Although root yield and sugar content are important, at this point our main objective is to find disease tolerance. With so much at stake, Rush is anxious to see how his tests turn out. Farmers in this area need every available option, especially during high drought periods. Rush and others in the area believe it may not be too late to regain what was once a profitable farming option. In the past, beets were grown as far south as Castro County and east in Floyd County.
Beets are a cool weather crop and have been grown as far north as Moore County.
The greater the distance from the processing plant at Hereford, the more farmers have to pay in shipping costs.