How Michigan Sugarbeet Producers Are Affected by Inflation, Supply Chain Disruptions

Sugarbeets from a sugarbeet field. Photo: Adobe Stock.

The Michigan Ag Today Sugarbeet Planting report is made possible by BASF and Provysol fungicide. Be proactive and control cercospera leaf spot in your sugarbeets.

According to the USDA’s Weekly Crop Progress Report released on Monday, May 23, 96 percent of the expected sugarbeet crop has been planted.  Of that crop in the ground, 71  percent has emerged.

A great deal of planting is already done, but now the key is getting the right amount of heat and moisture to the crops for a great growing season and a great harvest later this year.

Luther Markwart, Executive Vice President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association.

“We’re off to a pretty good start. [It’s] a little bit later than what we would expect, but with the what the crop in the ground I think we’re in pretty good shape in Michigan,” says Luther Markwart, Executive Vice President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association.

He says supply chain disruptions continue to be an issue that he is addressing with lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

“In terms of sugar, we’re the third largest importer of sugar in the world behind China and Indonesia. If you want to make sure you don’t have disruptions in those markets long term, you have to look to make sure you’ve got good domestic farm policy and trade policy,” says Markwart.

He adds that he has talked with members of Congress how the recent rise in inflation is a concern among Michigan sugarbeet producers.

“Our farmers book fertilizer and fuel and those things probably ahead of time, but you know  those things run out and they have to be replaced. They’re gonna be replaced at a much higher cost and that squeeze on these farmers is going to be very, very difficult for 2023,” says Markwart.

Click BELOW to hear C.J. Miller’s full conversation with Luther Markwart with the American Sugarbeet Growers Association about the planting progress, as well as how supply-chain disruptions and inflation have been affecting Michigan sugarbeet producers.

Sugarbeet planting at Atwater Farms. Photo: Atwater Farms Facebook

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