> 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.
> EasyLiftª automatic depth cont rol for each single row. >
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.
Help your sugarbeets reach their sweetest potential
How does more recoverable sucrose sound? With fast-acting protection against Cercospora Leaf Spot, your sugarbeets can live up to their sweetest, most profitable potential.
FEATURES
12
POSITION YOUR FARM TO WITHSTAND AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN WITH PROACTIVE STRATEGY AND OPTIMISM
Nutrien’s Scott Bame offers three tips to help growers minimize the impact an economic downturn will have on the farm.
DEPARTMENTS
6 8 10
CALENDAR
NEW PRODUCTS
Latest and greatest
OFF THE TOP
News, people and updates
18 20
14
BUYER’S GUIDE Harvest Equipment
FROM THE ASGA
Current Issues Focus Includes Budget, Trade
FROM THE SUGAR ASSOCIATION
Real Sugar And Salt: Natural Preservatives In Canning And Beyond
22
FROM THE AMERICAN SUGAR ALLIANCE
Sugarbeet, Sugarcane Farmers
Highlight Increased Farm Costs At USDA Forum
CALENDAR
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 https://agworldgolf.com
JUNE 23-26
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF BEET AND CANE Growers Council Cairns, Australia wabcg.org
JUNE 25
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO FIELD DAY - KIMBERLY
UI Kimberly Research and Extension Center Kimberly, ID amjackson@uidaho.edu
JULY 14
POTATO GROWER MAGAZINE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Idaho Falls Country Club Idaho Falls, ID www.potatogrower.com/golf
AUGUST 1-6
INTERNATIONAL SWEETENER SYMPOSIUM
Grand Traverse Resort Traverse City, MI https://sugaralliance.org
AUGUST 3-6
SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY ANNUAL CONFERENCE Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa, CA www.swcs.org/events
AUGUST 13-14
IDAHO IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION SUMMER MEETING
Twin Falls, ID Idahoirrigation equipmentassociation.org
AUGUST 26-28
Farm Progress Show Decatur, IL www.farmprogressshow.com
SEPTEMBER 9-11
HUSKER HARVEST DAYS Grand Island, NE huskerharvestdays.com
NOVEMBER 19-21
MONTANA AGRITOURISM CONFERENCE
Montana State University Bozeman, MT www.montanaagritourism.com/ events-2-1
DECEMBER 8-11
IRRIGATION SHOW
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans, LA irrigation.org
JANUARY 9-14, 2026
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU CONVENTION Anaheim, CA 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
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kevin Malcom kevin@sugarproducer.com
GROUP SECRETARY Shantelle Stewart
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Chuck Harris
PRODUCTION STAFF Lavon Horne Laci Thompson
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
NEW PRODUCTS
KUGLER INTRODUCES K-CARB PROSTART
Kugler Company has announced the launch of K-CARB ProStart, an innovative high ortho, low-salt starter designed to give crops the strongest possible start to the growing season.
This all-in-one in-furrow application includes a micro nutrient package with fulvic that promotes soil health and maximizing early growth potential.
K-CARB ProStart delivers a balanced micro nutrient package while incorporating fulvic for effective carbon management, ensuring optimal nutrient uptake and soil vitality. Its low-salt formulation makes it a soilfriendly solution without compromising the essential nutrients plants need. In addition, it can be used as a foliar application that combines a robust NPK nutrient package with micros and fulvic.
Key Advantages of K-CARB ProStart:
• Complete Nutrient Package –Supplies vital micro nutrients for robust early plant development.
• Carbon Management – Features fulvic to enhance soil health and nutrient absorption.
on the soil while maintaining maximum effectiveness.
• One-Pass Application – Designed for efficiency, allowing farmers to apply everything in a single pass at planting.
“K-CARB ProStart isn’t just another starter fertilizer—it’s a comprehensive solution for growers looking to optimize yields and streamline operations,”
CASE IH UPGRADES PERFORMANCE, COMFORT WITH NEW FARMALL C MODELS
Case IH is introducing the latest iteration of the Farmall C series tractor, building upon the legacy of the popular Farmall tractor while elevating performance, comfort and power.
The upsized Farmall C tractor series is purposefully designed to meet the varied needs of farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country.
The new Farmall C lineup offers a 12-speed PowerShuttle and 24-speed Hi-Lo transmission, catering to varied operational needs, while offering factory-installed technology to drive on-farm efficiencies.
In addition, operators can complete a wider range of farm operations and efficiently streamline workflows with the Farmall C’s larger, reinforced front axle, boosted hydraulic flow, heavier gross vehicle weight and increased rear lift capacity.
The Farmall C tractor series is available in two transmission options: the 12-speed PowerShuttle transmission and the 24-speed Hi-Lo transmission. The 24-speed Hi-Lo transmission offers a new cab suspension for a smooth ride and increased comfort; an auto PTO function to automatically engage and
said
Company. “By integrating advanced carbon management with essential micro nutrients, we’re ensuring that crops get the best possible start from day one.”
