It's a busy time to be working at the LSU AgCenter's Seeds to Success: the Louisiana Farm to School program. Just ask Carl Motsenbocker.
"It's like I'm busier than I've ever been," Motsenbocker, the program's executive director, said with a laugh. "It's like … isn’t it time to slow down a little bit? But there's just so much work to do, and that’s been a great thing for us."
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin sending prefilled applications to rice producers the week of May 8 for the new Rice Production Program (RPP), which will provide up to $250 million in assistance to rice farmers based on 2022 planted and prevented planted acres.
Read MoreA hot debate over how crawfish should be boiled is dividing the state of Louisiana. Are dusted crawfish a disgrace to tradition?
Read MorePlanting in Louisiana is well underway and ahead of schedule in 2023. The entire corn crop was planted by early April, compared to 89% the same time last year, according to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. Being on the front end of the plant window is good news, but Hank Jones, crop consultant at RHJ Ag Services in Winnsboro, La., reminds us that what you least expect may show up in a year like this.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced details of the Rice Production Program (RPP), assistance provided to rice farmers who experienced stagnant rice prices and record-high input costs during the 2022 crop year.
Read MoreThere are so, so many hardships with farming anywhere at anytime, but one Louisiana farmer really got more than he bargained for a few days back.
Patrick Morris was tending to his new corn crop in Richland Parish when he ran across a huge problem no amount of herbicide or pesticide or seed treatment or cover crop could even begin to touch.
Read MoreThe skies, though gloomy, did not deter a large crowd of beef cattle and hay producers from attending the LSU AgCenter’s beef and forage field day on April 27.
From market updates to drones for weed control to laboratory-grown beef, participants received a wealth of information about the current state of the beef industry.
Read MoreOn May 4, 2023, a St. Mary Parish woman was arrested for forgery charges resulting from an investigation conducted by brand inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission and an arrest warrant issued by St. Mary Parish.
Read MoreBayer announced this morning it is in the process of moving its 10 regional seed brands over to its Channel Seed brand lineup, effective for 2025.
Read MoreForeign adversaries could be banned from owning or leasing agricultural lands in Louisiana under legislation approved in a House committee this week.
House Bill 125, sponsored by Rep. Michael Echols, R-Monroe, is pending a floor vote in the House after members of the Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Committee unanimously approved the measure on Wednesday. Similar legislation is pending in the Senate.
Read MoreAlready this year, it seems like we’ve heard it all: cattle theft, poultry heists, and even “tree rustling.” Now, Louisiana law enforcement is asking for help locating potential thieves of over $16,000 worth of herbicides from a Colfax farm.
Read MoreInsect scouting schools will be held on May 25 in Winnsboro and June 2 in Alexandria.
These training sessions will cover a range of topics, including insect pest identification, general IPM principles, plant growth and development, and worker protection standard (WPS) training. The program is designed for scouts at all levels of experience. Extension agents, producers, and consultants are welcome to take part in the event.
Read MoreIt’s difficult to imagine any issue that has captured more attention and time and resources of U.S. farmers and agricultural groups than the debate over the Waters of the U.S. or WOTUS definition in the Clean Water Act.
Since passage in 1972 the WOTUS definition in the amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 has been a lightning rod for farm and environmental groups debating how far the federal government should go in protecting water.
Read MoreU.S. Cotton Trust Protocol enrollment for the 2023 crop year opened this week with an updated deadline of September 1.
“With the Trust Protocol all of our work begins with growers and as we look to continuously improve the program and provide further value, we’re pleased to share the updated grower enrollment timing will better align with peak cotton marketing dates,” said Gary Adams, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol president, in a recent release.
Read MoreFlooding along the Mississippi River is having a limited impact on grain movement.
University of Minnesota Extension grain market economist Ed Usset suggests timing is a factor.
“The Mississippi River is very important to grain movement down to the Gulf. I think the good news is the export market is not exactly red hot right now, so that we probably have a little time to wait it out.”
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