Big Losses Projected For Lower Rio Grande Valley Agriculture Due To Water Shortages. Mexico continues to hold water owed to the U.S.

January 10, 2024

Washington, D.C. – A recent report by Texas A&M’s Center for North American Studies estimates a potential 2024 total loss in economic output of over $993.2 million due to the absence of irrigation water for crop production in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) region, which includes Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties. The lack of irrigation water is in large part due to Mexico’s failure to deliver water to the U.S. per the 1944 Water Treaty....(read more)    

 

FSCL and RGVSG Congratulate House Ag Committee on Passing WHIP+ Reauthorization Act for 2020 and 2021

July 29, 2021

The Florida Sugar Cane League and Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers want to congratulate and thank House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott and Ranking Member G.T. Thompson for their bipartisan action on the WHIP+ Reauthorization Act for 2020 and 2021. The Leadership of the Committee along with Congressman Al Lawson and Congresswoman Kat Cammack ensured that numerous crops, including sugarcane and sugarbeets, are covered when weather disasters occur. We hope the full House passes this important bill in the near future

 

FSCL Statement in Support of Everglades Restoration

April 28, 2021

With two major reservoirs under construction and the most ambitious - an 18,000-acre combination Reservoir and Water Treatment Marsh south of Lake Okeechobee under design - it is exciting to see Florida’s Congressional delegation prioritizing the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The bi-partisan energy for something so important to Florida and the country is crucial for its success. We are also encouraged by the actions taken by the Florida Legislature to accelerate important CERP storage and restoration projects north of Lake Okeechobee and the subsequent Congressional authorization of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project. Lastly, we are pleased that the Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation is on track for completion in 2022. These actions will help everyone realize the benefits that were promised when CERP was approved by Congress in 2000 as a plan to "restore, preserve, and protect the south Florida ecosystem while providing for other water-related needs of the region, including water supply and flood protection."

Statement on the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings

April 7, 2021

"America's farmers, ranchers, food consumers and especially Congressman Alcee Hastings' constituents are saddened to learn of his passing. He joyously fought for fairness in food and nutrition policy and knew how important our rural communities are when it comes to ensuring that suburban and urban communities have access to sustainably produced and reliable food supplies. He was a champion for everyone and the Florida Sugar Cane League extends its sympathies to his family, friends and staff."

Florida Sugar Cane League Applauds House WRDA Efforts

July 30, 2020

"The Florida Sugar Cane League applauds the bipartisan process the House used to create and pass the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 that helps to ensure the water supply for more than 6 million South Floridians.  We look forward to Senate action on its WRDA bill.  We are pleased that the House Leadership and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Leadership took numerous stakeholders' interests into account not just the views of a few.  Special thanks to Chairman DeFazio and Subcommittee Chairwoman Napolitano, Ranking Member Graves and Subcommittee Ranking Member Westerman for working with Congressmen Webster and Congressman Spano and for listening to the thousands of South Floridians that have expressed support for protecting our water supply....(read more)    

 

Sugarcane Industry Cheers Signing of New Farm Bill

December 20, 2018

“U.S. agriculture’s future is brighter thanks to the hard work and support of President Trump, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Chairmen Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Mike Conaway (R-TX), and Ranking Members Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Collin Peterson (D-MN),” said Ryan Weston of the Florida Sugar Cane League and Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers. “On behalf of America’s sugar industry, thank you.” The Florida Sugar Cane League and Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers members produce raw sugar in Florida and Texas and have refineries in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New York and California. ;...(read more)

 

Sugarcane Industry Applauds Passage of Senate Farm Bill

June 29, 2018

"America's sugarcane farmers and employees that operate our mills and refineries are thankful that the Senate approved its version of the farm bill with a strong 86 to 11 vote," stated Ryan Weston, the CEO of the Florida Sugar Cane League and Washington Representative for the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers. "Senator Nelson and Senator Rubio worked hard to fend off amendments that would have attacked current U.S. sugar policy"...(read more)

FSCL Welcomes Back Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative

April 9, 2018

The Florida Sugar Cane League announced today that the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, based in Belle Glade, FL, is once again represented by the industry trade association. This move ensures that the three major sugarcane companies in Florida - along with their independent growers - are fully united under the banner of the Florida Sugar Cane League as debate over no-cost American sugar policy takes place in Congress...(read more)

Hurricane Harvey Recovery Update

September 6, 2017

Our Texas sugarcane farmers and mill employees appreciate the calls and emails of support they received before and after Hurricane Harvey made landfall. Our cane fields and mill didn't face the brunt of this storm but many family members and friends were not so fortunate. The Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers and Florida Sugar Cane League Members, Florida Crystals and U.S. Sugar, have already procured several truckloads of water...(read more)

 

Sugarcane growers applaud Senate vote on Lighthizer

May 12th, 2017

“The sugarcane farmers in America’s fields, and the employees in our mills and refineries are thrilled that the Senate approved Robert Lighthizer yesterday as the United States Trade Representative,” stated Ryan Weston, the CEO of the Florida Sugar Cane League and Washington Representative for the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers. “Lighthizer brings decades of experience to the position and is a strong proponent of enforcing trade laws.”...(read more)

 

Congressman Kika de la Garza passes away

March 14th,  2017

American agriculture lost a true champion with the passing of Congressman Kika de la Garza. The former Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture was a leader not only for South Texas but for U.S. agriculture producers...(read more)

 

Florida Sugar Cane League Hosts Agriculture Leaders

January 31st, 2017

On Monday, January 30th, the Florida Sugar Cane League was excited to host the leaders of important U.S. farm and agricultural organizations for a tour of sugarcane farming, milling and refining operations. The tour originated in Miami where the American Sugarbeet Growers Association was holding its annual meeting.. .(read more)