BBRO Advisory Bulletin - No 1 - 24th January 2011

Management of sugar beet crops that have been frosted

Lifting for processing from the field
Warmer weather at the beginning of the week has meant that deterioration of some beet crops is occurring and this is causing problems with processing. A thorough inspection of beet still in the field should now be carried out on a regular basis paying particular attention to 'frost pockets' in low lying areas. Inspect roots by lifting beet and slicing the root lengthways examining it for any signs of discolouration and oozing, particularly around the crown area. It is important to check roots that still have green leaf as these can also be affected by frost.

Where the crop is still in a condition suitable for harvesting then ensure that harvester topping mechanisms are set to remove ALL frost affected (deteriorating) crowns which show "gumming or oozing". This could mean the removal of the complete crown above the soil surface.

Freshly harvested beets which show any signs of frost damage should be delivered within 24 hours of harvesting.

All harvesting and haulage must now be co-ordinated with your British Sugar area manager to ensure a co-ordinated approach for all factory deliveries.

Delivering for processing from clamps
Where beet is currently in storage, any covers remaining should now be removed. Prior to delivery remove any deteriorated roots which show signs of "gumming or oozing"; 'hand picking' from clamp surfaces or from the cleaner loader.

Livestock feed of crops not destined for processing
It is important to determine which fungicid e and herbicides have been used on the sugar beet crop and check for any label restrictions regarding the use of sugar beets as a feed ingredient.
If there is a need to dispose of whole sugar beets due to spoilage then whole beets can be fed successfully to cattle or sheep, they are low in crude protein (6.8 percent) but high in energy (75 percent to 81 percent total digestible nutrients, or TDN). Ideally a livestock nutritionist should be consulted.
Where beet have been harvested and cannot be processed it may be an option to use manure spreaders to spread whole beets on stubble or stalk fields and allow livestock access to the beets on the field.
Whole sugar beets also can be fed by chopping in a tub grinder or forage harvester to reduce the risk of choking.

Points to consider if sugar beet crops are not harvested

Cultivations
Where beet are considered not fit to harvest then current soil conditions will dictate if cultivations can be carried out immediately or if they should be delayed.

If the soil is ploughed under poor, very wet conditions then oxygen diffusion to the beet degradation zone will be too slow for aerobic digestion by the soil organisms, so anaerobic digestion will start. This will mean that various 'nasty products' will build-up in the soil and will not dissipate in the muddy conditions. Many of these products could be toxic to the roots of the following crop (probably spring cereal). So, ensure that ploughing is done in good conditions, if necessary this may be quite late.

Beet to be ploughed in would benefit from being chopped up first to aid the degradation process, discs or rotovators are possib le options if they can be taken over the land first without ruining the possibility for the plough tractor to obtain reasonable traction.

Herbicide use
The use of glyphosate products should only be used if there is sufficient actively growing green leaf on the sugar beet crowns and in the majority of cases this is not going to be the case at present. There may be an opportunity to apply glyphosate nearer to the sowing of the next crop a decision that needs to be taken nearer the time. Any growing tops that remain will eventually set seed if not sprayed off, this is of importance if the land is going to be left fallow and not cropped.

Natural degeneration
Sugar beet roots are not so easily degradable as other root crops such as potatoes thus if possible it is advisable to try and chop the beet into smaller pieces using discs or rotovators to enhance the degradation process.

Following crops
Spring cereals would be the preferred crop as this would allow any sugar beet ground keepers to be controlled with cereal herbicides.

Soil pH
It would be advisable to check the soil pH prior to drilling the following crop and if required add a fast acting product such as Limex.

Nitrogen for following crops
Concern is low regarding 'nutrient lock-up' where a sugar beet crop is left in the field as some nutrients are being left in the field instead of being harvested. The carbon:nitrogen ratio of fresh beet is not particularly high, so it is unlikely that much extra N will be locked up, some might even be released if the rotting process is rapid.

The use of soil mi neral nitrogen tests could be considered prior to drilling the next crop to obtain an indication of nitrogen levels although care needs to be taken not to include beet residues in the sample.

Diseases in following crops
Violet root rot could be a problem if diseased material is left in the field, this could be a particular issue if other host plants such as carrots or potatoes are next in the rotation. Where violet root rot has been identified, then plan to drill a spring cereal as the following crop. Groundkeepers can be a source of downy mildew as can debris left in the field from cleaner loaders. Aim to 'spray off' any groundkeepers prior to establishing the next crop if sufficient green leaf area is present.

This bulletin can be accessed from the following web page - http: //www.uksugarbeet.co.uk/
If you experience problems receiving this bulletin, contact the helpline on 0870 413 40 40.
For technical queries contact the BBRO helplines:
Pam Chambers pam.chambers@bbsrc.ac.uk 07887 628357
Colin Walters colin.walters@britishsugar.com 01733 422088
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Caution : this information is based on results of experiments and experience but cannot constitute a recommendation.

Important contact information

British Sugar Area Managers contact details are available on http://www.bsonline.co.uk/ . If you are unable to contact your Area Manager, please call your local factory or our Growers Helplline.

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