Union Members Tell Congress Sugar Policy Means Good Jobs, Strong Communities
Sugar workers who are members of the International Association of Machinists were recently on Capitol Hill talking about how a strong U.S. sugar policy supports union jobs across the country. We’re proud that much of the sugar made in America is done so by a union workforce.
“U.S. sugar policy provides so much opportunity for people in the rural communities,” said Cornelius Fowler, a truck driver for Florida Crystals with 16 years’ experience on the job. “They have great benefits, great programs that allow individuals that want to further their career.”
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Sugar Farmers Go To Washington
Louisiana’s sugar farmers and millers have been producing a reliable source of America’s favorite ingredient for centuries but so have our foreign competitors.
Our producers thrive in the face of adversity. We grow a profitable crop in nine months while the rest of the world has the luxury of a twelve-month growing season. We are some of the most efficient producers in the world and believe our farmers can compete with any farmer in the world.
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Experienced USDA FAS Official Joins Sugar Alliance
A long-time veteran of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Casey Bean will join the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) as the organization’s trade consultant on May 1. Bean will work with ASA to analyze the complex global trade issues that impact U.S. sugar farmers and shape America’s no-cost sugar policy.
With more than thirty years of experience working with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Bean’s work at FAS spans multiple regions across the globe including the countries of Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Japan, Pakistan, Peru, and Venezuela.
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Sprayer Drone Use And Utilization In Louisiana Agriculture
The Louisiana sugarcane industry has persevered for more than 225 years, even though it is a tropical crop is growing in a temperate environment. Growers regularly face a challenging climate, which includes the threat of early winter freezes before the crop is harvested. An early freeze can kill the sugarcane plant and cause the sugar (sucrose) inside of the stalk to deteriorate. Another challenge is the short seven-to-10-month growing season.
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The 2024 Sugar Market Domestic Supply and Outlook
The domestic production of sugar in the U.S. originates from sugarcane harvested in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas and sugarbeets harvested across the Upper Midwest, Central Plains, Mountain states, Pacific Northwest, and California.
Sugarcane is harvested from October to March and sugarbeets are harvested in the late summer through fall, except for California where sugarbeets are harvested in the spring through the summer.
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Bright Forecast for America’s Sugar Industry
Recently the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri released their outlook for U.S. agriculture. They project that American sugar production remains strong and is expected to grow, despite challenges we have seen over the past couple years including factory closures in Sidney, MT, and Santa Rosa, TX.
“Despite new and existing challenges, the forecast is bright for American sugar production as long as the farmers’ safety net is strengthened,” said Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis at the American Sugar Alliance.
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Better Berries, Cold Tolerant Sugarcane, Precision Breeding Is Making It Possible
In a pocket of central Louisiana, a surprising crop for that area is taking root — sugarcane.
Sugarcane, a tropical crop, has traditionally been limited to south Louisiana. But by using precision breeding techniques, LSU AgCenter researchers are developing sugarcane varieties that can withstand colder temperatures.
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Trycera® Herbicide Receives Federal Registration for Sugarcane
Trycera herbicide from Helena Agri-Enterprises has received federal registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in sugarcane. Trycera is the first triclopyr product to be approved for use in the crop. It offers sugarcane growers a new tool to control Divine nightshade and other problematic weed species, pending approval by state regulatory agencies.
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Soaring Sugar Prices and Mexican Drought Challenges USDA's Supply Management
USDA is struggling to manage sugar supplies amid soaring domestic and international prices and a drought that continues to devastate Mexican growers, slashing the amount they can export to U.S. food and candy manufacturers.
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Cane Producers Look Forward To 2024
Despite 2023’s drought, Louisiana’s landowners, sugarcane producers and millers continue to have confidence in sugarcane in 2024.
Kenneth Gravois, the LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist, is not surprised.
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Sugar Farmers Host D.C. Fly-in This Week
The nation’s sugar farmers are in Washington, D.C. this week as part of the American Sugar Alliance annual fly-in. Patrick Frischhertz, a member of the American Sugar Cane League National Legislative Committee and a Louisiana farmer, says the event helps Congress know what’s important to the sugar industry.
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Closing of Texas’ Last Sugar Mill Will Affect 101 Company Drivers
Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers Inc. recently announced it is closing after 51 years in business, citing dwindling water for irrigation and an ongoing dispute with Mexico over water supplies.
The closure will result in layoffs of 435 employees, including 101 company truck drivers, for the sugar-growing operation and mill based in Santa Rosa, Texas. The mill’s closure will be finalized by April 29.
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Louisiana Sugar Cane Production is Booming, but Producers Say a New Farm Bill is Needed
Louisiana's sugar cane production is booming.
Despite a severe drought, the state's 2023 harvest produced more than 1.8 million tons of sugar. The number of acres of sugar cane harvested has been increasing over the past few years, as has the tons of sugar per acre, due to more sugar-intense varieties.
It's not just Louisiana.
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Louisiana Museum has Rosenwald School Building, Early Sugar Cane Planter Made by Black Men
The River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville holds important pieces of Louisiana history. The organization maintains a former Rosenwald school and one of the first sugarcane planting machines created by two Black men.
In the early 1900s, education wasn’t easily accessible for everyone. By the middle of the century, two prominent Black men had created dozens of schools in the South, one of which is now in Donaldsonville.
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Washington Economist to Speak at Annual Louisiana Sugarcane Meeting
The American Sugar Cane League’s annual meeting will feature guest speaker Robert Johansson, the director of economics and policy analysis of the Washington-based American Sugar Alliance.
Johansson will make his remarks at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 6 at L’Auberge Hotel & Casino in Baton Rouge. He will speak on renewal of the farm bill and national sugar policy.
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