Intermountain North

The Intermountain North growing region consists of sugarbeet acres grown for Western Sugar factories in Billings, Montana and Lovell, Wyoming and sugarbeet growers in the Worland, Wyoming area grow sugarbeets for Wyoming Sugar, LLC.

Contacting Us

In this growing region, Crystal® brand sugarbeet seed is distributed exclusively through independent sales agents. Sales agents are your contacts when purchasing Crystal® brand sugarbeet seed. Agents have information regarding variety traits, availability, seed treatments, seed processing options, and pricing in each growing area. These ACH Seeds sales agents are qualified to help you with seed buying decisions, so please take advantage of their knowledge, expertise, and season-long service! Sales Agents contact list

The ACH Seeds Area Coordinator for this growing region is Steve Skaalure. Steve resides in Billings, Montana, and is anxious to share his knowledge and many years of sugarbeet experience. He may be contacted at: 406.860.3337 or sskaalure@achseeds.com .

Primary Sugarbeet Diseases and Pests Affecting Sugarbeet Production

1. Fusarium - Fusarium is a root disease caused by a fungus present in the soil. This disease has been reported in the western areas of the United States, India, and some European countries. Crop rotation is frequently recommended. Additionally, some Crystal brand varieties offer tolerance to this disease and planting tolerant varieties is recommended.
   
2. Curly Top – This is a viral disease that is transmitted by an insect, the sugarbeet leafhopper, and is more damaging to plants if infected when the plant is young or under stress. The best method to control curly top is by planting early and planting varieties that have adequate curly top tolerance.
   
3. Rhizoctonia – This fungal root disease has become a significant disease in some markets and is most common when soils are moist and air temperatures are 77 to 93 degrees. Some of the factors that contribute to Rhizoctonia are crop stress, too much or too little irrigation, root damage, soil in contact with petioles and in the crown area, short rotations, and soil compaction. To combat the effects of this disease, crop rotation, minimizing cultivation and varietal resistance are the best control methods to employ.
   
4. Rhizomania – This virus is transmitted by a fungus that thrives in wet soil. Symptoms of rhizomania can show up as yellow areas within a sugarbeet field. Within infected areas, stands are usually erect and leaves may have narrow blades and a bright, yellow color. Affected roots have tufting or bearded growth on the lateral roots or in severe cases on the main tap root. When sliced open with a knife, roots have darkened or straw color vascular rings. Planting tolerant varieties is recommended.
   
5. Root aphid - This pest has periodically been a concern in this growing area for many years. It is most prevalent in late summer when the area experiences hot, dry conditions. Currently, variety resistance is the only available control measure. No economic thresholds have been established for sugarbeet root aphid. However, studies in several market regions indicate that even light to moderate infestations (less than 10%) can cause yield reductions. Sugar content and purity are most likely to be affected.
   
6. Aphanomyces - This disease is most often a problem at the seedling stage when wet and warm conditions are present. It also can attack more mature plants later in the growing season under similar conditions. Tachigaren® is a fungicide available as a seed treatment for the seedling disease and is available as a seed treatment on specific GemCoat® varieties. On-farm trials, where Tachigaren is used for seedling Aphanomyces, also demonstrate the ability to keep plants healthy and more likely to fight off late season Aphanomyces. Although not required for approval, many Crystal brand varieties offer good to excellent tolerance.
   

Please refer to the "Compendium of Beet Diseases and Insects" for additional information about sugarbeet pests and diseases.

Crystal® Brand Sugarbeet Seed Varieties offered for the Montana and Wyoming Areas.

Our new-generation varieties are among the top-performing varieties in coded Official Variety Trials as well as on-farm trials. Varieties offered for the 2006 growing season provide growers with increased disease tolerance, pest resistance, and very good recoverable sugar per acre.

Intermountain North

Crystal RR714                   NEW Roundup Ready®

• Excellent sugar content
• Well rounded performance, excellent RSA and RST
• Moderate to high curly top tolerance
• High rhizomania tolerance with moderate Fusarium tolerance

Crystal R526

• Strong emergence in this diploid variety
• High rhizomania tolerance
• Moderate curly top tolerance
• A high-yielding variety that will perform well in grower's fields!

Contacting Us

Montana / Wyoming Growing Regions

Intermountain North Area Coordinator
Steve Skaalure sskaalure@achseeds.com
406.860.3337

ACH Seeds Sales Agents

Dave Reisig dreisig@achseeds.com
Mike Hjelvik mhjelvik@achseeds.com
Dale Icopini dicopini@achseeds.com
Larry Wright lwright@achseeds.com
Dan Madden dmadden@achseeds.com