect and manage application data through their preferred platform. This integration increases overall operator efficiencies by providing real-time data analysis and decision-making capabilities, while making it easier to align with agronomist recommendations.
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has announced a powerful, eco-friendly solution for soil disinfection with the revolutionary propane-powered soil steamer.
This groundbreaking technology is designed to address one of farmers’ biggest challenges in modern agriculture: how to effectively eliminate weeds, soilborne pathogens, and nematodes without relying on chemical pesticides.
The soil steamer’s banded steam design targets the top one-to-two inches of soil, the critical zone where weed seeds germinate, providing an 80 percent weed control rate for both conventional and organic crops. The innovative propane-powered system cuts weeding labor costs in half, increases yields, and reduces the dependency on harmful fumigants and herbicides.
The soil steamer offers a host of advantages for agricultural producers, including:
• Increased Yield and Profitability: By controlling disease pressure, the soil steamer increases the size of crops such as lettuce and carrots and enables
shorter crop rotation intervals, allowing for more frequent planting of high-value fruits and vegetables.
• Environmental Sustainability: Farmers can significantly reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides, protecting soil health and meeting organic certification standards.
• Labor Efficiency: The technology provides a 73 percent reduction in weeding
time compared to traditional herbicides, offering substantial labor savings.
Recent studies demonstrate that the propane-powered soil steamer manages 90 to 95 percent of annual weeds, such as purslane and pigweed, and controls major soilborne diseases, including fusarium, pythium, and verticillium.
For more information, visit propane.com/soilsteamer. n
OFF THE TOP
KWS UNDERPINS WORLD-LEADING MARKET POSITION FOR SUGARBEET SEEDS WITH FURTHER INNOVATION IN EUROPEAN MARKET
Following the outstanding market success of the CONVISO SMART system for effective and sustainable weed control and the variety portfolio with high Cercospora protection based on CR+ genetics, KWS is further expanding its innovation leadership in sugarbeet seeds with the introduction of combination varieties.
With this year’s growing season, highly innovative varieties are available in several European countries that combine the advantages of the CONVISO SMART system with the high Cercospora protection of CR+. With the slogan “The ultimate DUO,” KWS advertises the combination of these two important product segments.
in the 2025 growing season in the markets of Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Romania and Slovakia, with other markets to follow in the coming years.
The CONVISO SMART system, developed by KWS and Bayer CropScience, offers an efficient and sustainable way to control weeds in sugarbeet cultivation. The use of the system can increase the effectiveness of sugarbeet compared to classic weed control and at the same time reduce the number of treatments and the application rate of herbicides and thus chemical pesticides.
CR+ varieties offer a powerful
additional tool to combat Cercospora, a leaf disease in sugarbeet cultivation that can lead to yield losses of up to 50 percent. About two-thirds of the world’s cultivated area is at risk of moderate to high Cercospora pressure. Observations show that the disease is conquering new territory by spreading from south to north in the long term.
In the 2023/2024 financial year, both innovations contributed around 50 percent to total sales in the sugarbeet segment (EUR 865 million).
For more information, visit www.kws.com.
CHUCK BROUGHTON APPOINTED HEAD OF NORTH AMERICA AT ROVENSA NEXT
Rovensa Next, the global biosolutions business unit of Rovensa Group, is strengthening its North American leadership with the appointment of Chuck Broughton as head of North America. With over 35 years of experience in agriculture, Broughton brings proven expertise in commercial strategy and business growth from leading roles at Pivot Bio, DuPont and Novozymes. His ability to drive performance, build strong industry partnerships, and
implement innovative market strategies make him a key addition to Rovensa Next’s leadership team.
As head of North America, Broughton will focus on expanding Rovensa Next’s presence, deepening partnerships with growers and distributors, and enhancing product accessibility. His goal is to equip farmers with cutting-edge biosolutions that improve productivity while maintaining longterm land health.
Broughton will also play a key role in aligning product innovation and regulatory processes with market needs, ensuring Rovensa Next continues to drive industry advancements and revenue growth.
The new varieties will be offered
Sugarbeet field near Taufkirchen, Germany.
AMVAC, DPH BIOLOGICALS SIGN REGIONAL
American Vanguard Corporation announced that its crop business unit, AMVAC, entered into a regional distribution agreement with DPH Biologicals, a leading developer and supplier of agricultural biologicals.
