SUGAR BEET PROFIT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30154, 11 June 1963, Page 10

SUGAR BEET PROFIT

£43 An Acre Estimate (N.Z. Press Association) DUNEDIN, June 10. A profit of £43 15s 3d an acre would be available to fanners who grew sugar beet, according to a brochure released for publication today by the South Otago Sugar Beet Investigation Company. Ltd. The brochure, along with a questionnaire, will go to farmers in the South Otago area in the next few days. The company is attempting to ascertain if the establishment of a sugar beet industry in the area would be feasible. The brochure says that 17X4 tons an acre of beet is to be expected, and this would fetch £5 a ton for beet with 16 per cent, sugar content. The income for each acre would be £B7 10s on this basis and the cost an acre, including cartage and harvesting, £43 14s 9d. There would be a regular pay-out system to the farmer, probably about one week behind delivery to the factory.

“If a farmer contracts to grow 10 acres of beet and produces 15 tons an acre with 16 per cent, sugar content and the contract specifies a delivery rate of 50 tons in May, June and July, he will receive £250 gross each month at a time of the year when there is not normally much cash income.