August is back to school, back to the heat and, for us farmers, back to the fields. Many of our commodities in Louisiana are being harvested right now, including corn, beans and rice, as well as planting for sugarcane. While COVID is also back, farmers still can’t take a break, especially right now. One thing that’s different from last year to this year is the ag economy. We’re seeing better prices, in general, for most farm commodities. China’s been in the market buying our products and, due to some bad weather in South America, as well as the Phase One trade deal, we’re seeing American products head overseas once again.

A number of my columns since my election as Louisiana Farm Bureau President have revolved around farm programs through USDA. I also often try and implore our farm leaders to get involved. Now I would like to share with you how you can combine the two. USDA-FSA is currently accepting applications for County Committees. Nomination forms for the 2021 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 2, 2021.

The voting delegates of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation elected Jim Harper, a rice, crawfish, sugarcane and soybean farmer in Rapides Parish, to a second term as president of the state’s largest general farm organization.

In 2020, Louisiana sugarcane growers produced more than two million tons of sugar, a new record for any year, but especially amazing during a pandemic. In April of this year, the LSU AgCenter released two new sugarcane varieties, 885 and 267. Both of these facts received little fanfare, but they are both important and connected.