Holly Hybrids, Spreckels and SESVanderhave strive to provide the best possible sugarbeet seed varieties for our growing regions.

Commercial Production

West Coast Beet Seed Company

Stock seed and commercial productions are produced by grower member companies utilizing West Coast Beet Seed Company, located in Salem, Oregon.

Planting & Weed Control

Male and female seed lines are planted in strips in the production fields. Typical planting schemes are 3 female plants to 1 male plant and at harvest time the female plants will produce the commercial seed. The seeds produce a small root in the fall and then the sugarbeet plant becomes dormant during the winter. Most winter activity consists of weed control.

 

Transplanting in Early Spring

In the spring, some of the roots are harvested and transplanted into specific genetic combinations based upon the market demand. Specialized machines have been developed to complete the transplanting tasks in Oregon weather conditions.

 

Transplant & Direct Seeded Field

The dormant winter period induces the plant to bolt and send up a seed stalk. In the example at the right, the male and female plants can be seen.

Throughout the year the seed fields are rogued to remove off-types. This activity is used to maintain genetic purity.

 

Separating Pollinator from MS

The seed finally reaches maturity and harvest occurs in late August and September. First the male is separated out and destroyed leaving the female plants loaded with seed.

Cutting & Drying

The first harvest stage is to cut the seed using a swather and leave it in the field to dry.

Once dry, the seed is harvested by a combine which separates the seed from the stalk and cleans it.

 

Precleaning

Once harvested, the field-run seed is delivered to the seed plant for pre-cleaning. The seed is separated from chaff, sticks and rocks.

Measuring Quality

Throughout the process, the seed quality is analyzed. The germination percentage is evaluated for total germination and speed of emergence. This is a good indication of how well the seed will perform for sugarbeet growers around the world.

Goals of Production

• Produce quality seed on large scale
• Manage seed fields for purity of genetics
• Produce best seed at best cost
• Communicate with seed companies
• Maintain confidentiality
• Produce good recovery
• Manage for quality & vigor