Sugarbeets

Palmer amaranth is becoming a serious threat in the Pacific Northwest

aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Palmer amaranth continues to pose a serious and growing challenge to crop production systems in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). As of the fall of 2025, there have been more than 160 Palmer amaranth detections in PNW, affecting 9,000 acres of cropland in Idaho and nearly 700 acres in Oregon.

The new dietary guidelines and the Trump administration’s ‘war’ on real sugar

gaine@sugar.org — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The 2025-30 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) issued by the Trump administration in January 2026 are perhaps the most talked-about DGA ever. In some ways, they are also the most simplified, containing just 10 pages of official guidance under the catchphrase “eat real food.”

The sugar market under pressure: What it means for growers

samantha@snakeriverbeet.com — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Across the Pacific Northwest, sugarbeet growers are facing one of the most challenging market environments in decades. Domestic sugar prices have fallen sharply, dropping more than 33% over the past two years. For many sugarbeet growers, the 2025 crop resulted in losses exceeding $500 per acre. If current conditions continue, the economic outlook for the sugarbeet industry is grim.

Adapting in a down market: The Garner family’s approach

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:32:22 -0400

As an individual farm that relies largely on the sugarbeet crop, Garner recognizes the need to meet current and future challenges with efficiency, water management and “loosening the reins” to involve the younger generation.

The financial condition of Idaho agriculture: 2025

bwilder@uidaho.edu — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Idaho has a new top ag commodity: beef cattle. Livestock sector gains led Idaho farmgate cash receipts to a second consecutive all-time high in 2025. Net farm income is forecast to see a small year-over-year increase, with livestock sector gains outweighing losses in the crop sector.

Legislative ag roundup: Priorities in 2026

cassidy@agproud.com — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Leaders from some of Idaho’s agricultural sectors share their expectations and priorities for the 2026 legislative session.

Field-scouting Idaho ag: 2025 in review

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

“The ag community is all suffering. We all know this,” says Brandon Vining, president of ProGro Agronomy in St. Anthony. Agronomic outcomes differed by region, but low commodity prices and high input costs have most producers (outside of the beef industry) tightening their belts and hoping for better times.

Ultra-processed foods, MAHA and Idaho ag

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As the Make America Healthy Again Commission (MAHA) makes headlines, Idaho producers may wonder where changing policies and recommendations leave them. One article of particular interest is the disavowal of “ultra-processed foods.”

Field scouting Idaho ag: 2024 in review

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

“Overall, it was an average to average-plus year,” says Terry Helms of Simplot Grower Solutions in Oakley. Helms has been an agronomist in south central Idaho since 1985 and deals with a range of crops including potatoes, sugarbeets, corn, dry beans and small grains.

Cercospora leaf spot detected in Treasure Valley and western Magic Valley

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

University of Idaho and Amalgamated Sugar Company personnel have identified cercospora leaf spot in fields near Parma, Wilder and Glenns Ferry, Idaho.

The growing challenge of herbicide resistance in Idaho's beets and beyond

Wed, 22 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

“I’m an optimist, but I have seen fields overrun by kochia, and last year we learned that we have Palmer amaranth and waterhemp,” says Dr. Albert Adjesiwor, University of Idaho Extension weed scientist in Kimberly.

Profitability maps: A tool for informed farm management in Idaho

lschott@uidaho.edu — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Profitability maps can be helpful for determining the relative extent to which different areas in a field are profitable or not, which can provide insights regarding whether there are any actions that can be taken to increase profitability in lagging areas.

The glyphosate debate: Facts, risks and benefits

jeff@millerresearch.com — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

With glyphosate, many see only the risks and not the benefits. A closer look at glyphosate shows that the safety concerns are not scientifically supported, and that the benefits are worth the perceived risk.

Tackling cercospora: Perspectives from researchers and growers in Idaho

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

"It's cercospora leaf spot," a phrase no sugarbeet grower wants to hear from their crop consultant, especially as it becomes more common in Idaho.

Sugarbeet research promotes grower production

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:22:53 -0400

Amalgamated Sugar Co. researchers and agronomists present field trials including nitrogen fertility, cropping systems, tillage, water sensor use, cover crops and herbicide use in sugarbeet production.

Sugar policy matters

samantha@snakeriverbeet.com — Thu, 04 May 2023 12:51:38 -0400

Did you know that the American sugar industry contributes $23.3 billion annually to the U.S. economy and employs more than 151,000 people?

What drones can tell sugarbeet growers about yield and quality

owalsh@uidaho.edu — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:42:16 -0400

"Our work offers a solid proof of concept that drone data can be used for accurate sugarbeet yield and ERS prediction in-season."

Moving the soil carbon needle: 269 Idaho fields sampled

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

If you test 269 fields for soil samples, you've got to have a big project in mind and have a keen eye on nailing down the data. That's what University of Idaho researchers are doing for sugarbeet growers.

[Podcast] Potato, sugarbeet and small grains research with Miller Research

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

From farmer to academia, back to farmer and expanding researcher, Miller Research history has covered the agricultural spectrum. Using conditions as close to commercial production as possible with field plots, Jeff Miller shares their research efforts into potato seed and pathologies, fertilizers, pesticides and green manures. He also advocates for “regenerative ag” or “sustainability” even when the terms are defined differently or nebulously, and he shares why.

Amalgamated Sugar celebrates 125 years

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 12:01:30 -0500

Dec. 6 marks the 125th anniversary of Amalgamated Sugar Company. Over those 125 years, the company has become one of the country's best sugarbeet processors, with achievements that have grown in significance.

Work campers welcome here

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:28:26 -0400

“I’ve learned that the work campers are here to work – they show up every day.”