The agreement significantly expands American Vanguard’s GreenSolutions portfolio and increases availability of biological products throughout the U.S. while also expanding DPH Bio’s footprint into specialty crop markets.
Under the long-term agreement, AMVAC resells DPH Bio’s key products, which include TerraTrove SP-1 Classic and TerraTrove AmplAphex biofer-
DISTRIBUTION
tilizers as well as BellaTrove Companion Maxx, a novel EPA-approved biocontrol product with both fungicidal and nematocidal activity that is unique in its category. In addition, AMVAC distributes future product offerings, utilizing DPH Bio’s TerraTrove technology platform for biofertilizers and the BellaTrove platform for biocontrol products.
DPH Bio significantly strengthens its market access in the U.S. by partnering with AMVAC’s U.S. commercial and operational teams with an initial focus on specialty crop markets. With the agreement, AMVAC is servicing DPH Bio’s existing customers in the western and
AGREEMENT
southern regions by providing enhanced commercial and technical support.
The combination of DPH Bio’s leading products with AMVAC’s GreenSolutions portfolio provides an industry-leading offering for AMVAC’s grower, distributor and retail partners. The addition of DPH Bio’s TerraTrove products complement AMVAC’s current biostimulant portfolio, while Bella Trove Companion Maxx provides a novel biocontrol solution for AMVAC to complement its extensive crop protection portfolio.
For more information, visit www.dphbio.com and www.american-vanguard.com
LINDSAY FIELDNET ADVISOR EARNS AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERS AE50 AWARD
Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, is honored to announce that FieldNET AdvisorWhole Farm Water Management has earned the 2025 AE50 award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
A whole farm water management solution, FieldNET Advisor simplifies irrigation decisions for growers with real-time data and a simplified subscription.
The AE50 Awards recognize the best innovations in engineering and technology for agriculture, food and biological systems. Since 1986, the organization has annually honored 50 innovations with significant engineering advancement and impact on the
market they serve.
FieldNET Advisor helps growers around the world monitor irrigation patterns and check soil moisture levels. Additionally, the package also offers growers:
• Easy enrollment for the whole operation and customized recommendations to grower management preferences.
• Satellite imagery estimates crop water usage providing up-to-date data that automatically tracks how conditions change through the growing season; wind, hail, disease and other factors are all accounted for.
• Data on the whole farm at a glance, including crop canopy development, crop water use, weather and irrigation recommendations.
• Ability to more easily review data
and execute irrigation decisions on a mobile device.
• Simplified, whole-farm pricing with only one subscription to manage.
• Connection to on-farm Pessl weather stations, incorporating FieldNET with local weather data and irrigation recommendations.
By combining FieldNET Advisor’s recommendations with the advanced agronomics of FieldNET and Zimmatic machine health features, Lindsay has transformed the way growers irrigate crops. Integrated pivots support healthier crops and more sustainable farming practices while reducing risk and operational downtime, significantly expanding the traditional capabilities of pivots.
For more information, visit lindsay.com/fieldnetnextgen.
TIDAL GROW AGRISCIENCE EXPANDS REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS INTO CANADA
Tidal Grow AgriScience, a division of Tidal Vision Products Inc., is introducing four cutting-edge products to Canada’s agriculture industry.
These regenerative solutions include the new chitosan-based seed treatment Tidal Grow GENBOOST, the new chitosan-based biostimulant Tidal Grow Chroma, and the liquid seafood hydrolysate biofertilizers, Tidal Grow Oceanic and Tidal Grow SeaPhos. All four products have been approved for distribution and sale in Canada, with Tidal Grow GENBOOST and Tidal Grow Chroma regis-
tered as plant supplements. These advanced crop production solutions bring the novel active ingredient chitosan and unique modes of action to Canadian growers, activating the crop’s natural defenses, boosting yields, and ultimately improving return on investment for Canada’s key crops. Chitosan is derived from chitin, a naturally occurring active ingredient that Tidal Grow AgriScience upcycles from seafood byproducts for effective, sustainable use in agriculture. The products are formulated for low use rates and sharpen other actives for maximum
benefits to crop performance, the environment, and ultimately, grower profits.
