Sugarbeet and Sugarcane Production and Farm Trends
Like many other agricultural sectors, there has been consolidation in United States (US) farm-level sugar production. Sugar is a unique commodity because about 56 percent of the domestic production of sugar originates from sugarbeets and 44 percent originates from sugarcane. The US domestic production of sugar has increased from 8.02 million short tons raw value (STRV) in 1997 to 9.31 million STRV in 2024, an increase of 16% (USDA ERS, 2025a). However, there are now 50 percent fewer sugarbeet and sugarcane farms in the country.
Read More
Mainland Rum – California and Louisiana
Seth Benhaim, known for his impactful entry into the spirits scene with Broken Barrel Whiskey, is now making waves with his latest venture under Badwater Brands: Mainland Rum. This innovative project aims to independently bottle rum distilled right here on the American mainland.
Mainland Rum launched in May 2025 with its inaugural releases, including a 10-year-old Mainland Rum Louisiana Single Cask and a 9-year-old Mainland Rum California Single Cask.
Read More
Keeping It Sweet During National Candy Month
June is National Candy Month, a celebration of all things sweet. This month—and every month—we take great pride in the hard work and dedication of America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers. Thanks to them, both candy manufacturers and consumers benefit from high-quality, made-in-America sugar. Sugar is an essential ingredient in not only your favorite treats, but also countless everyday foods vital to a balanced and healthy diet.
Read More
Bill Cassidy Joins Other u.s. Senators in Bid To Make Rum Tax Cover Permanent
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), joined by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), reintroduced a bill Wednesday to modify the revenue distribution to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, referred to as the "rum cover over," derived from excise taxes on rum produced in or imported into the United States from these two territories.
Read More
Meet the 2025 Sugar Notables
On July 19, 2025, the Sugar Journal staff will celebrate the 2025 Sugar Notables winners. “We have so many outstanding individuals in our sugar industry that have done so much to improve and move the industry forward that we felt we should celebrate the ‘best of the best’ that were selected,” said Romney Richard, publisher, and editor of Sugar Journal.
Read More
Fatal Tractor Crash Prompts Farm Road Safety Push
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 More
American Sugar Cane League Announces New Variety Highlighting Successful Research Partnership
The 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 More
The Rising Tide Of Costs For Louisiana Sugarcane Farmers
Louisiana 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 More
A Sugar Refinery That Supports Over 800 Farmers Wants an Air Permit Renewal
A 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 More
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins Announces Major Win for Texas Farmers and Ranchers in Water Negotiations with Mexico
U.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 More
Fueling Louisiana's Sweet Success: How LSU's Research Keeps the Sugarcane Industry Thriving
Louisiana’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 More
American Sugar Cane League Welcomes Jamison A. Cruce as New Washington Representative
The 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 More
Sugarcane Pest Management Strategic Plan: Survey And Workshop
The 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 More
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Enhances Sugar Cane Quality Analysis, Study Finds
A 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 More
Increased Farm Costs Highlighted at USDA Forum
Minnesota 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 More
