Tom Peters, Extension sugarbeet agronomist and weed control specialist at NDSU and the University of Minnesota, was awarded the 2021 Sugarbeet Distinguished Service Award by the Sugarbeet Research and Education Board of Minnesota and North Dakota at their annual reporting session on Jan. 12. The award is presented for excellence in research for the improvement of sugarbeet production; effective educational programs for sugarbeet growers; and service to the local, regional or national sugarbeet industry.
Peters supports sugarbeet growers in Minnesota, North Dakota and eastern Montana. He earned his doctorate in agronomy and weed science from NDSU, and was advised by Alan Dexter, retired long-time Extension sugarbeet agronomist.
According to his nomination, Peters “has established himself as one of the ‘go-to’ weed scientists in the sugarbeet industry.”
He works with growers and agriculturalists to develop and communicate weed control solutions and tailors his research to the needs of different geographies. His partnerships with other weed scientists have led to meaningful research on problematic weeds such as Palmer amaranth. In addition, his current research into the use of acifluorfen in sugarbeets may lead to a new tool for weed control throughout the industry.
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