Sweet and Likely Shorter Sugar Beet Campaign in Colorado

November 2, 2026 – A shorter sugarbeet campaign for Colorado growers may close out the year with the potential for processing to wrap up before the new year in Fort Morgan at the Western Sugar plant. Yuma grower David Blach said Colorado beets are about 58% harvested and sugar content is averaging in the mid 17% range on the western side of the factory. The eastern side sugars are down a bit this year to the high 15% this year. Blach said it is likely due to recent rains and an extraordinarily hot summer. Blach said acres planted are down, much in part to the dry conditions and he is hopeful the acres planted and harvested will increase next year.

"Sugar prices are rebounding a little bit after being pretty low this summer," he said. "They're starting to rebound so that's good news and that'll help get the enthusiasm going as well and keep the factories running with lower production costs. We sure do hope acres will be back up."

As of the beginning of the last week in October, Nebraska reported being 65% complete; 85% complete in Wyoming with sugars coming in at 18.5% plus; and Montana about 84% complete with sugars in the high 17% range.

According to USDA data, 1.02 million acres of sugarbeets were planted nationwide in 2026, down about 5% year over year. Colorado's acreage decreased 28.6% from 23,800 acres in 2025.

Source: Rachel Gabel