Sugar beet

Growing the crop & wildlife conservation

Sown:
We sow in March

Fertiliser:
We apply poultry manure and trace elements just before ploughing and nitrogen shortly after

Weed control:
3-5 low rate herbicide applications from March to May

Insect pest & control:
We control eelworms and aphids using a nematicide (a pesticide that kills eelworms); rabbit and partridge damage can be reduced by temporary net fencing round fields; a seed dressing gives further aphid control

Disease control:
Two fungicide applications during August-September

Threats to the crop:

• A cold spring slows growth leaving seedlings vulnerable to damage from partridges and skylark
• On our sandy soils drought is a major threat
• Rabbit grazing
• Severe hail storms can damage leaves
• Severe frosts before harvest can prevent harvesting or damage roots making them unfit for processing

What helps:

• A warm spring gets small seedlings growing quickly
• Regular summer rainfall combined with lots of sunshine helps increase sugar yield
• Our chalky soils hold on to water which helps beet withstand drought
• Our sandy soil makes harvest easier in wet weather

Wildlife conservation:

• Ground-nesting birds
• Over-wintering stubbles
• Pink-footed Geese