Sugarbeet growers enter 2009 growing season with challenges

Sugarbeet producers from across the country representing sugarbeet growers associations descended en masse on Capitol Hill at the end of February.

It was a new Congress and sugar growers wanted legislators to understand U.S. sugar and sugar policy.

Don Steinbeisser, Jr., a sugarbeet producer south of Sidney, Mont., was one of those producers.

He is vice-president of the Montana-Dakota Beet Growers Association, and said the growers associations were in Washington to educate Congressmen about sugar.

“We especially wanted to talk to the new Congressmen, let them know about sugar issues,” Steinbeisser said.

He found they all had a “ready listening ear,” especially when the Congressmen found out the sugarbeet associations weren't there to ask for money.

“The stimulus bill had just been passed and we were the only ones there not asking for anything,” he said.

They just want the new Congress to be aware of sugar issues.

Alan Welp, a Colorado sugarbeet producer and president of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, said sugarbeet producers are facing many challenges right now. Those include rising input costs, uncertainties about the amount of Mexican sugar that will enter the U.S. market, World Trade Organiza-tion talks, and budget pressures in Washington, he said.

Steinbeisser said it was important the public and Congress know the sugar policy costs the taxpayers absolutely nothing. It has operated at no cost for many years now.

The Montana-Dakota Beet Growers Association and many others across the country have talked to the USDA about not increasing sugar imports into the U.S. above the amount already agreed to. America is the world's third largest sugar importer and has committed to 1.5 million tons of sugar from 40 quota-holding companies. Mexico, under NAFTA agreements, can send any amount it wants to.

According to the American Sugar Alliance, food and candy manufacturers have been lobbying the USDA to increase imports substantially.

The American Sugar Alliance recently gave its 2009 Industry Outlook which warned of the devastating effects American sugar producers will see if more foreign sugar is brought in. America produces enough domestic product, and last year there was even a bumper crop.

According to the ASA's report, “If the Farm Bill remains in tact and is implemented properly, and if America's trade policy does not undercut its sugar growers, then U.S. producers have the tools to weather the storm of 2009 and enter 2010 in a strong position.”

Steinbeisser said he plans to grow Roundup Ready sugarbeets on his farm again this year. Growers check with their local sugar plants to see which varieties are being accepted this year.

He usually grows several varieties in a continuing effort to see which grow best on his farm.

“This year, I'll grow five varieties, and I have heard there's enough seed available to meet everyone's needs,” Steinbeisser said.

Meanwhile, the weather in Sidney wasparticularly warm last week with temperatures rising into the mid-40s and snow melting all over. Steinbeisser said he will already begin planting malting barley in a couple of weeks.

source:theprairiestar