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.
Read MoreLouisiana corn producers intend to plant 530,000 acres, up 13 percent from the 470,000 acres planted in 2024. Upland cotton acreage intentions are at 110,000 acres, down 29 percent from the 155,000 acres planted last year. All hay acres expected to be harvested in Louisiana are estimated at 380,000 acres, up 10,000 acres from 2024.
Read MoreProducers surveyed across the United States intend to plant 95.3 million acres of corn in 2025, up 5% from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Planted acreage intentions for corn are up or unchanged in 40 of the 48 estimating states.
Read MoreSoil organic matter improves soil chemical properties, which includes the increase of nutrient status, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and anion exchange capacity. Soil organic matter is also known for the slow release of nutrients to the plants, protects nutrients in available forms to the plants, and reduces nutrient leaching.
Read MoreUSDA’s first acreage estimate shows farmers could plant more corn acres this year, but fewer soybean and cotton acres.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the following statement commending Mexico’s action to declare ineffective measures concerning genetically engineered (GE) corn that the United States successfully challenged in the USMCA dispute. The action safeguards approximately $5.6 billion in U.S. corn exports to Mexico. USDA, in coordination with USTR, will continue to monitor Mexico’s compliance with its USMCA commitments.
Read MoreOne of the world’s biggest crop traders has halted loading of grain vessels at U.S. Gulf terminals as the region’s worst snowstorm in 130 years slams the region.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. declared force majeure in southern Louisiana with vessels struggling to navigate the weather conditions, according to a person familiar with the matter. The company didn’t immediately provide comment.
Read MoreThe 2024/25 U.S. corn outlook calls for lower production, feed and residual use, exports, and ending stocks. Corn production has been revised downward by some 276 million bushels to an estimated 14.9 billion bushels, mainly due to a 3.8-bushel per acre cut in yield to 179.3 bushels which was partially offset by a 0.2-million acre increase in harvested area. Total corn use is down 75 million bushels to 15.1 billion.
Read MoreAs farmers begin making plans for the upcoming growing season, many are bracing for the likelihood of another year marked by tight margins.
“Production costs for 2025 are estimated to decrease for the second consecutive year, which is good news,” said LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto.
Read MoreLouisiana corn area harvested is 440,000, down 35 percent from 2023. The average yield is estimated at 185 bushels per acre, up 10 bushels from last year. Production totaled 81.4 million bushels, down 32 percent from 2023.
Upland cotton harvested acres is 148,000, up 29 percent from 2023. The yield is expected to average 1,070 pound.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on a United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) panel ruling that Mexico’s ban on American-grown biotech corn is a violation of the trade agreement.
“Farm Bureau applauds the USMCA panel decision regarding Mexico’s actions to ban biotech corn for human consumption and animal feed. The panel affirmed what AFBF and America’s farmers have emphasized all along – biotech corn is safe and decisions must be based on science, not politics.”
Read MoreCorn hybrid performance is annually evaluated in official hybrid trials (OHTs) by LSU AgCenter researchers to provide Louisiana farmers, seedsmen, county agents and consultants with unbiased performance data for commercial corn hybrids submitted for evaluation by private companies. Selection of superior hybrids that are well adapted for a given region is essential for maximizing yield and profit.
Read MoreLouisiana corn for grain production is forecast at 84.1 million bushels, unchanged from the October 1 forecast but down 29 percent from 2023. Based on conditions as of November 1, yield is expected to average 189 bushels per acre, unchanged from last month but up 14 bushels from last year. Producers expect to harvest 445,000 acres of corn for grain, down 235,000 acres from 2023.
Upland cotton production is forecast at 310,000 bales, up 10,000 bales from the October 1 forecast and 101,000 bales above last year.
Read MoreCrazy. Chaotic. Extremes. Those three words were used by AgriGold agronomists in Illinois, Louisiana and Iowa, respectively, to describe the 2024 growing season. Some corn fields shined; others struggled. As with any season, lessons were learned. These agronomists share their biggest takeaways.
Read MoreA pathogen capable of affecting crops is making its way to Arkansas and residents could unknowingly be spreading it.
Tar spot is a fungal disease that affects corn.
Travis Faskey, a University of Arkansas Plant Pathology Professor, says the pathogen is relatively new to the United States. He said it has a long history in Central America, but hurricanes brought it up to the states.
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