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Agricultural Liming Material (ALM) ®
Loading Update: 2/14/2012 7:49:00 AM
PCC loading will be stopped at 5 PM Friday February 17th. All PCC loading will be suspended at that time. Please check the web site for loading updates.
All PCC loads MUST be tarped before leaving the SMBSC scale.
For loading conditions you may call the Tersteeg Loader at 320-522-1680
Please verify your e-mail address with Michele at 320-329-4130.
Dear PCC - AgLime Users:
As the producer of AgLime from processing sugar beets, SMBSC provides an environmentally sound product that reduces the impacts of mining
conserves valuable resources. This is a by-product and is subject to variations in ENP and moisture that our users should take into
account when applying to fields. Our AgLime is occasionally stored on fields in preparation for post-harvest spreading and incorporation.
Field storage is an acceptable management approach and as producers we have stewardship responsibilities to provide some guidance regarding
pile location.
AgLime derived from sugar beet processing is moist and has some residuals that can cause odors when placed in a pile. The material is composed
of uniform fine particle that may be dispersed by strong winds or rain run off. For these reasons, SMBSC suggests that the location of a
field storage pile be selected to minimize the impact on adjacent residences, schools, churches, hospitals, parks and playgrounds as well
as wetlands, shorelines and waterways/ditches. SMBSC recommends the following set backs as best management practices.
- 200 feet from residences, churches, schools, roadways, waterways, ditches and open tile line intakes.
- 600 feet from hospitals, parks, playgrounds, shorelines, wetlands and water wells.
As a user of our AgLime product, your consideration for our neighbors and our environment is deeply appreciated.
Thank you.
Dear Valued Carrier:
This notice is to remind everyone involved with the loading and transport of material from our factory site in Renville, Minnesota that it
is Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative‘s intent to comply with all of the laws of the state of Minnesota including those pertaining
to the legal load limits allowed for trucks and truck and trailer combinations. Our policy requires that any overloaded truck be sent back
to unload (or transload) a sufficient portion of their lading so as to bring the overall gross vehicle weight to a level compliant with the
law. Weight documentation (a weigh ticket) will not be issued until the vehicle’s load complies with legal requirements.
To save time, trouble and money I would strongly urge that your drivers take special care to be in compliance prior to coming to the scale
for their outbound weight.
Respectfully,
Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative
Kelvin Thompsen
President & CEO
Our goal is to provide timely loading of lime with as much flexibility as possible for you the consumer. In order to control the costs for
SMBSC, we ask that you please call Michele Thompson to register at 320-329-4130 and to give her dates that you are able to haul and we will
do everything we can to schedule times and dates that workout for all of us. The information needed for registration is:
- Name
- Complete mailing address
- Contact name
- Email address
- Fax number
- Names of drivers who will be picking up product
Benefits of ALM ® in a Sugar Beet Rotation
The benefits of applying ALM® or PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate) to sugar beet have been a topic of discussion in the past . Especially
fields with a history of Aphanomyces root rot. Research conducted at NDSU observed the influence of 3 ton and 10 ton of factory lime per
acre on sugar beet production in fields with a known infestation of Aphanomyces. Each lime rate raised pH and improved sugar beet plant
health. However, the research indicated that pH neutralization may be quicker, and the benefit to sugar beet health and ability to escape
Aphanomyces may last longer from the 10 ton/acre versus the 3 ton/acre application rate. Specific data from this research can be found in
a report in the 2001 Sugarbeet Research and Extension Reports on pages 264-268 entitled Influence of Soil pH on Aphanomyces cochlioides in
Sugarbeet.
The following information may help answer any questions you might have regarding involving PCC in your operation.
- When will application of PCC benefit my operation?
If your field has a history of Aphanomyces root rot, or if you have a field or areas of a field that has a pH below 6.5, or if you have a field that has a questionable history of herbicides that carry over in low pH, PCC may benefit your sugar beet operation.
- What rate should I apply PCC?
To this, there is no rule of thumb answer. Consider the cost of application, soil type, the specific reason behind applying the lime (such as considering the severity of Aphanomyces if applying for that reason), and how long before raising the crop for which the lime is being applied. The data suggests that 3 ton/acre may not be enough to handle tough Aphanomyces infestations.
- When should PCC be applied in my rotation?
Lime should be allowed to neutralize for one cropping season prior to the target crop for which it is being applied. However, if a field has an issue with low pH, Aphanomyces, or carryover chemical, an application in the fall or spring immediately preceding sugar beet will benefit the crop versus no lime application.
- If I have already spread PCC on my field for a previous sugar beet rotation, when do I need to reapply?
Again, the answer to this question is not immediately clear. However, the best guideline to determine if/when reapplication is needed may be to monitor soil pH. If soil pH begins to fall into a range of concern, then a reapplication may be necessary. However, if pH neutralization is not the only benefit coming from lime, then applications that are more frequent may be necessary.
- Is SMBSC factory lime "clean"?
Yes. The lime is used to purify beet juice. The juice has been exposed to temperatures in excess of 180 degrees and pH's above 12. Thus, any fungal or viral pathogens existing in the beet juice having the potential to infect the lime, is effectively denatured or destroyed.
Thank you for choosing SMBSC and feel free to contact me with questions or comments.
Darvin Hauptli
SMBSC
320-329-4160
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