The American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter today to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the agency to issue a final decision on an emergency basis to speed the implementation of the “higher-of” Class I mover formula to buffer dairy farmers from further losses during the forthcoming Federal Milk Marketing Order rulemaking process.
Read MoreDr. Sanjay Batra, BASF Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Toxicology in the SU College of Ag, received the Fall 2023 Outstanding Researcher Award from the Southern University Baton Rouge campus.
The award was presented on Dec. 14 by the Southern University Office of Sponsored Programs.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that most farm loan borrowers will be able to make payments to their direct loans online through the Pay My Loan feature on farmers.gov in early February. Pay My Loan is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, especially for producers who may have limited time during the planting or harvest seasons to visit a local FSA office; modernize and improve customer service; provide additional customer self-service tools; and expand credit access to assist more producers.
Read MoreThe National Sorghum Foundation will soon open applications for three scholarships it has available to college students studying agriculture in the 2024-2025 academic year.
“These scholarships represent individuals who had an enduring impact on sorghum and sorghum research," said Foundation Chair Dr. Jeff Dahlberg. "We look forward to offering assistance to future students who exhibit these same skills and leadership capabilities.”
Read MoreIn the latest episode of Bottom Line, Business Report traveled to one of the sources of Louisiana’s beloved crawfish: Four Oaks Farms in Morganza. The farm sits on over 1,500 acres of land. There, they harvest sugarcane, soybeans and crawfish.
Co-Owner Matt Frey starts selling his yield a little later in the year than most crawfish farms, and times harvesting with the rice growing season.
Read MoreAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments designed to support the U.S. specialty crops industry. The launch of the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative will provide $65 million for projects that will help the specialty crop sector increase global exports and expand to new markets.
Additionally, today USDA is announcing $72.9 million in grant funding available to support the specialty crops industry through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Read MoreMayther Ray Young, or “Mr. Ray,” as he was known to literally thousands of farmers, crop consultants and other people in and out of agriculture, has died. He was 94.
Mr. Ray, who is generally credited with being the father of crop consulting in the United States if not the world, passed away peacefully at his home in Wisner, La., on Jan. 21, surrounded by members of his family.
Read MoreNorth Louisiana has seen over nine inches of rain over the past several days, and more is expected into Friday night. But despite the deluge Louisiana has received, it won't be enough to be able to salvage this year's crawfish season.
Crawfish expert Mark Shirley, from the LSU AgCenter said, unfortunately, we won't see any substantial benefit from the recent rains. Shirley said the rains will help to flush the ponds, but won't increase the crawfish harvest.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) will work in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to award $4.6 million through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI).
Read MoreLast October it took eight Republican House members to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy and effectively gridlock Congress in the process.
Now, six Republican House members -- in a letter highlighted by fiscally conservative groups -- are making it clear they are "in strong opposition" to Congress raising reference prices in the farm bill.
Read MoreA watermelon cultivar developed at the now closed LSU AgCenter Calhoun Research Station has been nominated for boarding onto the Slow Food Ark of Taste.
Read MoreFarmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 105th Convention today adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2024. Key topics ranged from artificial intelligence, to labor, to crop insurance.
Read MoreDespite several inches of rainfall in Louisiana over the last several days, an LSU crawfish expert says Louisianans will not see a boost in what’s expected to be a dismal crawfish season.
LSU AgCenter Crawfish Specialist Mark Shirley says the rain will help flush ponds, but will not increase crawfish harvest.
Read MoreLouisiana 4-H and FFA youth will gather in February for the 89th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
AgCenter officials expect more than 2,000 exhibitors to bring thousands of animals for competition during the week of Feb. 10 to 17.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering financial assistance to agricultural producers and private landowners enrolled in its Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to improve the health of their forests. The Forest Management Incentive, available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), can help participants with forest management practices, such as brush management and prescribed burning.
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