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 MoreDeep in Louisiana sugarcane country, there lies a giant hamburger. Or rather, a food plot in the shape of a hamburger. Not too far away there are similar gardens in the shape of a hot dog, a box of french fries and a taco.
This is the Fast Food Farm in St. James Parish, a non-profit educational farm started by Denny Hymel more than 20 years ago after realizing that children were increasingly disconnected from the farms where their food comes from.
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 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 MoreThe Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is fortunate to have a partnership at our State Capitol with Mapes & Mapes, LLC. To most in Farm Bureau circles, we just call them Joe and Sandy. “Big Joe” is instantly recognizable for his bodybuilding physique, but equally well known for his kind manner. And if you know Joe, you’ve heard his famous line: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu!”
Read MoreWe have an exciting opportunity for our state YF&R members!
YF&R members it is time to grab your cameras and get ready to share a story about agriculture! The
American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee wants to put local agriculture in
the spotlight and promote the work that Young Farmers are doing throughout the nation.
Read MoreThe sounds of shotgun blasts and shattering clay pigeons will again pull Louisiana Farm Bureau members from across the state to Benton, La. for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Sporting Clays Shootout.
Read MoreThe Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020, included $284 billion in new funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), that had previously expired on Aug. 8, 2020.
Read MoreThe United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced additions and amendments to the second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) on January 15, 2021 to include contract livestock growers (poultry/hogs/etc.) and turfgrass producers and update certain payment rates of sales and row crop commodities.
Read MoreIn May of 2021, The Louisiana Farm Bureau Foundation will award up to five $2,000 scholarships to applicants submitted by parish Farm Bureaus. These winners will be selected based on academic achievement, ACT scores, individual leadership in their high school and community, participation in selected parish and state Farm Bureau activities and financial need.
Read MoreThe name is changing, but the dedication to Louisiana’s farmers, ranchers and folks who depend on agriculture is not. The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture website is now The Louisiana Farm Bureau News.
Read MoreLast week, farmers and ag industry interests from Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District got the chance to spend time with Rep. Clay Higgins’s new staff agricultural liaison, Turner Bridgforth. Bridgforth grew up on a farm in Mississippi, and served in previous positions at the White House and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation will be presenting its highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award and the Farm Bureau Founders Award, to former Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and former Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson, respectively, during the 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention, Jan. 10-13.
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