Tidal Grow’s biofertilizer solutions align with Fertilizer Canada’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place), promoting efficacy, environmental sustainability, and economic benefits. The company’s cold-processed seafood hydrolysate fertilizers are made by upcycling a variety of fish and other seafood byproducts, such as crab shells, into alternative fertilizer options. For more information, visit www.tidalgrowag.com n
ROPA DIE ZUCKERRÜBENERNTE AUF DIE NÄCHSTE STUFE HEBEN
(ROPA TAKING SUGARBEET HARVESTING TO NEXT LEVEL)
BY LANE LINDSTROM
As we headed toward the ROPA headquarters in Sittelsdorf in the German state of Bayern (English translation is Bavaria), we were pretty sure the GPS had taken us the wrong direction and we were on the wrong road.
The GPS claimed we were only about 1.5 kilometers (less than a mile) from the factory, yet we were on a narrow backcountry road in the middle of nowhere. We were so sure the GPS was wrong, we drove back to the main road, hoping it would reset and get us to the right place.
Of course it sent us back in the direction we just came from so we went that final kilometer and a half and as
we approached the village of Sittelsdorf (population 61) there in front of us were several large buildings, the home of ROPA, officially known as ROPA Fahrzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH (roughly translated to: vehicle and mechanical engineering).
These several buildings are not located in some large industrial complex in a big city but rather are tucked away in rolling hills in the Bavarian countryside, surrounding by a patchwork of farms and forest on all sides. To truly appreciate how remote ROPA’s location is, you need to go to Google Earth, type in “Sittelsdorf, Germany” and see what comes up.
(top) The Assembly Hall is massive and is home to the sugarbeet harvester and sugarbeet loader line as well as the potato harvester line. There are 10 stations in each line where various parts of the machines are assembled.
It is here that some of the largest machines ever to harvest a sugarbeet are built. And to think that it all started a little more than 50 years ago by 25-year- old farmer Hermann Paintner, who built his first self-propelled sugarbeet harvester almost entirely out of second-hand parts.
SETTING THE STANDARD
Today, these behemoth sugarbeet harvesters have helped set the standard for self-propelled sugarbeet harvesters and can be found nearly everywhere in the world where sugarbeets are grown.
ROPA Marketing Director Maximilian Englbrecht pointed out that ROPA machines are found in 40 countries, which includes Australia, where sugarcane (not sugarbeets and thus there is no sugarbeet factory) is raised for sugar. There, Englbrecht said, one of ROPA’s Tiger machines harvests beets for feeding cows.
Although the ROPA factory, which consists of several buildings covering several hectares, is modern and highly
(top) This ROPA Maus 6 sugarbeet loader was moved into place at the edge of a field in Ontario, Canada, during the 2024 sugarbeet harvest. It’s sitting near a pile of beets that have been stacked at the edge of the field, waiting to be loaded into trucks to be shipped to the factory. (lower) The ROPA euroTiger V8-4 works the harvest in Ontario, Canada. This model, one of more than a half-dozen sugarbeet harvesters offered by the German company, uses a Mercedes Benz V8 and has a bunker capacity of 40m(3).
automated, it was a little surprising during our tour that so much of the harvesters (both sugarbeet and potato) are still assembled by hand.
It takes about four weeks to build a sugarbeet harvester, which is all done in house. There are two major manufacturing lines in the massive Assembly Hall: one for potato harvesters and one
for sugarbeet harvesters and loaders. And for a Tiger sugarbeet harvester for example, nearly 15,000 parts have to be assembled for the final product. Again, much of that is done by hand.
Backing up more toward the beginning of the build process, the massive frames have to be welded together. ROPA only has three robotic welders in its facility and
those are used to weld smaller pieces. The massive frames are welded by hand, because as company officials said, the pieces being welded are very large and specialized and humans are better for that work. All the painting and powdercoating of parts is also done in house with the main assembly taking place in the long, massive Assembly Hall where several machines are put together simultaneously.
The potato line is just a few feet from the sugarbeet line with each line having 10 stations for various parts of the assembly process.
BIG ENGINES FOR A BIG MACHINE
While it was all very interesting and remarkable, one of the most impressive scenes was watching a massive engine being installed in the machines.
