Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: P016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.P016
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, P016 (2025)
Influence of harvesting date on profitability of sugar beet production
Rafał Wnuczek1*, Anna Nowak1
1 Department of Economics and Agribusiness, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: rafal.wnuczek@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Sugar beets occupy an important place in the crop structure of many farms in Poland. It is a labor-intensive crop for farmers. In addition, to achieve the highest production profitability, this crop requires planning not only the optimum sowing date, protection, fertilization, and harvesting. A case study method is used in this study. The subjects of the study were two farms located in Lubelskie Voivodeship. Sugar beets were collected by the Krajowa Grupa Spożywcza-Krasnystaw sugar factory. This study was conducted in the year 2024. The profitability of production was compared between two root harvesting dates: early September and early November. Selected economic categories, calculated according to the FADN methodology, were used to achieve the research objective. The research showed that the early beet harvest date, despite a 4.8 t/ha lower yield, could provide a higher income than the late harvest date. It amounted to PLN 11912.72/ha and was higher by PLN 342.84/ha compared to beets harvested in November. This financial result was influenced by the early harvest surcharge, which amounted to PLN 1336.18/ha, and a 1.7% higher polarization, which reached 18.6%. A simulation of the two yields obtained when the beet was harvested in September was also conducted. In the first case, a yield of 62.5 t/ha with a polarization of 16.9% made it possible to achieve an income identical to that from late harvested beet (11555.96 PLN/ha). On the other hand, a yield of 50 t/ha resulted in a lower income by PLN 3,411.46, compared with the late harvest. The cost of growing beets on both dates was similar. Plantation monitoring is necessary to plan sugar beet harvest dates. Well-maintained plantations with high yield potential have a chance to achieve a higher economic result with an early harvest than with a late harvest. However, this timing carries the risk of a drop in income and low yields. Therefore, it is worth harvesting beets from plantations with potentially lower yields at later dates.
Keywords: sugar beet cultivation, profitability, income, harvesting
How to cite
R. Wnuczek, A. Nowak, 2025. Influence of harvesting date on profitability of sugar beet production. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.P016