Kenneth Gravois
Sugarcane Specialist Louisiana State University
- Baton Rouge LA
Dr. Gravois has dedicated his life to the sugar cane industry and improving the crop.
Biography
Today, Kenneth provides leadership for the LSU AgCenter’s Sugar Research Station which has descended from the original Louisiana Sugar Experiment Station. One thing he sees becoming more important to the scientific research community, and to his work in particular, is connecting with consumers.
Areas of Expertise
Research Focus
Sugarcane Breeding & Crop Management
Dr. Gravois’s research focuses on sugarcane variety development, agronomy, and sustainable production in Louisiana’s coastal climate. As LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist and American Sugar Cane League Chair in Sugar Production, he integrates breeding trials, disease-resistance screening, and grower outreach to raise yields, curb pests, and strengthen the state’s top row crop.
Accomplishments
American Sugar Cane League Chair in Sugar Production
2025
Education
Louisiana State University
Ph.D.
1988
Louisiana State University
M.S.
Plant Breeding and Genetics
1983
Louisiana State University
B.S.
Agronomy and Crop Science
1981
Media Appearances
New variety, new threat takes center stage at record-breaking sugarcane field day
myarklamiss.com online
2025-07-17
Soil fertility specialist Brenda Tubaña, sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois and postdoctoral researcher Bruno Nicchio discussed conservation practices and soil health. Nicchio spoke about the importance of residue management to soil health, water quality and yield.
Louisiana sugar cane crops to produce 2 million tons of sugar worth about $1.5B
Yahoo! News online
2024-10-23
“Acreage increased again in 2024 and was reported at just over 536,000 acres by the USDA Farm Service Agency,” said LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Production Specialist Kenneth Gravois.
Sugarcane suffers from Hurricane Francine, but the season isn’t over yet
Farm Progress online
2024-10-14
Kids growing up on farms in southern Louisiana date themselves according to hurricanes and sugarcane variety releases, Louisiana State University sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois jokes. 2024 will be known as the year of Hurricane Francine, and hopefully only Francine, as sugarcane producers race tropical storm season to finish out harvest with minimal crop damage.
LA research center now the northern most location for sugarcane
Louisiana Radio Network radio
2019-08-26
LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Ken Gravois says more and more farmers are growing interested in the crop in central Louisiana and elsewhere away from the coast.
Sugarcane where? Louisiana expands sweet spot
NewsStar online
2017-09-11
Kenneth Gravois, the LSU AgCenter's sugarcane specialist, said sugarcane acres "have been expanding farther north and also farther west into Vermilion Parish."
Event Appearances
Production of Raw Sugar and Molasses in the Factory
Rum Summit 2022 New Orleans, LA
Sugar Cane, An Economic Driver
Rum Summit 2020
Media
