Corn planting is wrapping up earlier than normal in Concordia Parish thanks to recent dry weather, according to Kylie Miller, LSU Extension agent.
“Weather has been really good for planting,” Miller said. “Everybody has been able to get back in the fields and start planting.”
Read MoreThe US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development agency is currently conducting a review of all the areas under its jurisdiction to determine which areas no longer qualify for rural housing programs such as USDA loans. This could make it even harder for prospective homebuyers in some parts of Louisiana to afford a home.
Read MoreFor more than a quarter of a century, LSU AgCenter food scientist Witoon Prinyawiwatkul has regularly returned to his native Thailand to help grow two universities and develop dozens of students who wish to follow his path.
At the AgCenter, Prinyawiwatkul — the Horace J. Davis Endowed Professor in the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences — researches ways to reduce sodium in food and develops the uses of insects for human consumption.
In visits to Thailand each year, he has shared his knowledge by teaching more than 120 short courses and workshops, consulting with food science programs and advising students.
“I want to give back to my country,” he said.
Read MoreA few four-legged family members were returned home after being brought along for an unwanted journey.
The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office said it was contacted about three horses that were stolen from their stables in Prairieville Thursday.
Three people, including a pair of 16-year-olds, have been arrested. The two juvenile suspects were booked with felony counts including theft of livestock and trespassing. An adult suspect, 21-year-old Jatory Hardesty of St. Gabriel, was booked on similar charges.
Read MoreBad news follows bad news. Unfortunately, this is what the weather has been doing to Argentina’s agriculture during the 2022/2023 crop year.
After being affected by La Niña for the third year in a row, key producing regions in the country are facing one of the worst droughts of the last four decades. Corn and soybean production is likely to be highly impacted by above-average temperatures and much below-average precipitation in 2023.
Read MoreWhile Texas rice growers face a stiff challenge to fend off yield- and profit-limiting kernel smut, Texas A&M AgriLife is quickly working to find a cure as part of a national collaborative research effort.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists have joined forces with lead institution Louisiana State University in a project funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture–National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant. The project goal is to improve rice farming sustainability and profitability.
Read MoreGovernor Edwards and business leaders continue their mission abroad building and nurturing foreign trade relationships. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Secretary Don Pierson spoke to us from Tokyo this morning, he said the chemical company Shintech is approaching a $10 billion investment with the state and future investments are dependent on demonstrating a commitment from the state.
Read MoreAn initial $2.2 million state investment in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is propelling the school toward a bold goal of almost doubling admissions by next year from 120 to 200. Increasing admissions would help to meet a critical workforce need with clear implications for not just health, but also for a safe and sustained food supply, state and national security and Louisiana’s thriving horse industry, estimated at over $2 billion.
Read MoreResearchers with LSU have developed a bait to battle wild pigs before they can cause too much damage to farmers’ crops.
Read MoreA new, simplified direct loan application is now available for all producers seeking a direct farm loan from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The new application, reduced from 29 to 13 pages, provides improved customer experience for producers applying for loans and enables them to complete a more streamlined application.
Read MoreASCENSION PARISH - A man booked in connection with several area horse thefts will need to post bond of $570,000 for release while awaiting trial.
An Ascension Parish judge set bonds in that amount for 24-year-old Treyvon Covingston. The total is a cumulation of six different bond amounts set for various counts against Covingston.
Covingston surrendered himself to authorities last Friday. He is accused of stealing three horses from a Prairieville property on Feb. 25. One of those animals died after it sustained what experts described as torture and abuse.
The owner told WBRZ that the treatment of her animals was "beyond humanity."
Covingston faces charges including simple burglary, theft of livestock, felony theft and animal cruelty.
Two other arrests were also made.
Read MoreEach year beef cattle producers face decisions over whether to cull females from their herds because of decreased productivity, illness or injury, age and many other factors. Along with culling comes the decision to replace these females with heifers — young females that have not yet given birth to a calf — to maintain herd size and productivity. It is not uncommon for producers to have a replacement rate of 15% to 20% annually.
Read MoreLouisiana’s hot and humid climate, long growing season with mild winters and its unique geographical location provide perfect breeding grounds for introduction and establishment of invasive plant diseases. Among some of the most important invasive plant diseases threatening Louisiana specialty crops detected during the past decade are boxwood dieback, citrus canker and palm phytoplasmas.
Read MoreState Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Houma, Grew up in the Terrebonne Parish Community of Schriever Surrounded by Sugar Cane Fields.
Many Members of Her Family Farmed Sugar Cane, and Her Grandfather Worked in the Thibodaux Sugar Mill. And Each Year During the Burning Season, Amedee Would Lose the Ability to Speak as Her Sinuses Flared Up.
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