(top and opposite page) The frames used for sugarbeet and potato harvesters and sugarbeet loaders are welded by hand. ROPA uses robotic welders for smaller pieces. (lower left, middle) The manufacture of sugarbeet harvesters and other ROPA equipment is all done onsite, including, cleaning, washing, painting, etc. (right) As you can imagine, the engines used in the sugarbeet harvesters and loaders are massive. ROPA uses a variety (all purpose made for these machines) of Mercedes Benz and Volvo Penta powerplants in its machines. This engine sits in a Maus loader.
The harvester engines are specifically built for ROPA are made by either Volvo Penta or Mercedes Benz. For the Maus (translation: mouse), which were the machines being assembled the day of our visit, Mercedes Benz engines are used.
The Maus is designed as a sugarbeet loader, which loads the harvested beets that are piled at the end/edge of a field into transport trucks.
ROPA employs 480 people at its Sit-
telsdorf facility, which when the work day begins and the workers flood into work, significantly increases the population of the tiny hamlet. There is one shift per day in some parts of the plant, two shifts in other parts and three shifts in the laser cutting area. The company has obviously grown over the years and needed more space, so a former showroom where the machines were on display for customers has been transformed into an area where hydraulic tubes used on the machines are
now bent and formed for placement on the harvesters and loaders.
There is still a smaller showroom where several antique tractors are on display, a result of a hobby of founder Hermann Paintner. That alone is worth a visit to the factory.
Today, with the completion of Hall 5 (which was still under construction during our visit), where, among other things, parts are stored until needed for machine assembly, the Sittelsdorf site now has 300,000 square meters of factory space with 85,000 square meters under roof. The works out to about 914,932 square feet or 21 acres under roof.
A part of that space is dedicated to refurbishing used machines that customers have traded in for new machines and that can be sold once they’ve been looked over and, if necessary, fixed.
ROPA COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE YEARS
1972 Hermann Paintner designed and built his first self-propelled sugarbeet harvester in lower Bavaria. Paintner continues to be one of the company’s leads, along with Dr. Eberhard Krayl.
1986 ROPA Fahrzeug-und Maschinenbau GmbH was founded with Sittelsdorf as its headquarters location.
1998 euro-Tiger and euro-Maus created and introduced.
2013 ROPA begins manufacturing potato harvesters, which are available in the U.S.
2016 Tiger 6, the then most powerful self-propelled sugarbeet harvester is introduced.
2024 The ROPA Taurus, a beet removal vehicle designed to take the place of a tractor trailer, is introduced
Among many, an interesting piece of information about ROPA’s business model is that a sugarbeet harvester, for example, is not built until there is an order for one.
That simply means ROPA doesn’t build a harvester unless there is a home for that harvester. So if you order one this year, it
will be ready for delivery next year.
The North America market, with headquarters in Michigan, has becoming increasingly important to ROPA’s business.
“It is a good and long-lasting partnership,” Englbrecht said of the North American part of ROPA’s world market. n
CROP PROTECTION BUYERS’ GUIDE
Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Applicators should check with their respective state agencies responsible for pesticide registration to ensure registration status.
PROVYSOL FUNGICIDE
Stay ahead of this season’s disease development and progression with a timely preventative fungicide application that includes Provysol fungicide. As one of the most effective products on the market for Cercospora leaf spot, Provysol fungicide offers sugarbeet growers flexibility in managing resistant fungal populations.
PREV-AM is a 3-in-1 insecticide, fungicide and miticide. It is a contact pesticide that can be applied throughout the season without danger of resistance buildup and is perfect for controlling pre-harvest insect and disease infestations. With a short REI and PHI, PREV-AM is a versatile alternative to conventional pesticides and is ideal for IPM and sustainable farming practices.
SUPPRESS Herbicide EC is a safe and highly effective tool for both organic and conventional weed management programs. It is registered as a broad-spectrum contact herbicide for post-emergent, non-selective weed control for use in and around all food and non-food crop areas. The proprietary and patented formulation is a non-volatile, emulsifiable concentrate that is OMRI- and WSDA-approved for use in certified organic food production.
With years of university testing and grower-proven efficacy, SUPPRESS consistently provides fast and effective burndown in a wide variety of weeds. It is also a great tankmix partner to enhance conventional herbicide efficacy, and is an excellent IPM tool to rotate with conventional herbicides to minimize resistance. SUPPRESS is low-foaming, easy to use, and has no pre-harvest interval, so it can be applied up to the day of harvest.
