The total planted area of 462,510 acres for the 2005 crop was very similar to the area planted in 1999 (463,000 acres) when the industry produced its largest crop. Many producers had to plow out unproductive fields in the spring of 2005 that were previously affected by harvesting equipment during the 2002 crop year because of the persistent wet weather following the two tropical systems. Approximately 89% of the 2005 crop was planted to one variety, LCP 85-384, which has shown a significant decline in yield each year since the 2002 crop. Further, data obtained in both 2004 and 2005 showed that this variety is very susceptible to common brown rust, which was shown to reduce the yield of LCP 85-384 by as much as 7 tons of cane per acre in the more heavily infected areas. Although the amount of plant cane rebounded somewhat in 2005, there was still approximately 42.9% of the crop in second and older stubble.

The 2005 crop year was one of contrast with regards to turbulent weather conditions. Temperature, as an average for all state reporting stations, was above normal for 6 of the 12 months [January (+5°), February (+2°), June (+1°), August (+2°), September (+5°) and November (+2°)], below normal for only 3 months [March (-1°), May (-1°) and December (-2°)] and at normal for 3 months (April, July and October). Rainfall, as an average for all state reporting stations, was below normal for 9 of the 12 months and above normal for only 3 months (February, July and September). Generally speaking, the crop had a good start in the spring with excellent tillering weather; however, much of the state had drought conditions during the grand growth period resulting in below-normal growth of the crop. Then the sugar industry of the state took the impact of two hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, which crossed the coastline approximately three weeks apart in late August and mid September. This was following the passage of Hurricane Cindy, which caused significant damage to the sugarcane crop in southern Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes in July. Katrina was an extraordinarily powerful and deadly hurricane that carved a wide swath of catastrophic damage in the eastern parishes of the sugarcane belt. After reaching Category 5 intensity over the central Gulf of Mexico, Katrina weakened to Category 3 before making landfall on the northern Gulf Coast east of New Orleans on August 29. Rita was also a Category 5 storm that made landfall as a Category 3 storm west of Lake Charles, La., on September 22.

When hurricanes occur, the impact to agricultural in general and sugarcane in particular can originate from several different sources. For sugarcane, the impact was forecast to originate from the following sources: 1) Sugar losses due to delayed maturity. Research has shown that one can expect little increase in yield of recoverable sugar per ton of cane following a catastrophic event such as a hurricane. However, because of the weather conditions following the storms, i.e. low rainfall and plenty of sunlight, maturity was only adversely affected for a short period of time after which sucrose accumulation was at or above normal. 2) Sugar losses due to excessive trash. Research has shown that the average trash in harvested cane that is erect ranges from 8-12%. On the other hand, average trash in lodged cane can range from18-22% or higher with a loss of 3 pounds of sugar per ton for each 1% trash in harvested cane. However, because of the dry field conditions, the level of trash in harvested cane was relatively low considering the lodged conditions. In many instances, producers were able to reduce trash content by burning in standing cane prior to harvesting by cane combine or burning on the “heap row” for cane harvested by the whole-stalk or soldier harvester. 3) Sugar losses due to broken tops. According to a survey completed by county agents following the passage of Cindy, Katrina and Rita, there was an average of approximately 10% broken tops for the industry. However, it appeared that these broken tops had little impact on sugar recovery, although it did have some impact on yield of tons of cane per acre at harvest. 4) Cane losses due to harvesting efficiency. Average harvest efficiency of harvesting green, lodged cane by the combine harvest system is approximately 90%; with the whole-stalk system that figure is 75%. However, again because of the relatively dry harvest season and plenty of sunlight, much of the lodged cane was relatively erect at harvest. Further, by burning in standing cane, combine harvester efficiency was considerably improved. Also, harvester efficiency of the whole-stalk system was improved by the lower than anticipated field yields.

Another consideration following the passage of tropical systems is the residual impact on the subsequent stubble crops. Following the passage of the two tropical systems and wet field conditions in 2002, it was documented that the residual impact on the subsequent stubble crop was a loss of approximately 15% in yield of tons of cane per acre for the 2003 crop. It was seen that the residual effect goes beyond just one year following an event of this magnitude. Other special situations of concern during the 2005 crop were the flooded fields that caused a reduction in yield of recoverable sugar per ton of cane, especially in Iberia and St. Mary parishes. Overall, there were approximately 30,000 acres flooded in these parishes as well as Terrebonne Parish. Also of concern was the fact that much of the flood waters had high concentrations of salt of up to 15,000 ppm that have left high concentrations of salt in the surface soil. It is too early to determine if these high levels of salt will have a residual impact on the yield of cane in the subsequent crops. These flood waters also impacted the germination and growth of newly planted cane. In several instances, these flood waters actually killed the cane, which will necessitate the replanting of these fields at considerable monetary expense. For the producers in Vermilion Parish, the debris that occurred from the 8-12-foot tidal surge added to the loss of yield of both tons of cane and sugar per ton of cane on approximately 5,000 acres as well as added to the monetary cost of harvesting those fields.

Because of the low field yields, especially in older stubble, many growers reverted back to harvesting by the whole-stalk system in an effort to reduce cost of harvesting. In many instances, field yields did not improve significantly in the first-stubble or plant-cane crops. It appeared that LCP 85-384 did not perform very well across the state; however, it is known that LCP 85-384 does not perform well with a high water table nor does it yield to its potential under drought conditions. It is assumed that common brown rust also impacted its yield in areas of high infection. However, field yields of three other varieties, HoCP 85-845, HoCP 91-555 and HoCP 96-540, appeared superior to those of LCP 85-384 when grown under similar conditions and crop year. Growers were likewise pleased with the appearance of the two new varieties L 97-128 and Ho 95-988. There was only limited planting of LCP 85-384 in 2005 with most producers expanding the newer varieties, especially HoCP 96-540 and L 97-128.

Sugar prices remained relatively constant through most of 2005 ($20.45/cwt), being slightly higher than the prices received for 2004 ($20.25/cwt). However, in recent months sugar prices have increased and are holding firm, but this increase may be too little and too late to have a significant impact on the overall price paid for sugar for the 2005 crop. On the other hand, molasses prices are averaging $0.35 per gallon and are expected to increase before the end of the pricing period for the 2005 crop. On the spot market, molasses price has exceeded $100 per ton.

PLANT COMMODITIES - 2005

Commodity Gross Farm Income Value Added Total Value

Sugarcane¹ $292,553,746 $199,800,192 $492,353,938

¹ Includes raw sugar and molasses