Farmers from Canada discover Louisiana’s Sugarcane Belt: a shared passion for farming

If there’s one thing that transcends borders, languages and generations, it’s the shared experience of farming. That bond was evident when Kevin and Kayla Veenstra, a farming couple from Alberta, Canada, swapped the icy grip of a Canadian winter for an unseasonably warm December week in New Orleans. Their main attraction? Not the French Quarter, but something a bit more unexpected — a tour of Louisiana’s sugarcane industry.

Kevin, a second-generation sugarbeet farmer, and his wife Kayla, had just wrapped up a successful harvest of sugarbeets on their farm in Alberta. With winter setting in and fieldwork on hold, they took a break from the cold to explore how farming is done in the sugarcane belt. Kevin had heard about the thriving sugarcane industry in Louisiana and was eager to learn more, so he reached out to the American Sugar Cane League to arrange a tour. League Agronomist Katie Richard organized the tour that took them to the Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma, a sugarcane farm in Raceland, the John Deere factory, and Lafourche Sugars in Thibodaux.

For Kevin, the sugarbeet harvest begins in August and wraps up by October. That timing puts them right in the thick of harvest season when Louisiana’s sugarcane farmers are just getting started. While Canadian winters might seem like a harsh contrast to Louisiana’s warmer December weather, Kevin points out that the cold actually benefits their sugarbeets. “Cold weather boosts sugar production,” he said. “So, we don’t mind the snow — in fact, we welcome it.”

As the Veenstras toured the Louisiana farms, they were struck by the universal challenges farmers face. From pests to disease and the unpredictable whims of Mother Nature, it was clear that whether you’re growing sugarbeets in Alberta or sugarcane in Louisiana, the struggles are often the same. But it’s not just about the hurdles; it’s about the resilience and the teamwork it takes to get through them. Kevin and the owner of the family farm in Raceland, discussed research projects in underway in Louisiana to improve crop yields and tackle common issues, like disease and insect damage.

Kevin was particularly interested in the customizations the local farmer has made to his planter — a piece of equipment designed to make the planting process much easier and more efficient. The modifications allow him to plant on 40 acres per day using chopped cane rather than whole stalks which requires less time and people. Other Louisiana farmers are now starting to make similar adjustments to their own planters. “We learn something new about it every year and try to improve it as we work to find efficiencies where we can,” the Raceland farmer said.

At the Lafourche Sugars mill, Kevin had the chance to see firsthand how sugarcane is processed — an experience that allowed him to compare it with how sugarbeets are processed in Alberta. They also chatted with another local sugarcane farmer, exchanging insights on everything from soil quality and crop rotation to the timing of planting and harvest.

The Veenstras weren’t just impressed with the science and innovation of the modern agriculture industry.  They also talked about the realities of farming today, especially the growing challenges for young growers. Kayla, a mother of three, expressed her concern: “It’s become almost impossible for a young person to enter farming with the cost of land, labor and equipment. If you didn’t inherit a farm, how could you afford it?”

With the production of sugar acting as a key economic driver in both Alberta and Louisiana, it is vital that future generations are able to keep the industry thriving. In Canada, the sugar industry has an economic impact of $5 billion and in Louisiana alone, the impact is 4.3 billion, measured in job creation, supply and equipment purchases and tax revenue generated.

For Kevin and Kayla, the trip to Louisiana wasn’t just an opportunity to learn about sugarcane. It was a reminder of the universal values and challenges that all farmers face. And that no matter where they live, it’s the hard work, the love for the land and the hope for a good harvest that truly connects them.