Kugler invites growers to experience the benefits of K-CARB ProStart this planting season.
For more information, visit www.kuglercompany.com.
disengage the PTO, providing seamless headland management; and an advanced loader joystick to simultaneously lift and shuttle control for fast material handling with an engine speed memory button.
The 12-speed PowerShuttle transmission – available for Farmall 100C, 110C and 120C – and the 24-speed Hi-Lo transmission option – available for Farmall 90C, 100C, 110C and 120C – come with fully integrated base telematics to geolocate the tractor and monitor the machine for service.
For more information, visit www.caseih.com.
• High Ortho, Low-Salt Formula –Gentle
John Kugler, president at Kugler
REINKE MANUFACTURING DEBUTS REINCLOUD 3: ADVANCING ITS EXPANSIVE SUITE OF PRECISION WATER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
Reinke Manufacturing announced the general availability of its most advanced remote irrigation management solution to date, ReinCloud® 3, to drive operational savings and yield increases for growers tasked with managing water efficiency.
Growers have relied on ReinCloud, powered by Reinke’s innovative cloud computing software, to centralize farm data and better manage irrigation systems since its initial launch in 2016. The latest iteration was developed with growers’ most pressing ag data, water management, and operational challenges in mind. Built to meet the evolving needs of every grower around the globe, ReinCloud 3 offers:
• Enhanced Telemetry: Optimized data accuracy, uninterrupted sensor coverage, and reliable connectivity to automate the collection of real-time field conditions, as well as advanced
irrigation system and crop health information.
• Intuitive User Experience: A more user-friendly interface redesigned to highlight the most critical insights and actions requiring immediate attention.
• Comprehensive Management: The ability to oversee all irrigation systems in a no-fuss app to ensure efficient water management and distribution across diverse field and growing conditions.
• Smart Irrigation Controller Dashboard: Quick views of irrigation system status and all variables, with optional notifications.
• Advanced View Layers: Includes weather, soil, yield, chemigation, fertigation, and seeding maps to support productivity efforts.
• Advanced Programming Capabilities: Forward and reverse field-sector programming, end gun, and auxiliary programming to enhance precision and control of irrigation processes.
• Customizable Control: Options for customizable machine groupings and command settings, allowing quick tailored management of irrigation systems.
• Sophisticated Dealer Portal: Enhances customer service and support through an integrated dealer portal, providing better assistance to growers.
Fully integrated with Reinke’s latest remote management hardware, RC3,
ReinCloud gives growers an easy way to remotely access, monitor, and control their in-field equipment across multiple fields and locations from any smart device, as well as the ability to quickly take action based on centralized farm data insights. Important updates to the embedded RC3 hardware include a significant reduction in size, seamless connection for electric pivots with any panel type to ReinCloud telemetry, a low-maintenance, sealed-enclosure design, and a comprehensive three-year warranty.
The ReinCloud app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
For more information, visit www. Reinke.com.
OFF THE TOP
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO NAMES LESLIE EDGAR TO LEAD COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
University of Idaho has announced Leslie Edgar as the new J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS).
She comes to U of I from Washington State University, where she currently serves as the associate dean of research for the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences and the director of the Agricultural Research Center.
Before joining WSU, Edgar spent three years at New Mexico State University in a similar role, three years at University of Georgia as a department head and 11 years at University of Arkansas, where she went through the faculty ranks and served as assistant dean for student programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science, a master’s degree in agricultural systems,
technology and education, and a doctorate in agricultural leadership, education and communication.
Her research focuses on models for effective communication management strategies as well as on human capital in agriculture. She has published more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, secured millions of dollars in grants and contracts, and earned numerous research and teaching awards, including the National New Teacher Award for Excellence in College and University Teaching from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Edgar is an Idaho native, having grown up on a family-owned farm in Kuna, and she was educated at land-grant
institutions, which shaped her belief in their transformative impact on their communities.
Edgar succeeds Michael P. Parrella, who is retiring June 21 after nine years leading the college. Parrella has led numerous key initiatives and helped elevate the college to a No. 13 ranking in the nation. Edgar will begin June 23.
NEW HARVESTER WILL BOOST EFFICIENCY, ACCURACY FOR NDSU SUGARBEET RESEARCHERS
A new, custom-built sugarbeet harvester is now in the hands of researchers at North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota, thanks to a partnership involving several groups.
The new harvester’s development and purchase is a collaboration between NDSU, the University of Minnesota, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), the Sugar Beet Research and Education board, allied industry partners and growers.
“This is a partnership between the universities and other groups, including farmers and allied industry partners,” said Tom Peters, NDSU Extension sugarbeet agronomist. “All the groups pooled their resources together for this project.”
The need for a new harvester for research was clear. The previous machine was commercially built in the 1950s, and modified for research in 1996. Peters said equipment breakdowns have become more frequent, and finding replacement parts has become more difficult.
