By Laurie Ziterkopf
Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
April 15 – Special Agronomy Project 2024, Sugar Beets, from Nebraska Extension and 4-H. The project gives 4-H members an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, researching traits of the crop and determining the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live. The project allows 4-H members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different.
April 16 – Beet sugar represents about 54 percent of domestically produced sugar. There is no difference between beet and cane sugar. Special Agronomy Project 2024, Sugar Beets, from Nebraska Extension and 4-H. The sugar beet industry is strategically important to the United States because it produces 1.1 million acres of beets which are processed in 20 factories that are farm-owned and provide enough sugar for 140,000 people. Display your sugar beet plants at the fair, 4-H, and open class 3 plants.
April 17 – Scotts Bluff County Fair will showcase this year’s Special Agronomy Project, Sugar Beets, with Western Sugars assistance. Beet growers, please bring in three plants to display with the 4-H exhibitors. Current rules for display, since the fairs are so early, the product needs to be true to the cultivar but doesn’t need to be mature. The fair is the place to showcase your field crops, grains, forage, beets, field corn, and grasses. Contact your local Extension office for more details.
April 18 – Special Agronomy Project 2024, Sugar Beets, from Nebraska Extension and 4-H. When fully grown, a sugarbeet is about a foot long, weighs two to five pounds, and is about 18 percent sucrose. They are processed at 20 factories that are located near the fields, because beets are a perishable vegetable. Factories generally operate around the clock, seven days a week, from October through April. Display your sugar beet plants at the fair, 4-H, and open class 3 plants, with Western Sugars help with the display.
April 19 – We grow garden beets in the garden, why not put a few sugar beets in this year. Special Agronomy Project 2024, Sugar Beets, from Nebraska Extension and 4-H. Sugarbeets are planted early in the spring. Germination does not occur until soil temperature reaches 37 F, and germination at such a low temperature requires the liberal presence of water. Plant Sugar Beets one inch apart in rows and then thin the plants when they grow four to six leaves, spacing the plants 10 inches apart.