Betaseed opens new sugarbeet steckling storage facility

Betaseed Inc. has opened a new sugarbeet steckling storage facility in Othello, WA. The operation was relocated from Moses Lake to a more centrally located production area and to accommodate increased capacity. A steckling is a small, immature plant that is dug and stored over winter, and replanted in the spring for seed production.

“The new Othello facility allows Betaseed, Inc. to better control the quality of stored stecklings,” said Bryan Meier, Director of Operations, Betaseed, Inc. "The company has spent the last two years creating and building a steckling storage facility to augment the high quality of our commercial seed. This location, being centrally located to one of our key production areas, will help with our processing efficiency and effectiveness.”

Project team: J. Phillips, J. Eckhart, J. Bailie, E. Ricard, J. Enright, S. Ames, B. Meier. Missing: J. Furgala, Z. Karels and D. Nietling

Construction on the new site started in March 2017 and offers approximately 30,000 square feet of computer controlled cold storage, processing equipment, general storage, and office facilities. The facility is managed by Joseph Bailie, a 5-year veteran of Betaseed, Inc. Joe was supported by various team members through the design, engineering, and construction process, and is extremely pleased with the new facility.

“With the addition of this new location Betaseed, Inc. continues to demonstrate a high level of commitment to the entire North American sugarbeet industry,” said John Enright, President of Betaseed, Inc. “Sugarbeet growers can take comfort from the fact that seed produced and processed in Betaseed, Inc. facilities, which operate under strict quality assurance guidelines, meet or exceed seed production and processing standards.”

Betaseed, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, is North America’s premier sugarbeet seed supplier. From our start in 1970, Betaseed has maintained a longstanding commitment to the beet sugar industry, with research and seed production operations in several states and marketing seed to all sugarbeet markets. Our mission is to develop the best performing seed products and services through innovative people, plant breeding, and seed technology.