A sugarcane crop in Sao Paulo is only profitable if the production exceeds 200 tons per hectare. This generally occurs only until the fifth cutting and only if the sugarcane is managed correctly. When sugarcane reaches 5-6 years of age, the yields start to decline by about 10% per year and when production drops below 200 tons per hectare, the field needs to be replanted. Replanting a field of sugarcane is an expensive proposition and instead of undergoing a costly renovation of the sugarcane, some farmers have opted to plant soybeans instead