Associated Press - November 3, 2009 5:15 PM ET

POWELL, Wyo. (AP) - Western Sugar Cooperative representatives are still hoping to find some undamaged sugar beets as the harvest continues in northern Wyoming.

Most of the beets were frozen in the ground by unseasonably cold weather in early October just as the harvest was just beginning.

Ric Rodriguez farms beets near Powell and is vice chairman of the Western Sugar board of directors.

He says there are a lot of damaged beets but there's still hope of finding some good ones in the harvest.

The cold snap wreaked havoc on what was expected to be a record sugar beet harvest. Other crops, such as dry beans, alfalfa seed, wheat and corn also have been damaged.

Ag officials estimate losses could surpass $12 million, and a federal disaster declaration was being sought.

Information from: Powell Tribune - Powell, http://www.powelltribune.com

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