The Florida Sugarcane Variety Census: A Tool for Documenting Adoption of New Sugarcane Varieties
Agronomy & Pest Management
Matthew VanWeelden
Extension Agent III
UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County
BELLE GLADE
Abstract
Sugarcane in Florida is produced on approximately 400,000 acres of land in rotation with leafy vegetables, sweet corn, and rice. Along with maintaining high yields, disease management continues to be one of the primary issues for sugarcane producers in southern Florida, and is one of the driving factors of the state’s collaborative breeding program. To document trends in new high-yielding and disease-resistant sugarcane varieties adopted within the sugarcane industry, extension faculty with the University of Florida compile and release sugarcane acreage data in the annual Florida Sugarcane Variety Census. The primary objective of the annual Florida Sugarcane Variety Census is to provide variety and acreage trends to clientele to assist in their decision-making process for which varieties should be planted or phased out in subsequent growing seasons. From 2016-2023, a total of eight census reports have been published and distributed to sugarcane growers in southern Florida. Reports include several statistics including total sugarcane acreage, acreage by soil type, crop age, and planting style (fallow versus successive), as well as trending varieties. Sugarcane varieties that comprise at least 1% of the total sugarcane acreage in Florida are labeled as “principal varieties”, and additional statistics on these varieties are included for growers to track the increasing or decreasing planting trends. Each year after the conclusion of the sugarcane harvest season, a “Sugarcane Harvest Recap” workshop is held to discuss information and other findings from the census. This annual workshop is attended by approximately 80 growers and mill operators each year. Information published in the census has been instrumental in increasing the adoption of high-yielding, disease-resistant sugarcane varieties by over 25%. The Florida Sugarcane Variety Census continues to be an important decision-making tool for growers, and can act as a model for other cropping systems within the United States.
Authors: Matthew VanWeelden, Christian Kammerer, Ron Rice
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Matthew VanWeelden Extension Agent III, University of Florida, Florida, 33430
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Christian Kammerer Extension Agent I, University of Florida , Florida, 33935
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Ron Rice County Extension Director , University of Florida , Florida, 33415