USDA Authorizes Roundup Ready Sugar Beets

Posted by Matt Hopkins|8 February 2011

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has authorized spring planting of Roundup Ready sugar beets, according to Monsanto.

“USDA’s decision is a positive step for sugar beet farmers,” said Steve Welker, sugar beet commercial lead at Monsanto in a prepared statement. “Sugar beet farmers have been busy preparing for spring planting, waiting for USDA’s guidance and hoping it would come in time for spring planting.”

Roundup Ready sugar beets were developed by Monsanto and KWS and introduced to farmers during the 2007-2008 crop seasons. In 2010, more than 90 percent of the sugar beets grown in North America were Roundup Ready varieties, according to Mansanto.

For more information about Roundup Ready sugar beets, click here.