Hours. The AgCenter has also helped sugarcane farmers learn to burn cane to minimize environmental problems. Louisiana Sugarcane Production Data 1982-2021, From Louisiana Sugarcane Fields to Your Sugar Bowl. PDF LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana SUGARCANE BURNING Sugarcane and sugar yields in Louisiana (1911-2018): Varietal Texas sugarcane is produced in the lower Rio Grande Valley in the southern tip of the State. The type of sugar produced by sugarcane is called sucrose. Simon said the day is intended to make more consumers aware that real sugar is grown in sugarcane and sugar beet fields throughout the U.S. Sugar cane is a perennial warm season grass which means it doesnt need to be replanted every year. USDA ERS - Background Stephanie is the Head of Communications for the Sugar Association. Where Does Sugar Come From? Opportunities for increased weed control and supplementary income fit in well with sugarcane farming practices. In the United States, sugarcane is grown commercially in Louisiana, Florida and Texas. Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you. This year that is no different, but even with harvesting the less productive fields, the metrics used to measure yields tons of cane per acre and pounds of sugar per ton of cane are promisingly higher than usual. Sugar cane arrived in the state in 1751 and was first planted at what is now an intersection on New Orleans Bourbon Street. The path from plant to product is also far more complicated than you might think. While most people are familiar with sugar cane, they may not be aware that it accounts for nearly half of the sugar in the United States; the other half comes from sugar beets. Further, it is estimated that, by not burning this trash, the industry would spend more than $24 million in transportation and processing costs. Simon said during harvest season, the public will undoubtedly notice more trucks hauling cane on the states thoroughfares, along with harvesting equipment that is essential in getting the crop from the field to the mills. Sugarcane is initially processed into raw sugar at mills near the cane fields. Louisiana's Sugarcane Industry In 2021, 469,000 acres were harvested but this season about 475,000 acres are expected to go to the state's 11 sugar mills. We didnt have too much damage, just a few pieces of equipment, Richard recalled. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) It is a farming decision that the grower must make. In 2021, 469,000 acres were harvested but this season about 475,000 acres are expected to go to the state's 11 sugar mills. The first stop on our tour was in Houma for a fascinating visit to the USDA Agricultural Research Service Sugarcane Research Laboratory. The U.S. is the 5th largest producer of and the 3rd largest market for sugar; the U.S. is a net importer of sugar. With falling sugar prices, careful attention to production costs is a must if sugar producers and processors are to survive. Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: Subscribe to Food Business News' free newsletters to stay up to date about the latest food and beverage news. 225-578-4143 Because of the heavy tonnage, the new variety has a tendency to fall down or lodge. Producing sugarcane with minimal adverse environmental effects is receiving increased research attention within the LSU AgCenter. The response of nine sugarcane cultivar's yield components to glyphosate and trinexapac-ethyl ripeners was determined in field trials. Richard recalled evacuating with his wife, Lori, and their two children, Jase and Blair. It is used primarily as animal feed but can also be sold as syrup, to flavor rum and other foods or as an additive for ethyl alcohol. AgCenter agent Renee Castro has monitored the sugarcane crop in the region most heavily battered by Hurricane Ida: the River Parishes of St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles Ascension, Assumption, and south to Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. Louisiana wraps record sugarcane harvest | 2021-02-02 | Food Business News Until recently, the introduction of new herbicides for sugarcane was rare. Louisiana: Sugarcane Harvest Grinds to a Successful Halt Louisiana cane production and processing support approximately 27,000 jobs, and the state produces about 20% of the sugar grown in the United States. Sugar cane arrived in the state in 1751 and was first planted at what is now an intersection on New Orleans' Bourbon Street. Planting sugarcane in Louisiana - American Sugar Cane League "The only way to process that is with a longer processing season," Gravois said. In fact, of the U.S. sugar-producing areas, Louisiana is the oldest and most historic. Growers are hoping for dryer, cooler weather patterns to allow the crop to mature and produce higher sugar content, Hebert said. A new shoot will sprout from the cut stalks of cane for the next harvest. Current U.S. sugar policy provides some assurances of reasonable returns for sugarcane producers even in the face of competition from increasing imports and a well-established corn-derived sweetener industry. Farther south, AgCenter agent Blair Hebert said he is cautiously optimistic about the 2021 sugarcane harvest. In this role, she is responsible for developing and executing SAIs communications strategy to tell real sugars story, promote industry-leading research, and advocate for evidence-based policy. Richard farms approximately 800 acres of sugarcane along Bayou Lafourche just south of Thibodaux, in the tiny St. Charles community. Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons Gravois noted that despite the slow start to the harvest, drier weather and further progress into the season should elevate sugar recovery figures. When you get along the Bayou Lafourche and Mississippi River areas, those are some of the youngest alluvial soils in the U.S. By the 11th century AD, sugar was being imported throughout Europe. He guided the vehicle through dense rows of cane in whats essentially a moving processing plant that harvests, cuts, strips, chops and collects cane for its next stop at the sugar factory. So far, harvesting conditions have been optimal but things will get wetter as we move into December. A holdover from Louisianas French colonial past, our counties are called parishes. Sugars Place in Healthful Eating Patterns, Use this science-based brochure from The Sugar, Click here to find more downloadable learning aides and resources from the Sugar Association for classroom use and education, The Sugar Bulletins Advertising Rates and Sizes. While generally burned as fuel for the mills, it could be used as a feedstock for ethanol production. But things looked a little different in Lafourche Parish 12 months ago. A total of 24 articles and reports were published investigating relevant economic aspects of sugarcane production in Louisiana. Louisiana's sugar-cane industry is by itself worth $3 billion, generating an estimated 16,400 jobs. Because cane is bulky and relatively expensive to transport, it must be processed as soon as possible to minimize sugar deterioration. When harvested, sugar cane is cut just above the root level so new sprouts will grow, ready to be harvested again in 10-12 months. 225-578-4161 The mill, which began grinding its first stalks of the season on Sept. 28, is expected to operate until January for this years crop. With help from the American Sugar Cane League, I had the opportunity in November 2018 to tour cane sugar operations in Louisiana. This is the fifth straight year that . I was guided through the various steps for extracting the sugar from sugar cane, which include purification, clarification, evaporation and crystallization. Sugarcane is planted, usually in the fall of the year, by using the vegetative stalks of the cane and not seeds. In the United States, sugarcane is grown commercially in Louisiana, Florida and Texas. Both expected to complete grinding Jan. 19. Richard recalled evacuating with his wife, Lori, and their two children, Jase and Blair. Its control has been mainly through disease-resistant varieties. A Letter From the American Sugar Cane League concerning the coronavirus. A commitment to stewardship and producing a high-quality product for consumers have been their goals for four generations. Well have to see what happens with soybean prices, said Mark Carriere, LSU AgCenter agent in Pointe Coupee and Iberville parishes. Sugarcane harvesting begins in late September and continues through early January. 9516 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA, 70815, United States. That means there is a chance of a killing freeze. The raw sugar is then shipped to refineries to produce refined sugar. Castro said this years harvest is shaping up to be one that is vastly different from what Richard and other farmers were seeing last year. She serves as the LSU AgCenter agronomy agent for Lafourche, Assumption, Ascension, Terrebonne, St. Charles and St. James parishes. PDF United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural 225-578-4161 The Sugar Association offers important science-based information about sugar, where it comes from and its role in a balanced diet and lifestyle. On the political front, the Leagues efforts in promoting a strong national sugar policy has led to stable prices that makes it easier for a producer to plan long term. Baton Rouge, LA 70803, 2022 sugarcane harvest off to a positive start. Sugarcane ripening in Louisiana is necessary to ensure adequate sucrose levels in early-season harvested sugarcane. Sugarcane cultivar response to glyphosate and trinexapac-ethyl - PLOS Currently there are 16 operating sugarcane mills in the U.S. with 11 in Louisiana, four in Florida and one in Texas. The US Department of Agriculture, in its Jan. 12 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, forecast Louisianas 2020-21 (October-September fiscal year) sugar production at 1,886,000 tons, up 3.4% from its December forecast and up 20% from 2019-20 when production was reduced by adverse weather, mainly frost damage in northern areas. A primer on how sugarcane is planted and harvested in the Bayou State. General Manager Jim Simon said he shares in the farmers enthusiasm over the positive start to this years harvest. Louisiana production has also expanded because of the adoption of high-yielding sugarcane varieties, along with investments in new harvesting combines. Frequently Asked Questions About Sugar Sugarcane acreage increased again this year. Sugarcane acreage increased again this year. In addition to this work, sugarcane varieties are tested for tolerance to all herbicides so that yield potential is not decreased at the expense of weed control. Currently, the plants generate about 1,800 megawatts in surplus electricity, or about 3 percent of the countrys overall needs. Learn About the Louisiana Sugar Industry - American Sugar Cane League Just as the August planting season rolled around, the rain returned and hampered planting activities. Griffins work also includes getting the most out of currently labeled herbicides, such as fine-tuning conditions