This year growers are faced with increased fuel and herbicide costs. Now is the time to assess howfallow fields will be managed in preparation for planting.

In fallowed sugarcane fields glyphosate products are used to control perennial weeds includingbermudagrass, johnsongrass, and nutsedges. In some cases multiple applications of glyphosatecan be effective for weed control, but timing of application can be difficult depending on weatherconditions. There is interest in using a preemergence herbicide in conjunction with glyphosate tohelp control troublesome perennial weeds.

This publication provides a glimpse of the potential production and marketing environments for 2008 for most of the commercially produced commodities in the state.

As discussed in the previous newsletter, soybean seed supply of varieties commonly planted will be limited this year. Producers potentially will have to evauluate other options to meet their soybean seed needs; one such option is planting maturity group 3 soybeans.

This weed control guide is prepared as a joint effort between Dr. Jim Griffin, School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, and Drs. Ed Richard and Caleb Dalley, USDA-ARS SRRC, Sugarcane Research Unit, Houma, LA.

The LFGC annual membership dues for 2008 are now due. If you did not pay your annual dues at the LFGC annual meeting in December, please fill out the form at the end of this newsletter and send it in as soon as possible. LFGC strives to put on some excellent programs and the organization needs your involvement.

Hopefully at this point fields are drained and preparations are underway for the coming growing season. There are some fields that are very clean and others with a mat of green vegetation completely covering the rows.

This report presents projected cost estimates for sugacane production in Louisiana for the 2008 crop year. Cost estimates are included for all phases of sugarcane production, including seedbed preparation, planting, plant-cane and stubble crop operations and harvest. Whole-farm projected income and expense statements are also included for harvest of sugarcane through second, third and fourth stubble (ratoon) crops.

This is the allocated sugarcane planting cost report for 2008. The sugarcane production cost budgets for 2008 will be ready the first week of January.

Calendar of events for the Spring/Summer 2008.