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THE typical drum-type sugarcane planter used in Louisiana requires 2 to 4 people to operate. A planter was equipped with an automatic control system for the cane feed to eliminate the need for the operator that normally rides on the planter and controls cane feed. Three sensing methods were tested: sensing pressure in the hydraulic line to the drum motor, sensing the mass of cane falling onto a flap in the discharge area, and a photocell to count the rate of stalks falling from the planter. Each of these sensing systems controlled the table feed and could also control the speed of the drum. However, varying the drum speed proved to be unnecessary. The pressure sensing system was the most effective. It gave uniformity not significantly different from that obtained with an experienced operator and manual control, thus eliminating the need for an operator on the planter.