for johnsongrass control with asulam. On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc with its Category 4 winds and nearly a foot of rain when it made landfall near Port Fourchon in southern Lafourche Parish, about 60 miles from where the Richards farm lies near St. Charles. You almost couldnt ask for a better start, Simon said. Now, harvest is getting off to a soggy start. (This article appeared in the fall 2001 issue of Louisiana Agriculture. Hawaii no longer grows sugarcane after its last remaining mill closed in 2016. However, Louisianas cold, wet winters and stalk rot diseases make the success of billet planting more tenuous. Take a look at the photo gallery to learn more. From Louisianas Sugar Belt To Your Table Insecticides have long offered the main control for this pest. When harvested,it'scut just above the root level so new sprouts will grow, ready to beharvestedagain in 10-12 months. Castro said Jason Richard, and other farmers his age represent the future viability of the industry. Cane is not planted with seeds. According to AgCenter data, about 139,000 acres of cane are expected to have somewhat lower sugar yields because of the storm. Thats a record for Louisiana.. Sugarcane | Planting, Harvesting & Processing | Britannica 8 1D Breakeven Raw Sugar Yields for Selected Prices and Rental Arrangements, 4-Year Rotation, Harvest through 2nd stubble, Tenant-Operators, Louisiana, 2014. 225-578-4143 Their efforts now include studies to determine the water quality effects of maintaining the trash residue after combine harvesting with and without burning. But even with the continual scientific and technological improvements, weather will still play a critical role in the 2022 season. The harvest started in September and ran for about 125 consecutive days, Mr. Gravois said, with some delays because of hurricanes and problems getting imported labor. The soggy weather may have made for a slow start to the season with less-than-ideal field conditions. Economic analyses, such as optimizing crop cycle length, the feasibility of precision land leveling and annual sugarcane budgets, are just a few of his projects. 2021-22 Louisiana Sugarcane Media Kit 8 2A Projected Costs and Returns on 1000 Acres of Sugarcane, 5-Year Rotation, Harvest through 3rd stubble, Tenant-Operator, Louisiana, 2014. Sugar is sucroseand everything else. Harvest takes place rain or shine, and the often muddy sugar cane fields necessitate harvesters mounted on tracks instead of wheels which get stuck in the muck. Varietal resistance has been the primary means of sugarcane disease control, and the sugarcane pathology program works closely with the breeding program to minimize the disease impact. These efforts began in Louisiana in the early 1920s. Published estimates of sugarcane harvest costs in other regions show values significantly less than what would be expected for Louisiana. Last year, at the beginning, we had rain after rain after rain. Not all parts of the state reported record-breaking cane harvests, but all reported very good crops. Weve lost a lot of growers over the years, Castro said. At the time of the December 23rd freeze, the industry will be about 83% harvested. He was waking up at the same time before 5 a.m., climbing in the same John Deere, harvesting sugarcane in the same fields and hauling his crop to same place the nearby Raceland Raw Sugar Corporation. (Sept. 16, 2019) With safety the number one priority, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., is reminding both drivers and agricultural producers to use caution and patience on the roadway this sugarcane harvest season. About 60% of this years crop consists of the sugarcane variety L 01-299, which was commercially released in 2009, Gravois said. It grew plentifully in the southern states and was a major source of income for many plantations. Ratoon stunting disease (RSD), however, cannot be controlled through resistant varieties. Idas rains and persistent precipitation thereafter delayed some farmers from planting their next crop, which will be harvested in a ratoon cycle for the subsequent three or so years. (Photo by John Wozniak), No one variety has had such an impact on the Louisiana sugar industry as LCP 85-384. Sugarcane Profile | Agricultural Marketing Resource Center LCP 85-384 has revolutionized Louisianas sugar industry not only with yields up to 25 percent higher than other varieties but also with the ability to provide additional annual cuttings of stalks, termed stubble crops (because the new crop of stalks develops from the stubble remaining after harvest). This years crop, by contrast, endured a damp, challenging growing season. Its Sweet to the Environment Then sugarcane smut was introduced in the early 1980s, and one of Louisianas most promising varieties of the time, CP 73-351, had to be removed from cultivation. Crop Production Annual Summary, 2022, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA. The enormous refinery, in which raw sugar is processed into refined sugar, is a good example of the vertical integration within the states sugar industry. The groups have established National Real Sugar Day which will be celebrated on Oct. 14. Planted in the fall, the resulting cane is harvested toward the end of the following three to five falls from that planting. So far, the sugar recovery has been all over the board, Carriere said of preliminary figures seen in his area. Here are some photos from the Louisiana cane belt that show a variety of cane planting techniques. As an up-and-coming farmer, he was a member