WSP02973

• File Number: 8449
• Description: Platte River Projects
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 11/1/1955
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Accomplishments of Irrigation, North Platte Project, Wyoming - Nebraska
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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One industry as an example--

It has long been national policy to maintain a

strong nucleus of domestic beet sugar production. As a result

of the advantages which irrigation provides to sugar beet

graWil'lg, the bulk of this domestic beet sugar industry has

gravitated to the irrigated sections of the west. Irrigation

has thereby become, by the process of economic competition,

the means by which our stable sugar production is maintained.

It is often said that the beet sugar industry is the

backbone of the economy of the North Platte Valley. From the

farmer's standpoint sugar beets contribute more to a well-rounded

agriculture than does almost any other crop. It is a dependable

crop; it produces a high monetary return; it is responsive to

to inputs of additional labor, plapt food, and irrigation water.

The gross return from an acre of sugar beets is high and there-

fore furnishes adequate income to maintain intensive farming

practices. It supplies a large amount of nutritious by-products

for livestock feed. These by-products are complementary to

the other livestock feeds produced on irrigated farms. Manure

from the feeding operations has high value for fertilizer.

Each year the sugar industry puts over $3 million

into local circulation for payrolls, supplies, and other items.

In a normal year, the farmers are paid more than $6 million for

their sugar beets. Materials and supplies are assembled from

many states for use in the manufacturing process-limerock from

Colorado; sulphur, coal, and natural gas from Wyoming; coke

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