Sugarbeet planting is ahead of schedule south of the border.

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says most of the crop was in the ground before the end of April and is now starting to emerge.

He notes getting the crop into the ground early is a big benefit.

"We should be able to see enhanced sugar production given that we have a normal year from here on out with normal frost and freeze at the end," explained Goehring. "This puts a couple/three more weeks of growing conditions under their belt and I think it's going to help with better sugar production."

Goehring notes that moisture in the early part of may probably saved the crop from being damaged during recent frost events.

Sugarbeets was a big crop in Manitoba up until the late 1990's, when the Manitoba Sugar Company was forced to close its doors due to cross border restrictions.