American Crystal Sugar Co. is getting a
quick start in processing the Red River Valley's new crop of sugar
beets.
An early ``pre-pile'' harvest started Tuesday. It usually begins
Sept. 1. Company spokesman Jeff Schwartz says it's the earliest start to the
harvest in the cooperative's history.
About 10 percent of the beet crop is harvested during the
``pre-pile'' harvest. That allows the company's sugar processing
factories to get cranked up.
The harvest will get into full swing on Oct. 1. It takes place
in stages because sugar beets are piled up while they're waiting to
be processed. The beets can spoil if it's too warm, so the full
harvest doesn't get under way until fall.