of the Lafourche Parish Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. For 2020, the average Louisiana sugarcane farm was 1,360 planted acres. Other than the rain and the wet weather, things have been going pretty smoothly, Carriere said. This crop started last year, Gravois said. Because successive crops of sugarcane are grown from a single planting, weed control is a major concern. Read the eight-page pamphlet that tells you everything you need to know about the 2020-21 Louisiana sugarcane season. We need a lot more days of dry weather. There are government policies that effectively limit the amount of sugar that can be produced in the U.S. but which support the price growers receive, thereby limiting the expansion of sugarcane acreage. Sugarcane is grown in 24 parishes throughout southern and central Louisiana. Louisiana produced an average 1.782 million STRV of sugar between FY 2017 and FY 2021. I didnt know what we were going to come back to whether we were going to have a crop or not, Richard said. In the past, sugar mills were generally finished grinding cane by Christmas, but the increased acreage has pushed finishing dates into mid-January. Since the late 1970s, four sugarcane diseases have moved into South Louisiana. August 24, 2021 Video How do farmers plant sugarcane in Louisiana? At the factories, the cane is crushed to extract the sugar and the juice boiled down and later separated into sugar crystals for further processing and molasses. Some have cold tolerance and some varieties produce a high level of sugar early in the season. Its been an odd year. Just about everybody that I have talked to is encouraged by the tonnage and the sugar recovery. 2023 The Sugar Association, Inc. All rights reserved. I think that is what helped it out.. Christopher Columbus likely brought the sugarcane plant to the West Indies. Louisianas most common sugarcane insect pest is the sugarcane borer. When you have all the rainfall that weve had this year, you just normally expect to have a low tonnage crop, Gravois said. From the state-of-the-art processing floor to the massive sugar shed, which can hold literally tons of sugar (and smells pretty good), its an impressive operation. John Deere CH960 2 Row Sugarcane Harvester in Louisiana 4K Raising Cane in Louisiana Sugarcane Harvest Underway Louisiana Farm Bureau News The planting history of Louisiana sugarcane can be traced back to 1795 when New Orleans' first mayor, tienne de Bor, produced the first known granulated sugar in the French colony. All hay acres expected to be harvested in Louisiana are estimated at 350,000 acres, down 20,000 acres from 2021. . If you spend much time with folks who work in the sugar industry, you learn a few things pretty quickly. First was rust. New stalks emerge after the crop is harvested and two to four additional annual cuttings (called ratoons) are taken before the land is fallowed and replanted. There, Idas winds lodged about a quarter of Louisianas sugarcane crop, but cooperative growing conditions have helped straighten the tangled stalks, Castro said. Cautious optimism marks start of soggy sugarcane harvest In October 2021, Jason Richard was doing exactly what he is doing this October. It is used as a sweetening agent for foods and in the manufacture of cakes, candies, preservatives, soft drinks, alcohol and numerous other foods. Sugarcane, which produces a large amount of biomass per acre in the form of bagasse and cane stalks and leaves, would be a viable feedstock for the cellulosic conversion of biomass into ethanol. Sugarcane Farmers Finish Good Harvest Season - LSU AgCenter Stephanie is the Head of Communications for the Sugar Association. PDF Louisiana Prospective Plantings - National Agricultural Statistics Service On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc with its Category 4 winds and nearly a foot of rain when it made landfall near Port Fourchon in southern Lafourche Parish, about 60 miles from where the Richards' farm lies near St. Charles. Or, it is planted with shorter stalks of cane called billets. The names, words, symbols, and graphics representing Iowa State University are trademarks and copyrights of the university, protected by trademark and copyright laws of the U.S. and other countries. With combine harvesters, farmers have the capability of planting billets instead of whole stalks. Modernization of sugar cane cultivation began when 16 whole-stalk harvesters were successfully used to harvest cane in Louisiana in 1938. Its just not good for anybody.. Fall is a busy time for sugar cane growers. Overall, Louisiana produces more than 14 million tons of sugar cane on more than 440,000 acres in 24 parishes. The Louisiana sugarcane plant is a remarkable biological organism well suited to Acadiana's extraordinary climate. They are some of the most fertile. Sugar is an ideal ingredient for a butterfly feeder because it is very similar to the nectar produced by flowers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Sugarcane and sugar yields in Louisiana (1911-2018 - ACSESS Were going to produce almost 2 million tons of sugar, Mr. Gravois said. Sugarcane Louisiana Ag in the Classroom The cane yield will be around 38.8 tons per acre, compared to 36.6 tons last year. This vital facility traces its history back to the original Louisiana Sugar Experiment Station, established in 1885. Currently the U.S. produces about 9 million tons of sugar each year, with sugar from sugarcane accounting for 40 to 45% of the total produced. The January forecast is subject to revision in February.