Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center

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Established 1971 (relocated in 2009)

Most of the dry bean and sugar beet production in Michigan is located in the Thumb and Saginaw Valley areas. Michigan is the No. 1 producer of black beans, the No. 2 producer of all dry beans and the No. 4 producer of sugar beets in the country. Research at the center has allowed Michigan producers to be national leaders in sugar beet and dry bean production, offering growers the latest information on crop management and tillage techniques, new variety trials, and pest and weed control with minimal environmental impact. In addition to dry bean and sugar beet research, studies at the 310-acre site explore other important rotational crops including corn, wheat and soybeans.

Enviro-Weather Report

News

MSU Extension hosts Bean and Beet Field Day to tackle weed, insect and disease challenges

Published on July 17, 2025
Join MSU Extension Aug. 19 in Frankenmuth for a Bean and Beet Field Day covering herbicide-resistant weeds, sugarbeet agronomy, pathology and genetics, dry bean production and varieties, plus an insect BT resistance update.
MSU AgBioResearch, MSU Extension announce 2025 field days

Published on May 8, 2025
The events will take place across Michigan from May through September.
MSU AgBioResearch, MSU Extension to host field days around the state this summer

Published on May 28, 2024
Growers and producers will have the chance to participate in field days across Michigan.
100 years of MSU-USDA sugar beet research celebrated

Published on September 18, 2023
Monumental milestones pave the way for industry advancements
Waterlogging and the 2023 dry bean crop

Published on August 4, 2023
It has been a unique growing season due to precipitation challenges. The dry bean season started off very dry. However, so far in July we have received more rainfall than average.