Mark your calendar! October 2, 2021 is when Louisiana Farm Bureau, Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, LSU AgCenter Extension Agents, along with St. Helena, Tangipahoa and Lafourche Parish Farm Bureaus and Lafourche Cattlemen’s Association will distribute donated fencing supplies to ranchers in need.
Read MoreThis week, the House Agriculture Committee passed its portion of the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package, including more than $94 billion in new spending related to agriculture.
For Louisiana, there is a glaring hole in that spending plan as it is lacking supplemental disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers after Hurricane Ida ravaged the state last month.
Read MoreBales of hay are headed to Plaquemines Parish to help cattle and horses impacted by Hurricane Ida.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry says that the hay will be used to feed cattle and horses stranded following the storm.
LDAF says the delivery was made possible thanks to their partners at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Louisiana Cattlemen's Association, the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association Equine Committee, Texas Equine Veterinary Association, Texas A&M Veterinary Association and The Foundation for the Horse.
Read MoreHurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. Ida’s 150 mph winds make it equal in strength and intensity as 2020’s Hurricane Laura and the 1856 storm that hit the community of Last Island. All three are tied as the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall in Louisiana. Ida’s winds toppled electrical transmission lines that provide power to grain export facilities and small family farms alike. Ida’s storm surge sent cattle to higher ground along levees with hardly any forage and even less fresh water. Homes are damaged or destroyed. Our farmers and ranchers will feel the economic and psychological effects of this storm through this harvest season and beyond.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Farm Bureau Livestock Advisory Committee is again working to help ranchers through a natural disaster by reengaging its hay clearinghouse in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
Through the hay clearinghouse, the volunteers and staff of the Louisiana Farm Bureau connect ranchers who need hay or pasture for their cattle with people who have hay to donate, pasture space available or the ability to transport hay.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Farm Bureau Disaster Response Committee has created a Facebook Group to connect you with other farmers and ranchers across the state to either offer help where you can or request help if you're in need during a natural disaster like Hurricane Ida.
Read MoreA pandemic has restricted many things, but for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, it has limited our ability to bring our members directly to their elected officials, particularly those serving in Washington D.C.
Also, with four out of the six House of Representative staffers of Louisiana’s delegation being new to their jobs, we thought it was the perfect time to bring these important individuals to the farm.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Ag in the Classroom named Lisa Wiggins of Natchitoches Parish the 2021 Teacher of the Year, her second time winning the award. The award recognizes a Louisiana teacher for achievements and efforts in teaching students the importance of agriculture. Wiggins is the school librarian at Northwestern State Elementary Lab School in Natchitoches, LA where she teaches English language arts, science and reading to her K-5th grade students using literacy gardens she built more than a decade ago.
Read MoreAfter seventeen months of grassroots work and persistence, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation (LFBF) and other state Farm Bureaus can celebrate a massive victory.
Contract poultry growers who were previously ruled out of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program are now eligible to apply for aid thanks to collaboration between various state Farm Bureaus, lawmakers and USDA. Up to $1 billion will be made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act to livestock and poultry producers who suffered financial losses from January 1, 2020, through December 27, 2020.
Read MoreThe 84th International Rice Festival will recognize Phillip Lamartiniere as the 2021 Farmer of the Year. Phillip Lamartiniere was born, raised and currently resides in the small community of Fifth Ward, located seven miles west of Marksville. His parents were Louis J. Lamartiniere and Loretta Bordelon Lamartiniere. Phillip is the third of five children consisting of three sisters and one brother. He is a graduate of Fifth Ward High School and attended LSU-Alexandria for two years in Agri Business. He is married to Collier Lamartiniere from Natchitoches Parish. They have three children, Eric (45), Seth (38) and Brandon (34), whom all have successful careers outside of agriculture. Phillip and his wife, Janis, are faithful and active members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Fifth Ward.
Read MoreAugust 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.
Read MoreThe U.S. House Agriculture Committee unanimously passed a resolution that could help Louisiana farmers and ranchers qualify for disaster assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus, better known as WHIP+. The 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act, with an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) qualifies both the 2020 and 2021 crop years for coverage.
Read MoreLouisiana farmers and ranchers now have an online resource to connect with one another in times of need via Facebook, just in time for the peak of hurricane season.
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Disaster Response Facebook Group is where farmers and ranchers can post their needs before, during or after natural disasters.
Read MoreBroadband internet is not available everywhere in Louisiana, but work is underway to change that. Louisiana Farm Bureau is helping the Delta Regional Authority connect with rural residents to learn what internet speeds are available, if broadband internet is available at all.
Read MoreA 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.
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