The benefits will be immediate – a much more efficient harvest being the main one. It will also potentially cut the amount of manpower needed for harvest in half, Peters said. The new harvester will also improve the ability to collect data that is analyzed by the various groups.
Designing and building a research-capable harvester was a challenge, and it required time. “There might be only a dozen of these machines in the country so finding a vendor willing to collaborate on the design was challenging,” says Peters. Sugarbeet growers in the Red River Valley were also involved in the design and development of the new harvester; in fact, a grower who is also an engineer built the machine.
“They [growers] were the stimulus for starting this project,” Peters said. “They helped us to develop some of the features of the machine. They helped steer us to the vendor we are using today to build the machine.”
Improving the accuracy and capability of research also has an effect on farmers in the region.
“Sugarbeet growers in North Dakota and Minnesota depend on our Extension programming for data-based recommendations. Without data from replicated field trials, we couldn’t do our job in the areas of weed, insect, and disease management,” said Eric Branch, NDSU Extension sugarbeet specialist. “The new harvester will help us conduct our research accurately and efficiently. While in-season ratings, leaf spot severity, for example, are important, we also want to look at the same metrics that our stakeholders use—yield, sugar percentage, revenue per acre, etc.—that can help sugarbeet growers make decisions and run their farms effectively.”
POSITION YOUR FARM TO WITHSTAND AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN WITH PROACTIVE STRATEGY AND OPTIMISM
BY SCOTT BAME
Sugarbeet growers are in a tight position this year, thanks in part to external pressures from rising operational costs, weather conditions, government regulation and disease pressures that challenge even the most skilled yield producers.
None of these factors are new to growers, but this year in particular is tough because of the general trends we’re seeing across the ag economy.
Despite the USDA’s latest report that farm income should rebound a bit in 2025
(1), growers are still coming off a few tough years in a row where farm income and profitability declined, which forced many growers to use financial reserves to get through 2022-2024. Savings are largely dried up and financial institutions have tightened credit thresholds because of the market (2), so growers should expect challenging financial conditions to persist in 2025.
Despite the forecast, sugarbeet growers can still break even and even manage to
come out ahead, but only with diligent focus on finances, cash-flow preparedness and proactive strategies that can help protect against a downturn. Here are three steps to minimize the impact of a downturn on your financial position:
Step 1: Develop A Capital Management Strategy And Make Adjustments As Conditions Shift
The first place to look at being more strategic with your financial plan is assessing how you are using your capital. Cash-flowing your operation with diversified sources of capital has a number of benefits, including added financial flexibility, which is incredibly useful when times are tough.
The bank is an obvious place to go when you need money, but the good news is you have a lot of options when it comes to sourcing capital, including cash, prepay, bank lines of credit (LOCs) and financing offers.
The most successful growers understand that there are unique advantages to using various sources of capital, and you get the biggest benefit when you align your method of payment with specific expenses. For example, you could pay for your fertilizer costs in cash. You’ll avoid any interest expense, but have you weighed the opportunity cost of spending that cash versus using it somewhere else that could benefit your operation? This is an area to think about using a strategic financing offer from a retailer to pay for fertilizer and save your cash to use on something
that will generate a greater return.
Aside from cash, having both low-cost financing solutions from a retailer combined with a bank LOC as part of your capital management strategy has multiple benefits. You incur a bit of interest expense, but having capital accessible from both sources will increase borrowing power and also create more financial flexibility in how you leverage cash, which is a critically important commodity to have when markets are down.
With cash reserves shrinking and lenders taking a more conservative approach in 2025, it’s important to have a diverse and strategic plan to managing your capital. Doing so will ensure you are getting the advantages of all these sources of capital, and stretching every dollar as far as possible to meet your goals.
Step 2: Look At Every Opportunity To Enhance Profitability
Second, it’s important to review your expenses in relation to your profitability goals and to pay attention to the details when it comes to your contract status, interest rates and the specific terms of financing offers.
Growers have been tightening their belts for the past few seasons, but with income and profitability down for a sustained period, more growers might find themselves using debt to finance their operations this year, which makes it all the more important to focus on your overall financial position.
2025 may be a good year to think about adding more certainty in your farm budget and securing contracts early so you can focus on cost savings and expense management to improve your profitability ratio. Most growers operate with a processor contract, which is beneficial to solidify a marketing plan and provide clarity on the breakeven point. With those details locked in early, growers can spend more time evaluating their budgets and looking at costcontrolling measures to create a bit of cushion on that break even point.
Step 3: Continue With Optimism
Even if it feels like you’re swimming against an economic tide, stay optimistic by focusing on things you can control, like your finances and how you spend your budget.
Regardless of where the market goes, you’re still going to grow a crop this season. Set your expectations and factor in the reality that market conditions may not be favorable this year. Go into the season with a sound plan for your finances. Profitability and success are still possible in a down market and there’s no reason to believe you can’t reach your goals this year.
