Large sugar-beet harvesters have a reputation for having a negative impact on soil quality – especially when operating in wet conditions. Swiss growers counteract this by exercising caution in the management of their fields. They determine the agricultural cycle and outfit their machinery (e.g. tire size and pressure) according to the current weather and soil conditions. This allows them to reduce soil compaction, retain high soil quality, ensure that their sugar beets benefit from ample access to nutrients, and limit their use of organic and mineral fertilizers.