A man was killed in a crash involving a farm tractor on Sunday, September 24, according to Louisiana State Police.
Troopers said the crash happened just before 8 p.m. near the intersection of LA 441 and Herman Hutchinson Road in Livingston Parish.
Read MoreLouisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards submitted a request to President Joe Biden for a Federal Emergency Declaration on Monday over an intrusion of saltwater into the Mississippi River that officials say could impact the water supply in the region.
Read MoreThe historic drought has many Louisianans smelling a rat. Dry conditions are forcing rats and mice into homes in search of food and water. LSU Ag Center Professor emeritus Dr. Claudette Reichel says the rodents have less access to food sources due to the drought.
Read MoreMultiple wildfires in Rapides Parish that spread to Vernon Parish have resulted in the arrest of a Rapides Parish woman.
On September 22, 2023, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Enforcement Division investigators arrested Laura Mclaughlin of Pitkin.
Read MoreOn September 22, investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Enforcement Division arrested Laura Mclaughlin of Pitkin, LA, for setting wildfires in Rapides Parish.
In the early morning hours of August 24, LDAF fire crews and the Plainview Fire Department responded to multiple wildfires set in the Union Hill area in Rapides Parish.
Read MoreIn the sweltering heat and amidst challenging drought conditions, the rice crops in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, continue to persevere. Yet, the same tenacity can be seen in the farmers themselves, who grapple not only with the unforgiving forces of nature but also with mounting stress and mental health challenges. As rice farmer Allen McLain Jr. reflects, "It's probably one of the biggest mind games because you're spending all of this money... it's a mind game. And it's a life full of stress."
Read MoreThe theme this year for the 94th annual Beauregard Parish Fair is “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Agriculture,” and the community can come out on Oct. 3-7 to enjoy the festivities.
The fair will be held on 506 West Drive in DeRidder.
Read MoreOliver Bryan Mitchell died Thursday, September 21, 2023, at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice in Shreveport, LA. He was born January 29, 1931, in Haughton, LA, the son of Robert E. Mitchell, Sr., and Minnie Irene Bryan Mitchell.
Bryan served on the Board of Bremco and Board of Swepco, The Life Board of Southern Farm Bureau, President of Bossier Parish Farm Bureau and Vice President of Louisiana Farm Bureau.
Read MoreQuestions over specifications for the proposed Mondu Solar project in the south end of the parish led Pointe Coupee Parish Council members to table the permit decision until next month.
Steve Loupe, a retired farmer who lives near Alma Plantation, spoke on behalf of residents in the parish who see it as a threat to the future of agriculture. He made his living cultivating sugar, corn, beans and wheat on more than 2,000 acres in the Glynn area.
Read MoreIn the countryside, where sprawling fields in the breeze, and grain bins stand on the horizon, farming is a way of life. It's a life that brings with it a unique set of challenges and risks. One of the most underestimated and perilous aspects of farming is the grain bin—those seemingly innocuous metal tubes that dot the rural landscape. However, these towering structures hold hidden dangers that can swiftly turn a routine task into a life-threatening situation.
Read MoreThe Walls Project, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to tearing down societal barriers that hinder people from living safe, healthy, and prosperous lives, is thrilled to announce the receipt of a transformative $6 million grant from the U.S. Forest Service (USDA) which will enable the organization to launch an agroforestry apprenticeship program. This historic investment in Baton Rouge is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act through the Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program.
Read MoreExtreme heat and drought this summer have led to losses in several of Louisiana’s agricultural sectors. The LSU Agcenter says the worst losses are expected in the beef cattle sector forced downsizing of cattle herds and other factors could lead to estimated losses of $135 million to $290 million.
The entire agricultural industry is experiencing impacts from excessive heat and drought, but beef cattle, are getting hit on several fronts.
Read MoreAs previously reported, investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Forestry Enforcement Division have determined that many of the large wildfires burning throughout Louisiana in recent weeks are the result of arson. LDAF investigators, Louisiana State Fire Marshal deputies, and various parish sheriff’s office detectives continue to actively investigate the matter.
Read MoreAgricultural employers can begin to apply for a pilot program designed to improve the resiliency of the food and agricultural supply chain by addressing workforce challenges farmers and ranchers face. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in coordination with other federal agencies, is announcing up to $65 million in grants available for the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program).
Read MoreFriday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced that final payments for rice farmers through the Rice Production Program (RPP) payment will soon be made.
The RPP is $250 million in assistance specifically for U.S. rice farmers who in 2022 experienced stagnant rice market prices and record high input costs. The funding was provided for in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act at the request of USA Rice.
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