(Bame is a territory manager with Nutrien Financial. He provides financing expertise to growers across the Northwest and Mountain West to increase their buying power and maximize every opportunity for success. Learn more at NutrienFinancial.com.)
(1) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2024, December 3). Farm sector income & finances: Farm sector income forecast, https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farmsector-income-finances/farm-sector-income-forecast/
(2) American Bankers Association. 2024 Ag Lender Survey, https:// www.aba.com/-/media/documents/reference-and-guides/2024aglender-survey-fin.pdf
BUYER’S GUIDE
PLANTING COMPLETED. CHECK.
Time to start planning for the harvest. Wait, already?
Actually, chances are you’ve already finished the first one and have a really good jump on the second one. Both of those tasks require manpower and equipment. We can’t help with the manpower part, but we can share product information that can help with the harvest.
PARMA HARVESTERS
Parma sugarbeet harvester models are available for varying harvesting needs. All models are built for high-yield capacity harvesting and cleaning, with simplicity and durability in mind. Harvester sizes range in row spacing configurations from 4 to 12 rows.
Rear elevator harvester models use high-quality belted chain for seasons of reliable lifting. The rear wheel models use a simple center axle-driven wheel to gently carry beets to the hopper. Both systems deliver with capacity, a cleaner, whole beet to the truck.
Parma’s 12-row, double-elevator harvester maintains these same standards while providing economical, high-capacity harvesting. These ever-improving designs come from the experience of more than 60 years of building sugarbeet equipment.
H&S BEET CART
PARMA DEFOLIATORS
Parma sugarbeet defoliators are simple, economical and provide the cleanest beets ready to harvest. Model sizes vary from 4 to 12 rows. The front drum is designed with a timeproven steel cup flail rotor driven with simple banded belt drives to keep repair costs to a minimum. The updraft action of the cup flail provides the best topping of any system on the market. Large, 24-inch wheels and tires provide easy, smooth rolling through wheel tracks and corrugates.
Three types of scalper options are available: the simple knife, the simple unpowered disc and the hydraulic-driven disc.
Parma Company
(208) 722-5116
www.parmacompany.com
H&S Mfg. offers a lineup of 24-, 30-, 35- and 44-ton beet cart model sizes. H&S carts add efficiency to keep the harvester moving during the short window of fall beet harvest. Growers can continue operating in extreme, muddy conditions with either tracks or large, flotation radial tires. Unloading boom sizes available include 42-, 52- and 64-inch widths. The elevator boom provides for fast unload, all while scrub cleaning the beets for producer tare incentive payments. Unload speed can be optimized with the available tractor to drive the elevator by hydraulics or PTO. Convenient water kits, scale kits and plastic options are available, along with the boom vertical height adjust option for customers piling windrows in the field.
With the experience of nearly 30 years manufacturing sugarbeet carts, H&S has developed a cart with the customer’s needs in mind.
H&S Mfg., Inc. (218) 478-2229 www.hsmfginc.com
CROP CHASER 1000
The Crop Chaser 1000 Multi-crop Cart adds a new level of efficiency to your farming operation. The patented design of this high-capacity, trackdriven dump cart with integrated live chain walls and scales offers unmatched logistical benefits in any field condition. Transitioning between crops is as easy as cleaning out the tank – easily switching between sugarbeets, silage, corn, beans and small grains.
With an unload time of just 90 seconds and the capacity to fill a semi-trailer, lifing up to 80,000 pounds, the Crop Chaser 1000 keeps trucks on the road and tractors in the field.
The patented live chain walls control the dump and feather the load for an even fill. Sensors in the scale system provide highly accurate weights measurements for each load. Plus, Crop Chaser features industry leading 36-by-136-inch tracks rated at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. Tracks minimize compaction and are much better suited for use in wet conditions than competitive carts with tires. When fully loaded the CC1000 only exerts 16 psi.
STRONG BOX LIVE-BOTTOM
SUGAR BEET CART
The Sugar Beet Cart is a field-proven solution for efficient transport in all field conditions. During the fast pace of sugarbeet harvest, efficiency is a key to success. The high-capacity tank and unloading elevator of the Sugar Beet Cart keep harvesters moving in the field and trucks rolling.
Capable of unloading up to 30 tons per minute, the Sugar Beet Cart quickly turns trucks and gets them back on the road, no matter the field conditions. Tracks on the Sugar Beet Carts are underneath the tank, so the working width and transport width are just 11.5 feet. The narrow design means increased clearance between the harvester and cart.
The Amity Sugar Beet Cart can be ordered with either left- or righthand dump, plus the seven-foot-wide unloading elevator has the flexibility to build a clamp or fill a truck in just 90 seconds. Plus, with the best dealer network, Amity Technology parts and service are available when you need them most.
