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A Product Derived from Sugar Beets Is Proving to Be Effective as a Road De-Icer
Fully produced report in MP3 format:
48 kbps |
96 kbps
(45 seconds)
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(OPEN):
AS SPRING USHERS OUT A DIFFICULT WINTER FOR MOTORISTS, FARMERS ARE
TAKING TO THE FIELDS, TO PLANT NEXT YEAR'S CROP OF ROAD DE-ICERS.
IT MAY SOUND STRANGE, BUT SOME OF THE SNOWIEST PLACES IN AMERICA TURNED
TO SUGAR-BEET JUICE THIS YEAR, TO KEEP TRAVELERS SAFE ON SLIPPERY
HIGHWAYS. MIKE ASTRUP [LONG "A"]--A MINNESOTA SUGAR
FARMER, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY--EXPLAINS...
(ASTRUP):
"CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE FINDING OUT THAT A MOLASSES PRODUCT
FROM SUGAR BEETS IS A GREAT COMPLEMENT TO TRADITIONAL ROAD SALT.
SUGAR'S LESS CORROSIVE ON CARS AND ROADS THAN SALT; IT WORKS AT COLDER
TEMPERATURES, STAYS ON THE GROUND LONGER, AND IS BETTER FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT."
(CLOSE):
DESPITE DISCOVERING A NEW MARKET FOR A SUGAR BYPRODUCT, ASTRUP SAYS THAT
THIS PLANTING SEASON IS MORE STRESSFUL THAN EVER--AS LOW PRICES AND A
STALLED "FARM BILL" HAVE MANY FARMERS AND THEIR BANKERS WORRIED ABOUT
THE FUTURE.
