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   Cultural Practices
 Home>Crops & Livestock>Crops>Sugarcane>Cultural Practices>
Maximizing the Chances of Success with Billet Planting
Billet Planting

Around the world, sugarcane is usually planted as stalk sections or “billets.” In Louisiana, whole stalks have traditionally been planted due to stalk rots and environmental stress. Despite the greater potential for stand problems, there are times when farmers need to plant billets. Therefore, practices have been identified that will maximize the chances of success with billet planting in Louisiana.

History of Sugarcane in Louisiana
Seedlings are grown in the greenhouse at St. Gabrield Research Station in order to develop improved sugarcane varieties.

Sugarcane has been an integral part of the south Louisiana economy and culture for more than 200 years. When Jesuit priests first brought sugarcane into south Louisiana in 1751, little did they know that the foundation was being laid for an industry that now contributes $2 billion to the Louisiana economy.