Louisiana Sugarcane News

 Dr. Al Orgeron of the LSU AgCenter discusses sugarcane ripener response in the 2023 drought year at the Louisiana division meeting of the American Association of Sugar Cane Technologists in February 2024 in Baton Rouge. 

Dr. Gillian Eggleston of the Audubon Sugar Insitute-LSU AgCenter discusses issues with starch in the sugarcane milling process at the Baton Rouge joint meeting of the American Sugar Cane League and the Louisiana division of the American Association of Sugar CAne Technologists in February 2024. 

 Dr. Patrick Ellsworth of the USDA-ARS Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma, La. presents research on the functions of the sugarcane root system at the Baton Rouge joint meeting of the American Sugar Cane League and the Louisiana branch of the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists in February 2024. 

Elizabeth Mendonca, general manager of the American Sugar Refining in Chalmette, La. discusses raw sugar quality effects on refinery operations at the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists meeting in Baton Rouge, February 6, 2024.

Stephania Imbachi-Ordonez and Angela Alarcon-Rodriguez of the Audubon Sugar Institute present an update on the NIR implementation into the Louisiana sugarcane payment system at the Louisiana branch meeting of the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists in February 2024 in Baton Rouge.

Post-doctoral research scholar Keo Corak of USDA-ARS Genomics & Bioinformatics Research Unit discusses predictive sugarcane breeding at the joint meeting of the American Sugar Cane League and American Society of Sugarcane Technologists in Baton Rouge in February 2024. A video slide deck can be found of this presentation at the American Sugar Cane League website (www.LaCane.org/videos or the Louisiana Sugarcane YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/LouisianaSugarcane.

 Louisiana state climatologist Jay Grymes of WAFB-TV on weather issues affecting the sugarcane industry at the LSU AgCenter's 2024 winter sugarcane grower meeting in Napoleonville. 

Dr. Rich Johnson of the USDA-ARS Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma, La. discusses fertilizer and other soil recommendations at the January 2024 LSU AgCenter sugarcane growers meeting in Napoleonville. 

Dr. Tristan Watson of the LSU AgCenter discusses nematodes at the 2023 Sugarcane Field Day at the LSU Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel, La. A video of the discussion is available at www.LaCane.org.

 LSU AgCenter sugarcane plant breeders Dr. Collins Kimbeng & Dr. Michael Pontif, along with Dr. James Todd of the USDA-ARS Houma, La. Sugarcane Research Unit discuss cane plant breeding at the 2023 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Field Day at the LSU Sugarcane Research Farm in St. Gabriel, La. 

 Dr. Al Orgeron of the LSU AgCenter discusses his research on sugarcane ripening techniques in Louisiana at the LSU Sugarcane Research Farm in St. Gabriel, La. on July 19, 2023. 

Ali Wright, USDA research agronomist in Houma, La., discusses herbicide resistance in Louisiana sugarcane production at the 2023 winter meeting of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists and the American Sugar Cane League.

 A summation of the research by Harold Birkett & Jeanie Stein of the Audubon Sugar Institute on the Christmas freeze of 2022 and how it affected sugar production in Louisiana sugar mills. Birkett made the presentation at the winter meeting of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in Baton Rouge, La. 

Patrick Ellsworth reviews his research on row spacing and the use of plant-available water in sugarcane cultivation in water-abundant Louisiana at the winter meeting of the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists and American Sugar Cane League.

 Gillian Bruni of the USDA-ARS, SRRC in New Orleans presents the research done by her and Qi Yunci, Thomas Klasson, Isabel Lima and Evan Terrell at the winter meeting of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in Baton Rouge. 

LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Specialist Ken Gravois discusses the 2022 Christmas freeze event at the 2023 winter meeting of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists and American Sugar Cane League in Baton Rouge.

 Dr. Gillian Eggleston of the Audubon Sugar Institute at the LSU AgCenter talks about Crystal Elongation & Molasses Problems in the 2022 Louisiana Sugarcane Grinding Season at the 2023 winter meeting of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists and the American Sugar Cane League in Baton Rouge. 

Dr. Al Orgeron of the LSU AgCenter discusses the lessons learned in 2022 with spray drones in agricultural applications at the joint meeting of the American Sugar Cane League and the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in Baton Rouge in February 2023.

