Gov. John Bel Edwards said the fires and conditions in the state are unprecedented. He did a flyover of the area and spent a couple of hours with local responders in Singer Friday, near the Tiger Island wildfire.
The governor said the severe drought and fires have created a situation not seen for generations. He said just this month there have been 441 forest fires in Louisiana and more than 30,000 acres burned.
Read MoreDue to an increase in fire danger across Louisiana, the previous burn ban order issued August 7th has been rescinded and reissued with an update for all agricultural burns, including but not limited to prescribed burns, to be temporarily prohibited until further notice.
Read MoreThis report contains the results from the 2023 Cash Rents Survey. These data are also posted online at https://www.nass.usda.gov/la. Thanks to all who responded to this survey.
Read MoreThe USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced it is updating the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payment rate to support livestock producers in the Midwest who have lost cattle to the extreme heat and humidity experienced this summer. To help indemnify ranchers to reflect a trend towards higher cattle weights in feedlots, the 2023 LIP payment rate for beef calves over 800 pounds will increase from $1244 per head to $1618, an increase of $374.
Read MoreOn August 24, 2023, investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Forestry Enforcement Division and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department arrested 21-year-old Jeremiah Hill of Many, LA.
As part of an ongoing investigation into recent wildfires in Sabine Parish, investigators received information on an individual who used social media platforms to broadcast threats of arson in Sabine Parish.
Read MoreJames “Jim” Simon of New Iberia was honored as the recipient of the Kermit Coulon Sr. Outstanding Service Award at the 62nd St. James Appreciation Supper held in Vacherie at the Westbank Reception Hall July 27.
Read MoreWhen you think about harvesting crops in Louisiana, you think about things like corn, sugarcane, and soybeans. And with the record-breaking summer heat, each of these crops are having a tougher time growing than in years past.
As the chairman of the Louisiana Beef Industry, John Thompson says he’s never seen his farmland as dry as it is in his 66 years. According to the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, the amount of money we’ve lost in the cattle industry is between $160 -- 260 million.
Read MoreThe extremely hot temperatures in Acadiana are causing some farmers to lose livestock from heat exhaustion.
Monica Hernandez Melancon owns T Moise Farms in Sunset.
Read MoreExtreme heat and record-high temperatures are impacting the cattle industry.
According to economists, cattle are losing weight, hay prices are rising and ranchers are being forced into liquidation due to not being able to afford their animals.
Read MoreSome farmers in northern Caddo Parish could soon become very rich, but it won't be from higher prices for corn or cotton or soybeans.
It will come from leasing their land to a company -- a company that isn't talking about what they have planned for the area.
Read MoreClick below for the market report from the latest Red River Livestock Auction.
Read MoreLouisiana’s 40+ day drought and record-breaking heat is likely to have far-reaching impacts, starting with continued disruptions to the agriculture industry.
Farmers in Central Louisiana are struggling to harvest a decent crop, resulting in significant financial hits. The same can be said for those who tend to livestock.
Read MoreFirefighters in the state have been working around the clock to stop the spread of wildfires due to the extreme heat and dry conditions.
It's why GOHSEP activated the state emergency operations center Wednesday and held a press conference urging residents to adhere to the burn ban in order to protect those on the front lines.
Read MoreChad Hanks can sum up this sugarcane growing season rather succinctly.
“Unprecedented,” Hanks said as he stood in a sugarcane field in Lafayette Parish.
Read MoreDroughts are an unusual problem in Louisiana where folks are accustomed to afternoon showers. For farmers, the drought can be harmful to crops is desperate need of water.
Stephen Simoneaux is a sugarcane farmer in Belle Rose. He says the dry weather is concerning, and even though rainfall is usually a daily occurrence in the summer time, he says the drought shouldn't necessarily mean trouble for the crop yield statewide.
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