Cassidy Tours Sugar Farm and Meets with South Louisiana Farmers, Discusses Next Farm Bill
This week, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) visited with farmers in Port Allen and Jennings, to discuss the next Farm Bill and what Louisiana’s farmers need to continue feeding our state and the world.
“Our farmers and fishermen produce the best sugarcane, rice and seafood in the world,” said Dr. Cassidy. “It’s my goal to protect them against unfair, foreign competition, to keep crop insurance affordable, and to prevent the cost of farming from rising. I appreciate being able to meet with Louisiana farmers and work together to reach these goals in the next Farm Bill.”
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Congresswoman Julia Letlow Introduces the Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation (FARM) Act
Congresswoman Julia Letlow joined Congressman Trent Kelly in introducing the Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation (FARM) Act of 2024. This legislation addresses the urgent need for immediate economic support for Louisiana farmers facing unprecedented challenges as they approach the crucial lending season for the 2025 crop year.
The FARM Act will give farmers one-time assistance payments and will be a critical resource for farmers in helping them pay down debt relative to the 2024 crop year and assist them in obtaining financing for the 2025 crop year.
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Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Calls for Urgent Action on New Farm Bill, Warns of Economic Threats to Growers and Food Security
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is urging federal lawmakers to create and enact a new long-term Farm Bill to help the state’s farmers and ranchers see opportunities for economic sustainability.
The Farm Bill officially expired on Sept. 30, meaning there is currently no federal safety net for farmers, said Richard Fontenot, president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.
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Kansas Farm Bureau Members say "See You Later..."
The term “Farm Bureau Family” extends far beyond Louisiana. Members of the Kansas Farm Bureau recently traveled to the Bayou State, where they experienced unique agriculture and warm southern hospitality.
Over the course of a week, they explored several farms across the state, including Vermilion Gator Farm in Abbeville.
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Vermilion Parish Hosts First Agricultural Tour for Students with Special Abilities
For the first time in Vermilion Parish, high school students with special abilities had the opportunity to learn about the agriculture industry and its economic role in the community.
The event brought together 35 students and 20 teachers for an interactive tour that began in Abbeville at the Sagrea Alligator Farm. There, students learned about the alligator breeding process, including how hatchlings grow to adulthood and are processed for their skins.
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Joe Mapes: Explaining Amendment 1
A friend called me today and asked me to explain constitutional amendment number one being voted on at Louisiana’s polls on November 5th. She also wanted to know if I thought it was OK for her to vote for the amendment. I couldn’t get back with her right away, so she sent me this text:
“I guess my big question is. Will I have to pay any more money 💰. Big girl is tapped out!”
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Your Input Needed for Accurate Drought Representation
Dry conditions continue in many parts of Louisiana, as evidenced by the current U.S. Drought Monitor. There are eight parishes in the state where at least a portion is classified in a D2 severe drought. Better data allows state and national official to better assess conditions on the ground. That’s where you can help.
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Tax Special Session Set for November; Louisiana Farm Bureau Watching Out for Agriculture
The official rumors have been confirmed. It appears Louisiana will enter into a 4th legislative session in 2024 down at the Capitol in Baton Rouge come November. The session should occur sometime after the November 5th election and before Thanksgiving. It will be a special legislative session that will address only matters related to taxation and revenue reform. Legislators say the support does exist to hold a third legislative session in 2024, but some say that they're not sure if a consensus can be reached in the short amount of time allowed by a special session.
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Louisiana Farms Face Multiple Years of Losses, LFBF Sends Letter to Delegation Expressing Need for a New Farm Bill Now
Louisiana farms are facing another year of losses in 2024, according to the LSU AgCenter. Those losses would continue in 2025 if Congress does not pass a new Farm Bill this year.
Ag Economist Michael Deliberto, Ph.D. calculated with current commodity prices, production costs and price supports, a 1,500-acre farm would end 2024 with $306,097.50 in losses. A 2,000-acre farm would fare considerably worse with a balance sheet ending in 2024 with $564,482.50 in losses.
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Ranchers, Sugarcane Farmers Recovering from Hurricane Francine
Many were left without power and others were devastated by flood waters and damaging winds after Hurricane Francine made landfall earlier this month. This storm was a major setback for cattle ranchers and sugarcane farmers and left them with weeks of additional work.
Cattle ranchers Colleen Landry and her fiancé Cody Batiste operate H&M Ranch in Terrebonne Parish. Despite their pasture being flooded by Hurricane Francine, the couple had no choice but to head out to check on their cattle.
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2025 Social Media Ambassador Applications Open
Applications are now open for the American Farm Bureau Social Media Ambassador Program at the 2025 FUSION Conference to be held March 7-10, 2025, in Denver, Colorado! If you are seeking an opportunity to apply what you are learning through your coursework, get creative with social media and/or engage the public in a conference experience, apply today.
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The LSU AgCenter Needs Your Help to Update Crawfish Data
The LSU AgCenter continues to be a leading resource in crawfish data. Many of you know, LSU and their data sources have been key in all funding opportunities and communications with USDA on any assistance programs we have been able to secure over the past few years. As recently as the ELAP excessive heat calculations of 2023, LSU AgCenter agents and faculty were the leading resource for information on our niche “farm raised fish.” In an effort to continually improve those figures, we are supporting their effort to update key information that is a general resource for the industry and allows their scientists and economists to provide quality anonymous information back to the industry when needed.
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The Time is Now to Pass a Farm Bill
Regardless of whether or not you’ve ever set foot on a farm, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act would impact you.
The Farm, Food and National Security Act is the U.S. House of Representatives’ version of the Farm Bill. It is a key piece of legislation that has the potential to affect an array of agricultural and food policies.
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President's Perspective: First Month On The Job
In this episode of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Podcast, Karl Wiggers sits down with Richard Fontenot, the newly elected Louisiana Farm Bureau President and they discuss his busy first month in the new role.
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Farm Bill: Producers Should Expect Another Extension, a US Senator Said
Congress hasn’t passed a new farm bill since 2018, and the ag community shouldn’t expect a new one any time soon.
“We need a farm bill, (and) we needed it done yesterday,” Andy Brown, Louisiana Farm Bureau’s commodity and public policy director, said in a recent interview.
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