Sweeten Your Day

05/30/2026

LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Researchers, Extension Agents, American Sugarcane League and John Deere traveled to Brazil to learn about their Sugarcane I Industry. .

​(Video 05/28/26) A group of LSU AgCenter researchers and extension agents visited Brazil to explore that country's sugar industry.

05/28/2026

05/17/2026

Today we were out in the field watching harvest at Agroquatro-S Farms in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. It’s been incredible getting to see how sugarcane is grown and harvested on the other side of the world and bringing back ideas we can learn from in Louisiana. 🇧🇷🌱

05/11/2026

The Sweeten Your Day team headed south to Brazil to see how things are done and what ideas we can bring back home to Louisiana sugarcane. Looking forward to learning, making connections, and sharing the journey along the way. 🇧🇷🌱

04/10/2026

🌱 Spring into Nutrition – It’s Time to Fertilize! 🌱

We’re back in the field and talking all things plant nutrition in our latest Sweeten Your Day episode! 🌾

Join our father-daughter duo, Shelby Duplantis and Jamie Segura, as they break down why fertilizing is so important this time of year and how it sets the crop up for success. From what nutrients sugarcane needs to how timing makes all the difference—this is your inside look at what’s happening behind the scenes right now in the field.

🎥 Tune in, learn something new, and sweeten your day with us! https://youtu.be/G1JgDgcbQYs

“Sweeten Your Day” is a segment hosted by LSU AgCenter area sugarcane agent Renee Naquin and Katie Richard, an agronomist with the American Sugar Cane League...

03/04/2026

We would like to recognize two essential behind-the-scenes individuals who make Sweeten Your Day possible. Cheryl Michelet with the American Sugarcane League develops all of our scripts. We share our topics and ideas, and she brings them to life with her thoughtful writing and creativity. Craig Gauthreaux with the LSU AgCenter is responsible for filming each episode, and his patience and dedication are unmatched. Craig is always willing to do as many takes as needed to ensure everything is just right. Katie and I truly could not do these videos without their support and talent. Thank you, Cheryl and Craig, you are the best!!

03/02/2026

A well deserved honor for Jim Simon!

💚 A well-deserved honor for a leader who has shaped Louisiana agriculture 💚

Jim Simon, General Manager of the American Sugar Cane League, was inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction, recognizing decades of leadership on behalf of Louisiana’s sugarcane farmers and rural communities.

His induction video tells the story of the people, partnerships and purpose behind one of our state’s most important crops. It is a powerful tribute to a lifetime of work that continues to shape the future of Louisiana agriculture.

🎥 Watch Jim’s story here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1918Wx7FWc

02/26/2026

🌱 Now that harvest is over, what happens next? 🌾
In this episode of Sweeten Your Day, Katie and Renee talk about it, especially all the catchup maintenance on equipment and spending more time with family.
For the “Sugarcane Spotlight,” farm manager Brian Naquin talks about his role running a sugarcane operation.
Also, Naquin's three daughters discuss their participation in 4-H livestock shows and what it is like to be the child of a person involved in sugarcane. Check out the video and meet Renee’s family!

“Sweeten Your Day” is a segment hosted by LSU AgCenter area sugarcane agent Renee Naquin and Katie Richard, an agronomist with the American Sugar Cane League...

02/24/2026

A new season is beginning in Louisiana sugarcane 🌱

The cane is starting to emerge, which means it’s waking up and getting ready for the growing season ahead. After harvest wrapped up and equipment was cleaned, repaired, and parked for a much-needed break, it’s time to get back to work.

You may start seeing tractors back in the fields soon as farmers begin tending to this year’s crop cultivating then fertilizing and doing everything they can now to set the stage for a successful harvest months down the road.

Sugarcane is a perennial crop, which means every year brings a new beginning built on the foundation of the last. This is where the next crop starts.