Sugar Beet Production in Elmore County, Idaho for the Years 2000 – 2007
Facts:
– Idaho produces the 3rd most sugar beets in the US behind Minnesota and North Dakota.
– Elmore County ranks #5 in all Idaho Counties for the production of sugar beets.
– Sugar Beets are a very important agricultural and farming product for the Mountain Home economy.
How are Sugar Beets Processed into Sugar?
Beets are sliced into strips. Sugar is extracted from the strips with hot water. The resulting juice is purified with lime and carbon dioxide and then filtered and concentrated. The concentrated juice is further evaporated in batch vacuum pans and the sugar is crystallized.