Sweet deal: One of the largest sugar cane refineries in the country is scheduled to begin operations in 2011. Construction officially began today on the Louisiana Sugar Refining plant at Gramercy. The $190 million project is a joint venture between Cargill Inc., Imperial Sugar Co. and Louisiana sugar growers. The refinery is being financed partially with $100 million in special bonds issued for projects in areas hit by the 2005 hurricanes. Louisiana sugar industry officials say the project will combine one of the largest agricultural sectors in the state with the refining and marketing experience of Cargill and Imperial, providing a needed boost to farmers. The plant will refine about one million tons of sugar annually.
$1.75 million judgment overturned: A $1.75 million judgment against a pesticide producer was overturned last year by an appellate court, and the Louisiana Supreme Court will not reconsider the matter. Adams & Reese’s appellate team represented Bayer CropScience, which was charged by Louisiana crawfish farmers with adversely affecting their crops. A 2007 trial led to a $1.75 million verdict against the company, which was overturned by Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal in April 2009. The State Supreme Court refused to hear a motion for a rehearing.
