Welcome to your next “Crops 101” lesson of the Farming Simulator Academy! In this tutorial, we will focus on red beet (also known as beetroot). We'll show you how to grow, harvest and sell the crop.
Some of you have noticed the different names. That’s because of the difference of British English (beetroot) and American English (red beet). In some regions, one is more common than the other. No matter the word, we are always talking about the same crop.
Let's take a look at everything you need. Please note that we require special equipment. This is not the cheapest equipment, so beetroots might not be the best choice to start with at the very beginning. If you still want to, think about leasing the machines at the dealership!
Optional:
We have chosen the following equipment. Feel free to use other vehicles or equipment. Just mind compatibilities and power requirements as indicated by respective icons at the dealership.
Let's get to work and grow some red beet. Remember that you can only sow beetroots from the beginning of April to the end of June if you play with seasonal growth.
Step 1: Plowing the field
The field info box will tell you, if you have to plow the field first. After harvesting, you will need to plow the field again to remove the deep roots and get the full yield.
We use a subsoiler instead of a plow. Of course, you can also use a plow if you like. Lower it into the ground and plow away!
Step 2: Shaping ridges (optional)
Now is the time to prepare the field for the red beets. Connect the ridging machine to your tractor. Similar to the subsoiler, start at one corner of the field and make your tracks. Before the next step, the field should be completely covered with ridges.
This step is optional and improves your yield. Alternatively, If you are short on money, you can also apply fertilizer twice to generate an application rate of 100 %.
Step 3: Planting beetroot
Connect your planter to the tractor, position it next to the seeds and fill up the machine. Then drive to the field. Position yourself at a corner of the field, lower and turn on the machine. Now you can sow the red beets one row after another until the entire field is covered. As already mentioned, it does not have to be perfect from the beginning.
Tip! If you play with fruit destruction, you should use a tractor with maintenance tires for the following steps (as soon as the beetroots start to grow) - otherwise you will destroy many of the plants.
Step 4: Applying fertilizer and lime
To improve the growth of your crops, you need to apply fertilizer. Attach your fertilizer spreader to your tractor, position it next to the BigBag and press the button to refill.
Back on the field, turn on the machine and cover the whole field in fertilizer. It should now be 50 % fertilized. This will be shown in the bottom right corner of the field info screen when you are standing on a field. It’s okay if you miss a few spots.
Does the field tell you it also needs lime? Then head back to the shop, buy lime and repeat the same procedure. If you have fertilizer left in your spreader, you can unload it at your farm first.
Tip! If you didn’t shape ridges, repeat the process after the next stage of growth to increase the fertilization to 100%. The yield will be even higher.
Step 5: Removing weeds
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Soon the first weeds will grow on the field. Take your hoe to get rid of it before they grow too high. After that, you will need a field sprayer and herbicide - but you want to avoid this for cost reasons. Then wait until the crops are fully grown.
Tip! You can (carefully) speed up the time it takes for the weeds to grow.
Step 6: Harvesting red beets
From August onwards, beetroot are ready for harvesting. To harvest the yellow vegetable, you need to connect the harvester to your tractor. Once this is done, you have two options: Either you overload the harvester directly into the trailer or you need vegetable pallets. You can buy these directly in the vehicle or in the shop and load them manually onto the vehicle.
Once you have done this, the real work can begin. Position yourself at a corner of the field and start working.
Step 7: Selling red beets
Now look for the best selling point on the price chart. Unload the trailer in the marked area. As prices fluctuate throughout the year, you should not necessarily sell immediately and store for the time being. You can see the price change in the respective screen.
Tip! Beetroots cannot be stored in a silo. If you want to sell them later, you will have to store them in the pallet store.
Congratulations, you have successfully harvested your first crop! Take some time and start the next lesson when you are ready. And don't forget to clean your machines every now and then. Stay tuned, and you'll become a virtual farmer in no time with Farming Simulator Academy!