Smarter Nitrogen Use Boosts Sugar Beets Profits

By Scout Nelson

Reducing nitrogen use in sugar beets production may improve both profitability and environmental protection. Early on farm trials in Nebraska and Colorado show that growers can lower fertilizer rates without sacrificing yield.

Nitrogen plays an important role in sugar beets growth. Too little nitrogen can reduce root yield. Too much nitrogen lowers sugar concentration and processing quality. Managing the correct balance is critical for farm profits and environmental health.

To improve nitrogen management, the University of Nebraska Lincoln is working with Western Sugar Cooperative on a five-year project funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The goal is to support Conservation Practice Standard 590 by testing a new nitrogen recommendation model based on estimated recoverable sugar known as the ERS model.

Traditionally, growers apply about 8 pounds of nitrogen per ton of sugar beet. The ERS model reduces that rate to about 6.5 pounds per ton. For a 30 ton per acre field, this means nitrogen inputs are reduced by about 45 pounds per acre.

During the first year of trials, results showed that reduced nitrogen rates-maintained productivity. Root yield increased by 1.4 percent; sugar concentration rose by 0.6 percent and estimated recoverable sugar improved by 2 percent across 12 locations. Nitrogen use efficiency increased between 23 and 25 percent depending on the method used.

Environmental benefits were also significant. Fields using the ERS model showed 18 percent lower nitrous oxide emissions and more than 80 percent lower nitrate levels in leachate water at four-foot depth.

The project will involve 50 growers across Nebraska and Colorado through side-by-side field comparisons over four years. Researchers will measure soil, water, plant tissue, yield performance, economic returns, and broader environmental impacts.

Growers can enroll for the 2026 season. Participating producers receive $118.80 per acre on acres where nitrogen inputs are reduced under the ERS model, regardless of yield outcome. Incentives help reduce financial risk during adoption.

This research supports profitable sugar beets production while promoting long term conservation stewardship.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-luiscarlosjimenezi