Sometimes an opportunity presents itself that is too good to pass up. In Tara and Josh Morris’ case, it was a series of several opportunities strung together that made their dreams of grazing cattle in southern Louisiana a reality.
Tara and Josh both got their feet wet in agriculture by working on research farms in college before they rented their first piece of land in 2016. They leased the then conventionally farmed field from a friend under the condition that they fix the fence.
Read MoreHurricane Helene caused record destruction and deaths from Florida, Georgia, The Carolinas and into Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and beyond. My prayers go out to the families, loved ones and friends who died and those who lost homes and businesses. This tragic event was followed by the longshore union strike. We as a nation have got to come together and assist those in need.
Read MoreIn recent years, drought has been common in many Southern states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported that approximately 65% of this area was experiencing some level of drought as of October 1, 2024 (Fig. 1). Producers are increasingly adopting the USDA’s Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance (PRF), recognizing its crucial role in supporting ranchers during these challenging times.
Read MoreCow-calf operations are the heart of Louisiana’s livestock industry. Cattle in this sector spend much of their lives grazing perennial and annual pastures, so high-quality forage is important.
Summer 2023 was one of the hottest and driest in recent memory. The drought took a major toll on crop production, and everyone from sugarcane farmers to cattle ranchers felt the effects.
Read MoreSylvia “Tweety” Trahan has been named the 2024 Cattlewoman of the Year.
Trahan’s honor comes as part of the 74th Annual Louisiana Cattle Festival, which will begin on Friday in Abbeville.
Tweety, as she is known by family and friends, has been a member of the Vermilion Cattlewomen's and Louisiana Cattlewomen’s Associations for 30 years. She has been a member of the American National Cattlewomen's Association for 25 years.
Read MoreThere’s this tiny town in the Cajun country of Calcasieu Parish called Iowa. That’s Iowa, Louisiana—population 3,121, and Iowa’s pronounced with a “hard A” on the end. But this quaint little community is only that big and booming when all the rodeo rigs pull back into their hometown driveways on Denison Road, down in “the country part of Iowa that’s north of I-10” that they call LeBleu Settlement. Imagine the block-party barbecues being planned there this week, as two native sons and a daughter just crossed the National Finals finish line ranked among the Top 15 in the world and are headed to Vegas.
Read MoreOn October 2, the Vernon Parish Cattlemen Association held its 11th annual “Vernon Parish Cattlemen’s Farm Youth Day.”
This year the event took place at Porter Ranch in Leesville and 170 Vernon Parish students attended.
Students arrived at 9 a.m. and began their day learning about farm safety, cattle care and career opportunities in agriculture.
Read MoreDenise Mire’s significant contributions to the Louisiana Cattle Festival will be honored as she is inducted into the prestigious Louisiana Cattle Festival Hall of Fame in 2024.
“It is with great honor that the Louisiana Cattle Festival announces our esteemed honorees for the 74th LA Cattle Festival,” Cattle Festival President Karen Guilbeau said. “We are very pleased to introduce our 2024 Hall of Fame, Denise Mire.”
Read MoreOn a recent fall day, as Wilburn Harris did the rounds on his cattle farm in the Missouri town of Drexel, he was met with brown grass, cracked soil and half-empty ponds.
He was used to it. Last year’s drought was so bad, he had to haul water and hay to his farm to keep the animals fed and watered.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Cattle Festival is nearly upon us as hundreds are expected to take to Downtown Abbeville this weekend to celebrate the beautiful bovine and the products it provides us with each day.
The festival, held annually during the first full weekend in October, is slated for October 4-6 this year — but help is needed to make sure everything is roped in and all loose ends are tied up.
Read MoreClick below for the market report from the latest Red River Livestock Auction.
Read MoreClick below for the market report from the latest Tiger Lake Livestock Auction.
Read MoreClick below for the market report from the latest Kinder Livestock Auction.
Read MoreSaddle up, because Southern's second annual Calf Roping on the Bluff is this weekend.
The roping event will be held on Sept. 29 at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena.
Read MoreMany were left without power and others were devastated by flood waters and damaging winds after Hurricane Francine made landfall earlier this month. This storm was a major setback for cattle ranchers and sugarcane farmers and left them with weeks of additional work.
Cattle ranchers Colleen Landry and her fiancé Cody Batiste operate H&M Ranch in Terrebonne Parish. Despite their pasture being flooded by Hurricane Francine, the couple had no choice but to head out to check on their cattle.
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