Dr. Rich Johnson of the USDA/ARS in Houma reports on his collaborative work with Dr. Brenda Tubana of the LSU AgCenter at a grower meeting in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana in February 2023.

Nationally known agriculture reporter Jim Wiesemeyer speaks on 2023 agricultural prospects at the annual meeting of the American Sugar Cane League on February 7, 2023 in Baton Rouge.

American Sugar Cane League director Jim Simon speaks at the 100th annual meeting of the American Sugar Cane League on February 7, 2023

 American Sugar Cane League manager Jim Simon met with Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish growers on January 25 and talked about the exceptional 2022 sugarcane crop and what will affect the 2023 sugar market. 

 Dr. Franta Majs of the LSU AgCenter discusses the importance of soil testing in Louisiana sugarcane fields at the Sugarcane Model Farm in Napoleonville, La. September 22, 2022. 

Dr. Al Orgeron of the LSU AgCenter discusses cover crops at the Sugarcane Model Farm in Napoleonville, La.; September 20, 2022

Dr. Lisa Fultz, LSU AgCenter Soil Microbiologist; Dr. Donna Gentry, Louisiana Master Farmer Program and James Hendrix, LSU AgCenter Associate Area Agent, discuss soil at the Sugarcane Model Farm in Napoleonville, La. September 20, 2022.

 Dr. Niranjan Baisakh talks about utilizing molecular markers in sugarcane breeding at the 2022 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Field Day in St. Gabriel, La. 

 Entomologist Blake Wilson discusses insect pests at the 2022 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Field Day in St. Gabriel, La. 

Dr. Jeff Hoy of the LSU AgCenter talks about billet planting at the 2022 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane field day at the LSU Sugarcane Research Farm in St. Gabriel, La.

Agronomist Herman Waguespack Jr of the American Sugar Cane League talks billet planting at the 2022 LSU AgCenter sugarcane field day at the Sugarcane Research Farm in St. Gabriel, La. 

 Dr. Al Orgeron of the LSU AgCenter discusses the use of drones for weed control and other applications in Louisiana sugarcane at the 2022 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Field Day in St. Gabriel, La.  (A video of this presentation is available at LaCane.org).

Sugar Producer Keith Dugas on fertilizing techniques and nitrogen reduction strategies.

American Sugar Cane League Agronomist Atticus Finger discusses 2022 Louisiana Sugarcane Variety Choices

 LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Kenneth Gravois speaks to the growers at the 2022 LSU AgCenter Assumption Parish Sugarcane Field Day - July 13, 2022. 

 Stephania Imbachi-Ordonez discusses "Factory Methods to Measure the Moisture Content of Press Cane in Louisiana" at the February 2022 joint meeting of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists and American Sugar Cane League. 

 Stephania Imbachi-Ordonez of the Audubon Sugar Institute discusses the characterization of evaporator scale in Louisiana sugarcane factories and dissolution tests at the joint meeting of the American Sugar Cane League and American Society of Suga Cane Technologists in Baton Rouge, La. February 2022. 

 Dr. Jeff Hoy of the LSU AgCenter and Herman Waguespack, research director of the American Sugar Cane League, report on billet planting in the Louisiana sugarcane industry at the annual meeting of the American Sugar Cane League and American Society of Sugarcane Technologists. 

 Evan Terrel of the USDA's Agricultural Research Service in New Orleans presents "The effect of harvest weather on molasses purity and target purity difference" at the 2022 joint meeting of the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists and American Sugar Cane League. 

 Dr. Gillian Eggleston of the Audubon Sugar Institute discusses how glyphosate and Moddus ripeners affect starch concentrations in Louisiana Sugarcane Varieties. 

 Dr. Ann Hale of the USDA-ARS Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma, La. talks about the Louisiana sugarcane breeding program at the joint meeting of the American Sugar Cane League and the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in Baton Rouge (Februrary 2022). 

 Allison Crittenden, director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, discusses ag labor and immigration at the joint meeting of the American Sugar Cane League and American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in Baton Rouge on February 8, 2022 

 American Sugar Cane League agronomist Wilson Judice talks about research in fertilizer application alternatives for reduced tillage systems in sugarcane at the February 8-9 2022 annual meeting of the American Sugar Cane League and American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in Baton Rouge, La. 

