Irish sugar beet farmer Peadar Jordan is impressed with the size and efficiency of the Red River Valley sugar beet industry.

But he wonders how much longer there will be a place for him and other Irish beet farmers.

"We're small," he said of the Irish sugar beet industry. "We have ambition and we're very good at what we do. But we can't match the scope of what's done by farmers here."

Jordan was among more than 100 sugar cane and sugar beet farmers from 19 countries attending the Eighth Annual World Sugar Farmers' Conference.

The conference began Monday and ends Friday in Fargo.

Jordan and other attendees spent most of Monday touring local manufacturing plants.

They also heard presentations on Moorhead-based American Crystal Sugar Co. from President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Horvath and Chairman Robert Vivatson.

American Crystal is a member of the world association.

Some sugar-producing countries are demanding greater access to protected markets in the United States and Europe.

Vivatson said American Crystal produces sugar efficiently and isn't scared of competition.

Horvath said the cooperative has an annual economic impact in the Red River Valley of about $3 billion and is responsible for 32,000 jobs.

The Irish sugar beet industry is much more modest, said Jordan, who grows sugar beets, wheat and malting barley in southeastern Ireland.

The typical Irish sugar beet operation averages only about 80 acres, he said.

Now, the European Union, to which Ireland belongs, is proposing a reform of EU sugar policies.

Jordan said the reforms, if implemented, would drive many small Irish sugar beet growers out of business.

The conference continues this morning with presentations by several sugar industry executives and economists.

A tour of farms, fields and businesses in the Casselton, N.D., area is scheduled for the afternoon.

For many at the conference, including Alf Cristaudo, chairman of the Australian Cane Growers Association, this is their visit to this part of America.

Cristaudo, who grows sugar cane in northeastern Australia, said he was impressed with the Red River Valley's broad expanse of rich, fertile farmland.

"It's spectacular," he said.

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