Survey Shows Strong Public Support For Farm Bill Passage
Almost three-quarters of Americans say that not reauthorizing the farm bill in 2023 would have a significant impact on the country, according to a new poll from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
The survey explores the public’s awareness of the farm bill, its impact, and priorities for funding in the legislation. The poll, conducted by Morning Consult, showed more than half of respondents said they would be more likely to support their member of Congress if they voted to reauthorize the farm bill.
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Frost Injury & Nitrogen Management In Corn
Most of the corn acreage in Louisiana was injured by freezing temperature from March 19-20. At that time, most corn is at VE (emergence) to V2 stage (two leaves with visible collar) and therefore the growing point was below the soil surface. Corn’s growing point remains below the soil surface until V6 growth stage for most hybrids.
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Perennial Rice: Plant Once, Harvest Again And Again
Rice is arguably the world's most important staple crop. About half of the global population depends on it for sustenance.
But, like other staples such as wheat and corn, rice is cultivated annually. That means replanting the fields year after year, at huge cost to both the farmers and the land. For years, scientists have been tinkering with rice strains to create a perennial variety – one that would regrow after harvest without the need to be resewn.
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USDA Funding Opportunities
A new year generally means a fresh set of opportunities to keep growing, especially when it comes to grants for many agricultural programs operated by the federal government. As we embrace the spring season ahead, USDA has announced a number of funding opportunities for sustainable agriculture.
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USDA Seeks Nominees to Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. This committee recommends solutions to challenges faced by minority farmers and ranchers, and is part of USDA’s commitment to advance equity for all, especially for farmers and producers in underserved communities. The Committee is administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
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Inflation Reduction Act: Additional Automatic Payments for Distressed Borrowers
Section 22006 of the IRA provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct and/or guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk.
In October 2022, USDA provided approximately $800 million in initial IRA assistance to more than 11,000 delinquent direct and guaranteed borrowers and approximately 2,100 borrowers who had their farms liquidated and still had remaining debt.
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Cattle Festival to have Art Contest for Youth in Vermilion Parish
As the Louisiana Cattle Festival & Fair Association begins initiating community involvement opportunities in conjunction with festival promotion, a primary focus will be on engaging and supporting the youth of Vermilion Parish.
The Louisiana Cattle Festival would like to invite parish youth to create artwork showcasing Louisiana's cattle industry for an opportunity to be honored as the 2023 Festival’s "Featured Artist.
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Economic Boom in Jennings Bringing Several Businesses, Jobs to City
Several businesses that will bring dozens of jobs to the area will soon start construction in Jennings.
“We have multiple agriculture dealerships,” Mayor Henry Guinn said. “We have a new proposed truck stop. We have a potential 18-wheeler dealership coming into the city of Jennings.
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Land-grant Universities Improve Local Food and Nutrition Security
Food security impacts individuals, as well as the health of entire communities. Through the creation of food pantries, community gardens, food drives, farmers markets and more, Land-grant Universities and local community initiatives collaborate to keep food on the table for many.
An effort begun during Covid-19 is still providing high-quality shrimp to food banks in Louisiana. With help from USDA, the local Sea Grant program was able to develop workable guidelines for the purchase and distribution of shrimp.
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Louisiana cowboy Jamon Turner is Teaching Kids about Agriculture with his Western Play Day
Former professional bull rider Jamon Turner has been giving kids in Shreveport an opportunity to learn about agriculture and now he's taking his Western Play Day on the road.
Restructured as Just Believe's Western Playground, the special clinic allows kids to take part in learning about different trades while playing games and winning prizes.
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Meet the 6 Largest Landowners in Louisiana
As of 2021, 4.6 million people live in Louisiana, making it the 25th most populous state in the U.S. It covers roughly 51,563 square miles (33 million acres), mainly comprising breathtaking water bodies, bottomland hardwood forests, coastal prairies, and bayous. Most of these are the habitats of not only Louisianians but also a wide range of animals, including alligators, nutria, muskrats, foxes, birds, black snakes, skunks, and butterflies. But who are the largest landowners in Louisiana?
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USDA Grant Funds Rice Resiliency Research
Four universities are participating in an effort through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve the sustainability and profitability of rice farming as the staple grain grapples with extreme weather and climate challenges.
Scientists at Louisiana State University (LSU), the University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University (MSU) and Texas A&M University are part of a team awarded a four-year $10 million grant by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
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Food Symposium Highlights International Ties, Importance Of Ag Research
Last year in Louisiana and in Hungary, the weather was not on farmers’ side. In both places, drought conditions hampered crop production.
Difficult years like 2022 can be instructive, however, especially for scientists working in agricultural research who look for ways to make farming more efficient and sustainable
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LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Researcher Receives National Award
Arthur Villordon, a researcher at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, has received this year’s National Sweet Potato Impact Award for his accomplishments and contributions to the sweet potato industry.
This award was presented recently at the annual meeting of the National Sweet Potato Collaborators Group.
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SWLA Garden Conference and Expo Returns for 23rd Year
The Southwest Louisiana Garden Conference and Expo at the Burton Complex is celebrating gardening with its 23rd annual conference, show and plant extravaganza.
The event features area, regional and interstate exhibitors along with vendors and master gardeners, and even a plant clinic.
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