On a mild winter’s day in Raceland, Louisiana, a dedicated group of researchers, agronomists and staff from The American Sugar Cane League, LSU AgCenter and Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma gathered to hear preliminary reports about the 2024 harvest, research projects and a forecast for the 2025 crop. Despite significant challenges, the presentations struck a mostly positive tone.
Read MoreIn the last seven days alone, another winter storm and an arctic burst have worked their way across the United States — adding to a very active January of winter weather.
Parts of southeast Texas and Louisiana got over 6 inches of snow, while even Mississippi, Alabama, and northern Florida reported substantial snowfall on the ground.
Read MoreAs farmers begin making plans for the upcoming growing season, many are bracing for the likelihood of another year marked by tight margins.
“Production costs for 2025 are estimated to decrease for the second consecutive year, which is good news,” said LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto.
Read MorePete deGravelles’ legacy is deeply intertwined with agriculture, community service and leadership. Throughout his life, deGravelles had a strong commitment to nurturing future leaders, not only in the agricultural sector but for all organizations in which he was involved.
Two of his daughters, Renée DeMoss and Diane Trull, are honoring their late father by establishing the Pete deGravelles Ag Leadership Endowment to support the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Leadership Development Program.
Read MoreLouisiana corn area harvested is 440,000, down 35 percent from 2023. The average yield is estimated at 185 bushels per acre, up 10 bushels from last year. Production totaled 81.4 million bushels, down 32 percent from 2023.
Upland cotton harvested acres is 148,000, up 29 percent from 2023. The yield is expected to average 1,070 pound.
Read MoreU.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the appointment or reappointment of 53 members to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees.
The advisory committee system was created by Congress in 1974 to ensure that U.S. agricultural stakeholders have input and insight into U.S. trade policy and negotiating objectives.
Read MoreAs the 119th Congress begins, the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) congratulates both the new and returning leaders of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees: Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), as well as House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) and Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02).
Read MoreLouisiana sugarcane farmers are entering the home stretch of their harvest, and this year’s crop has been described as a “good one that could have been even better.” LSU AgCenter reporter Craig Gautreaux tells the story from south Louisiana.
Read MoreEarlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit a Palm Beach County, Florida, sugar cane farm with the Florida Sugar Cane League, which hosts tours to connect non-farming residents with local farmers. I joined a group of seniors from a residential neighborhood in the southern part of the county.
I’d never seen sugar cane before, so the trip was eye opening for me. While this doesn’t begin to cover everything I learned, here are seven things I discovered about sugar cane.
Read MoreGrowing 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreU.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.
Read MoreLouisiana 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.
Read MoreSugarcane 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.
Read MoreThis 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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