BATON ROUGE, La. — As a young boy, Kenneth Gravois was a voracious reader, and on his regular reading list — the American Sugar Cane League’s Sugar Bulletin. “It came in the mail twice a month, and I devoured it,” Gravois said. “I just thought it was fascinating.” He…
Sugar News
Celebrating Real Sugar Day with locals who make life a little sweeter
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,…
American Sugar Cane League Announces New Variety Highlighting Successful Research Partnership
THIBODAUX, LA – 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…
Fueling Louisiana’s Sweet Success: How 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…
A tale of two freezes: The impact of snow and frigid temps on the 2025 sugarcane crop
Louisiana’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…
AgriPulse: Opinion: The growing importance of a 2024 farm bill
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…
River Parish Christmas bonfire tradition honors sugarcane
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…
Real sugar aligns with a growing desire for simpler, more natural foods
When it comes to what goes on our kids’ lunch trays, parents are clear: they want meals that are clean, natural and free from chemical additives. Now, with SB 117 and SB 14 moving through the 2025 Louisiana legislative session, lawmakers are beginning to listen. These…
Inspired by family legacy in sugarcane, AgCenter researcher aims to improve crop through quantitative genetics
(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…








