By Scout Nelson
Sugar beet growers in Minnesota are monitoring crop development, insect activity, weed control, and disease risks as the 2026 growing season progresses. During the June 17, 2026, Strategic Farming Field Notes webinar, specialists reviewed current field conditions and shared recommendations to help growers protect crop health and productivity.
Claire LaCanne, University of Minnesota Extension Educator of Crops, Tom Peters, University of Minnesota Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist, and Dean Malvick, University of Minnesota Extension Field Crops Pathologist, shared updates on sugar beet production, pest concerns, weed management, and disease prevention practices. Their discussion highlighted current field conditions and key challenges affecting growers across Minnesota.
The United States grows about 1,100,000 acres of sugar beets, with Minnesota and North Dakota accounting for approximately 635,000 acres, or about 60% of the nation’s acreage. Sugar beets are commonly grown in crop rotations with grass and broadleaf crops, usually returning to the same field once every four years.
Crop development is progressing well in several areas. Fields in Kandiyohi, Renville, and Meeker counties have already reached row closure, nearly two weeks ahead of the typical timing around July 4. Northern growing areas remain more variable because of cooler weather and strong wind events, which have slowed growth and caused some replanting.
Dry conditions continue in parts of the region, making timely rainfall important for maintaining strong crop growth. Growers are also watching sugar beet root maggot populations, particularly in Marshall and Polk counties, where insect pressure remains high.
Weed management remains a major focus. Experts highlighted increasing herbicide resistance in weeds such as waterhemp, ragweed, and kochia. Integrated strategies, including cultivation, cover crops, weed zappers, and precision agriculture technologies, continue to play an important role in weed control.
Disease management is also receiving attention. Cercospora leaf spot remains the most significant foliar disease threat in sugar beets. Soybean diseases such as Phytophthora root rot, Rhizoctonia root and stem rot, Sudden Death Syndrome, red crown rot, and white mold are also being monitored. For corn, tar spot has been reported at low levels in Iowa and Nebraska and may appear in Minnesota within the next 2 to 3 weeks if cool temperatures and periodic rainfall continue.
Other diseases of concern include Sudden Death Syndrome, red crown rot, white mold, and tar spot in corn. Experts recommend regular field scouting, accurate recordkeeping, and timely management decisions to reduce potential losses.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-luiscarlosjimenezi
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Sugar Beets