A serious infestation of Hessian fly in wheat was observed this year in south Louisiana. Reports indicate that severe infestations have been detected in LSU AgCenter wheat varietal trials at Central Research Station in Baton Rouge and high levels of infestation were also observed in a producer’s fields near Bunkie.
Read MoreBest management practices are measures that producers can apply to crop rotations, tillage operations, effective input application and other aspects of the management process that minimize — or eliminate altogether — the flow of fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste and other byproducts of farm operations from entering water resources.
Read MoreThe USDA-NASS survey reported that two percent of the Louisiana soybean crop was planted by March 19, 2023. The warm and dry weather during early March allowed producers to plant their corn crop early and then begin planting soybean. Unfortunately, on March 20th, the temperature dropped to approximately 28 degrees Fahrenheit in Northeast Louisiana. Soybean tissue death can occur if the temperature falls to 28 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four hours, especially if the unifoliate leaves are exposed (Vann and Stokes, 2020).
Read MoreVolume 13, Issue 2—April, 2023
Read MoreThere were no major surprises in the March 31st USDA Prospective Plantings report, but the March 1st Quarterly Grain Stock report was seen as somewhat of a surprise “missing the mark” for corn and soybean stocks. Historically the April WASDE is not a major report, but the USDA reduced South America production, which could increase U.S. export demand and therefore reduce U.S. and major exporter ending stocks. As such, the market continues to trade tightness in ending stocks for the 2022/23 marketing year. As the market digests the plantings and stocks reports, focus now shifts to weather and U.S. planting progress.
Read MoreIt’s the peak of strawberry season in Louisiana, and the bright red fruit is being harvested in fields across southeast Louisiana. LSU AgCenter reporter Craig Gautreaux has this report from Livingston Parish.
Read MoreAn old adage says a picture is worth a thousand words. For Dennis Burns, the coordinator of the LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station, a single photo sums up something he and several colleagues have been studying extensively: the benefits of conservation methods such as planting a cover crop in the offseason.
Read MoreMatt Lee, interim dean of LSU's College of Agriculture and vice president for agriculture since August 2022, will be promoted to permanent head of the program, the university announced Tuesday.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter will hold its annual wheat, oat and cover crop field day April 20 at the Tom H. Scott Research, Extension and Education Center in Winnsboro.
The event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, and lunch will be provided. The Scott Center is located at 212A Macon Ridge Road in Winnsboro.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter prescribed burning workshop with burner certification has been scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 19-21.
AgCenter forestry agent Whitney Wallace said the workshop will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first two days and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday at the Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station in Clinton.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter will hold its annual Northwest Region Beef and Forage Field Day April 27 at the Hill Farm Research Station in Homer.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 9 a.m. The Hill Farm Research Station is located at 11959 Highway 9 in Homer.
Read MoreLast month the faculty of the LSU AgCenter Audubon Sugar Institute won multiple awards and honors at the 31st International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists Congress in Hyderabad, India.
Awards can act as a barometer and prove that the institute’s work has merit, said Gillian Eggleston, director of the institute, who presented research findings and received a prestigious honor at the conference.
Read MoreDionne Toombs, acting director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, visited the LSU AgCenter on March 27 as part of her tour of land-grant universities.
Read MoreMost of the corn acreage in Louisiana was injured by freezing temperature from March 19-20. At that time, most corn is at VE (emergence) to V2 stage (two leaves with visible collar) and therefore the growing point was below the soil surface. Corn’s growing point remains below the soil surface until V6 growth stage for most hybrids.
Read MoreFood security impacts individuals, as well as the health of entire communities. Through the creation of food pantries, community gardens, food drives, farmers markets and more, Land-grant Universities and local community initiatives collaborate to keep food on the table for many.
An effort begun during Covid-19 is still providing high-quality shrimp to food banks in Louisiana. With help from USDA, the local Sea Grant program was able to develop workable guidelines for the purchase and distribution of shrimp.
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