Growing up on a farm in St. Martinville, Brayden Blanchard knew he wanted to make a living doing something related to sugarcane — the crop his family has cultivated for five generations.
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As we move into the holiday season, we have much for which to be thankful when we look at the broader picture of the Louisiana sugarcane industry. The final report for 2023 shows that the industry remains strong as it enters its third century of sugar production. We’ve seen growth in both acreage and economic impact.
In 2023, sugarcane production expanded in a number of parishes, bringing the total acres of sugarcane planted in Louisiana to 532,000—an increase of 12,000 acres.
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U.S. sugar supply and use for 2023/24 are updated with final year data from SMD and FAS. Production is increased 171,190 short tons, raw value (STRV) based on larger than-expected production in September for beet sugar and for cane sugar in Louisiana.
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Louisiana corn for grain production is forecast at 84.1 million bushels, unchanged from the October 1 forecast but down 29 percent from 2023. Based on conditions as of November 1, yield is expected to average 189 bushels per acre, unchanged from last month but up 14 bushels from last year. Producers expect to harvest 445,000 acres of corn for grain, down 235,000 acres from 2023.
Upland cotton production is forecast at 310,000 bales, up 10,000 bales from the October 1 forecast and 101,000 bales above last year.
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Sugarcane harvesting season is underway across Louisiana, but farmers say unpredictable weather patterns are shaking up their plans. More than a month ago, Hurricane Francine swept across the southern part of the state; the wind and rain damaged crops.
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This year’s Real Sugar Day campaign included an invitation for people from across the country to tour sugarcane and sugar beet farms as well as a sugar mill and sugar factory to see firsthand how the plants are cultivated, harvested and processed. Participants were most surprised to learn that real sugar is entirely natural.
The campaign also featured Madison Saunier with the third-generation Guidry’s Cakery in Erath, 25-year old owner Madelyn Schmidt of Eloise Market and Cakery in Baton Rouge explaining how sugar ensures flavor, texture and moisture needed to make any birthday or wedding celebration complete.
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An agriculture expert says this year’s Louisiana sugarcane crop had great growing conditions although Hurricane Francine’s strong winds damaged some crops.
An estimated two million tons of sugar is expected to be produced from this year’s crops.
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With the sugarcane harvest season in full swing, John Hebert, Agriculture Manager with the Louisiana Sugarcane Cooperative, expressed gratitude for the favorable conditions this season.
“Very blessed this season, especially when you compare it with the conditions we had with the weather last year,” Hebert stated.
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Kids growing up on farms in southern Louisiana date themselves according to hurricanes and sugarcane variety releases, Louisiana State University sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois jokes. 2024 will be known as the year of Hurricane Francine, and hopefully only Francine, as sugarcane producers race tropical storm season to finish out harvest with minimal crop damage.
Hurricanes are not a new obstacle to sugarcane production. The very nature of a tropical crop both harvested and planted during hurricane season demands hardiness.
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Louisiana corn for grain production is forecast at 84.1 million bushels, down 1 percent from September 1 forecast and down 29 percent from 2023. Based on conditions as of October 1, yield is expected to average 189 bushels per acre, down 2 bushels from last month but up 14 bushels from last year. Harvested acreage for grain is estimated at 445,000 acres, down 235,000 acres from 2023.
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Over 200 guests immersed themselves in Louisiana history during the 29th annual SugarFest at the West Baton Rouge Museum on Sunday afternoon.
Local artists were creating projects on site while others were making drinks from fresh sugar cane. Executive director of the West Baton Museum Angelique Bergeron says this year was a celebration for the community.
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The American Sugar Cane League has hired Cheryl Michelet who will be the next public relations director in the organization. She will work closely with Sam Irwin who recently announced his retirement from the League in February of 2025 after 13 years of service.
Michelet is the CEO and founder of Michelet Strategic Communications and most recently served as the director of communications for BREC, the East Baton Rouge Parish Park system.
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Over the past two years, Congress has held numerous hearings that have documented a brewing financial crisis caused by falling commodity prices, high input costs, and tightening farm credit. Members have heard from farmers and ranchers across the country about the need for a new Farm Bill. Now, it’s time for Congress to act. Waiting would be a mistake.
I was the chief economist at the Department of Agriculture when the last farm bill was written and saw firsthand the impacts on our agricultural and food system caused by the changing climate, a trade war, and a global pandemic.
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The volatility of the cocoa market has led to some truly spooky headlines over the past year, including cautionary tales of candy shortages. It’s inevitable that these headlines will rise from the dead again this Halloween and opponents of U.S. sugar policy may choose to take this opportunity to take a stab at sugar producers.
But if your Halloween basket is light on chocolate this year, it’s cocoa that’s the culprit – not sugar.
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Hurricane Francine’s winds knocked over some sugarcane stalks but did not ruin the harvest for most Acadiana sugarcane farmers.
Eddie Lewis III, a 6th generation sugarcane farmer from Youngsville, said their fields faired Francine.
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