El Niño is expected to develop during this year’s hurricane season, and while El Niño years typically produce fewer storms across the Atlantic and generally lower the risk for Louisiana, it does not eliminate the threat of tropical weather.
Farmers could see reduced grain hauling costs and fewer transportation bottlenecks under a proposal moving through Congress that would permit heavier six-axle semitrailers on interstate highways. The measure is designed to improve freight efficiency for agricultural shippers who routinely face rising input costs, limited truck availability during peak harvest periods, and continued pressure on rural logistics networks that move large volumes of grain to market.
The hardest thing to grow on an American farm right now isn’t corn or soybeans — it’s a profit margin. Between competition from Brazil, Argentina and other countries and the unpredictable nature of trade deals, many U.S. growers are finding survival, much less profitability, an uphill climb in 2026.
President Donald Trump has announced tariff reductions on certain agricultural and industrial equipment, a move that could help ease some cost pressures facing farmers and machinery dealers.
LSU student Keana Howard, who will begin as a master’s student at the College of Agriculture this fall, was awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship on May 1. The award is given to undergraduate or graduate university students that demonstrate notable achievements in their research and complete a comprehensive application process.
The Feliciana Forestry Association, one of the oldest forestry associations in Louisiana, has been connecting landowners across the Felicianas since 1994.
President Donald Trump on Monday adjusted tariffs on some steel, aluminum and copper imports, lowering some tariffs on farming equipment and extending the lower rate to other equipment.
In an executive order, Trump lowered tariffs on agricultural equipment, including combines and harvesters, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, to 15% from 25%.
Louisiana will soon see tougher regulations on imported seafood with the passage of a slew of laws designed to support the state’s shrimpers, whose industry has struggled for decades to compete with cheap foreign imports.
A provision in the House-passed farm bill is drawing criticism from farmers and renewable energy advocates who say it could limit opportunities for solar development on productive agricultural land.
The June 1, 2026 USDA NASS national crop progress database shows that while Louisiana's corn and cotton crops are steadily progressing, they have experienced different impacts from recent weather.
The cotton market trudged through the week, looking for even a sliver of the bullish momentum it had enjoyed the prior two-plus months. Yet it finds itself stuck in the high 70s and unable to break above the 80-cent barrier, which has now become a rather stiff price resistance level. The only fundamental of consequence at work in the market is Mother Nature.
China is increasing agricultural support for Cuba through rice aid and technical projects, adding a food-security tie in the region. Retired USDA economist Fred Gale reports Chinese rice shipments to Cuba rose sharply during the first four months of 2026
Bloomberg's Josh Sisco reported that "the Federal Trade Commission recently launched an antitrust investigation into the rising costs of fertilizer in the US, the agency's head said at an event in Texas on Thursday."
Reuters' Heather Schlitz reported that "a devastating parasitic fly that eats warm-blooded animals alive and could cause millions of dollars in economic damage to the U.S. economy has been found in a young sheep in Mexico within 31 miles (50 km) of the U.S. border, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Friday."
Louisiana saw a wet and active week, with widespread rainfall and several rounds of severe weather as a slow-moving front crossed the state. Rain totals were above normal across most of Louisiana, especially in central and southeastern areas.
Louisiana experienced a wet and stormy week, with multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms bringing heavy rain, flash flooding, and severe weather to much of the state. Nearly 60 weather warnings were issued, including tornado, severe thunderstorm, and flash flood warnings. A brief tornado touchdown was confirmed in St. James Parish.
One Louisiana farm is doing much more than selling fruits and vegetables. At Indian Village Harvest Farm, families are finding fresh air, hands-on learning, and a chance to reconnect with where food comes from.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the Great American Cotton Plan, a comprehensive USDA initiative to strengthen the cotton farm economy, restore domestic textile manufacturing, expand cotton trade opportunities, and increase demand for products made with American-grown cotton.
The Agriculture Department announced a new Great American Cotton Plan on Thursday, saying it aims to strengthen cotton farm income, expand trade and increase demand for U.S.-grown cotton.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced payment rates and the enrollment period for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for June 2026, which are effective June 1, 2026. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
“Would you like regular or sweet potato fries with that?” is an oft-asked question to diners across America. And for those looking for a higher-fiber, nutrient-dense option to accompany their main course, the latter is often the way to go — especially if they are baked rather than fried.
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership Committee, with support from JBS and CoBank, is unveiling the results of a new national study intended to guide programming dedicated to women in agriculture for the next five years.
The LSU AgCenter has released its 2026 schedule of sugarcane summer field days along with the dates of conferences and other meetings. Field days are held in every area of the cane belt and give growers and other members of the industry the opportunity to learn about the latest research and recommendations before the beginning of upcoming planting and growing seasons.
Listen to the latest markets and headlines in Louisiana Agriculture on The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network.