Late May, a fatal crash with a sugarcane tractor claiming the life of Michelle Seaton of Maurice put road safety in the spotlight months before sugarcane season began.
“I think this is an important topic, especially during the spring and in the fall of the year, when we have planning and harvesting,” said Ron Czajkowski, the Safety Coordinator with Acadiana Region Destination Zero Deaths.
Read MoreThe American Sugar Cane League, in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the LSU AgCenter, has announced the release of USDS ARS HoCP 18-803, another new variety for Louisiana sugarcane farmers to utilize.
This milestone is the latest result of more than five decades of collaboration between the League and its research partners. It also stands as a clear example of what sustained investment and industry-wide commitment can deliver.
Read MoreLouisiana sugarcane grower Travis Medine approached the 101st annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, hosted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C., with mixed feelings. “It’s difficult to leave because you’re always thinking about what you could be doing,” he admitted, citing a constant mental list of unfinished tasks.
Read MoreA sugar refinery in St. James Parish that produces more than 1.2 million tons of granulated sugars and molasses annually is seeking to renew its air permit with the state Department of Environmental Quality.
Louisiana Sugar Refining LLC in Gramercy handles roughly two-thirds of the sugar cane crop grown in Louisiana. It receives raw sugar from eight mills that process sugar from 800 farmers in the state.
Read MoreU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announces a major win for American agriculture by securing the agreement of the Mexican government to meet the current water needs of farmers and ranchers in Texas as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. The Mexican government committed to transfer water from international reservoirs and increase the U.S. share of the flow in six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle.
Read MoreLouisiana’s sugarcane industry isn’t just a part of the state’s history—it’s a driving force in its economy, generating roughly $4 billion annually and providing jobs across farms, research facilities, and raw sugar factories.
Sustaining this vital industry requires continuous innovation and a partnership between the LSU AgCenter, the USDA, and the American Sugarcane League plays a pivotal role.
Read MoreThe American Sugar Cane League is pleased to announce the appointment of Jamison Cruce as an additional Washington Representative, effective June 2025.
Cruce will join the League from the USA Rice Federation, where he currently serves as Vice President of Government Affairs. He brings with him more than a decade of experience in agricultural advocacy and trade association operations. His prior roles at the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Georgia Peanut Commission have equipped him with a broad perspective on commodity issues and program development, making him a strong addition to the League.
Read MoreThe Southern IPM Center, LSU AgCenter, and the Sugarcane Research Unit are working together to update the sugarcane crop profile and develop a statewide sugarcane pest management strategic plan.
Read MoreA recent collaborative study between the Audubon Sugar Institute and Louisiana State University (LSU) demonstrated the potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to analyze the quality of sugar cane. In this study, led by Kevin McPeak of LSU, the researchers used NIR spectroscopy to test whether it can analyze sugar cane despite the presence of extraneous matter (EM) (1). The findings have significant implications for the global sugar industry, which is valued at approximately $78 billion annually (1).
Read MoreMinnesota sugarbeet farmer Neil Rockstad recalled a kitchen table conversation with his wife while speaking at the 101st annual Agricultural Outlook Forum.
Both Neil and Louisiana sugarcane grower Travis Medine presented as part of the sugar panel at the forum. They observed that labor and machinery were among the highest costs in their farm budgets.
Read MoreLouisiana’s sugarcane farmers are once again assessing the impact of extreme winter weather on their fields. The most recent freeze, which brought frigid temperatures but no snowfall, raised concerns about potential damage to the 2025 crop. Unlike the historic snowstorm in early January, which provided an insulating layer of protection, this latest cold snap arrived with only rain, leaving crops without nature’s protective blanket.
Read MoreKenneth Gravois grew up on a sugarcane farm and has spent most of his career working with this unique crop. His dedication to the sugarcane industry and years spent improving sugarcane varieties has led to the LSU AgCenter naming Gravois to the American Sugar Cane League Chair in Sugar Production.
Read MoreAs sugarcane enters its growing season, inconsistent temperatures pose potential risks for its development. Stuart Gauthier, a county agent with the LSU Ag Center, explains that this time of year is crucial for the crop's growth. "This is the time of year where we need the cane to start growing. Usually, when you get to the end of February, we start making our crop for the next year and getting some green shoots that are hopefully able to make those stalks," Gauthier said.
Read MoreThe gentle hum of machinery and chirping of birds fill the air over a sprawling sugarcane field in Youngsville, Louisiana. For Eddie Lewis III, these sounds are a constant reminder of the long-standing legacy of his family’s farm, where generations have worked the land.
Read MoreIt’s a new year and there’s a new Congress in town! It’s time for a refresher on how sugar is made in America. This is the first in our new series of Sugar Beat newsletters covering the basics of sweet – so stay tuned for more Sugar 101.
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