more... > Conservation > Burn/Smoke > Sugarcane > Louisiana Smoke Management Guidelines for Sugarcane Harvesting [Image: photo of Sugarcane Burning] These guidelines are intended to help manage smoke and ash from sugarcane prescribed burning operations to lessen their impact on public health and welfare. Prescribed Burns Help the Sugarcane Industry and Reduce Smoke and Ash Problems [Image: Cane Burn] The ability of farmers to burn sugarcane is a significant economic factor for the state’s sugarcane industry. Burning of sugarcane before harvest eliminates from 30 percent to 50 percent of the leafy trash (residue), which constitutes from 20 percent to 25 percent of the total weight of the plant. Louisiana Sugarcane Burning [Image: Louisiana Sugarcane Burning] Why is the sugarcane industry important to Louisiana? Why do farmers burn sugarcane in the first place? What are the benefits of burning sugarcane? Find these answers and more.