The International Sugarbeet Institute
The
ISBI is the largest trade show and seminar dedicated solely to the promotion of all
aspects of the sugarbeet industry in North America. The ISBI started in 1963 as a special
seminar at the Red River Valley winter shows in Crookston, Minnesota. The show became a
two-day full scale trade show and educational seminar and has been held annually since
1969.
Objective of the ISBIThe primary purpose of the ISBI is to serve as a forum to allow interaction among sugarbeet growers and all the various sugarbeet support industries. Speakers of national reputation and influence on general farm and agricultural policy and especially sugar policy are invited to speak at the ISBI. The show strives to attract sugarbeet growers from across North America to the heart of the Red River Valley of the North with the objective of learning their thoughts and opinions but also to educate them about the sugarbeet industry. The ISBI also provides a focal point for the introduction of new equipment and technology to sugarbeet growers from across the United States and Canada. Information and ideas exchanged at the ISBI are disseminated throughout the North American sugarbeet producing regions to foster success of the sugarbeet industry.
The ISBI Planning
Committee
The ISBI planning committee has evolved from infancy in 1963 with strictly educational interests to a committee representing every aspect of the sugarbeet industry today. Committee membership includes six extension service representatives from both North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the University of Minnesota (U of M) and one research scientist from the U of M. Allied industry has four members on the committee representing machinery, seed, agrichemicals, and new technology interests. Five sugarbeet grower members represent American Crystal, Minn-dak Farmers Cooperative, Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Coop, and Manitoba growers. These four sugar companies also have a total of 5 management representatives on the ISBI planning committee.
The ISBI committee is organized as a North Dakota non-profit Corporation. The ISBI committee aims to operate of no profit. Operations are planned to generate income to cover the costs of the show plus the maintenance of a small reserve.
The Trade Shows
The
ISBI is normally held the third Wednesday and Thursday in March. The more than 80,00
square foot Red River Valley Shows Arena in Crookston, MN has been home to the show since
1978. The facility accommodates the largest pieces of equipment in heated indoor comfort.
The adjacent Crookston National Guard Armory is used for the educational/informational
seminars that are held concurrently with the trade show.
Exhibitors attending the show come from all across the United States and Canada. Every
conceivable piece of equipment used by sugarbeet growers to produce beets is on display.
In addition to equipment exhibits, agribusiness companies show off their agrichemical
products, seed, and 
a variety of services offered to sugarbeet growers. Nearly 150
exhibitors have attended the shows of the 1990s. The 1994 show will be held in the
recently completed "Fargodome" at Fargo, ND, a new state-of-the-art facility.
The show will return to Crookston in 1995.
Educational Seminars
at the ISBI
The ISBI is held in the heart of the most concentrated sugarbeet production area of North America. American Crystal Sugar Company, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, and Manitoba Sugar Company growers annually produce over 600,00 acres of sugarbeet.
Since its inception, the ISBI has been a forum for presentation of new technologies and ideas to the sugarbeet grower. Subjects addressed have ranged from production practice recommendations and research results to grower panel discussion of quality sugarbeet production. Topics from farm credit management and alternative uses of sugar to "Sugar, Fact and Fiction" have been discussed. From the early 1980s to the present, powerful players in the political arena have presented up to date analysis of sugar and farm policy issues a the ISBI include House Speaker Tom Foley of Washington; Kika De La Graza, U.S. House of Representatives Ag Committee chairman, Texas; Representative Jerry Huckaby, L.A.; Representatives Webb Franklin, Charlie Rose, Tom Lewis, Arlan Strangeland, and many others. National sugar industry leaders like Luther Marquardt, Jack O'Connell, Charles Shamel, and others have addressed past audiences. Speaker annually address cutting edge issues facing the U.S. sugarbeet industry.
Travel to the ISBI
Local growers travel the highways to
the institute. Interstate Highway I-29 is the main north-south artery to Fargo, Grand
Forks, and Winnipeg. A secondary route is federal Highway 75, connecting Fargo-Moorhead
and Crookston, Travel east and west is easy on Interstate Highway 94, or Montana growers
may follow federal Highway 2. Commercial travel opportunities also provide ready access to
Fargo or Crookston. Fargo is served by Northwest Orient and American Airlines. Northwest
Orient also services the Grand Forks, ND airport. Private planes can access airports
within two miles of either the Crookston or Fargo show location. Commercial train and bus
lines serve the area as well. Growers beyond North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba often
charter commercial air or ground transportation.
Other Points of
Interest to Sugarbeet Growers
The American Crystal Sugar company research center in Moorhead, MN welcomes touring groups or individuals. This state-of-the-art facility undertakes research in the areas of 1)variety development, 2) seed processing, 3) factory operations, 4) byproduct use, 5) product quality, and 6) agronomic practices, just to name a few. The American Crystal Sugar Company offices are also in Moorhead, Minn-Dak Farmers Coop and its subsidiary company, Dakota Yeast, are nearby in Wahpeton, ND.
Sugarbeet equipment shortline manufacturers in the region include Alloway Mfg., WIC, Red River Service Center, Brittonya Sprayers, H & S Manufacturing, Elmers Manufacturing, Keller Welding, and the Case-IH 4-wheel drive tractor plant. Numerous truck box manufacturers are also located in the region. Most of these companies or the sugar cooperatives will arrange tours on request.
Additional
Information
For more information on the ISBI or travel and motel accommodations, contact Allan Cattanach at (701) 237-8596 or 227 Walster Hall, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105
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