Investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Forestry Enforcement Division arrested 30-year-old Zachary Faulk of Merryville, La., on one count of negligent burning and one count of violating the state burn ban.
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Extreme weather, such as the drought in Texas, is not just wearing on the spirit of American farmers. It is also leading to more crop insurance claims and increased cost for the taxpayer, insurance provider, and farmer. A Stanford University study published in 2021 analyzed the impact of warming temperatures on the cost of crop insurance from 1991 to 2017, and found it contributed to more than 19% of the $141 billion in losses covered by the federal program in that time frame.
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A key stretch of the lower Mississippi River dropped this week to within inches of its lowest-ever level and is expected to remain near historic lows just as the busiest U.S. grain export season gets underway, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
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Since 2005, Earthshare Gardens provides education, inspiration and, not least, high-quality food to the Acadiana region.
A nonprofit community organization and 1.5 acre organic farm that's cultivated by volunteers, it provides a space for organic farmers to expand their operations, teaches members how to farm, and provides much-needed fresh, organic local produce to those who need it most.
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The Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is now accepting nominations for its annual induction ceremony, which will be held March 7 in Baton Rouge.
The nomination form can be obtained online at www.louisianaagriculturehallofdistinction.com or through any parish LSU AgCenter office. The deadline for receiving nominations is Nov. 17.
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The Louisiana FFA is thrilled to announce an exciting raffle opportunity that is sure to get fans of agriculture and football alike on the edge of their seats. This unique fundraiser features a chance to win a one-of-a-kind New Orleans Saints XUV560E John Deere Gator, generously presented by Sunshine Quality Solutions.
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The 2018 Farm Bill expired at midnight on September 30 as Congress continues its work to deliver a 2023 Farm Bill before the end of the calendar year. Much still remains uncertain on provisions that will be included in both the House and Senate versions of the omnibus legislation, which is slated to be the first trillion-dollar farm bill.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for October 2023, which are effective Oct. 2, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
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Even with officially two months left in hurricane season, State Climatologist Barry Keim said if we can get through the next few weeks without a named storm in the Gulf, it’s highly likely Louisiana will be unscathed this season. Statistically, the latest storm on record to threaten the Bayou State was Halloween 28 years ago.
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The LSU AgCenter and the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture have received a nearly $800,000 grant to bring drone education to high school students. Louisiana 4-H STEM Coordinator Brian Gautreau says the training will provide students with knowledge about how drones and other technologies are used in agriculture.
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Youth across the nation are celebrating National 4-H Week Oct. 1-7. This year, 4-H is focusing on identifying solutions to eliminate the opportunity gap that affects 55 million kids across America.
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Commercial citrus growers have dwindled over the past few decades in south Louisiana, where farmers have had to battle hurricanes, flooding, invasive insects, freezes and drought to keep their groves alive.
The latest hurdle comes from a slow-moving threat — a mass influx of salt water from the Gulf of Mexico that is creeping up the drought-stricken Mississippi River. Not only is the saltwater intrusion threatening drinking water supplies for communities, but it can also kill citrus seedlings.
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The August milk margin triggered the eighth consecutive payment for dairy producers who obtained Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for the 2023 program year. August’s income over feed margin is $6.46 per hundredweight (cwt.) with projected DMC payments totaling $120 million. To date, including the projected August payments, dairy producers have received more than $1.2 billion in much needed economic support for 2023 and margin forecasts indicate the likelihood of more to come before the end of the calendar year.
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The growth of soybean plants consists of vegetative and reproductive stages. The vegetative stages begin with emergence and are described by the development of the cotyledons and leaves. The reproductive stages begin with the onset of flowering and are described by the development of the flowers, pods and seeds.
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Late last week, the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act was introduced in both the House and Senate establishing a joint task force on agricultural trade enforcement between the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and signaling more engagement with Congress and the private sector on the development of agricultural dispute priorities.
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