American Crystal is pleased to announce the launch of our new website. Featuring a fresh look, drop down navigation, an improved search tool, and expanded content, this site contains the latest information about our company.

• For employees and future employees, our Crystal Careers includes current job openings, advancement opportunities, and the benefits of working for us.
  
  
• For shareholders, we made the Ag tools, Ag calculators, and Ag Gold Standards accessible from our home page. 
  
  
• For parties interested in an overview of our company, how we make sugar, and what products we offer, we’ve updated that information too.
  
  
• On the home page we’ve also added revolving stories to call attention to important business topics and information areas within the site.

We hope that you will enjoy browsing our new site and that it serves as another tool to strengthen our communication with you.

Technical Note: This site is not compatible for Internet Explorer 8 or lower. You may need to upgrade your browser to newer a version if you use Internet Explorer.
 

Nitrogen Management For 2015

 The 2014 growing season presented many challenges as growers attempted to get their nitrogen management program just right.  The very wet spring resulted in significant losses of 50 lbs./acre nitrogen or greater especially on saturated medium to heavy textured soils.  Leaching of large amounts of nitrogen occurred on lighter textured soils in some areas.  Loss of nitrogen limits opportunity to achieve high yields.  Leaching encourages late season nitrogen uptake and frequently reduces crop quality.

Nitrogen Management Strategies for 2015:

• Obtain the best soil test possible on every field to a 4 foot depth.
• Soil testing by zone and follow-up variable rate fertilization increases crop profitability.
• Consider applying 2/3 to 3/4 of crop nitrogen needs in the fall and sidedress the remaining amount needed to maximize profitability.
• NDSU recommended strategies from Dr. David Franzen:

1. Do not fall apply nitrogen on soils that typically flood in the spring, or to soils with sandy loam or coarser textures.
   
   
2. Do not even think about applying anhydrous ammonia until October 1.
   
   
3. After October 1, check the soil temperature measured at 4 inch depth from 6:00 – 8:00 am.  When it hits 50º F, it is practical to apply anhydrous ammonia (but not urea!).
   
   
4. A week after the date for anhydrous ammonia, growers can start applying banded urea.
   
   
5. Two weeks after the date for anhydrous ammonia, growers can start broadcast-incorporating urea.

Variety Selection For 2015

Variety selection occurs too early without accurate trial data from this year to guide decisions.  Be ready to change variety choices after reviewing 2014 data when it becomes available.

Consider these factors when making choices for 2015

• Official variety trial data.
• Revenue per acre and per ton.
• Root rot and Cercospora disease ratings
• Seed treatment performance and availability.
• Variety emergence and vigor ratings.
• History of disease severity in each 2015 field.

 Headline Application Is a Must

Regardless of Cercospora severity American Crystal Sugar Company strongly recommends applying Headline in late August or very early September.  Keep your canopy healthy and harvest and deliver better storing beets.  Note: Tank mix with another fungicide if you have Headline resistance in your area. 

Zone Fertility Management has increased profit by more than $50 per acre compared to conventional soil sampling and fertilizer application.

Consider sampling fields and sending the samples to the Quality Lab to determine which fields will maximize prepile payments.