There's also a link to The Sugar Bulletin, the League's monthly magazine, and its advertising rates and subscrption information. The Sugar Bulletin has been published since 1922 and you can research the sugar industry archives by clicking here or in the drop list to the left. The American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists archives are also available.
If there’s one thing that transcends borders, languages and generations, it’s the shared experience of farming. That bond was evident when Kevin and Kayla Veenstra, a farming couple from Alberta, Canada, swapped the icy grip of a Canadian winter for an unseasonably warm December week in New Orleans. Their main attraction? Not the French Quarter, but something a bit…
(12/10/24) ST. GABRIEL, La. — 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. As a senior in high school, Blanchard tagged along with his father to a grower meeting at the local sugar mill, where…
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…
(11/06/24) BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is still accepting nominations through Nov. 18 for its induction ceremony, which will be held March 6, 2025, in Baton Rouge. The nomination form can be found online at www.louisianaagriculturehallofdistinction.com or any parish LSU AgCenter extension office. The nomination form should include the nominee’s major contributions to Louisiana…
As the birthplace of the American sugarcane industry, Real Sugar Day has a special meaning to those of us who are fortunate to call Louisiana home. Again this year, the League partnered with The Sugar Association to highlight the role that sugar plays in a nutritious, balanced and enjoyable diet. This year's Real Sugar Day campaign included an invitation…
Unmanned aircraft, also known as drones, have several uses in farming operations. One use that continues to increase is the application of pesticides and plant growth regulators. Drones can apply crop products precisely in areas where aircraft travel is difficult. There are regulations governing the use of drones in agriculture. By: Albert Orgeron, Price, Randy R. An agricultural spray…
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. “Acreage increased again in 2024 and was reported at just over 536,000 acres by the USDA Farm Service Agency,” said LSU AgCenter…
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…
The American Sugar Cane League has been providing research, governmental and public relations guidance for the Louisiana sugar industry for 102 years. Our partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture and Louisiana State University has produced positive results. Over the last 40 years, sugarcane acreage has increased 93 percent and overall tons of raw sugar by an astonishing…
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. “There are two factors for the continued increase in sugarcane production: increased acreage and better sugar production from third year and older cane stubble,” said Gravois. There are more than 500,000 acres…
The Mississippi River levee in front of retired sugarcane farmer George “Scrap” Hymel’s Gramercy, Louisiana home has been the site of a Christmas Eve bonfire for 53 years. Hymel saw his last bonfire in 2022; he passed away on December 30, 2022. But for the Hymel family to not participate in the annual tradition of building the holiday bonfire…
The vision of the 1922 founders of the American Sugar Cane League was to seek out the best scientific research available. They forged a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture and Louisiana State University. Louisiana’s sugarcane industry found new vigor after the establishment of this “three-way agreement.” Because of this scientific cooperation we’ve managed to increase raw…
