The recent ice storm left nursery owners scrambling to save as many plants as they could. Will damaged plants and trees survive? Many plant and tree-owners still don’t know the answer.
David Roach Nursery in Sterlington had some damage to their plants from the storm but worked day and night to save most of their inventory.
Read MoreThe Aquaponics Association nominated five aquaponics experts to serve on the USDA’s new Advisory Committee on Urban & Innovative Agriculture.
The 12-person committee will advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices, as well as identify any barriers to urban agriculture. This Advisory Committee is a component of the USDA’s new Office of Urban & Innovative Agriculture, created by the 2018 Farm Bill.
Read MoreDue to the COVID - 19 virus, the 2021 Mid South Agricultural Labor Seminar will be conducted this year as a Zoom Virtual Seminar on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. There is no registration fee to attend. This year, with new employer responsibilities due to the COVID virus, this year’s topics will focus on important current issues such as COVID pay, OSHA Regulations and Reporting Requirements and Housing.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline from March 5 to April 9 for agricultural producers to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program because of recent winter storms and some clarifications to program rules. This program assists producers who suffered crop quality losses due to qualifying 2018 and 2019 natural disasters.
Read MoreFusarium wilt, caused by a soilborne fungus, is one of the most damaging diseases of watermelons worldwide. Since it was discovered in 1894, it’s been a battle for producers to manage through crop rotation and chemical fungicides.
The fungus is persistent in both seedless and seeded varieties and its spores can last for many years in the soil.
Read MoreLouisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain stopped by the heart of the state’s nursery industry on Monday, March 1 to survey damage from the hurricanes and ice storm.
Strain visited Doug Young Nursery in Forest Hill to talk to nursery owners and growers about the impact of the damage from Hurricanes Laura and Delta, the winter storm two weeks ago and the pandemic.
Read MoreEven though cover crop acreage in the U.S. has doubled to nearly 10 million acres in the last several years, the industry itself is very young as applied to today’s cropping systems.
Farmers often find it challenging to sort out which species and varieties of covers work best in their type of farm operation and climate. Often they rely on crop variety trials to make informed decisions, but some farmers have complained the trials included varieties that are no longer commercially available.
Read MoreIf anything good came from February's hard freeze it was that we got a hard garden reset, putting an exclamation point on winter and our attention can now turn to spring.
As the day's slowly get longer we have a chance to start getting ready for our spring and summer crops and getting those planted and in the ground.
Read MoreJust four months after reeling from back-to-back hurricanes that dealt powerful punches, Evangeline Parish was hit by another storm that caused different types of issues from the usual damage. This storm was a major winter event that hit the area over the Mardi Gras holiday.
The freeze has also impacted the livestock here in the parish. Ryegrass, a commonly grown winter forage grass, was severely damaged by the cold temperatures. This causes livestock producers to have feed supplemental feed which can get expensive. Producers also had to feed more to keep their animals warm. There are also reports of calves dying after being born in the frozen conditions.
Read MoreCajun Country Rice, Camellia Brand and Savoie’s Foods are celebrating all things Red Beans & Rice – through ART! The brands announce an art competition commemorating Louisiana’s iconic Monday meal.
Read MoreAs the 2021 crop production season begins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact approximately 1,100 Louisiana producers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.
Read MoreA new community vegetable garden is springing up outside the Elk’s Lodge at 1228 Coteau Road.
It marks the return of the Greauxing at Home program after a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. A collaboration among the LSU AgCenter, the nonprofit St. Francis Vegetable Garden and Louisiana Medicaid provider Healthy Blue, the program helps residents learn how to grow, cook and preserve fruits and vegetables.
Read MoreOrganizers of the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival say they have decided to cancel the annual event, scheduled for April 9, 10, 11, 2021 for the second straight year due to COVID-19.
“Over the past year, we have had many hard decisions to make. All decisions are made with countless meetings, discussions and prayer,” organizers said in a statement.
Read MorePositive change never happens overnight; it starts with planting a seed that is nurtured over time.
There are people in Abbeville who want to see that positive change, and they are ready to plant, literally.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter Healthy Communities program will host a free online training session on Feb. 17 for current and potential Louisiana farmers market vendors.
The training will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. via Microsoft Teams.
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