Michigan Self-Propelled Harvester Demo Sept. 18

     A harvest demonstration featuring self-propelled sugarbeet harvesters from four different companies is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18, near Sandusky, Mich.  The event, coordinated through Michigan Sugarbeet Advancement’s Research Extension Advisory Council (REACh) initiative, is open to all interested persons.

     Featured are self-propelled topper/digger units manufactured by Ropa, Holmer, Grimme and Vervaet.  The harvest location is along Townline Road, on the west side of Sandusky.  The two adjacent beet fields are planted to 20- and 22-inch rows, respectively.
     Registration is planned for 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. on the 18th, with the in-field harvesting demonstrations then conducted from 9:00 until 4:00 p.m.  Each machine’s demonstration will be accompanied by discussions with company representatives.  Demonstrations will be repeated morning and afternoon.
     Beets harvested by the self-propelled units will be piled on field headlands, with truck loading and cleaning equipment and procedures also demonstrated.
     Lunch will be served at the demonstration site.  There is no registration fee.
     For more information, contact Steve Poindexter, Michigan State University senior extension sugarbeet educator, at (989) 798-5848 or poindex2@msu.edu.