News Release
July 19, 2007

Story contact: Abdel Mesbah (307) 754-2223

Powell field day showcases Roundup Ready sugar beet research

Big Horn Basin producers raising Roundup Ready sugar beets could taste two sweet returns: reducing costs and increasing production, according to the director of the University of Wyoming Powell Research and Extension Center (PREC).

The center’s field day Tuesday, July 10, drew more than 120 people. Cool- and warm-season grass seed production, alternative crops such as sanfoin, biodiesel crops, and nitrogen formulation and placement in sugar beets were part of the research shared.

The Roundup Ready sugar beets research might be the most revolutionary. Abdel Mesbah, PREC director, and Stephen D. Miller, director of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station and associate dean in the UW College of Agriculture, presented the research.

“This one has taken a long road to get here,” Miller told tour participants. “Abdel has worked with me for a number of years on this. We started research in 1997.” Sugar companies were slow to accept the Roundup Ready technology, and Mesbah and Miller dropped the research. Sugar companies then renewed interest in the technology. Producers are growing about 2,200 acres of Roundup Ready sugar beets in the Big Horn Basin, the first in the United States, said Miller. “Wyoming Sugar in Worland went out on a limb and made the decision to grow this long before the big companies did,” he said.

Mesbah is examining effects of herbicide rate, timing of applications, number of applications and whether layby and preplant herbicides should be used with Roundup to reduce field labor. Mesbah said shortage of sugar beet field laborers is significantly increasing the cost of labor per acre.

Mechanized cultivation costs could be eliminated. “We can grow Roundup Ready sugar beets without cultivation,” he said. “Another thing some growers might not think about, by using Roundup Ready technology, is they are not just cleaning their field for this year, but they are also reducing next year’s weed infestation.”

A retirement luncheon for former PREC director Alan Gray was also part of field day. Gray became center director in 1997 and retired May 18. He sustained serious injuries during an accident at the center July 27, 2005, and has been recuperating.

Mesbah thanked those who attended the field day. “We believe we are doing something for the people. By showing up, it is encouraging us to do much more and to keep improving,” he said.

Those with questions about research at the center can call (307) 754-2223 or visit the Web page at http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/Powell.asp.

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor
Phone: (307) 766-6342
E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu
Archived News Site http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWAG/news.asp

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