23% Bigger Sugarbeet Crop

WASHINGTON - Sep 11/15 - SNS -- Production of sugarbeets for the 2012 crop year is forecast at 35.6 million tons, up 23% from last year, according to the USDA's latest crop production update.

Producers expect to harvest 1.22 million acres, down slightly from the previous forecast. Expected yield is forecast at 29.3 tons per acre, an increase of 0.2 ton from last year. If realized, this will be a record yield for the United States.

Most of the growing region experienced excellent growing conditions during August. Early planting, hot temperatures, and adequate irrigation boosted the crop's potential.

Sugarbeet Area Harvested, Yield, and Production - States and United States: 2014 and Forecasted
September 1, 2015
[Relates to year of intended harvest in all States except California]
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               :  Area harvested   :           Yield per acre            :      Production
               :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     State     :         :         :         :           2015            :           :
               :  2014   :  2015   :  2014   :---------------------------:   2014    :   2015
               :         :         :         :  August 1   : September 1 :           :
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               : -- 1,000 acres --    ------------ tons ------------        --- 1,000 tons ---
               :
California 1/ .:    22.6      25.0    44.4        44.8          44.2         1,003       1,105
Colorado ......:    29.3      26.7    31.3        32.1          32.3           917         862
Idaho .........:   169.0     168.0    37.5        38.0          37.6         6,338       6,317
Michigan ......:   150.0     151.0    29.3        30.0          31.5         4,395       4,757
Minnesota .....:   434.0     431.0    22.5        27.1          27.5         9,765      11,853
Montana .......:    44.4      43.8    32.3        30.6          30.6         1,434       1,340
Nebraska ......:    45.9      47.0    29.1        26.2          26.2         1,336       1,231
North Dakota ..:   215.0     208.0    23.8        27.0          27.2         5,117       5,658
Oregon ........:     6.5      12.7    34.7        39.0          39.0           226         495
Wyoming .......:    30.0      30.8    27.8        31.1          31.0           834         955
               :
United States .: 1,146.7   1,144.0    27.4        29.9          30.2        31,365      34,573
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1/ Relates to year of intended harvest for fall planted beets in central California and to year
   of planting for overwintered beets in central and southern California.