HoCP 04-838' (Reg. No. CV-181, PI 687221) sugarcane (interspeciic hybrids of Saccharum spp.) was selected and evaluated by scientists at the USDA-ARS, working cooperatively with the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, and the American Sugarcane League, Inc., from a cross between the female parent 'HoCP 85-845' and the male parent 'LCP 85-384'. It was released to growers in Louisiana in May 2011. Yields from three crops (plant, irst ratoon, and second ratoon) at 12 farm locations compared well with HoCP 96-540, the most widely grown cultivar in Louisiana during that time. The plant-cane sucrose yield (Mg ha −1 ) of HoCP 04-838 was equivalent to HoCP 96-540, and cane yield was signiicantly higher than HoCP 96-540. HoCP 04-838 is earlier maturing than HoCP 96-540 but not as early as 'HoCP 00-950', the high sucrose standard cultivar. Mature stalk cold tolerance was similar to LCP 85-384, the cold tolerance standard. HoCP 04-838 is resistant to smut, mosaic caused by Sorghum mosaic virus, brown rust, and ratoon stunt. HoCP 04-838 is moderately resistant to leaf scald and is susceptible to Sugarcane yellow leaf virus. It is resistant to sugarcane borer. HoCP 04-838's high yield potential and cold tolerance make it a useful addition to existing commercial sugarcane cultivars in Louisiana.