The American Sugar Cane League has hired Cheryl Michelet who will be the next public relations director in the organization. She will work closely with Sam Irwin who recently announced his retirement from the League in February of 2025 after 13 years of service. Michelet is the CEO and founder of Michelet Strategic Communications and most recently served as…
You've found Sugarcane in the News, the home of the official American Sugar Cane League press releases and other news stories about the sugar industry. In this section you will find links to the Sugar News, our email newsletter about the the people who have made sugarcane the Louisiana's number one crop for more than two centuries. You can sign up to receive the Sugar News in your mailbox here.
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.
Check back frequently to stay up to date on breaking news, legislative issues and other important information about the sugar industry.
Sugarcane crop expected to rebound after Hurricane Francine
It will be weeks before the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry can make a full assessment of the damage Hurricane Francine inflicted upon Louisiana agriculture. However, American Sugar Cane League General Manager Jim Simon said he is confident the state’s sugarcane farmers will not see major losses due to the storm. By Avery J. Davidson,…
Sugarcane crop in better shape this year
There is more optimism in the Louisiana sugarcane industry this year compared to last year as near-normal rain patterns have the crop in good shape. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has this report from the cane fields of south Louisiana. (Video 07/24/24)
Planting sugarcane in Louisiana
Louisiana sugarcane farmers plant whole stalks of sugarcane by hand or plant shorter stalks called billets with mechanical planters. Farmers try to get their planting done by the end of September for harvesting 12 months later.
Biostimulants & Soil Fertility in Louisiana Sugarcane
Dr. Brenda Tubana and Dr. Bruno Nicchio of the LSU AgCenter discuss biostimulants and soil fertility in Louisiana sugarcane at the July 2024 sugar field day at the Sugarcane Research Station in St. Gabriel, Louisiana.
Best-attended sugarcane field day ever highlighted by the latest research
The largest crowd to ever attend an LSU AgCenter sugarcane field day learned the latest news and research in varieties, soil fertility, biostimulants, weed management and plant pathology. AgCenter Sugar Research Station coordinator Al Orgeron approximated that there were 280 attendees based on the number of lunches served at the location in St.Gabriel. “Typically, we average 210 to 220,…
Agronomist Katie Richard joins ASCL staff
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…
Solar Power, Farm Bill, Sugar Program Affects Louisiana Sugarcane
NEW ORLEANS - Landowners need to be very careful when approached by solar power developers and do their due diligence before signing on the dotted line, advised an energy expert attorney at the June 29 sugar commodity meeting at the 102nd Annual Louisiana Farm Bureau convention at the Marriott Hotel. Only about 25 percent of all the proposed solar…
Sugarcane Field Day Season is Here!
In Louisiana, we have many seasons. There is summer, of course, which seems to last all year sometimes. Then there’s football season, duck hunting season, Mardi Gras and crawfish season. In the Louisiana sugarcane agricultural world, we are entering into the field day season. Sugarcane farmers have done all their lay-by work and are now maintaining their crop with…
Louisiana rum making a name in the spirit world
Louisiana is a leading American producer of sugarcane. Sugarcane is a tropical plant that typically has a growing season of 12 months or longer, but our enterprising sugarcane growers and millers have learned how to grow a top crop in just nine. Because we can grow a commercial sugarcane crop in such a short time, we are regarded as…
Refined company: AgCenter researcher becomes third woman to win sugar industry award
Gillian Eggleston, director of the LSU AgCenter’s Audubon Sugar Institute, has become only the third woman to win the prestigious Crystal Award for Achievement in Sugar Technology since its inception in 1961. The Crystal Award was developed by Sugar Industry Technologists, Inc. to acknowledge those who have made notable contributions to the technological advancement of the sugar refining industry…
