FIELD LOSS FROM SUGARBEET HARVEST OPERATIONS

Abstract

Field harvest loss (FHL) from sugarbeet harvest operations was measured in 45 fields of typical Nebraska growers. Total FHL averaged 2.03 Mg/ha and ranged from 0.31 Mg/ha to 8.96 Mg/ha. Five fields had total FHL over 3.4 Mg/ha. Large tails left in the soil contributed 40% of the total FHL when averaged over all 45 fields. Large whole roots, small whole roots, small tails, sliced roots, and miscellaneous root parts contributed 14%, 16%, 10%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, to total FHL of the 45 fields. Large tails and sliced roots were the major causes for FHL in the five fields with over 3.4 Mg/ha FHL. Seventy-five percent of the total FHL was comprised of roots and root parts that would normally be processed for sucrose. The remaining 25% of total FHL was considered not harvestable or was not normally used by the processing facility.