Agriculture in Louisiana

As our team member Claudia can tell you, sugar cane can play a vital role in a local economy. Growing up in Honduras, she was surrounded by fields of this sweet produce, much like we are here in Acadiana. But did you know just how much farming and the sugar cane industry play a part in Louisiana?

There are 11 sugar mills in Louisiana that produce around 1.4 tons of raw sugar. That adds up to 13 million tons of cane farmed yearly! In terms of economic value, this industry contributes $3 billion yearly and employs 17,000 people!

When asked about what makes the sugar cane industry so important and unique, the 74th Queen Sugar of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Sarah Saunier said, “Sugar cane was brought to Louisiana in 1751, meaning that the industry is technically older than the United States of America! Sugar mills are incredibly self-sustainable. They use the leftover cane fibers to burn in the boilers to power the plants. Louisiana has one of the coldest climates in the sugar industry, so we have the shortest growing and harvesting season in the world, yet we are still one of the largest sugar producers!”

So how does insurance impact the farmers that work year-round to provide this sweet necessity? Claudia found that the farmers’ biggest struggle was finding suitable auto insurance due to losses and lawsuits.

There are still auto insurers that are willing to provide policies for farmers in Louisiana and the biggest thing they focus on is safety! Farmers should follow the following tips to make sure they get the most out of their auto and equipment insurance policies

• Provide employees with safety handbooks
• Document regular safety meetings
• Utilize various tools available to ensure proper usage of equipment
• Communicate regularly and openly with your agent
• Annually review your policy with your agent to stay informed

At Thomson, Smith, and Leach Insurance Group, we are dedicated to making sure your insurance is where it needs to be. We work hard so that you can work hard to continue growing Louisiana’s economy. If you are a farmer that has questions about insurance and how to get a policy that works for you, don’t hesitate to contact us!