text: French sugar beet plantings are off to a good start thanks to generally favourable winter and spring weather the CGB beet planters association said. It said in a report that soil structure was likely to be excellent for good preparation as a result of a cold reasonably showery winter. By April 15 27.8 pct of the area had been sown against three pct at the same year ago date. It added the area sown was likely to be reduced this year by 1.2 pct to 445000 hectares. REUTER
target: FRENCH BEET PLANTERS SEE FAVOURABLE SOWINGS START