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Article: How Sweet It Is
- Article from:
- The Billings Gazette
- Article date:
- February 12, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Billings Gazette Feb 12, 2006. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Drought in south Asia, hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and ethanol production in Brazil are funneling incentives toward local sugar beet farmers to increase production as wholesale prices for sweetener move up.
At the same time, the cost for the sprinkles over breakfast cereal and coffee are declining.
The Western Sugar Cooperative, which is owned by its farmers, wants to add more acres this year in the Billings and Lovell, Wyo., areas. Other Montana and Wyoming sugar companies are asking beet growers to up production, too.
Because of world events, the increased demand is probably not temporary; which gives beet farmers a reason to increase production despite higher costs for fertilizer ...