SAN Agrow (800) 876-2767
www.san-agrow.com
PHOBOS FC FUNGICIDE
Phobos® FC is a foliar fungicide designed to bring unparalleled results to sugarbeet growers facing the challenges of Cercospora leaf spot (CLS).
The desiccating properties of PREV-AM result in quick knockdown of insects, typically within 2 to 24 hours after application. The water-repellent layer protecting most insects loses its effectiveness when contacted by a PREV-AM application. This allows the active ingredient to penetrate and destroy the soft, living tissues underneath. The insects are then exposed to the loss of body fluids, causing death.
As a fungicide, the PREV-AM spray solution breaks down the protective membranes of the superficial fungal mycelia (hyphae) and spores, allowing the active ingredient to penetrate and destroy the living tissues underneath. This exposes the organism to the drying effect of the atmosphere and causes collapse within 2 to 24 hours. Plant tissue damaged by the fungus may also dry out and prevent further spread of infection, but healthy tissue is not affected at the recommended application rate.
Rovensa Next www.rovensanext-na.com/en-us
With a superior Application Advantage, Phobos FC delivers faster product uptake, more uniform leaf coverage, and increased rainfastness to provide maximum CLS protection and boost sugar content and tonnage at harvest compared to Proline®.
Combining Vive’s nano-polymer technology with prothioconazole, Phobos FC is recommended as part of a foliar application program anywhere from 8-leaf stage to pre-harvest for the ultimate defense against this notorious fungal disease.
Use in conjunction with AZteroid® FC 3.3 (best-mixing fungicide for Rhizoctonia control) at-plant and AZterknot® (Dual MOA disease control & plant defense boost) at the 4-8 leaf timeframe for the ultimate increase in sugar content and tonnage.
Sustainis a new, unique class of adjuvant with nonionic properties based on Miller Chemical’s proprietary Pinolenetechnology. This adjuvant is designed to improve the contact, wetting and adhesion of pesticides and fertilizers on plant and soil surfaces. Sustain forms a soft, microscopic film that polymerizes, protecting spray deposits from rainfall erosion, volatility, and ultraviolet (UV) degradation.
Sustain is effective in limiting the leaching and migration of soil active herbicides. Once applied, it begins to polymerize and form an elastic, microscopic film in the environment. This, in turn, helps to provide longevity of herbicides in the root and shoot zone, thereby maximizing herbicide activity in the target area and reducing leaching.
Miller Chemical (800) 233-2040
www.millerchemical.com
SUGARBEET PORTFOLIO
Since 1962, beginning as a crop consultancy, Gowan Company has been rooted in agriculture, providing trusted expertise and innovative solutions for growers. This familyowned, American business works to understand growers’ challenges and is committed to delivering products and services that maximize yield and quality. Gowan provides solutions for the unique needs of sugarbeet producers.
Gowan USA’s dedicated sales representatives and development teams regularly work with sugarbeet growers and researchers to ensure that each product performs optimally in the field.
COUNTER 20G at-plant granular insecticide is the superior choice for sugarbeet root maggot, springtails and wireworm. The only insecticide rated excellent for control of sugarbeet root maggots and springtails, COUNTER 20G consistently delivers unsurpassed protection for your seed investment. Studies show an at-plant application of COUNTER sets the standard for sugarbeet pest control, recoverable sugar and gross returns.
www.amvac.com
REGEV HYBRID FUNGICIDE
Regev fungicide is the first hybrid product that combines the disease control activity of botanical and conventional chemistries. Using the active ingredients of tea tree extract and difenoconazole, Regev gives sugarbeet growers very effective control of Cercospora leaf spot and Powdery Mildew. Its nine mechanisms of action deliver the trifecta of preventative, anti-sporulant and curative activity. Importantly, university studies have proven that Regev increases sucrose yield. Further advantages of Regev in a disease control program are its reduction of chemical usage plus effective resistance management. The ability of Regev to enhance plant growth and yield make it a significant value to sugarbeet growers.
