After applying, about 3 weeks passed before a phone call to come in for an interview. No phone screening was done. During the interview with hiring mgr and Director of HR, not once did they ask one question about the resume! It was questions like, tell me about yourself. The best question HR could ask was “where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?” Yet her answer to describe the culture was family. Well, aren’t many families dysfunctional? It seems that there are a lot of long term employees here, which can be very good. But, often times, it is these employees that block progress and change. But it’s management that should be leading change. About 10 days following the in person interview, the “standard letter” arrived. While I understand there is only one job opening, it says a lot to me about their communication style. It is my opinion that every rejection notification should be done with more class. An interview gets a phone call. A phone screen gets the letter. The company has 60% of a market that does not seem to be growing. Internationally, sugar consumption continues to grow at annual rate of 1.5% - 2.5%, so market is considered mature from a raw consumption standpoint. Future growth coming from new uses and taking share from other sweeteners (e.g., Pepsi eliminating corn syrup from soft drinks and going back to sugar). Ethanol plays in this market too and with tight corn markets, possible for this to become an important demand component for sugar beets. Also, prices have rebounded from cyclical lows in previous years. Current prices some of the highest in years. In 2010, prices were nearly 80% higher than a decade ago -- $61.2/ton in 2010 vs. $34.2/ton in 2000 Big change on production/seed side has been Roundup Ready. Approved in 2008, so like the early days of RR Soybeans back in the 90s. Penetration grew quickly - to 95% by 2010, and RR has actually helped increase tonnage/sugar content (better quality beets with less weed pressure). Has helped increase grower profitability (less labor, less chemistry, higher production). Future of RR technology uncertain given pending lawsuits (what else is new?!). With the uncertainty, a lot of concern regarding availability of RR seed for 2012. Upcoming court decisions will dictate RR future in sugar beets. Acreage has been fairly stable (+10% over 10 years). Several reasons (CUSTER) – (1) fairly limited geographies where sugar beets are grown; (2) it’s a commodity that has to be processed and the locations of processing facilities constrict geography; (3) all the processing is owned by grower cooperatives (new growers don’t just wake up and decide to grow sugar beets). Key factors that will most likely influence growth prospects: (1) demand vs. other sweeteners/issues around other sweeteners; (2) the Roundup Ready decision and who wins that battle among seed producers (i.e., if not allowed, is someone in best position to re-capture conventional seed market?); (3) new uses; (4) other international production.