Sugarbeet crop. Photo: USDA by Preston Keres

Planet’s satellite data informs sugarbeet crop monitoring under a new contract between Planet partner SatAgro and American Crystal Sugar Company.

Sugarbeet is a root crop with a high concentration of sucrose that is processed into sugar. American Crystal Sugar is a grower-owned cooperative and is the largest beet sugar producer in the U.S. 

Under the contract, American Crystal Sugar will analyze PlanetScope satellite data within SatAgro’s interface for insights into harvest progression, yield formation speed and yield forecast. This data will support decisions on crop management. SatAgro has worked with American Crystal Sugar for a number of years to bring digital farming tools to the company. 

“Covering sugar beet production in real-time across the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota is a challenge, and this new ability to monitor harvest progress and crop size is critical to managing our assets and resources,” said Joe Hastings, general agronomist at American Crystal Sugar. “It also gives us greater confidence in crop yield and harvest progress predictions.”