Friday, August 20:

August Sample results:

Estimate by receiving station (August 19):

TEXT MESSAGE SIGNUP:

The revised Text Message system is now up and running. All previous numbers have been purged so all will need to sign up once again. To do so go to the MDFC web site and click the "Grower Practice Records" tab or click here Grower Practice Records. Next log in using your log in and password and then click the "Messaging" tab and then follow the instructions. For each account you will need to input a name, phone number (twice) and carrier. In addition, you will need to select which station/s you wish to receive info from and whether you wish to receive the info year around or just harvest.

You can also enter an email address to receive the same information on your smart phone or computer.We would prefer users with smart phones/phones with email capability to only enter the email address. Emails are free and text messages have a charge associated with them.

To help verify that text message data was input correctly, I will post here when updates have occurred. If you don’t get them we need to take corrective action. One common error during the input process is forgetting to hit the “add” button after entering phone number twice. If you don’t hit the add button and go right to the finish button all your work goes down the drain.

The July sample results and station yields are listed below. The numbers speak for themselves and are very encouraging. The next sample date will be August 19. I don't expect any changes in the current estimate (26.9 tons per acre) until those results are reviewed.

July Sample Results:

A great source of information can be found at the Sugarbeet Research and Education web site. It is located at www.sbreb.org. Currently the summer radio program is underway. Listed below is a link to the schedule:

2010 Extension Sugarbeet Radio Program

I have posted the process MDFC will use to release sugarbeet fields in 2010. It is the same procedure we have used in the past. Your Agriculturist is also aware of the process. No crop insurance agent has the authority to release fields for MDFC. When in doubt, check with your Agriculturist.

Procedure for Crop Release

June 23, 2010

• Fields or portions of fields that are 100% lost can be released effective June 21.
• Fields in which there remains no viable, manageable acreage can be released effective June 21.
• All other fields or portions will not be released until July 13 (Monday).
• Two Agriculturists plus consultation with the VP of Agriculture are required prior to release being granted.
• The grower can destroy acreage 0.1 acres per share below the current overplant without approval at any time, however no release form will be granted by Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative unless it meets the criteria listed below:

Criteria for Release

Fields may be released when the following conditions are met:

• 75% of the field is lost due to but not limited to wind, flood, disease or insect damage.
• The entire field may be released if the remaining areas not affected are not contiguous and would cause significant management problems for the balance of the crop year.
• The beets are unfit for long-term storage (disease).

Fields will not be released due to poor weed control. Those fields could be rejected at the receiving station if the weeds cannot be removed and left in the field.

July Sample Results:

August Sample results: