Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.subsp. vulgaris var. altissima Döll) hosts a large number of plant parasitic nematodes. Its most important nematode is the sugar beet nematode (Heterodera schachtii Schmidt, 1871). Extensive damage and a 60 - 80% yield reduction have been recorded in sugar beet production, as well as significantly lower digestion. In Tovarnik significant loses which are attributed to the sugar beet nematode have been noted in 2015. The aim of this paper is to determine the presence of cysts and the sugar beet nematode population density on production crops of private agricultural producers in Tovarnik by collecting and analysing soil samples.Based on the results, appropriate measures will be recommended in order to deal with this parasite. The sampling was conducted in the fall of 2015, and 16 samples were collected from 4 ha of land. Soil samples were processed using a Spears flotation device, and cysts were identified according to morphological differences at the Nematology laboratory of the Department of Agricultural Zoology of the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb. Based on the results obtained, a medium to serious sugar beet nematode infection was diagnosed. The differences in the severity of the infection can be attributed to the gradual spread of cysts across the surface by tillage. The use of nematicides in this is justified, but economically unviable due to the often questionable effectiveness and cost of the nematicide. Integrated protection of sugar beet from sugar beet nematodes is recommended. This includes trap cropping, suppression of host weeds, nematode-suppressive plants, green fertilization and using nematicides.