Summit Agro USA (984) 260-0407
www.summitagro-usa.com
ENCOURAGE NANOCAL
ENCOURAGE NANOCAL is a sub-micronized, soil-applied, readily-available liquid calcium specifically formulated to be applied just prior to or at the early stages of root initiation to ensure maximum calcium uptake during this period of rapid cell division. Calcium is needed at this time to strengthen cell walls, improve root quality, mitigate storage issues and promote overall crop health. It is meant as a supplemental source of calcium available to crops during this critical stage in its development – it is not meant to remedy a calcium deficiency in soils.
The milling process results in calcium particles that average less than 1 micron in size. This sub-micronized calcium is more readily taken up by the crop than larger particles contained in other calcium products. And, unlike foliar calcium applications that do not readily move in the plant, NANOCAL is taken up by the roots and, with its TransXylem technology, is rapidly translocated to the roots and the entire plant.
Rovensa Next www.rovensanext-na.com/en-us
THIMET 20G
Take the pressure out of postemergence infestations of adult sugarbeet maggot flies with Thimet 20G granular insecticide. Post apply Thimet for proven pest control in fields with a history of moderate to high maggot populations, after replanting and when rainfalls have been heavy or persistent following planting.
AMVAC
www.amvac.com n
BY ROB JOHANSSON, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMICS & POLICY ANALYSIS
Advocacy At All Levels Of Government Critical To Sugar Industry FROM THE ASA
That
includes many agencies across the federal government
It has been a busy start to 2025 for the American sugar industry. Multiple growers have either testified in front of Congress or presented at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Outlook Forum, dozens of growers attended our annual fly-in meetings and I’ve had the personal privilege of speaking to many sugarbeet and sugarcane growers, as well as our confectionary colleagues, at industry conferences.
Fair trade is critically important to sugar, as without a strong sugar policy or the enforcement of our trade laws we face the threat presented by the distorted global sugar market
As I mentioned in this column last month, we are also working together with the new cabinet secretaries and appointees at USDA and other agencies on issues critical to our farms and factories.
Below are some of the most critical Cabinet positions for agriculture.
Secretary Brooke Rollins, USDA
As the lead at USDA, Secretary Rollins will have the most direct impact on the administration and management of U.S. sugar policy. Her leadership comes at a critical time for American agriculture, and we are working with
Secretary Rollins to advance policies that put America’s farmers first.
Of course, a key priority remains passing a five-year Farm Bill that delivers a strong safety net for family farmers, safeguards our national food security and supply chains, and bolsters the rural economies that feed and fuel our nation. That includes a strengthened U.S. sugar and trade policy.
With her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing rural America, Secretary Rollins is leading the charge to secure a more prosperous future for U.S. agriculture.
Administrator
Our farmers are proud to produce sugar under some of the most stringent environmental standards in the world, and the smart use of crop protection tools allows us to increase productivity and improve yields. Administrator Zeldin’s leadership will be pivotal in ensuring that America’s farmers can continue to produce safe, sustainable, and affordable food. That will require a renewed focus on science-based regulations, and we are working with Administrator Zeldin and his agency to address regulatory challenges so our farmers can keep it sweet in America.
Secretary Marco Rubio, State Department
As the former senator from Florida, Secretary Rubio understands just how deeply American sugar production is tied to America’s economy, food security and rural communities. Secretary Rubio and the Trump administration are committed to ensuring that American industries –including sugar – remain competitive in the face of unfair foreign practices. Secretary Rubio will be a great champion for protecting U.S. agricultural interests on the world stage and we were grateful to hear him speak out on the need for strong
Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
of agreements, like the 1944 Water Treaty which has greatly affected agriculture in Texas, during his confirmation hearings.
Secretary
Kristi Noem,
Department Of Homeland Security
From her time in Congress and as governor of South Dakota, Secretary Noem knows well the challenges faced by the agriculture industry. That includes strong enforcement of U.S. trade and customs laws and safeguarding the supply chains that power America’s rural economies. Fair trade is critically important to sugar, as without a strong sugar policy or the enforcement of our trade laws we face the threat presented by the distorted global sugar market.
Secretary Doug Burgum, Department Of The Interior
As the former governor of North Dakota, home to the Red River Valley, the largest sugarbeet production region in America, we know Secretary Burgum understands how important domestic sugar production is to ensure a reliable supply of a critical ingredient
PULLER RINGS
and to strengthen our national food security. We are working with Secretary Burgum and his department to address the challenges facing rural communities and advancing policies that put America’s farmers first.
