USDA is planning to severely slash its county Service Center offices around the country that house local staff for the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, potentially consolidating county staff into state committees, according to a report published Tuesday.
Read MoreLouisiana’s sugarcane industry isn’t just a part of the state’s history—it’s a driving force in its economy, generating roughly $4 billion annually and providing jobs across farms, research facilities, and raw sugar factories.
Sustaining this vital industry requires continuous innovation and a partnership between the LSU AgCenter, the USDA, and the American Sugarcane League plays a pivotal role.
Read MoreU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the cancellation of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC). Following a thorough line by line review of each of these Biden era partnerships, it became clear that the majority of these projects had sky-high administration fees which in many instances provided less than half of the federal funding directly to farmers.
Read MoreAccording to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, April 13, 2025. Topsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 13 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for FY 2026 and accepting applications for four export market development programs. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service has opened funding opportunities for the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC), and Emerging Markets Program (EMP) that will help U.S. agricultural producers promote and sell their goods internationally.
Read MoreNatural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting State Conservationist for Louisiana, Kelli McClelland, has announced that a contract renewal sign-up is under way for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Customers with active CSP contracts set to expire on December 31, 2025, may be able to renew their contract for an additional 5-year period during the final year of the current contract. Applicants interested in CSP renewal must submit their applications to their local NRCS field office by June 20, 2025.
Read MoreNatural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting State Conservationist for Louisiana, Kelli McClelland, has announced that a contract renewal sign-up is under way for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Customers with active CSP contracts set to expire on December 31, 2025, may be able to renew their contract for an additional 5-year period during the final year of the current contract. Applicants interested in CSP renewal must submit their applications to their local NRCS field office by June 20, 2025.
Read MorePhysical loss loans through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.
Read MoreWith everything you have on your “to do” list, it can be easy to forget about signing up for USDA programs. FSA’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) are two key safety net programs created to protect farmers from significant losses due to fluctuations in crop price or revenue. Don’t delay!
Read MoreThis report contains the results from the Crop Progress and Condition weekly survey.
Read MoreUSDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the agency can’t yet quantify how farmers will be impacted by President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs. According to her, the full impact may not be known until late summer or even early fall, well after planting season.
Read MoreSome farmers are feeling the effects of Trump’s freeze on programs under the farm bill.
“We should be at the top, not at the bottom, and right now we’re sold out by bad decisions our government has made,” said Matt Frey with Four Oaks Farms in Morganza.
Frey says the prices of everything today make it hard to be a farmer, one of Louisiana’s top industries.
Read MoreThe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated April 2025 as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month. This year’s campaign spotlights how citizen-driven, cost-efficient strategies can protect one of our Nation’s most valuable assets: healthy, abundant crops.
Invasive pests are sneaky and can hitch a ride unseen on everyday items, from outdoor gear and vehicles to agricultural products bought online from overseas.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for FY 2026 and accepting applications for four export market development programs. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service has opened funding opportunities for the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC), and Emerging Markets Program (EMP) that will help U.S. agricultural producers promote and sell their goods internationally.
Read MoreFarming is risky, ARC and PLC can help! You may be eligible for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, which provide vital income support to farmers who experience substantial declines in crop price or revenue.
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