The Rice Leadership Development Program gives future leaders a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. The class attends four one-week sessions over a two-year period that encompasses studies of all aspects of the rice industry through firsthand observations. They also attend seminars and workshops designed to strengthen leadership skills.
Read MoreDespite myriad forces facing rice farmers in 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) now projects that about 1.311 million acres of the crop have been planted in Arkansas. That’s nearly 200,000 more acres than were planted in 2022, according to the latest NASS report released June 30.
Nationally, about 2.687 million acres have been planted, a nearly 400,000-acre uptick since the last growing season. California ranks second in rice production with 478,000 acres, while Louisiana ranks third with about 460,000 acres.
Read MoreAgriculture groups have asked a federal court to order the Biden administration to implement immediate changes to the waters of the U.S. rule following the Supreme Court's ruling in Sackett v EPA that essentially left the current rule unenforceable.
Read MoreIs Bayer AG, the German pharma giant, ready to divest itself of its Crop Science division?
A report issued on Friday by German news service Platow Brief said Bayer may spin off the division, based in Creve Coeur, Mo., (St. Louis), in an effort to improve its overall financial standing as well as its market share price.
Read MoreThe demographic of farmers and ranchers raising livestock has shrunk exponentially over the years. And, while showing livestock may not be everyone’s cup of tea, youth this summer and fall will rely on companies and individuals that purchase livestock to keep their small livestock enterprises in business.
Read MoreWhen Sunshine Quality Solutions went looking for its next NIL athlete, Will Campbell was a no-brainer.
The LSU left tackle grew up on a farm in Monroe, Louisiana. The John Deere dealer wanted to find someone who knew how a farm operated and the type of machinery the agriculture manufacturer produced.
Read MoreFor the second year in a row, a drying Mississippi River has prompted shipping restrictions and slowed down transportation of critical freight.
Low water levels are unusual for this time of year, which is typically considered the Midwest’s rainy season. At times earlier this month, levels along some parts of the Lower Mississippi River beat out record lows set in 1988, according to Wolverton.
Read MoreThe executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition says water levels on the lower Mississippi River are starting to get comparable to last year as the drought persists.
“Drought conditions can impede the ability to grow crops and transport crops,” says Mike Steenhoek. “We’re seeing the evidence of that right now.”
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the opening of the financial assistance application process for eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) directs USDA to provide this assistance. Since the law’s passage, USDA has worked diligently to design the program in accordance with significant stakeholder input.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association celebrates Governor John Bel Edwards’ signing of legislation that will provide critical tax relief to Louisiana’s beef farmers and ranchers. The legislation (House Bill 330/Act 425)—introduced by Representatives Mike Johnson and Francis C. Thomas—will reduce state sales and use tax and exempt local sales and use tax on agricultural fencing materials for producers with a commercial farmers certification.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers of the July 14 deadline to apply for both the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two and the Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP). These revenue-based programs help offset revenue losses from 2020 and 2021 natural disasters or the COVID-19 pandemic.
ERP and PARP offer a holistic approach to disaster assistance and provide economic support for producers who bear the financial brunt of circumstances beyond their control.
Read MoreA reminder, your 23/24 membership dues are now due and thanks to all who have already renewed their membership. I just returned from a bus tour of a regenerative farm, BDA Farms, which is north of Uniontown, AL. in the heart of the Black Belt prairie.
Read MoreLouisiana has one of the highest estimated populations of wild hogs in the country at 750,000. They are found throughout the entire state, usually in rural areas. High hog populations can be dangerous because of the damage they cause the diseases they carry, and the resources they steal from native animals.
Read MoreA fresh tomato on a lunchtime sandwich. A cool slice of watermelon on the patio. Fresh peppers tossed into a pot to season an evening meal.
Thanks to Louisiana’s soil conditions and adequate rainfall, it’s easy to find these types of specialty crops at local farmers markets, roadside stands and some stores.
Read MoreEmma Nicole Stelly represented Vermilion Parish Farm Bureau in the La. Farm Bureau Queen’s Contest at the 101st Annual Convention at the New Orleans Marriott June 22-25, 2023. Twenty-five young women representing their respective parish Farm Bureaus participated in the event.
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