Louisiana farmers and ranchers will not have to add meters to water wells thanks to amendments offered by Senator Bob Hensgens, author of a bill to restructure the Department of Natural Resources and rename it the Department of Conservation and Energy.

Staff at Louisiana Farm Bureau discovered the provisions in Senate Bill 244 last week dealing with water regulation that did not exempt agriculture from those regulations.

On the heels of a historic trade win, a coalition representing four American food industries praised President Trump's "America First" leadership, while calling for targeted tariffs on imported honey, catfish, crawfish, and shrimp to counter years of predatory trade practices. 

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today reintroduced the Crawfish Recovery Assistance from Weather Disasters and Droughts (CRAWDAD) Act. The bill would support Louisiana crawfish jobs when severe weather puts strain on the industry.

Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot issued the following statement in response to the appointment of Craig McCain as State Executive Director for the Louisiana Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Multiple rounds of thunderstorms will impact Louisiana over the next few days, with a nice lull, and some cooler air after the storms move out by late Saturday. Heavy rains upstream could prolong flooding conditions in some areas, but we’ll have to see how much rain falls in each river basin before we get a good handle on future flooding.

The LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture proudly hosted the second annual AgExcellence Awards Ceremony, presented by A. Wilbert’s Sons, on April 25, 2025. The event, led by Vice President and Dean Matt Lee and emceed by Veronica Mosgrove from the Louisiana Office of Tourism, celebrated leaders whose contributions have significantly advanced the LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture's mission.

Louisiana farmers are no strangers to market instability, but the recent wave of tariffs announced on April 2 added a fresh layer of uncertainty to an already difficult planting season.

LFBF Commodity and Public Policy Director Andy Brown, has fielded many phone calls from both farmers and media. He said the farmers are not panicked but rather recognize the reality of the situation.

Melanie Netterville Beavers grew up riding horses on the land she now farms in southern Tensas Parish. That’s where the seed was planted for a future she once only dreamed about.

“And I always thought, you know, how cool would it be to be the farmer?” she said.

As a young girl, Melanie had no idea how to make that dream a reality.

President Donald Trump's new tariffs raise questions for farmers across Louisiana, many of whom are concerned about their livelihoods.

Trump's sweeping new tariffs announced Wednesday have left Louisiana farmers like Donald Schexnayder with some uncertainty on what comes next.

The United States Department of Agriculture is following through on its promise to get funds into farmers’ hands quickly through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), according to Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot. He expressed those sentiments in a letter he sent to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

Farm Bureau means family for Henry County’s Emmanuel Bankston. 

A passion for agriculture and heart for service set the foundation for Farm Bureau involvement that’s spanned three states — and three State Young Farmers Committees. 

As we approach the 2025 regular session of the Louisiana legislature, beginning April 14th and ending June 12th, many people wonder when is the best time to connect with their legislator to educate them regarding issues important to agriculture. The answer is all year long. You should be talking to your legislators in their office in your district, in your churches, grocery stores, and your festival grounds any chance you get.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on a White House report issued by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission.

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 9 for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 12th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

This is the first in a series of columns featuring conversations with state Farm Bureau presidents about current issues in agriculture. Joe Newland is president of Kansas Farm Bureau. He and his wife, Dana, farm 4,000 acres of wheat, corn, soybeans and hay, in addition to managing a 450-head cow-calf beef cattle herd.

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 Communications Award winners named at this year’s Communications Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, include 16 standout states. The competition recognizes state Farm Bureau professionals from across the country for their exceptional work in communications.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the announced trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom.

Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2026 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, which comes with cash prizes and bragging rights. This is the eighth year of the contest, supported by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers.

The grand prize winner – Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year – will win a year’s worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food and $5,000 in prize money.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on EPA’s emergency fuel waiver allowing the sale of E15 gasoline during the summer season.

“Farm Bureau appreciates EPA’s decision to keep ethanol blended gasoline available nationwide through the summer season. People who choose E15 fuel experience an average cost savings of 10-30 cents per gallon, which is much-needed relief for families suffering with high prices.”

The cost of inheriting the family farm will increase dramatically at the end of the year if Congress doesn’t take steps to extend the elevated estate tax exemption. American Farm Bureau economists analyzed the estate tax cliff in a Market Intel this week.

Ranchers and farmers across the country are calling for simpler water rules following decades of uncertainty regarding the definition of what is a federally regulated waterway.

On April 22, the American Farm Bureau Federation submitted formal comments to the Environmental Protection Agency urging it to revise the definition of “Waters of the United States” pursuant to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v. EPA in 2023.

As Americans observe Earth Day this week, the environment is on farmers’ minds year-round. In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall reminds us that farmers are the original conservationists

The American Farm Bureau Federation and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau today presented House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) with AFBF’s Golden Plow award. The Golden Plow is the highest honor the organization gives to sitting members of Congress. This is the second Golden Plow award for Chairman Thompson. He was previously honored in 2014.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on President Trump’s decision to temporarily pause and reduce reciprocal tariffs.

“Farm Bureau appreciates President Trump’s decision to pause the reciprocal tariffs on dozens of America’s trading partners for 90 days.“