How Cenla Farmers Manage Crops, Livestock in Extreme Heat
An extended period of heat can easily become a bit too much to manage when work is done outdoors.
Robert Duncan, a fourth-generation farmer, manages crops like soybeans, wheat, livestock, and more on his land in Boyce. He is the owner and operator of R&R Duncan Cattle.
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The Farmer's Forecast: Little Rain and 100º Days
You’ve likely heard the term “flash drought” being thrown around over the last week. We saw this in 2023, but that was a special case, and we were already seeing extreme to exceptional drought by late August. In this case, we range from abnormally dry to moderate drought, but 100 degree days, and little forecasted rain means we will likely see a quick surge upward in drought intensity and coverage.
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A Quick Glance at Corn, Soybean Yield Potential in 6 States
When it comes to corn and soybeans, states such as Illinois and Iowa are certain to be production juggernauts season after season. The sheer number of acres dedicated to these crops means that all eyes -- and the markets -- tend to focus their attention on these states, including the 2026 DTN Digital Yield Tour.
Yet, living on the buckle of the Corn Belt isn't a prerequisite for growing successful, and often high-yielding, crops, as this year's tour estimates reveal.
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Second-Chance Corn: Northeast Louisiana Farmer Harvests Replanted Crop
Corn harvest is rolling across Louisiana, but for Kam Harper, getting a combine into the field this year took two plantings and months of uncertainty.
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Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Mike Melancon Recognized Among 2026 Sugar Notables
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Secretary-Treasurer Mike Melancon was recognized Saturday evening as one of Sugar Journal’s 2026 Sugar Notables, an international honor celebrating individuals whose careers have made lasting contributions to the global sugar industry.
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The Farmer's Forecast: Hello, Bertha?
A tropical system is moving toward Louisiana, and my concern level is pretty low. This system has had a hard time organizing, and it looks like the track will be further north. That means this system will have less time over water, and any sort of Louisiana impact will likely be minor.
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More Than a Crown: The Role of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen
A crown may distinguish the young woman chosen to serve as Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen, but it is her commitment to agriculture, her passion for people and her willingness to share the stories of Louisiana’s farmers and ranchers that define her role.
Beyond the sash and title is a year of service travelling across the state to represent the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation at agricultural events, community celebrations and educational programs.
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Carbon Capture Key Topic for Farm Bureau Board Meeting
The Richland Parish Farm Bureau Board discussed the growing controversy surrounding carbon capture projects, including eminent domain concerns, during its July 7 meeting.
Burch Pierce, second vice president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Board of Directors, said carbon capture first appeared in Louisiana legislation in 2009, but interest increased significantly after additional legislation was introduced in 2020.
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The Farmer's Forecast: Dog Days of Summer
It looks like Louisiana is about to get a taste of the dog days of summer. Drier air is moving in as an upper level low drifts westward over Texas, and brings our organized rain threat along with it. Dangerous flooding will impact parts of the Texas Hill Country toward the Rio Grande River. For us, it'll be all about how hot things get. I expect highs to get close to 100 over a good chunk of Louisiana by early next week.
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Hay Farmers Suffer Major Losses from Tropical Storm Arthur Flooding
Floodwaters that swept through Avoyelles and St. Landry parishes devastated hay fields, leaving farmers to contend with rotting crops, mounting disposal costs, and a hay shortage that could strain cattle producers across the region.
The rain fell hardest in Avoyelles Parish, but as water moved south, farmers in northern St. Landry Parish watched fields, roads, and yards change by the day.
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Louisiana Farm & Ranch: July 2026
Thanks to Buck Leonards and the staff at Louisiana Farm & Ranch for making the digital edition available here.
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American Seafood Producers Express Strong Support for Proposed Additional Tariffs in Section 301 Investigation on Forced Labor
The Southern Shrimp Alliance, joined by the American Shrimp Processors Association, the Catfish Farmers of America, the Crawfish Processors Alliance, and the Crawfish Commodity Committee of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, submitted comments expressing strong support in favor of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) proposal that additional tariffs of 12.5 percent be imposed on imported goods from China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam, including seafood, and additional tariffs of 10 percent be imposed on imported merchandise from Ecuador, Indonesia, and Mexico, including seafood.
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St. Landry Parish Flood Recovery Raises Questions About Canal Maintenance
As St. Landry Parish continues its cleanup and recovery from catastrophic flooding, parish officials and farmers are raising questions about whether better canal and drainage maintenance could have reduced the flood's impact.
Canals, bayous, and drainage were among the topics discussed at a meeting with farmers in Opelousas last week. Whiteville farmer Jeffery Sylvester described conditions he observed at drainage weirs before and during the flooding.
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Tangipahoa Parish Agricultural Advocate Crowned 2026 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen
Jean Treas, 19, of Tangipahoa Parish, was crowned the 2026 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen at the organization's 104th annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention on June 20 at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel.
Twenty-one young women representing their respective parish Farm Bureaus participated in the event.
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Louisiana Ag Commissioner Outlines Path to Federal Aid for Flood-damaged Farms
Louisiana's agriculture commissioner met with flood-affected farmers in Opelousas on Monday, urging them to meticulously document their losses as crop damage from catastrophic flooding in Avoyelles and St. Landry parishes climbs into the millions of dollars.
Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain traveled to Opelousas to outline the steps farmers must take to access state and federal assistance following flooding that inundated miles of farm fields and forced livestock to seek higher ground about a week and a half ago.
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