As we flip the calendar to November, it looks like our weather pattern will also begin to flip. This is incredible news for pretty much everyone as we now have a significant part of the state in a D4 exceptional drought, which is the top of the scale when it comes to drought conditions.
Relief from high temperatures while welcomed does not address the continuing drought conditions that we have experienced across the state for most or all the 2026 growing season. While dry conditions are certainly affecting our grazing and forage production, it has been helpful regarding protecting the quality and harvest of other row crops. However, it seems that everyone looks forward to some rainfall to provide some relief from the dry conditions.
A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in primary parishes and those areas contiguous to such primary parishes eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loan assistance, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible areas have 8 months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. FSA considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced its intent to purchase up to $472.5 million in American-grown and American-raised agricultural commodities to distribute to the charitable food network and other nutrition assistance programs.
It’s Saturday morning at the Red Stick Farmers Market in downtown Baton Rouge, and Grant Guidroz welcomes a steady flow of regulars to his Fullness Farm booth. The shoppers stop by for the farm’s year-round organic vegetables, which include salad greens, carrots, radishes and beets in the fall and winter, and tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in the summer.
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development recently announced nearly $25 billion in rural community investments nationwide in fiscal year 2026. These projects strengthen essential infrastructure, expand housing and business opportunities, and ensure rural families and farmers have the tools they need to succeed.
The Rice Stewardship Partnership has secured $8.9 million through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), to support shallow water flooding of harvested rice fields across the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. USA Rice will serve as lead partner for the project, building on its longstanding collaboration with Ducks Unlimited and other conservation and industry partners to deliver resources to rice producers.
The project will provide financial and technical assistance to producers who manage their fields for migratory bird habitat following harvest. Mississippi will serve as the lead state, with the project covering rice-producing areas of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and selected counties in Illinois.
Today, President Trump announced the America First Seafood Strategy, a key directive under the president’s Executive Order Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. NOAA plays a key role in the Strategy, which details a coordinated federal plan to expand domestic seafood production, modernize infrastructure, improve market access for American harvesters and processors, and ensure fair competition in U.S. and international markets.
Today, Interior Secretary Burgum signed a Secretarial Order (SO) directing the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to increase grazing access, promote healthy rangelands, and help reduce catastrophic wildfires on public lands. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) support streamlining grazing access to improve range and pastureland health and fully utilize vacant land that will also help strengthen rancher efforts to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd. Today’s announcement is in line with PLC and NCBA’s support for the October 2025 Grazing Action Plan and DOI-U.S. Department of Agriculture Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year that improves coordination between the two departments to more effectively operate the federal lands grazing programs.
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced corrections to its September 2026 Crop Production report on Oct. 23 following concerns about differences between its September and October corn estimates. In a follow-up notice on Oct. 24, NASS explained that incorrect acreage weights had been used to combine irrigated and non-irrigated corn observations in Kansas and Nebraska. The error affected September plant populations and ear counts, resulting in revisions to state-level yields and production, as well as national estimates and 10-state objective-yield averages.
Many across Southwest Louisiana are dealing with dry conditions. According to the National Weather Service, it’s the driest 60-day period since 1991.
Raising cattle has been a Cole family tradition for years.
The family also owns a pumpkin patch. Shane Cole, farming ranch property manager, said maintaining both during drought conditions tests his patience and passion every day.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $65 million in 34 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) projects, which support the development of new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands.
Under the tapestry of a picturesque Acadia Parish evening sky, the LSU AgCenter held its 2026 Southwest Louisiana Drone Conference, welcoming producers from across the state to learn about the latest technological advances to assist them in many of their farming needs.
The Southern University Ag Center will host its Annual Fall Garden Workshop on November 24, 2026 at the M. A. Edmond Livestock Arena’s Multi-Purpose Building, 14600 Scenic Hwy., in Baton Rouge from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
This year's workshop is themed, “Every Drop Counts: Water” and will focus on the topics of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), agricultural irrigation techniques, water-wise gardening practices, and livestock and water management.
Genevieve Lyons, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family and the faith that guided her throughout her life.
She devoted her life to God, family, agriculture, and service. For 57 years, she shared an enduring marriage with Daniel Lyons. Together they built a successful farm and a life rooted in faith, hard work, hospitality, and community.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced an investment of over $325 million in 42 projects to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners boost their operations and conserve natural resources across the nation through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
Louisiana FFA members, advisors, staff, and supporters were recognized numerous times at the 99th National FFA Convention and Expo held in Indianapolis on October 21-24. FFA members from across the state participated in many competitive events, and top honors were taken home throughout the week.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking deer hunters to review the regulations for Chronic Wasting Disease Management zones before heading to the field. Deer Program Manager, Brad Kennon, says CWD Management Zones are smaller this year.
The Southern University Ag Center will host its 4th Annual Calf Roping on the Bluff on November 22, 2026 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena, 14600 Scenic Hwy, in Baton Rouge 70807. Books will open at 9 a.m. and roping will begin at 10 a.m.
The date of the second session of the Southern University Ag Center’s Growing Rural Opportunities through Workforce and Business Development, Louisiana (GROW LA) initiative, in partnership with the City of Ville Platte, has been changed to October 29, 2026.
The session, which was originally scheduled for October 28, will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Ville Platte Civic Center – Northside, located at 704 North Soileau St.
Foreign ownership of U.S. land is a widely debated issue, driven by concerns about national security, agricultural productivity and long-term implications for U.S. agriculture. USDA released updated foreign ownership data for 2024, detailing what foreign investments exist on farmland, where those investments are concentrated and which countries account for the largest holdings.
The Zachary FFA Chapter of Louisiana was named the 2026 Premier Chapter: Building Communities during the fifth general session of the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo this year in Indianapolis.
The Zachary FFA Chapter of Louisiana created an activity titled “Farm-to-School,” where they developed interactive presentation stations to teach local pre-K students about healthy eating with fruits and vegetables.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunters and outdoorsmen of a burn ban in many parishes due to extremely dry conditions.
The bans include the burning of trash and vegetation, as well as any other open burning. For this reason, LDWF is restricting open fires, including campfires, on WMAs in these parishes until conditions improve and the burn bans are lifted.
The Vernon Parish Police Jury voted unanimously to lift a temporary moratorium on solar farms during a special meeting held Oct. 23.
The meeting was held at the same time as the Homecoming parade at Leesville High school.
Treaty Oak Energy Company plans to build a 10,000-acre solar farm along the Rapides Parish line near Pitkin.
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