[Syrupmakers] Crop Report (Am. Sugarcane League)

[Tracy Baudoin (tbaudoin)]

It's not based on good syrup-producing varieties, but here is a snippet
from this month's "The Sugar Bulletin" (November 2006 - Volume 85, No.
2).

 

>From initial reports by producers and processors, this year's crop
appears to be significantly beter than last year's.  In most areas of
the cane belt, growers are reporting field yields at least two tons more
per acre than was expected.  Additionally, the sugar content of fields
treated with a ripener is very good, with most reporting 200 (+) lbs of
sugar per ton of cane.  With the start of harvest and with the
weathermen predicting an El Nino effect this winter, it may not be wise
to wish for rain, but a 1 to 2 inch rain would certainly improve the
potential of next year's plant cane.

 

...This year's planting is one of the largest plantings in a number of
years.  Planing of new varieties, reduction in acreage of older stubble
and replacement of flood-damages acreage are among the reasons for this
year's large planting.  Perhaps the number one reason for this increase
in planting is that the industry is making a rapid reduction in its
acreage of LCP85-384.  During the midsummer drought, LCP85-384's lack of
vigor was obvious and accelerated the effort to reduce 384's acreage.
Most growers were able to  plant the newer varieties (95-988, 96-540,
and 97-128) on all of the 2006 planted acres.  

 

...Most of the seedcane from the secondary stations of L99-226 was a
very good quality and straight; however, the L99-233 is was just the
opposite.  Much of the seecane of this variety fell before it could be
distributed, because of its height and tendency to lodge.  For several
secondary stations the seed plots of L99-233 was such a tangled mess
that growers decided not to plant their allocations.  

 

...A second reason for this year's large planting is the industry's
effort to reduce its percentage of older stubble fields (second and
older).  Economics have proven that it does not pay to keep stubble that
did not give good yields the previous year.  Acreage of stressed older
stubble fields (multiyear ripener treated, early harvested, and
flooded), which were kept expecting/hoping  that they would rebound from
the absuee of 2005, is not producing yields as was hoped.  

 

...The new varities have a host of differences when compared to LCP
85-384, which has been described as one of the worst types of varieites
for the combine harvester.  LCP85-384 is a variety that lodges early
with the slightest wind and/or rian, and has small stalks with a lot of
trash.  HoCP96-540 and L99-226 appear to have a slightly less percentage
of trash and heavier stalks than LCP85-384.  L99-226 appears to have a
looser leaf sheath than 540 with an incredible average stalk weight
approaching three pounds, but is not as erect as 540....

 

Tracy Baudoin

Houma, LA

Sugarcane

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