Michigan's Sugar Beet Growers Harvest Record Crop

BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) - Michigan's sugar beet growers say they have harvested a record crop this year.

The Michigan Sugar Co., a Bay City-based grower-owned cooperative, said Tuesday the total 2015 production was roughly 5 million tons, representing a record-setting yield of 31.6 tons an acre. Last year, growers delivered about 4.7 million tons with a yield of 29.6 tons per acre.

Michigan Sugar CEO Mark Flegenheimer credits production increases to technological advances. In a news release, he praised the farmers' ability to overcome severe weather that hit the rural Thumb and Saginaw Valley regions during the growing season.

The state's sugar beet harvest is being processed at four Michigan Sugar facilities. The products are sold under the Pioneer Sugar and Big Chief sugar brands.

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