Secretary Howard Lutnick, Department Of Commerce
At a time when our sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers face mounting challenges, including rising input costs and heavily subsidized foreign sugar, we are confident Secretary Lutnick will champion policies that help strengthen
our industry. We know Secretary Lutnick’s leadership will be essential to ensuring a level playing field for American agriculture and securing the long-term strength of our domestic sugar industry. Of primary importance is the successful review of the sugar Suspension Agreements with Mexico and we will work with the Department of Commerce to facilitate that review.
Ambassador Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative
A strong American sugar industry –which sustains more than 151,000 jobs coast to coast – reduces our reliance on unpredictable foreign suppliers, safeguards consumers from supply chain disruptions, and contributes to the vitality of family farms and small businesses across the country. We look forward to working with Ambassador Greer to advance our shared goals of enforcing global trading rules and protecting good American jobs.
We will continue to work alongside these cabinet secretaries, their under secretaries, and policymakers at all levels of government to preserve a vibrant domestic sugar industry! n
•
FROM THE SUGAR ASSOCIATION
By Courtney Gaine, R.D., Ph.D., President & CEO
Consumers Want Natural, Safe Food: Real Sugar Is Here For Them
Statistics show positive trends for sugar
That excitement and anxiety you remember feeling before getting your score back on a big test that is how we feel every two years when we open the results of our bi-annual consumer study.
We all know that real sugar hasn’t changed over thousands of years, but consumer knowledge, behaviors and attitudes change all the time, and it is important that we are on top of these trends to be able to effectively communicate. The results from these studies are vital to our ability to develop strong and compelling messages that resonate and can move the needle on increasing consumer confidence in real sugar’s role in a balanced diet.
The fact that most consumers believe sugar is natural is an important differentiator between real sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Looking at trends over time also gives us a gauge as to whether our efforts are having an impact. This year’s results revealed some positive trends and some key opportunities around the natural origins of sugar, the use of “real sugar,” growing negative sentiments around artificial sweeteners and increasing feelings of the safety of sugar.
Consumers Believe Sugar Is Natural – A Significant Shift From Nearly A Decade Ago
In 2018, just 51 percent of consumers agreed that sugar is a natural sweetener. Fast forward to 2025 and 70 percent of consumers agree that sugar is natural. This is a significant shift over the course of seven years and suggests our efforts to educate the public about the origins of
real sugar are having an impact.
The overwhelming majority of consumers (88 percent of them) believe the statement, “Real sugar is made by sugarbeets and sugarcane grown on a farm.” We can all work on the 12 percent of skeptics by continuing to share that message through pictures and videos on social media and by spreading the word in our everyday lives.
Sugar Is Preferred Over Artificial Sweeteners
When asked to indicate which sweetener they would prefer to see on an ingredient list, 88 percent of consumers say they’d prefer to see sugar on their ingredient lists over artificial sweeteners. In fact, artificial sweeteners are among the top three diet components consumers say they severely limit, with the primary reason listed for limiting or avoiding being “I
believe this is toxic to my body.”
Four out of five consumers say they look to avoid artificial sweeteners in children’s products like juices, cereal and yogurts with 70 percent saying the USDA should not allow artificial sweeteners in school lunches.
Consumers Moderate Their Sugar Intake, But Don’t Look To Artificial Sweeteners As A Replacement
While the majority of consumers are looking to limit their sugar intake, they do so by moderating (eating less sweet food or smaller portions) and not by replacing sugar with alternatives. Only 16 percent of consumers who limit their sugar intake reported replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners. This is a lot less than the 27 percent who, in 2018, said they looked to replace sugar with a zero-calorie alternative.
Consumers Prioritize Safety And Taste – Traits Connected To Natural Sugar
The fact that most consumers believe sugar is natural is an important differentiator between real sugar and artificial sweeteners. Sugar’s natural origins are also associated with taste, safety and ease of identification on ingredient lists, a few things that
consumers prioritize when purchasing or making food for their families. Ninety-four percent of consumers listed both safety and taste as very or somewhat important and 78 percent of consumers say they choose foods with ingredients they are familiar with.
Compared to artificial sweeteners, sugar has a significant (and growing) advantage on these key attributes.
