After nearly a week of freezing temperatures, farmers in Mississippi and Louisiana have suffered big losses in livestock and crops, and some of the worst damage won't be known for weeks.
"We just don't know how bad this freeze could have affected the crawfish, the strawberries and the sugarcane industries," said Jim Harper, president of the Louisiana Farmer Bureau Federation. "We could be talking in the millions of dollars, though, statewide."
Read MoreFarmers and ranchers across a large swathe of the country are anxiously awaiting a warm-up after temperatures plummeted to record lows and whole states – many much more accustomed to moderate winter weather at worst – were covered in ice and snow.
Read MoreIn terms of a disaster, this is a Category 5 for Louisiana livestock producers.
Mother Nature delivered a one-two punch with back-to-back winter storms, dumping unprecedented amounts of snow, sleet, and freezing rain with record-low temperatures across parts of Louisiana this week.
Louisiana farmers are scrambling to keep livestock alive during the historic winter storm — with the frigid conditions already killing some cattle and chickens.
Read MoreMost of the nation is facing unusually cold weather, as a winter storm moved coast-to-coast over the weekend. Winter storms create significant challenges and often result in catastrophic loss for agricultural producers, especially for those raising livestock, row crops and vulnerable crops like citrus.
Despite every attempt to mitigate risk, your operation may suffer losses. USDA offers several programs to help with recovery.
Read MoreLouisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Mike Strain, D.V.M., is urging all agricultural producers impacted by the severe winter weather to document losses.
“While no secretarial disaster designation has been declared at this time, an accurate account of any crops and livestock that are lost is vital in the event insurance claims are necessary or federal assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is made available,” said Strain.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers and impacted communities.
Read MoreFarmers and ranchers from across the state submitted photos from this week’s winter storm.
Read MoreBillionaire Bill Gates has called on the U.S. and other wealthy countries to give up eating beef entirely and switch to synthetic alternatives due to climate change.
'I don’t think the poorest 80 countries will be eating synthetic meat. I do think all rich countries should move to 100% synthetic beef,' Gates the MIT Technology Review in an interview on Monday.
'You can get used to the taste difference, and the claim is they’re going to make it taste even better over time. Eventually, that green premium is modest enough that you can sort of change the people or use regulation to totally shift the demand,' Gates mused.
Read MoreA winter ice storm hit Louisiana Monday morning, bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain across the state.
Louisiana livestock producers are working overtime during the blistering cold to protect their investment and our next meal.
Read MoreUpdated 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.
Read MoreAlaina 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.
Read MoreWith temperatures dipping near or below freezing in parts of the state early this week, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., is urging livestock and pet owners to take necessary precautions to protect their animals. This is also the time to protect plants, pipes and, of course, people.
Read MoreThree 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.
Read MoreIn a Wyoming federal district court, Harriet Hageman, senior litigation counsel for the New Civil Liberties Alliance, filed an opening brief related to R-CALF USA's Federal Advisory Committee Act lawsuit against the USDA regarding its mandate of radio frequency identification eartags.
Read MoreClick below for the weekly market report from the Kinder Livestock Auction.
Read More