Amity Technology
(701) 232-4199 www.amitytech.com
Strong Box live-bottom belted trailers and bulk beds allow operators to have versatility across many crops by allowing them to unload quickly and gently. Unlike an end-dump, drivers can control unlaod rate and have greater stability byy keeping a low center of gravity, even on sloped ground. Wet materials such as lime and manure that are known to stick to end-dump walls and cause rollover accidents can easily be hauled.
Strong Box’s powerful, positive chain-drive belted floor ensures no slippage, providing a fast unlaod rate that is smooth and gentle. Enclosed side walls provide great aerodynamics and a clean look. The trailer also provides flex where you want it and strength where you need it.
Options include 30-, 36- and 50-inch belt widths, multiple axles, gas-powered hydraulic units, multiple rear door options for numerous crops, and various overall lengths and side wall heights.
CROP SHUTTLE 5600
The new Crop Shuttle 5600 proficiently combines traditional design with modern capabilities. With a substantial 50-ton capacity and rapid unloading over 15 tons per minute, it ensures efficiency during the harvest hustle.
Featuring an 84-inch high-efficiency scrub tower, the Crop Shuttle 5600 is specifically engineered for sugarbeet handling. This scrub tower has adjustable belt speeds between the inner and outer scrub belts, allowing you to tailor the cleaning aggressiveness to suit field conditions, thus minimizing damage and loss, while maximizing tare removal. Its 52-inch wide discharge boom and adjustable 2-speed hopper offer precise control, while the hydraulic scrub chain tensioner enhances durability.
Loadable from either side and available with optional Bluetooth scales for accurate truck weights, the Crop Shuttle 5600 is the perfect blend of traditional reliability and modern innovation for today’s sugarbeet harvesting needs.
Safe-T-Pull Manufacturing Inc. (701) 284-6100 www.stpmfg.com
TERRA DOS T4-40
Intelligently networked and perfectly constructed, the self-propelled Terra Dos T4 sets new standards and is a milestone in sugarbeet harvesting.
The unique Holmer EasyLift system guarantees the best harvesting results. Its lightweight construction
provides unrivaled soil protection, the chassis concept with integrated slope sensor ensures stability in all situations, and the intelligent Holmer EcoPower combines the best performance with the lowest fuel consumption.
The Holmer Terra Dos 5 is the latest evolution in sugarbeet harvesting technology. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the Terra Dos 5 unlocks the full potential of sugarbeet harvesting, setting new standards in performance, efficiency and innovation. The precision of the DynaCut minimal scalper determines settings for EasyLift and topper height. With cutting-edge advancements and meticulous engineering, the Terra Dos 5 offers unparalleled capabilities, ensuring a seamless and productive harvesting process. Customers can also choose the two-axle version Terra Dos 5-30 if it better suits their individual needs.
Features include:
• Holmer EasyLift proprietary depth control based off actual beet crown height offers the best accuracy.
• New enlarged cleaning section capable of 300 plus tons an hour.
• HR 12-row lifting unit with seven rollers for optimal cleaning.
• Larger cabin area with more ergonomic seating and control placement.
• Updated LED lighting package increases illumination during harvest.
• High-flotation Michelin tires offering more flotation than pull-type lifters.
• Three driven axles to work even under the wettest conditions.
• 32-ton bin capacity and center mounted discharge elevator for quick unloading.
•New holding tank design with heavier scraper chains and floors enhances component longevity.
Ted Bauer of Laracha Farms in Reese, MI, said, “With the Terra Dos 5’s new design, we’ve boosted harvesting speeds by 0.5 mph, now reaching over 300 tons per hour. The improved light bar lighting system enhances visibility in dark conditions, while the redesigned cab with smarter controls adds comfort for long harvest days.”
Holmer Americas (989) 553-5253
www.holmer-americas.com
Customers can also choose the two-axle version—the Terra Dos T4-30—if it better suits their individual need.
The Terra Dos T4-40 at a glance:
• Holmer EasyLift patented automatic single-row depth control
• HR 12-row lifting unit
• HR lifting unit with seven rollers for optimal cleaning
• Multiple topping options for individual adaptation
• Holmer DynaCut scalpers with longer and sharper knife edges
• Holmer DuraShare for minimal wear costs
• High-flotation Michelin tires
• Three driven axles to work even under the wettest conditions
• Intuitive operating concept Holmer SmartDrive for efficient and ergonomic operation
• 32-ton bin capacity
• Right- or left-hand discharge available on request
TERRA FELIS 3 EVO
The Terra Felis 3 evo is the most modern beet cleaner loader in the world. It is setting standards in gentle and efficient beet loading, demonstrated most obviously by the pick-up header that has been developed and patented by Holmer.
From the liftable cab to the fast automatic folding system, the Terra Felis 3 evo offers the utmost in comfort. The cleaning concept can be individually customized and offers solutions for all use conditions. A 32-foot pick-up header width, 49-foot transfer loading range, and intelligent counterweight synchronize the overall concept.
