Monarch butterfly numbers have declined enough that one group of concerned scientists has placed the beloved insects on a watch list of endangered species.
Many Louisiana gardeners want to help the migratory monarchs by planting milkweeds, the host plant for the butterfly’s larvae, but knowing which species of milkweed to plant can require research, said Anna Timmerman, an associate extension agent for horticulture for the New Orleans area who researches native plants.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Board of Regents has awarded the LSU AgCenter Louisiana Institute for Bioproducts and Bioprocessing (LIBBi) a grant of nearly $1 million to upgrade equipment for the state-approved institute.
LIBBi and the scientists that work with it are dedicated to expanding and strengthening Louisiana’s role in developing novel bioproducts and new technologies from the state’s forestry and agricultural industries, said Qinglin Wu, professor in the AgCenter School of Renewable Natural Resources and the lead scientist on the grant.
Read MoreCharles Hebert is among thousands of people who have memories of spending a week at Camp Grant Walker during childhood summers.
Making the trek to the Pollock campgrounds for a few days of doing outdoor activities, making new friends and sleeping in cabins has long been a highlight of the Louisiana 4-H experience. Hebert had such a good time that he went on to become a camp counselor and volunteer — and ultimately, a 4-H agent with the LSU AgCenter.
Read MoreSince 2002, Black farmers from across the country have converged on north Louisiana for the Morehouse Parish Black Farmers Field Day.
The bulk of the Southern University and LSU AgCenter field days are held at branches of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station around the state. But this 20-year tradition is held annually on the farm of one of the members of the Morehouse Black Farmers and Landowners Association.
Read MoreThe dog days of summer are here, and it's important to protect your livestock from the stifling heat. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux tells us what livestock owners can do to make their animals more comfortable.
Read MoreLouisiana’s sugarcane crop had to endure nearly 100 inches of rain and the winds of Hurricane Ida last year. This year has been much drier, which allowed farmers to work their fields properly, and the crop has responded. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has this report.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development Program is a highly successful two-year course of study that prepares men and women who are dedicated to agriculture for the leadership challenges of the future. For those interested in applying for Class XVIII (January 2023 – February 2025), the application must be completed and submitted/postmarked no later than August 26, 2022.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station will hold a field day Aug. 18 highlighting upcoming varieties, best management practices and other research.
Registration for the event will begin at 8:30 a.m., and field tours will follow at 9 a.m. A sponsored lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the program.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter has named Ron Strahan as the Northwest Region director.
Strahan replaces Tara Smith, who was serving on an interim basis.
Read MoreWho can resist the taste of a cold, sweet Washington Parish watermelon? Not many it seems by the briskness of sales over the past month or so.
Watermelon sales tend to reach their zenith coming into the Fourth of July holiday each year. For two young produce salesmen in Zachary, the sales are slower now, but they still stick with it.
Read MorePersistent rain and a gloomy, gray sky is not the forecast Jeb Fields had hoped for on the morning of the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station’s annual horticulture field day — an event normally headlined by a tour of sun-soaked, vividly colored gardens where newly released ornamental plants are tested.
Read MoreTwo newly released sugarcane varieties with a familial breeding history were the focus of the 39th annual LSU AgCenter sugarcane field day in St. Gabriel. The two have the same parents, making them siblings — a first for the Louisiana sugarcane breeding program.
Read MoreLouisiana FFA members gathered in Alexandria in June for the 93rd Louisiana FFA State Convention. The convention recognized achievements of the organization’s members, thanked stakeholders and supporters and members elected the state officer team.
State officers serve as student leaders and advocates for agriculture and agricultural education.
Read MoreThe last week of July is the best time of year to plant rice and Sorghum-Sudangrass for crawfish forage. Learn more with LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant crawfish specialist Mark Shirley.
Read MoreFor 25 years, Louisiana Agriculture magazine has been in the capable hands of Linda Foster Benedict.
As editor of the 65-year-old quarterly publication, Benedict has overseen 97 issues of the magazine, and she can’t pick a favorite.
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