 Dr. Rob Johansson of the American Sugar Alliance addresses the American Sugar League annual meeting February 8, 2022 in Baton Rouge, La. 

Dr. Al Orgeron of the LSU AgCenter discusses weed control in sugarcane at a February 2022 grower meeting in Breaux Bridge, La.

Dr. Ken Gravois of the LSU AgCenter presents a review of the 2021-22 Louisiana sugarcane crop at a grower meeting in Breaux Bridge, La. on February 1, 2022. A video of the slide show is available at www.LaCane.org/videos.

Jim Simon, manager of the American Sugar Cane League, discusses issues that affect Louisiana sugarcane growers and millers at a grower meeting in Breaux Bridge,  La. on February 1, 2022.

 Herman Waguespack, the research director of the American Sugar Cane League, talks about IR-4, the interregional research #4 project on the specialty crops program. 

 Dr. Bill Richardson’s thoughts for the 2020 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Virtual Field Day. Additional information associated with the field day can be found at www.lsuagcenter.com/sugarcanefieldday 

 Dr. Mike Strain provides an update on issues related to the Louisiana sugar industry for the 2020 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Virtual Field Day. Additional information associated with the field day can be found at www.lsuagcenter.com/sugarcanefieldday 

 Mr. Jim Simon provides an update on issues related to the Louisiana sugar industry for the 2020 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Virtual Field Day. Additional information associated with the field day can be found at www.lsuagcenter.com/sugarcanefieldday 

Dr. Mike Salassi Introduces the LSU AgCemter Virtual Sugarcane Field Day

 Dr. Niranjan Baisakh describes the rapidly developing molecular genetics component to the breeding program for the 2020 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Virtual Field Day.  Video at https://www.amscl.org/sugarcane-molecular-breeding-with-dr-niranjan-baisakh/

 Dr. Jeff Hoy describes research to breed for disease-resistant varieties for the 2020 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Virtual Field Day.  Video at https://www.amscl.org/sugarcane-pathology-with-dr-jeff-hoy/

 Dr. Michael Pontif provides the latest information on variety development for the 2020 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Virtual Field Day. Video at https://www.amscl.org/commercial-sugarcane-varieties-with-dr-michael-pontiff/

 Dr. Collins Kimbeng describes how the breeding program operates for the 2020 LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Virtual Field Day. Video at https://www.amscl.org/sugarcane-variety-development-with-dr-collins-kimbeng/

LSU AgCenter weed specialist Dr. Al Orgeron describes the latest weed research for the 2020 Virtual Sugarcane Field Day. video at https://www.amscl.org/sugarcane-weed-management-with-dr-al-orgeron/

Dr. Brenda Tubana of the LSU AgCenter describes the latest fertility and cover crops research for the 2020 Virtual Sugarcane Field Day. Video of talk at https://www.amscl.org/sugarcane-best-management-practices-with-dr-brenda-tubana/.

Dr. Blake Wilson of the LSU AgCenter discusses sugarcane insect pests at the virtual 2020 Sugarcane Field Day.

Dr. Barry Keim of LSU explains Louisiana's recent climatology at the annual meeting of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in Baton Rouge, La. in February 2020. This podcast is also available in a video slide show format at YouTube LouisianaSugarcane and at the American Sugar Cane League's website at www.LaCane.org/News

 Researcher Sandeep Kontham discusses slightly different approaches to sugarcane milling with slightly different equipment. This video is also available in video form at www.LaCane.org/News and YouTube. 

Chad Webre of John Deere talks about innovations in sugarcane harvesters for model year 2021 at the February 2020 American Society of Sugarcane Technologists meeting in Baton Rouge, La. This podcast is also available in video at 

 Dr. Thanos Gentimis of the Louisiana State University Experimental Statistics office presented "Demystifying Digital Agriculture: How Data Will Shape the Future" at the Louisiana Division of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists meeting in February 2020 in Baton Rouge, La. This presentation is also available at the LouisianaSugarcane YouTubechannel.

 Dr. Al Orgeron of the LSU AgCenter discusses the results of his 2019 cane ripener tests during the Louisiana sugarcane harvest. Dr. Orgeron made his comments at the Louisiana division meeting of the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists in February 2020. This presentation is also available as a podcast at www.LaCane.org and the LouisianaSugarcane YouTube channel.

