Beet campaign starts but not without dispute

SPEAKING on the eve of the sugar beet campaign, which is due to start on October 7, Willie French, chairman of the sugar beet section of the IFA, said farmers are hoping for a good harvest.

The commencement date of the campaign is at least a full week later than normal, after an agreement was struck between the IFA and the sugar company. According to Mr French, probably 80% of the crop is looking “reasonable”.

Most farmers believed this year’s crop could do with extra time to help it mature.