Best Management Practices:
See our stewardship in action.
Smarter Farming, Cleaner Water
Much of U.S. Sugar’s farmlands are located within the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), the only farming area within the U.S. with a strict requirement to reduce phosphorus in the water leaving our farms.
For more than 25 years, we’ve worked closely with the state of Florida, the University of Florida and other agricultural stakeholders to develop and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce nutrient runoff and improve overall water quality.
Phosphorus Reduction
Since 1996, our farms have averaged a 57% annual reduction in phosphorus—more than twice the amount required by law. In total, more than 15 million pounds of phosphorus have been removed from the water since 2000. It’s a powerful example of how precision farming and smart partnerships can make an impact.
Driving Results
Healthy Soil, Healthier Crops
Our regenerative practices include rotating seasonal crops and planting cover crops such as sunn hemp, which naturally boosts soil fertility. These methods allow us to grow stronger crops while reducing the need for additional fertilizer.
Turning Byproducts into Power
We make the most of sugarcane’s natural byproduct, bagasse. We burn bagasse to power boilers that produce electricity to run our mill and refinery. By using bagasse in our boilers, we significantly reduce fossil fuel use and emissions—avoiding more than 1 million metric tons of CO₂e in 2023 alone. That’s roughly equivalent to the output of a 500-megawatt natural gas plant.
Using bagasse also promotes waste reduction by repurposing byproducts from sugar production. This sustainable approach supports the transition to renewable energy sources and contributes to an economy where resources are reused, recycled and regenerated.
Lower Emissions, Better Logistics
We rely on our privately operated rail system—not trucks—to transport sugarcane from fields to our mill. With more than 300 miles of track, our railcars keep approximately 2,000 semi trucks off the road every day, reducing emissions by an average of 27,000 metric tons of CO₂e per year.
Healthy Soil, Healthier Crops
Our regenerative practices include rotating seasonal crops and planting cover crops such as sunn hemp, which naturally boosts soil fertility. These methods allow us to grow stronger crops while reducing the need for additional fertilizer.
Turning Byproducts into Power
We make the most of sugarcane’s natural byproduct, bagasse. We burn bagasse to power boilers that produce electricity to run our mill and refinery. By using bagasse in our boilers, we significantly reduce fossil fuel use and emissions—avoiding more than 1 million metric tons of CO₂e in 2023 alone. That’s roughly equivalent to the output of a 500-megawatt natural gas plant.
Using bagasse also promotes waste reduction by repurposing byproducts from sugar production. This sustainable approach supports the transition to renewable energy sources and contributes to an economy where resources are reused, recycled and regenerated.
Lower Emissions, Better Logistics
We rely on our privately operated rail system—not trucks—to transport sugarcane from fields to our mill. With more than 300 miles of track, our railcars keep approximately 2,000 semi trucks off the road every day, reducing emissions by an average of 27,000 metric tons of CO₂e per year.
How We Do It
We use a variety of proven techniques to farm responsibly:
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Soil Samples
We start by taking soil samples from every field to tailor recommendations, so each field gets exactly what it needs to grow strong and healthy.
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Target the Root
Fertilizer is applied in bands right over the root zone instead of being spread across the whole field. This helps plants absorb more nutrients, reduces waste, and lowers the risk of runoff or leaching.
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Frequent Application
We also split fertilizer into smaller, more frequent applications. This reduces the chance of losing nutrients during heavy rain, especially when using conventional fertilizers.
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Controlled-Release
On sandy soils, we use polymer-coated, controlled-release fertilizers that respond to temperature. This allows nutrients to be released steadily over time and can cut total nitrogen use by up to 30%.