 Dr. Kenneth Gravois, sugarcane specialist of the LSU AgCenter, presented this assessment of cold tolerance in sugarcane for the 2019 Louisiana sugarcane crop. This podcast is also available as a video slideshow at www.LaCane.org/News and the Louisiana Sugarcane YouTube channel.

Dr. Harold Birkett of the Audubon Sugar Institute discussed the effects of the November 13, 2019 freeze on sugar factory operations at the Louisiana Division meeting of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists on February 4, 2020 in Baton Rouge. This podcast is also available in video form at www.LaCane.org/News and the LouisianaSugarcane YOuTube channel.

Dr. Gillian Eggleston, the director of the Audubon Sugar Institute, gave this 16-minute presentation on "Fructan: How We Underestimate This Polysaccharide in Louisiana" at the Louisiana Division of the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists meeting in Baton Rouge, February 2020. A video of this presentation complete with Dr. Eggleston's slides is available at www.LaCane.org/News and the Louisiana Sugarcane YouTube channel.

 Herman Waguespack Jr., research director of the American Sugar Cane League, gave this talk about the impact of the November 13, 2019 freeze on Louisiana's sugarcane crop. Waguespack made his comments at the semi-annual meeting of the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists (ASSCT) in Baton Rouge on February 4, 2020. 

 Dr. Courtney Gaine, president of the Sugar Association, talks about "Embracing the Start of a New Decade for Sugar" at the 2020 annual meeting of the  American Sugar Cane League in Baton Rouge, La.

Jack Roney, an economist with the American Sugar Alliance, addressed the annual meeting of the American Sugar Cane League on the subject of the U.S. Sugar policy and market prospects. Bottom Line? He's optimistic. A videocast of Roney's talk is available at www.LaCane.org/news.

Dr. Jeff Hoy spoke on sugarcane plant disease and billet planting at the January 27, 2020  grower meeting in Assumption Parish.

LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ken Gravois reviews the various factors that affected the 2019 Louisiana sugarcane crop. Dr. Gravois made his comments at the January 27, 2020 Assumption Parish sugarcane growers meeting in Napoleonville. A video of Dr. Gravois' slide show is also available at www.LaCane.org/News. 

The American Sugar Cane League represents the Louisiana sugar industry on the local, national and international stage. Jim Simon has been the manger of the League since 2004. Jim filed this August 1, 2019 report at the annual sugarcane field days held at various locations in the cane belt.

American Sugar Cane League agronomist Atticus Finger spoke to a group of producers and other interested parties about two new sugarcane varieties,  Ho 12-615 and L 12-201, that were released to the commercial industry in 2019. Atticus was speaking the 50th Assumption Parish Sugarcane Field Day at E. G. Robichaux's farm near Naploleonville, La.

Mike Deliberto is the LSU AgCenter economist who studies the national and international sugar industry. He often speaks at agricultural meetings about the economic outlook of the current sugarcane crop year. The Louisiana Sugarcane Podcast chatted with Dr. Deliberto in June of 2019. Here’s what Mike had to say.   

Dr. Al Orgeron is the LSU AgCenter weed expert. He conducts a variety of experiments with herbicides to control weed populations in Louisiana’s sugarcane fields. He reports several times a year to the farming community. The Louisiana Sugarcane News Podcast recorded Al’s January 2019 presentation at the White Castle, Iberville Parish growers meeting. 

Jim Wiesemeyer, a policy analyst for Pro Farmer, has interviewed every president on agroeconomic issues since Jimmy Carter. Jim was the featured speaker at the American Sugar Cane League's annual meeting in Baton Rouge on February 5, 2019.

Jack Pettus is the American Sugar Cane League’s Washington Representative. Jack came down to Louisiana for the League’s Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge and gave this Washington Update report to the gathered Louisiana sugar producers 

LSU Sugarcane Specialist Dr. Kenneth Gravois talks about the 2018 Louisiana sugarcane harvest at the Iberville Parish sugarcane grower's meeting.

LSU AgCenter researcher Dr. Jeff Hoy talks about "new ground" and "old ground." Can old ground be made to produce like new ground? The answer may lie in microbial DNA.