Topical Comment

This month’s comment on what’s hot in agriculture

Bumper Beet Crop on the cards for Norfolk's Sugar Farmers >>

With average sugar contents for British Sugar’s Wissington factory - which processes about a quarter of the national crop - above 17.5 pc at the beginning of September,  beet could be the saviour for many growers - especially on lighter land.  

Aftermath Of Eyjafjallajokull – Should Farmers Hedge Against All Risks? >>

Rows are continuing over the massive disruption and costs that have followed the Civil Aviation Authority decision to shut UK air space last week.  Latest estimates talk of over a £1 billion for the six day closure.  The CAA decisions were surely risk averse.  Many lives were felt to be at stake.  Does “absolute safety” however have a place in business decisions?

Page 1 of 2

Bumper Beet Crop on the cards for Norfolk's Sugar Farmers

With average sugar contents for British Sugar’s Wissington factory - which processes about a quarter of the national crop - above 17.5 pc at the beginning of September,  beet could be the saviour for many growers - especially those on lighter land. Growth conditions have been very good for the crop, which is showing little sign of disease at this stage. With a bit of luck the beet crop will continue to underpin a lot of East Anglian agriculture. Unless the weather causes problems towards the end of the campaign, prospects look exciting.

In the Cantley factory area the average sugar in the first sample dig was 16.471 pc. It had risen in the latest trial dig to 16.71 pc and was now more than 17 pc.