The Terra Felis 3 evo at a glance:
• 381-horsepower Mercedes Tier V engine
• New hydraulic drive concept
• Patented pick-up header for more flexibility in cleaning
• Four different post-cleaning variations for adaptation to individual local conditions
• Liftable cab
• Practical counterweight arm
SUGARBEET HARVESTER
The Sugarbeet Harvester is a durable machine that is easy to operate and gentle on beets. It is a 12-row harvester with multiple features to ensure high yields you have worked hard all year long to achieve. Among its distinguishing features are the five-point paddle shaft, industry exclusive 34-inch puller wheels and multi-axis control row finders. Because of all these features, this machine is incredibly gentle on sugarbeets and allows for higher harvesting speeds. More tails = More Yield = More $$$.
CROP CART
Utilizing the versatility of the Spudnik Crop Cart, growers can increase their harvest efficiencies in the field. With its large 35-ton capacity, you can continue to harvest in between trucks and semis traveling to the dump. Its versatility is second to none as it allows growers to use the crop cart in so many different operations from beets to potatoes and so much more.
9016HD DUMP CART
The Art’s Way 9016HD high dump cart features a capacity of 40,000 pounds yet operates without damaging unlifted beets. An external frame means there’s no “trapping” of materials inside the cart. This reliable, versatile and highperforming powerhouse features a left- or right-hand dump, a counterweight for maximum stability and a newly added extension kit, making it ideal for wet fields and tough conditions. The large 5-inch primary and 4-inch secondary cylinders raise loads uniformly and require less oil.
1222HS DEFOLIATOR
6812 HARVESTER
The Art’s Way 6812 sugarbeet harvester maximizes capacity and beet retention while sporting some of the most durable digging struts and paddles. After sugarbeets flow onto the head grab rollers, a widened, single chain carries them onto a second set of vertical grab rolls in a patented design. The cleaning system boasts maximum capacity while keeping the head clear. With several options and add-ons available, the 6812 can be customized for each grower’s individual digging conditions.
The Art’s Way 1222HS high-speed defoliator eliminates uneven beet tops. Strong and durable, it also boasts ease of adjustment with balanced rotors for smooth operation. Achieve faster ground speeds with a low-maintenance product for a stress-free harvest. Heavy-duty axles are available in either fixed or steerable options.
ADAPTIVE LEVELING TECHNOLOGY (ALT)
Spudnik (208) 785-0480 www.spudnik.com
The new ALT system from Art’s Way allows for adaptive digging across any field. With a hydraulically operated axle and sonar sensing, the operator is able to monitor and adjust digging depth across the field from inside the tractor cab. More precise control over the machine means harvest can run more efficiently. ALT is the reason to update your digger.
Luther Markwart | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Current Issues Focus Includes Budget, Trade FROM THE ASGA
ASGA navigating turbulent DC waters
Managing the daily uncertainty and bare knuckled political, policy and administrative turbulence in Washington, D.C., is equivalent to professional bull riding: abrupt changes in direction, tremendous stress on individuals, fast speed and simply trying to hold on through the experience.
The difference is our experience lasts more than eight seconds and there are no clowns to protect you if things go wrong. Our work demands us to be prepared and proactive to avoid threats
While the motivation for such an action is easy to understand, the effect of these policies would be crippling.
to American agriculture and particularly the U.S. sugar industry. Let’s examine two key issues.
The Budget & Budget Reconciliation: The House and Senate must come to an agreement on a baseline budget and overall federal spending for the entire government. Each committee then “reconciles” where to add or cut spending under their jurisdiction to meet their budget allocation. That is called the “budget reconciliation” process.
Two priorities for us are the extension and improvements of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and if parts of a Farm Bill can be included in the process. Without congressional action, the country will face a $4.5 trillion dollar tax increase and important tools for agriculture like estate tax exemptions, Sec 199A, Sec 179, Bonus Deprecation, 1031 like kind exchanges, the corporate rate and brackets will all revert to pre-2017
levels, which would be very harmful, especially given the state of the agricultural economy.
On the Farm Bill, pessimism is currently high that Congress can achieve a Farm Bill this year outside the reconciliation process. We hope this process moves forward and we will continue our robust outreach to Congress, given its importance to our industry and all of agriculture.
The second issue is trade. As you have witnessed, there is a tremendous focus by the Trump Administration on international trade issues directly impacting agriculture. There are always risks to the U.S. sugar industry in trade discussions, given domestic sensitivity to maintaining a balanced market. Our job is to hang on tight and educate officials on the impact these proposals have on our industry.
Trump trade strategy has varied depending on a given target. Some tariff threats are meant to bring
competitors to the table and create better access for U.S. goods. Tariffs are also being used to address illegal immigration, drug trafficking and major economic structural changes with geopolitical adversaries. But any actions are usually met with retaliation. Countries like Canada, Mexico and the EU, have experienced dramatic course reversals on tariffs, but the president continues to target China without reprieve and China has responded in kind with no end in sight.
One item we are tracking very closely is the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) proposed rule entitled: “Section 301 Proposed Actions: China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Targeting the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance.” USTR has proposed measures to revive American shipbuilding. As part of the plan, a punitive fee would target Chinese boats. This includes a $1 million surcharge for Chinese-operated vessels docking at U.S. ports and a $1.5 million fee on Chinese-made vessels.
While the motivation for such an action is easy to understand, the effect of these policies would be crippling. The American Farm Bureau Federation warns this proposal could add between $372 to $930 million in annual shipping costs for bulk ag exporters. Approximately 60 percent of all ocean cargo vessels are made in China. This would directly impact costs for outbound ag commodities and inbound inputs. Ships would focus on major U.S. ports to limit fees, creating huge congestion issues that would extend to the rail industry that services those ports.
If that were not enough, there are discussions between the Trump administration and their Brazilian counterparts on imported Brazilian sugar and exported American ethanol. We strongly oppose a quid pro quo for these two different products. In addition, there are other sugar import quota and high duty circumvention schemes that need to be addressed.
Lastly, mark your calendars for the annual Sweetener Symposium that will be held at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City, Michigan, from August 1-6. More information can be found on the American Sugar Alliance website.
FROM THE SUGAR ASSOCIATION
By Laura Rutherford
Real Sugar And Salt: Natural Preservatives In Canning And Beyond
Sugar does more than just offer flavor
Few things taste better than fresh picked fruits and veggies straight from the garden or farmer’s market. Garden produce can be enjoyed not only at harvest time but throughout the year thanks to real sugar and salt – allnatural ingredients which have played an important role in food preservation methods such as canning for centuries.
Sugar And Salt – Natural Preservatives
Whether pickling cucumbers with garlic and dill or making fresh strawberry jam, sugar and salt are key ingredients for a final product that can be safely enjoyed throughout the year.
“Both sugar and salt have unique preservation properties besides imparting flavor to foods,” said Julie GardenRobinson, PhD, R.D., L.R.D, extension specialist and professor in Nutrition and Food Safety at North Dakota State University in Fargo. “In the right concentration, sugar and salt can delay or stop the growth of microorganisms and help preserve the quality and safety of food products.”
Salt has been used since prehistoric times and the ancient Egyptians were the first to realize its possibilities for food preservation. The earliest method of curing meat was dehydration because sodium draws the bacteria-causing moisture out of foods, drying them
Sugar does more than just lend its characteristic sweet flavor to jams, syrups and fruit sauces.
and making it possible to store meat for extended periods of time.
“Earlier generations discovered that ‘salting,’ or brining foods in a saltwater mixture, helped maintain the safety of perishable foods such as meats and cucumbers,” said Garden-Robinson. “Sugar also has a long history of use in food preservation.”
The world’s first known cookbook, De Re Coquinaria or The Art of Cooking, is a collection of Roman recipes attributed to Marcus Gavius Apicius and believed to have originated in the first century AD. It contained the first recipe for jam, which in its simplest form was heated fruit with sugar.
“People learned that making jams and fruit sauces with sugar-containing syrups helped the foods remain safer longer,” Garden-Robinson said. “Over time, scientists determined the natural aspects of sugar and salt in preserving food, especially when combined with further processing such as drying or heating.”
Sugar’s Role In Preservation
Sugar does more than just lend its characteristic sweet flavor to jams, syrups and fruit sauces. It also allows the fruit
to maintain its shape in some cases, according to Garden-Robinson.
“Sugar also interacts with pectin, the gelling agent in jams, to create a thick product. The combination of sugar and natural acids in fruit helps slow the growth of bacteria,” she said.
Microorganisms, or “germs,” need a certain amount of water present to grow. Foods vary in their “water activity,” which is measurable with an instrument called a “water activity meter,” and have water activity values ranging from 0 to 1.0, which is pure water.
“Most types of bacteria need a water activity of 0.85 or greater to grow. Salt and sugar can both reduce the water activity in foods. When used in preservation, salt and sugar are solutes that compete for the available water in foods, making the water less available to microorganisms,” explained GardenRobinson. “Sugar also has humectant properties, meaning that it draws water toward itself. At the appropriate level in jam, jellies and other foods, sugar can stabilize the water activity and keep food safer longer in the cupboard or in the refrigerator.”
History Of Canning
Both sugar and salt play an important role in canning, which was pioneered in the 1790s by French confectioner Nicolas Appert. Appert discovered that the application of heat to food in sealed glass bottles preserved the food from deterioration. His principles were successfully trialed by the French navy on a wide variety of foods including meat, vegetables, fruit and even milk, and a new food preservation method was born.
Today, granulated table sugar is the most frequently used sweetener in canning and freezing because it helps preserve the color, texture, and flavor of the food. Canning And Food Safety
It is critical to use research-tested recipes vetted by food scientists for any food preservation activity and follow them exactly, said Garden-Robinson.
