The Sidney Herald

Prospective Beet Growers May Request Shares

Farmers planning to grow sugar beets this year were reminded again this week that they must file requests by January 31 to be considered for a share of the state's 1958 beet acreage allocation.

Forms to be used in making requests are available at County ASC offices in beet producing counties and from sugar company fieldmen, according to Leo S. Kolstad, State Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation administrative officer. Completed forms may be filed either at County ASC offices or with sugar company fieldmen who will transmit them to ASC offices.

Kolstad cautioned requestors to complete their requests carefully and thoroughly. "The request must include the legal description and name of the owner of each tract which will be included in the applicant's 1958 beet farm. It must also show the beet acreage requested and, if made by the farm operator, he must certify that he will control and direct the operations of the farm in 1958."

Provision is made, Kolstad said, for preliminary requests by landowners who have not yet decided upon an operator, and operators who have not yet completed arrangements for all the land they will farm. "Tentative" proportionate shares will be established for farms covered by preliminary requests. A tentative share may become an "established" share for a farm if the farm operator submits required information and makes the operator's certification not later than April 1.

After the request period ends, the State ASC committee will consider the recommendations offered by County ASC committees and establish farm shares. "Old producer" shares will be established on farms where beets have been grown in 1957, 1956 or 1955. On farms where beets have not been produced in one of these years, consideration will be given to establishment of "new producer" shares from one percent of the state allocation set aside for this purpose.