USDA Reopens Signup For Continuous Conservation Reserve Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (Continuous CRP) signup. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers and landowners in Louisiana who are interested in conservation opportunities for their land in exchange for yearly rental payments to consider the enrollment options available through Continuous CRP, which also includes the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) offered by FSA partners.
Read More
Louisiana Crop Production: January 2024
Louisiana corn area harvested is 680,000, up 56 percent from 2022. The average yield is estimated at 175 bushels per acre, up 5 bushels from last year. Production totaled 119 million bushels, up 61 percent from 2022.
Upland cotton harvested acres is 115,000, down 39 percent from 2022. The yield is expected to average 877 pounds per harvested acre, down 27 pounds from last year. Production is estimated at 210,000 bales, down 41 percent from 2022.
Read More
Famoso Named Director Of LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station
The LSU AgCenter has named Adam Famoso resident director and research coordinator of its H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station near Crowley.
Famoso, a rice breeder who has been central to the station’s variety development efforts, assumed the role Jan. 1.
Read More
LDAF Encourages Preparation for Freezing Temperatures
With temperatures dipping near or below freezing in parts of the state beginning early next week, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., urges livestock and pet owners to take necessary precautions to protect their animals. This is also the time to protect plants, pipes, and, of course, people.
Read More
Conservation Sustains Rice Industry
She wasn’t looking when the headhunter called. Either time. And she didn’t know anything about rice the first time. She worked on the forest side of the ag industry. She was comfortable.
But USA Rice Federation knew Betsy Ward was the leader they needed – first to lead foreign promotions and a few years later, to lead the organization.
Read More
Bourg Gardener Grows Gargantuan 44-pound Cabbage, Sets Louisiana Record
About 20 people gathered outside a Bourg home to take a small piece of an award-winning cabbage. Its outer leaves were roasted and placed in small aluminum foil envelopes.
"It's a family tradition that's supposed to bring you good luck," home gardener Jenny Bourg said.
Read More
Deadline Approaching: Disaster Assistance for 2023 Livestock Forage Losses
Producers in Louisiana are eligible to apply for 2023 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on Native Pasture, Full Season Improved Pasture, and Full Season Improved Mixed.
LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land or fire on federally managed land.
Read More
USDA to Reopen Signup for Continuous Conservation Reserve Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications for the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (Continuous CRP) signup on Jan. 12, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers and landowners interested in conservation opportunities for their land in exchange for yearly rental payments to consider the enrollment options available through Continuous CRP, which also includes the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) offered by FSA partners. Additionally, producers participating in CRP can apply to re-enroll beginning Jan. 12, 2024 if their contracts will expire this year.
Read More
Arbor Day Events Scheduled at Burden
The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden and Baton Rouge Green are planning their biggest Arbor Day celebration ever on Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This year, Baton Rouge Green and other local organizations will provide fun, education and food for the entire family.
Read More
Louisiana HLB Quarantine Area Expanded
Federal agriculture officials, in cooperation with Louisiana agriculture officials, have established a federal quarantine area for huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening), caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, in all of Saint Charles Parish in Louisiana.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) took the action in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF).
Read More
Strain: Some Crawfish Farmers Giving Up on Season
"The catches have been so minimal that in most areas they've quit fishing," Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said.
Strain told WWL's Tommy Tucker that crawfish farmers by and large have no product to sell, but it's not for a lack of trying.
Read More
Louisiana Master Farmers Take Center Stage At Awards Luncheon
The 2023 Louisiana Outstanding Master Farmer Award, one new certification and nine recertifications were presented during a meeting of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts Jan. 9 in Baton Rouge.
Read More
Crawfish Season Looks Rough Due to Drought and Saltwater Intrusion
Crawfish season might as well be a holiday in Louisiana because of its popularity. This year might not be the greatest year for the mudbugs because of Mother Nature.
“We are hoping for a good season. That's always a great way to promote Louisiana. You know, every year we take one lucky crawfish, and we pardon it,” said Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.
Read More
2024 Expected to be One of the Worst Crawfish Seasons on Record
LSU Ag Center Crawfish Specialist Mark Shirley warns crawfish connoisseurs that 2024 will be one of the worst mudbug seasons on record as far as prices and supply are concerned. He says it’s so dire farmers are averaging one to two mudbugs a trap.
Read More
Senator John Kennedy Works to Bring Louisiana Shrimping Industry Back to Life
The $36 million purchase from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the Louisiana shrimping industry was done to help alleviate some of the issues the industry has been struggling with for years.
United States Senator John Kennedy (R- La) says although he applauds the purchase, more still needs to be done to save the industry.
Read More
