New end dates for sugar beet campaign announced
7th March 2024
British Sugar has just released new end dates for each of its factory sites, extending the deadline for farmers whose beet is still in the ground.
Threshold for neonicotinoid seed treatment use reached
5th March 2024
Following the emergency approval granting sugar beet growers to use Cruiser SB for virus yellows control, the threshold for use has now been met. The prohibited neonicotinoid will be available for seed in the 2024/25 sugar beet campaign.
Increased campaign length for sugar beet
1st March 2024
With wet ground hampering the lifting of sugar beet throughout the 2023/24 campaign, and beet still in the ground, British Sugar has announced new expected end dates for each of its factory sites.
FEB 2024
Effective weed control to protect investment in sugar beet
27th February 2024
Effective early season weed control in sugar beet is essential, explains Adama UK herbicides technical specialist, Dr Bill Lankford – especially as an effective herbicide programme can deliver a 10–20% improvement in yield.
British Sugar secures £660k funding to work on resistance against virus yellows
15th February 2024
A governmental financial boost along with British Sugar’s own funding will ensure further research into how gene editing can be used to benefit the British sugar beet crop.
Emergency approval granted to use prohibited neonicotinoid on 2024 sugar beet crop
19th January 2024
Sugar beet farmers have been conditionally granted an emergency authorisation to use Cruiser SB to protect their beets against virus yellows.
‘Fly-tipped’ sugar beet removed from Suffolk road
17th January 2024
Suffolk Highways came under criticism on social media after it referred to a large amount of sugar beet being ‘fly-tipped’ on a road in Ipswich. It’s thought a local farmer was forced to store the beet there due to waterlogged land following recent flooding.
Price finally agreed for 2024/25 sugar beet crop
18th December 2023
British Sugar and NFU Sugar have agreed a deal after weeks of intense negotiations, with particular contention over the futures linked contract.
JAN 2024
Sugar beet update from inside the Wissington factory
16th December 2023
British Sugar’s Wissington factory opened its doors to press at the end of November, providing an update on this year’s campaign and work being done to tackle virus yellows and carbon emissions – as well as answering questions on next year’s beet contracts. Sarah Kidby reports.
Sugar beet negotiations fail to reach an agreement
7th December 2023
Intense negotiations between British Sugar and NFU Sugar over next year’s beet contract have reached an impasse, meaning they will now move to arbitration.
Raw cane sugar ATQ will not be expanded this year
30th November 2023
Allowing tariff-free access to sugar from any country would undercut the UK’s sugar beet sector, NFU warns.
British Sugar pauses contracting and seed ordering
22nd November 2023
Negotiations between British Sugar and NFU Sugar will now recommence after reaching an impasse earlier this month.