With the good spell of weather in recent weeks aiding the start of the beet harvest, Agriland takes a look into how sales are going thus far.

Of the sellers contacted this week, beet is ranging between €60 and €70, with an extra sum required for washing and delivery costs.

In Co. Waterford, 'Magnum' beet pulled with an Armer Salmon is "moving briskly with long-term customers" at an asking price of €65 for washed beet.

Yields are down, with beet in the south-east "a month behind" on other years, with this discrepancy attributed to the drought.

The drought was also of major upset to one Co. Kildare farmer, with any beet pulled so far "well back on this time last year".

This beet, pulled with a self-propelled harvester, is being offered at €70/t washed and delivered locally, with the option of chopping also available.

Heading north to Co. Donegal, 'Enermax' and 'Magnum' varieties are available at €70/t washed and collected, with a €2.50/km cost for delivery.

Of the farmers Agriland spoke to, delivering their beet was an expensive job due to diesel increases.

One farmer said that his €5/t local delivery charge would not cover his diesel or his time, but was necessary to "keep it moving out of the yard".

In Co. Cork, 'Rosalinda', a sugar beet variety, is being sold for €65/t washed and collected, and is "moving away fine for this time of year".

Farmers are opting towards beet as an alternative to concentrates to make up for poor-quality silage, said this seller.

In Co. Meath, the extended period of good weather this autumn has lead to a lower demand for beet, with "feeding slower to move than other years".

The drought did not affect this farmer too badly, however, with the beet pulled so far this year he said it's "the best crop I've had".