LSU AgCenter Livestock Show Update
Updated show information from State Livestock Show Leader Dwayne Nunez:
Well mother nature has thrown us a curve ball with the weather this week. We have met with administration and we are going to make some changes that I need your help getting to all exhibiters. We have postponed the MINI BEEF CATTLE, DIARY GOAT SHOW, and EXHIBITION POULTRY SHOW to a later date. We will reschedule these for end of March or April TBD. We already have our Meat Goat judge on the grounds and feel that we can get the meat goats in on Sunday safely to be judged as scheduled. We will re-evaluate on Wednesday as the weather progresses to make any further decision.
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Family Traditions Remain Despite Livestock Show in Pandemic
Alaina Leet didn’t seem intimidated by the size of the Lamar-Dixon Arena or all the COVID-19 precautions. She was prepared and masked, but if the seventh grade poultry showman got a little nervous, she only had to look over her shoulder for mom. Jessica Leet knows everything about Alaina, and, fortunately, a good bit about chickens.
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LSU AgCenter Experts Offer Tips to Protect Home, Landscape During Cold Snap
An extended cold front has moved into Louisiana. Temperatures will fall below freezing across much of the state this weekend and into next week.
Residents can protect their homes and landscapes with a few steps and items from the hardware or garden store.
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Three to be Inducted into Louisiana Ag Hall of Distinction
Three fixtures in Louisiana agriculture will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction during a ceremony at L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge on March 4.
The new inductees are former Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson, of Ethel; sugarcane farmer John Gay, of Plaquemine; and Paul “Jackie” Loewer, of Branch, a rice farmer who has been a strong advocate for the rice industry in state and national organizations.
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Sugarcane Farmers Meet Virtually to Prepare for Next Crop
After completing a successful harvest, sugarcane farmers in the Bayou Teche area met online Feb. 9 with LSU AgCenter experts to find out what they should be doing to prepare for next year’s crop.
Kenneth Gravois, LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist, said clipping, followed by burning the residue could impair growth, especially with the possibility of a freeze in the next few days.
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Alidore Residents Attend Drive-Thru Community Forum
Residents of the Alidore area of Raceland participated in a drive-thru forum Feb. 10 where they answered questions about the health of the community and how they think it can be improved.
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February Crop Market Update for Corn, Soybeans, Rice, and Cotton
The February USDA WASDE report did not elicit the pronounced market reaction observed last month. However, the grains exhibited technical selling in the futures market. With that, the corn and soybean markets will be watching for changes in South American production (weather) and export activity which could trigger technical influence in the market as the U.S. planting season approaches.
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The Rice Stuff Podcast Examines U.S. Rice Industry Sustainability Goals
The U.S. rice industry is rightly proud of its sustainability record, growing more rice on less land with less inputs and without the use of genetically modified plants. You can bet any industry taking a leadership role in sustainability and conservation is not going to be the kind of industry that rests on its laurels. And you would be right.
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LSU AgCenter Offers Training Session Feb. 17 for for Selling at Farmers Markets
The LSU AgCenter Healthy Communities program will host a free online training session on Feb. 17 for current and potential Louisiana farmers market vendors.
The training will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. via Microsoft Teams.
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Reminder: Complete the LSU AgCenter Beef Cattle Survey
In an effort to better serve cattle producers, we are asking that you please take a few minutes to complete the enclosed survey. Your feedback is vital to the creation of educational content and sustainability of our programs.
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LSU Seeking Forestry Economist
Louisiana State University has accepting applications for an assistant/associate professor for forestry economics, according to the university.
The position was previously held by Dr. Shaun Tanger, who accepted a new job in Mississippi last year.
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2021 Pesticide Applicators Recertification Classes
Louisiana pesticide applicator recertification looks a little different than in years past. Beginning in the late summer of 2020 the LSU AgCenter worked with Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) to provide different options for commercial pesticide applicators to become recertified to meet state and federal requirements.
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It's Tater Time
For those of you who keep a vegetable garden, it’s time to get those potatoes in the ground. Potatoes are easy to cultivate and provide many essential vitamins such as calcium, iron, vitamins B6 and C, and potassium. They also provide dietary fiber, some protein and prebiotic resistant starch to boot.
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Freeze Injury On Wheat
The impact of freezing temperatures (24oF) on wheat varies dramatically depending on the growth stage the crop is in when it occurs. Temperatures are projected to dip into the teens and 20s in central and north Louisiana for several days beginning February 11th
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Louisiana Rice: Big Changes In Varieties On Tap For '21
There are a handful of new rice varieties and rice hybrids that will be available in 2021 that will change the landscape of the rice grown in Louisiana. There are also a few rice varieties and hybrids that will virtually disappear in the coming season. I will do my best to cover the biggest variety and hybrid changes for 2021 in each rice class below.
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