AG NOTES - ISSUE #504
Second Best Crop Ever

The best two crops back-to-back in company history are remarkable achievements growers and agriculturists should take great pride in. The 23.5 tons per acre, over 18% sugar, and 1.12% LTM crop yield and quality is outstanding for 2007. The growing conditions for the 2007 crop were much less favorable than 2006 in many areas of the RRV. Excessive rains at both ends of the valley, lower growing degree days, long dry spells in several districts, and less favorable seedbeds for stand establishment along with less effective weed control reduced the crop below the 2006 record.

What Went Right In 2007?

• Variety selection - a greater percent of the crop planted to best yielding varieties
• An earlier than average planting date for the crop
• Adequate rainfall to replenish stored soil water availability
• Above average plant populations even though not quite optimal
• Low incidence and severity of Cercospora and root diseases in most piling districts
• A record frost free growing season length
• Continued emphasis on fungicide best management practices for plant health benefits

The Future Looks Bright

Will these two record harvests become a trend we can expect to be the new standard? Given reasonable weather the aggressive and progressive American Crystal Sugar Company Shareholders can continue to produce much above average crop yield and quality. Adoption of Roundup Ready® technology will improve weed control and yields. XBEET advanced seed priming technology will improve stand establishment, and harvesting equipment innovations will reduce field harvest losses. Dr. Larry Smith's recent fungicide trial results will take "plant health" benefits to the next level. Variety development improvements will likely accelerate with adoption of new biotech traits. Don't be surprised if the 2008 crop is as good as or even better than the 2006 and 2007 record breakers.