BBRO BeetCast

2026 may be a year that many growers would rather forget. However, from a research perspective, it has been a data-rich year that will help mitigate future challenges. Prof Mark Stevens reflects on the season and looks ahead with optimism for the future.

Autumn is a time of important decisions for beet growers, both for the crop currently in the ground and for setting up future success. Hear our thoughts on fungicide strategies, harvest planning for 2026, and autumn cultivations and cover crops to support the 2027 crop.

BBRO hosted the International Institute of Sugar Beet Research (IIRB) 80th Congress in early July. Providing a great opportunity to hear about the global issues and future developments currently being researched in the world of sugar beet.

With the crop motoring away the risk of further aphid invasions reduces. We look at what else can be found in the crop and how BBRO are working to find solutions.

It's a busy time of year for spray operators, so maybe listen to this in the cab as there are some important changes to chemical data sheets coming later this year. We also give an overview of aphid migration and our weeds trial.

Like many growers BBRO are preparing for changes in the world of weed control in sugar beet - what can you expect?

March sees the release of the Virus Yellows Forecast. Risk is split across the growing region but good preparation and crop vigilance will help in building resilience.

February has been a busy month for BBRO and the wider sugar beet industry with a number of exciting new changes to lead us into the new season. First on the list is the newly released Recommended List for 2027 which provides growers with a wealth of information in an interactive and easy to navigate form. Then we have the new BBRO website and as this is the 50th edition of BeetCast we have also ma...

On-farm hygiene has always been an important part of sugar beet management but with increasing threats and climate change it has become a priority for all involved.

December is a time of reflection and whilst you may contemplate how well the farm has faired what about your personal growth? Have you invested enough in yourself to reap the benefits in the future? We discuss 3 levels of learning and how each could have a place on your farm.

On-farm conditions are unlikely to ever yield a 100% harvest of the crop, but could we be recovering more? Mark Winters (British Sugar) talks about harvester testing and how we might be able to recoup just a little bit more.

Understanding how to grow a sugar beet crop is only one aspect of being a good sugar beet grower. That's where the Sugar Industry Programme (SIP) comes in. Past participant, Eddie Liddle joins new recruit Henry Stanford and course organiser Sam Williamson from NFU Sugar to discuss why the SIP is so important to the industry.

We can all marvel at the plethora of insects in our soil but few of us would consider studying any one in any detail. However, this is essential if we are to understand their life cycles and impact to a crop, it is also a vital part of determining control. In this podcast we meet Martyn Cox who has picked up the mantle in regards to wireworms: a pest in potatoes, sugar beet, carrots and many more...

2025 has proved a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to sugar beet management. The positives being lower levels of virus and a crop that is resilient to drought, and then on the flip side we have increasing concerns re beet moth and foliar disease. Prof Mark Stevens explains the changes seen this year and thoughts for the remainder of the season.

We meet independent agronomist Penny Oakes in-field to discuss her role and that of the AICC. We also take a brief look at free-living nematode damage (docking disorder) in the Docking area.

Meet Stephen Swainston, new Managing Director of BBRO and hear of the increasing number of projects being undertaken in crop production by BBRO's applied scientist, Dr Georgina Barratt.

We all know how important water is in farming and the pressures upon us to limit use, limit run- off, or to the other extreme manage storm water and flooding. We meet with Rob Holland, Catchment Advisor with Anglia Water to discuss some of the issues they are faced with.

With a little bit of rain, we will soon see the 2025 crop emerging from the field, but what if your crop appears to be struggling? Dr Suzannah Harder is at the beginning of a 3 year trial investigating seedling diseases and hopes to be able to provide a more comprehensive answer than 'black leg'.

Disease pressures are probably not on growers radars at present, but in order to break the green bridge we need to ensure fields are clean prior to drilling, especially where cover crops have been in use. We listen in to a presentation from Georgina Barratt on cover crops and Pam Chambers (British Sugar) on weed control for 2025, recorded at our recent BeetTech25 events.

Growing sugar beet without the protection of CruiserSB could be challenging. Whilst cold weather provides an advantage, it is not a guaranteed solution, therefore BBRO will be working closely with growers on the finer details, ensuring that together we can sustain the crop in 2025.

2024 has passed relatively easily for most beet growers, with a relatively average yield being harvested across most of the growing region. But what is in store for 2025 and how will BBRO be supporting you to ensure your decisions deliver all important yield?

In agriculture there are many periods of 'watch and wait' which gives the impression that farming is a laid back industry, but nothing could be further than the truth. The speed of change hitting the industry at present is exhausting. As one hill is climbed, another appears on the horizon, many currently feel they are looking at a mountain range. Whilst we at BBRO can do little to level the landsc...

With a special day approaching many growers will be wondering what they might find under the tree. Well BBRO's wish list, or to be more accurate Alistair's wish list does not entail large shiny vehicles, he's looking for something slightly smaller and with the help of Roger Barker from Living Optics he puts a small package with big potential to the test.

Autumn is a time for reflection but also for change, and in sugar beet things are certainly changing with the introduction of a new way to secure your seed. Nick Morris (British Sugar) and Arthur Marshall (NFU Sugar) explain the changes and the advantages these could bring to growers.

Chairman of the Sugar Beet RL Board Mr Mike May joins us this month to explain some of the processes of the RL variety selection and how these data can be used by growers.