Michael Deliberto hates public speaking.
The agricultural economist is most at home in his office at LSU in Baton Rouge surrounded by stacks of file folders and note pads, his base for writing newsletters and articles about the ways weather, global forces and policy decisions affect Louisiana agriculture.
Read MoreFire ants are formidable pests in gardens and landscapes. They’re known for their painful bites and stings due to venom. When disturbed, fire ant mounds can unleash swarms of sterile female worker ants that sting and inject venom within seconds, potentially causing severe allergic reactions or dangerous medical issues in some individuals.
Read MoreLSU AgCenter entomologist Rodrigo Diaz has been named director of the AgCenter’s Center for Research Excellence for the Study of Invasive Species. The center is working to advance the understanding of destructive nonnative insects, weeds, wildlife and disease-causing microorganisms.
Read MoreEmma Stelly, a McNeese State University freshman who grew up on a family farm in Vermilion Parish, has been selected to complete an internship at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station this summer.
Read MoreWith farming communities across America facing challenges ranging from the economic to the environmental, developing a talent pipeline of young people interested in solving these problems is critical to the future of agriculture.
That was the message Xochitl Torres Small, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, shared when she visited the LSU campus
Read MoreThe Louisiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has named LSU AgCenter nutrition and community health agent Becky Gautreaux its 2024 Outstanding Dietitian of the Year.
Gautreaux, who has worked for the AgCenter for 11 years, works in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. She was nominated by the dietetic internship director at Nicholls State University, which proved to be an important factor in Gautreaux’s win.
Read MoreAccording to Dow Jones' survey of market analysts, USDA is expected to announce 92.0 million acres of corn plantings in 2024, down from 94.6 million acres in 2023. For soybeans, 86.3 million acres are expected to be planted in 2024, up from 83.6 million acres in 2023.
Read MoreMembers of the U.S. Department of Agriculture visited LSU AgCenter facilities March 26 to announce a $166,668 technical assistance grant for rural Louisiana communities through its Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP.
The investment is meant to provide support to farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems such as solar and other energy-efficient measures.
Read MoreOver the past decade, crawfish (often known as crayfish outside the US) production in Louisiana and the surrounding region has grown to become, arguably, the second most valuable sector in US aquaculture behind only catfish. This low-input, environmentally sustainable industry is based on management practices that mimic natural hydrological and vegetative cycles. It is also, however, greatly influenced by the weather and when normal precipitation patterns are disrupted crawfish populations (and harvests) can be significantly impacted. This 2023- 2024 season is a sobering illustration of how severe those impacts can be.
Read MoreU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Louisiana State Director, Deidre Deculus Robert, will announce that USDA will invest $166,668 to Louisiana State University through the Rural Energy of America Program – Technical Assistance Grant (REAP TAG).
These funds will provide hands-on support to farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems, like solar, and energy efficiency measures. This investment not only help producers and small businesses lower energy costs, but also access new markets and strengthen their operations.
Read MoreSpeaking from a bustling John M. Parker Agricultural Coliseum during another successful AgMagic, Matt Lee, LSU vice president for agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture, highlighted many achievements during a virtual statewide spring update March 22.
After inviting AgMagic coordinator Hannah Devall to acknowledge the 7,000 teachers, students and volunteers who participated in this year’s event, Lee spoke about the impact of AgCenter research.
Read MoreUnder the watchful eye of her mentor, Lily May carefully measured catfish fillets, powdered gelatin and water. May was preparing an experiment to test the effects of coatings on the omega-3 fatty acids in refrigerated catfish.
May’s mentor, Evelyn Watts, a seafood extension specialist with the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant, has supervised graduate and undergraduate students conducting research in her lab, but May, a junior at St. Joseph’s Academy, was the first high school student Watts has worked with.
Read MoreThe 2024 Soil Health and Cover Crop Fielkd Tour is set for Thursday, March 28 at the Northeast Research Station, on HIghway 605 in St. Jo; Registration begins at 8 AM with the program getting underwayiat 8:30.
Lunch will be served.
Read MoreThe cattle industry is losing $1 billion each year with no end in sight. One researcher believes his team can help save it.
Shafiqul Chowdhury, a professor of molecular and researcher at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, has developed a new vaccine that could prevent the spread of bovine respiratory disease.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter in partnership with nonprofit 4-H is hosting “AgMagic,” an educational event at the Parker Coliseum. This interactive experience, designed to educate children about Louisiana agriculture and wildlife, expects to attract thousands over its weeklong run.
The event began March 18 and will last until March 24, with March 18-22 reserved for school groups visiting from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and March 23-24 being open to the public from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
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