WAHPETON (AP) - The Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative is hiring drivers to haul its sugar beets rather than contracting for the job.

"It was a business decision based on what management thought was best for the co-op," spokeswoman Susan Johnson said. "It will be more efficient, and we will have better control of transportation."

The cooperative is hiring more than 100 drivers. Johnson said Minn-Dak and its former hauling service "parted on good terms."

Minn-Dak had contracted with American Driver Services, Inc., for hauling beets. Last year, some of the drivers parked their rigs in a dispute over pay and management, though the cooperative said the dispute did not affect its sugar beet plant.

From September to mid-March, drivers haul beets from seven areas within 30 miles of the Wahpeton plant in a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation. Minn-Dak says it's offering drivers $15 an hour plus overtime.

"It will require quite a crew," Johnson said. Minn-Dak has used its own trucks and mechanics, she said. Its drivers haul more than 250 loads of beets in 24 hours, and log a total of nearly 3 million miles on all trucks during the season.

Minn-Dak spokesman Chris DeVries said the switch to hiring its own drivers may eventually save the co-op money.