“Adding a sprinkle of sugar or salt to food does not mean that the addition has preservative effects. Sometimes salt and sugar are for flavor and sometimes they are for preservation,” she said. “For example, in jerky recipes, the added salt has a preservative effect and should not be changed in the recipe or reduced in quantity. If less salt were used in a dried meat recipe, then the product would not necessarily be safe. If, however, you were preserving green beans as directed in a pressure canner, you could leave out the salt because the salt is present to add flavor and not for safety.”
Garden-Robinson said there are times when small changes can be made in tested recipes and still result in a safe, high-quality product.
“Untested food preservation information can be hazardous to people’s health, or in the worst case, have fatal consequences. Online resources and both online and faceto-face trainings are widely available, and tested home food preservation recipes with processing methods and times can be found at www.ag.ndsu.edu/food,” she said.
SUPERIOR PROTECTION FRO M
CERCOSPORA LEAF SPOT
Canning Is Cool Again
Although the rise of supermarkets and availability of freezers and refrigerators caused home canning to largely fall out of favor in the 1950s, there has always been an interest in food preservation. The last five years have seen a noticeable resurgence in home canning, due to Americans’ increased desire for self-sufficiency, reduced food waste, greater control over ingredients and food quality, and meaningful connection to their food, according to Sarita Harbour in an article for the Associated Press. She writes that today’s canning enthusiasts come from diverse backgrounds and include millenials, young urbanites, and rural families, and that a 2024 search for #canning on Tiktok returned 69.5 million posts. While canning is coming back into style, the natural preservatives used to ensure safe and delicious canned produce haven’t changed a bit. Real sugar and salt are still key ingredients in food preservation.
Sources: USDA National Agricultural Library, FoodGardening.com, National Center for Home Food Preservation, Smithsonian Magazine, Penn State Extension
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2023. Crookston, MN.
By Rob Johansson, Director Of Economics & Policy Analysis
Sugarbeet, Sugarcane Farmers Highlight Increased Farm Costs at USDA Forum FROM THE ASA
That includes many
agencies across the federal government
“Why is your tractor worth more than our house?”
Minnesota sugarbeet farmer Neil Rockstad, while speaking at the 101st annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, recalled a kitchen table conversation with his wife. She had observed that the cost of a new tractor was worth more than their house.
The already high – and rising –cost of essential farm equipment was one of the common themes at the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Arlington, VA, on February 28.
As the director of Economics and Policy Analysis at the American Sugar Alliance and former chief economist at USDA, I had the
privilege of moderating the sugar panel at the forum, where both Neil and Louisiana sugarcane grower Travis Medine presented. They observed that labor and machinery were among the highest costs in their farm budgets. Much of that machinery is highly specialized for sugarbeet or sugarcane cultivation.
“All of our harvest and processing equipment – especially in the sugarcane industry – is specific to that crop and that crop only. I can’t take my sugarcane planters and go plant anything else with them. I can’t take my sugarcane harvester and do anything other than cut grass with it – and I can tell you, you don’t want to cut grass with a half-a-milliondollar lawnmower,” Travis remarked.
a crop disaster. Even then, crop insurance does not cover all the costs of planting and cultivating a crop or the lost revenue. Farmers must always plan for the worst-case scenario.
“We have to have enough in our budget to deal with the bad things that happen and just hope that they don’t,” Travis said.
Neil and Travis both highlighted the benefits of sugar production to their farms and rural communities, benefits that would disappear if it was no longer financially viable to farm sugarbeets and sugarcane. Travis noted the “generational aspect of farming” and the need to create a strong succession plan.
More than anything, the farmers noted the urgent need for a fiveyear Farm Bill to bring greater certainty to the farm economy.
Neil shared that not only is there a large upfront investment for farming implements, but the cost to fuel and maintain them is also extremely high – especially when field work requires multiple tractors. It costs $1,000 a day to fuel just one tractor.
Modern farming and incredible advancements in on-farm practices have increased efficiencies and reduced the need for inputs such as fertilizer and crop protection tools, but is also incredibly expensive.
“We’re pledging our farms, our land, our houses, our machinery against a short-term operating loan, hoping that we can make it to the end of the season without a crop disaster or a significant price downturn,” Neil said.
Both farmers noted that crop insurance is an essential risk management tool to help farmers recover and plant again following
More than anything, the farmers noted the urgent need for a five-year Farm Bill to bring greater certainty to the farm economy. The Farm Bill proposals put forth in the last Congress included a strengthened U.S. sugar policy.
At the American Sugar Alliance, we have continued to support Congress and policymakers as they try to enact a new Farm Bill that better reflects the increased costs of farming. The work of farmers like Neil and Travis to share personal stories of their farm experience at venues like the Agricultural Outlook Forum are an invaluable component of our educational campaigns and outreach.
Neil concluded his presentation with a plea to Capitol Hill, “Congress needs to pass a five-year Farm Bill to provide confidence for us to make all of these investments in a crop.”
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