Sugarbeet Feature Stories

Do a web search of “water use efficiency in agriculture,” and you’ll come up with a huge number of results. For Bob McKellip, the ultimate in water use efficiency on his farm boils down to two words: drip irrigation.

McKellip, who lives and works in the Treasure Valley north of Nampa, Idaho, installed his first drip irrigation — a Toro system — on one of RMF Farms’ fields in 2011. He installed a second system the following year; then, in 2013, a third. That 2013 field was seeded into sugarbeets. Prior to those drip systems, all his fields were grown under furrow irrigation.

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The legal definition of “sustainable agriculture” (U.S. Code Title 7 Section 3103) is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that over the long term:

• Satisfy human food and fiber needs.

• Enhance environmental quality and the natural resources upon which the agriculture economy depends.

• Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls.

• Sustain the economic viability of farm operations. 

• Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole. That definition is the central element of the legislation of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. In simple terms, sustainable agriculture has environmental, social and economic dimensions.

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In public testimony delivered in late March, The Sugar Association, Inc., questioned the 2015 Dietary Guidelines process, noting that the Guidelines Advisory Committee has taken “added sugars” recommendations into unchartered territory, raising serious concerns about timing, consistency and potential biases.

“Sugars guidance has appeared in every version of the Guidelines and ‘added sugars’ intake is a major topic of scientific debate. So, we ask how is it possible that this important topic wasn’t addressed early in this process?” questioned Dr. Courtney Gaine, PhD, RD, vice president of scientific affairs with The Sugar Association.

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Approximately 400 registrants attended the American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists’ 38th biennial meeting, held February 23-26 in Clearwater Beach, Fla. They took part in general sessions, numerous research presentations, various topical forums — and related social events.

The meeting’s closing banquet featured the presentation of honors in several categories:


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