The Sugar Beet Crop

Sugar beet is a cornerstone crop of arable rotations throughout the major growing regions of the UK. Commonly grown in conjunction with wheat, barley or pulses, sugar beet provides a valuable break crop returning organic matter to the soil and preventing the build up of disease.

A close working relationship exists between British Sugar and the growers who supply the beet. A network of highly specialised Area Managers communicate the latest technical advice and co-ordinate the efficient delivery of the final crop. Food safety audits are undertaken to monitor the developing crop and to ensure the integrity and quality of the finished product for British Sugar and its customers.

Business meetings are held with suppliers throughout the year covering a wide spectrum of commercial topics designed specifically to increase the profitability of beet growing and processing. In addition, large volumes of animal feed and LimeX liming products are sold to farmers of all types helping to sustain the cycle of livestock and crop husbandry.

The industry funds its own agricultural research and development programme, evaluating new techniques that continually increase the efficiency of the UK beet sugar industry and help to maintain its high level of competitiveness internationally.

An average crop yields over 50 tonnes per hectare of clean topped roots with a sugar content averaging around 17 per cent. The farmer is paid a bonus on all roots with a sugar content in excess of 16 per cent.

Crop production methods have changed dramatically in recent years. Rapid progress with mechanisation, together with enhanced agronomic technology, has seen a ten-fold reduction in the labour requirements to grow a typical crop.

Preparations for the sugar beet crop usually begin in the autumn prior to sowing when tailor-made fertiliser blends are incorporated into the soil during ploughing. LimeX, a liming material co-product of the sugar refining process, is also frequently applied to assist in balancing soil pH and returning valuable nutrients to the land.

Great emphasis is placed on careful spring seedbed preparation to create the ideal conditions for germination and prevent soil compaction, thereby ensuring the best start for the new crop.

Sugar beet is sown from early March onwards and, with over 10,000 hectares per day being drilled during the peak period, is normally completed by early April. The single-seed monogerm pellets are sown in rows - or drilled - 50cm wide, at a typical spacing of 18cm and between 2.5 and 3.0cm deep.

Nitrogen fertiliser is applied to suit specific soil requirements and crop production techniques. The objective is to use the minimum nitrogen possible to achieve target yield, consistent with good environmental practice. Food safety requirements restrict the use of products that can be used while a process of continual assessment seeks to minimise their environmental impact.

Harvesting begins in mid-September, but as the national crop continues to grow at over 10,000 tonnes of sugar per day, progress with root lifting is carefully monitored to meet factory intake requirements, and hence achieve the highest possible yield of sugar. As late season growth declines, the pace of harvesting increases to ensure the crop is safely gathered in before the end of the campaign. Roots awaiting delivery to the factory are carefully stored to maintain the highest possible quality and sugar content.