As the new year fast-approaches, your Farm Bureau legislative team is preparing for whatever might come ag’s way next year. Yes, we have a pro-business legislature and pro-business Governor that both support agribusiness, but that doesn’t mean Farm Bureau won’t have a fight on our hands over an issue yet to be seen; possibly an issue trickling down from the national level for each state to decide for itself.
Read MoreCongresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) introduced H.R. 6717, the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023. This proposed bill will revise two programs within the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 - the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), to provide farmers and owners of nonindustrial forest land who have been impacted by natural disasters with the option to receive advance emergency payments prior to carrying out emergency measures.
Read MoreMembers of the 2024/26 Rice Leadership Development Program class were announced yesterday during the annual Rice Awards Luncheon at the 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference. The class is comprised of seven rice industry professionals selected by a committee of agribusiness leaders.
“This is an excellent group that displays exceptional leadership potential,” said Rice Foundation Director Dr. Steve Linscombe. “They also represent a mix of southern and west coast individuals which always makes for good class dynamics.”
Read MoreLouisiana’s abrupt transition this year from one of the wettest states to one of the driest has had crippling repercussions for its farms and forests.
The state’s agricultural and timber industries have suffered nearly $1.7 billion in losses from the long-running drought and recent bouts of record high temperatures, according to a new report from Louisiana State University researchers.
Read MoreThe primary function of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is to ensure farmers can continue to feed a growing world. One of the ways it does that is by helping move agricultural products through the Louisiana Farm Bureau Marketing Association. In this episode, Karl Wiggers sits down with grain marketing specialists Greg Fox and Grayson Close to talk about the company and how they help farmers across Louisiana sell their crops at the best price at the best time.
Read MoreLouisiana has just completed a round of runoff races for statewide and legislative seats. One result of this will be a republican supermajority in both the House and Senate beginning next year for four years. There will be 34 new members in the House, and 11 new members in the Senate.
Read MoreInflation continues to wreak havoc on consumer's wallets, but there is a tiny bit of relief around the holidays this year.
The average price of a turkey dinner for 10 will cost about $5 less than it did in 2022, but overall prices are still about 25 percent higher than they were in 2019.
Read MoreThere is a saying about who to thank for the meal you ate today.
Each year, the Rotary Club of Abbeville dedicates a day to offer a special thanks to those who work to make sure food is plentiful, by presenting its Farmer of the Year Award. Allen McLain Jr. is this year’s recipient. The Rotary Club honored McLain during its weekly meeting on Wednesday.
Read MoreCongratulations to Louisiana 4th District Congressman Mike Johnson in becoming the first member of our state’s delegation to ascend to Speaker of the House of Representatives. Congressman Johnson has always been a friend of Farm Bureau.
Read MoreFifteen farm and ranch women leaders graduated from the fall session of Women’s Communications Boot Camp hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
The agricultural leaders completed an intensive four-day course that featured hands-on sessions focused on public speaking, working with the media and messaging. Program graduates will use their training to strategically support Farm Bureau’s priority issues.
Read MoreDave Ruppenicker has held three jobs since beginning his career in 1980 at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. In all of his roles, Ruppenicker has maintained the same mission: being an advocate for farmers.
Ruppenicker will retire as CEO of Southern Cotton Growers on December 31, after more than 23 years of service to the largest cotton farmer association in the country.
Read MoreThe average farmer age in the United States is around age 60, a concerning statistic for an agriculture-driven country and community in Central Louisiana. That is why the Vernon Parish Cattlemen’s Association (VPCA) is recruiting the next generation of farmers by hosting its Youth Farm Day at the Porter and Son’s Ranch in Leesville.
Those students learned about farm safety, animal health, beef quality assurance, agriculture careers and farm programs from the LSU Ag Center, McNeese State University, Louisiana Wildlife and Forestry and the Louisiana Farm Bureau.
Read MoreLouisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper sent letters to Congressman Clay Higgins and Senator Bill Cassidy to thank the two lawmakers for filing companion bills to help farmers and fishermen.
The Prioritizing Offensive Agriculture Disputes and Enforcement Act would identify trade barriers to U.S. agricultural exports and develop strategies to enforce violations of trade agreements, according to a press release.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is now accepting nominations for its annual induction ceremony, which will be held March 7 in Baton Rouge.
The nomination form can be obtained online at www.louisianaagriculturehallofdistinction.com or through any parish LSU AgCenter office. The deadline for receiving nominations is Nov. 17.
Read MoreCongresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) announced the introduction of H.R. 5691, the Drought Assistance Improvement Act. This bill will amend the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and improve the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
As it currently stands, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program requires cattle producers to be at a level of Severe Drought (D2) for eight consecutive weeks to qualify for one month of disaster relief.
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