Knowing The Dietary Guidelines For Sugar Increases Consumer Confidence
Over 80 percent of consumers believe knowing the dietary guidelines for sugar is important but many grossly underestimate what the recommendation is. However, when presented with the actual guidelines, 69 percent say it boosts their confidence that sugar can be part of a balanced diet.
Sharing the dietary recommendations as part of our sugar and balance messaging efforts will hopefully fuel the rise in this number.
Consumers Say They’re Baking
The baking trends of Covid appear to have lasted for some. Over 80
percent of consumers report baking once a month with 43 percent of consumers saying they bake once a week or more. Are you one of these frequent bakers? If not, get started!
Consistent with the trends we’ve observed in the past several years, the sentiment for real sugar continues to trend in a positive direction, particularly when compared to artificial sweeteners.
Today’s consumers are chemical averse and seeking natural and safe ingredients in their foods.
While consumers know that sugar should be consumed in moderation, knowing the intake recommendation gives them confidence in how to make that happen and that a balanced diet does have room for sugar. Each of
you sharing sugar’s farm to table story does have an impact on the growing confidence in sugar’s role in food and in a balanced diet.
Keep up the good work. n
CERCOSPORA
2023. Crookston, MN.
LUTHER MARKWART | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Dealing
with the fallout “Turbulence” Might Be An Understatement FROM THE ASGA
At our annual meeting in early February, I told the attendees to get ready for a great deal of turbulence in the months ahead. It was a pretty easy prediction to make given we knew what the president campaigned on and we remember how his first term went.
Observations and predictions made in early February are playing out today as expected, at least at a high level. It’s fair to say in general that the president set out on his second term with the goal of fundamentally changing key items in Washington, with the expectation that those changes would improve the lives of Americans outside of Washington.
Our industry is working to demonstrate that the scalpel approach rather than the chainsaw approach is a more sustainable way to change the status quo.
Two large and very visible items target the federal workforce and trade. In these and other areas, the president and his team are moving very quickly to enact change. Executive order after
executive order streams out of the White House on a nearly daily basis. It’s created significant disruptions in Washington, which of course, is the goal.
Americans elected President Trump for a variety of reasons. A departure from the status quo would certainly be among them. But that change will also come with pain. We are seeing the early stages of that today and it will be interesting to see how much pain Americans will ultimately tolerate.
Everyone agrees that the federal government, and by extension its workforce, is large, cumbersome and in need of streamlining. Indiscriminately cutting the federal workforce is problematic. Blanket cuts leave us with fewer researchers to help our crops, fewer FSA and NRCS offices to process farm programs, less ability to improve crop insurance policies, fewer rural hospitals and the list goes on.
As the Trump Administration gets its feet under itself, it’s our hope that it remains fixed on streamlining the government, but in a way that does not negatively impact farmers and everyday Americans. Our industry is working to demonstrate that the scalpel approach rather than the chainsaw approach is a more sustainable way to change the status quo.
The same can be said regarding tariffs. Our industry relies on fair trade over free trade. We must hold our trading partners accountable and strenuously work to reduce our trade deficit. We know this is exactly what the president is working towards. But here too, the rapid change, reversing course, and blanket tariffs are problematic as our industry deals with high inflation, high costs and
declining prices. It’s our hope that the president and his team will change the status quo while minimizing the pain to farmers and everyday Americans.
In early March, growers completed two weeks of fly-ins visiting over 320 congressional offices. Our industry does it better than anyone in agriculture. We owe our grower leaders tremendous gratitude for their work in Washington. To give you a tangible sense of the pace, one attendee logged seven miles of walking each day between the House, Senate and fundraisers. While in Washington, our growers pushed for smart and targeted public policy and they hammered home the need for a new Farm Bill this year that includes robust improvements to the sugar program.
In other news, we will begin the five-year sunset review of the suspension agreements with Mexico. These govern the antidumping and countervailing duties on imported sugar from Mexico. Renewing these agreements for the next five years is a high priority for our industry in the years to come.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who submitted approximately 200 comments for the record regarding the proposal by the Fish and Wildlife Service to list monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
The proposal could impact agricultural pesticide use and undermine existing conservation measures. Your letters illustrated the importance of this issue to sugarbeet producers and underlined all the efforts in production areas to help protect monarch butterflies. A final decision is expected by the end of 2025. n
Field-proven Solutions™
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.
