March of the Sugarcane

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                               March of the Sugarcane

For us in the Northern hemisphere, March represents a turning point weather-wise: winter’s chill moves to the rear-view mirror as Spring weather starts to appear on the horizon.The arrival of warmer weather, however, also signals the emergence of weeds around our sugarcane stalks, ready to compete for nutrients and space with our sweet crops!

Chemical, mechanical and/or physical approaches to weed control are actively being applied throughout cane fields in our part of the world: it is important to reduce plant competition so that the sugarcane’s yield at harvest time is as bountiful as possible.

If you are a long-time reader of this magazine, then you probably are familiar with my predilection for metaphors and the parallels I like to draw between agriculture and our everyday life.  Weed prevention and control in the fields is akin to proper organization and planning around the office or at home: remove existing clutter, prevent future clutter accumulation, and know where your crucial belongings are located, so that you can quickly retrieve them during an emergency.

Speaking of emergencies, here in Central Texas, the winter ice storms are becoming the yearly norm, forcing residents to be better prepared to face blackouts for days, with outdoor temperatures well below the freezing point.  Thankfully, sugarcane scientists have been developing hardier strains for many years, and more cold-resistant varietals are now available for cultivation.

While these cold-hardy varietals were originally intended for extending the sugarcane growing zones farther North, they are now an excellent option for maintaining the existing production areas subject to the colder winter conditions.

Returning to our metaphor, how is your “garden” (home, office)?  Is it well organized and ready for all your projects and tasks to flourish?  Or is it covered in weeds, insects and remnants from previously completed tasks?  Are you prepared to survive the changing climate conditions and the upcoming tasks?

I invite you to spend a few minutes each day nourishing your soul and maintaining your workspace, so that you can better enjoy the warm weather when it arrives.

Cheers!

Luis Ayala,

Editor and Publisher        

http://www.linkedin.com/in/rumconsultant