Mike Daigle, right, president of the American Sugar Cane League presents LSU AgCenter economist Mike Salassi with the President’s Award for his contributions to the Louisiana sugar industry.

News Release Distributed 02/09/15

BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter economist Mike Salassi received the American Sugar Cane League President’s Award at its annual meeting in Lafayette on Feb. 3.

The award is given to individuals for their outstanding contributions and service to Louisiana’s sugarcane industry.

In presenting the award to Salassi, league president Mike Daigle highlighted Salassi’s work with the industry through research and extension activities and by providing analysis of the sugar market.

“I am very fortunate in my position to have the opportunity to work closely with Louisiana sugarcane producers and millers as well as with the American Sugar Cane League,” Salassi said.

View a video of the awards presentation on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnqUxVfF-Lg.

The league recognized him for providing the industry with economic and farm management information that helps them make better farm and mill business decisions.

Daigle noted that Salassi was solely responsible for estimating and managing the distribution to growers, landowners and mills of $100 million in federal disaster funds provided to the state’s sugarcane industry in the aftermaths of hurricanes that hit the state in 2002 and 2005.

“The industry has shown great support for my research and extension activities over the years, and I am very grateful for their continued support in presenting me with this industrywide award,” Salassi said.