Lobbying and Lobbyists; an Insider’s View

A lobbyist is a professional like a plumber, or a lawyer, but lobbyists provide specialized services in regard to the legislature, politics, and government. Now, politics is not everybody’s cup of tea, but that’s the whole point. You wouldn’t want to represent yourself in court, or fix your own leaky pipes, and you definitely don’t want to try and take care of your industry or profession’s politics down at the State Capitol all by yourself.

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USDA and LSU AgCenter Team Up for ASPIRE Internships

The LSU AgCenter is partnering with USDA to offer the ASPIRE [Agricultural Sciences Professional Internships in Research and Extension] Program during the summer of 2024. Undergraduate students (from any college or educational institution, including LSU) are encouraged to apply for various 10- week paid summer internships. There are internships focused in animal science, horticulture, 4-H, nutrition, entomology and aquaculture.

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Farmers Complete First Year Of Climate-Smart Rice Project

Some farmers are trying furrow-irrigated or row rice to see if they can use less water, a resource that is becoming more and more scarce in parts of the Midsouth.

P.J. Haynie and his family are growing row rice partly because their farming operation was not set up for growing conventional levee rice, but also because they’re part of a USDA pilot project aimed at using Climate-Smart conservation practices like row rice.

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Ricedon molino
Cotton Leader From Louisiana Recognized

Cotton industry leaders Dave Ruppenicker, Drake Perrow, and Allen McLaurin were recognized for their contributions to the cotton industry during the annual meeting of Southern Cotton Growers and Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association Jan. 22 to 23 at the Westin Hilton Head Resort in Hilton Head Island, S.C. 

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Cottondon molino
Soil Fertility & Nutrient Management Webinar Series

Dr. Muhammad Rassel Parvej, Assistant Professor and State Soil Fertility Specialist, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, is starting a biweekly Soil Fertility & Nutrient Management webinar series starting next month. It’s free and welcomes anyone (including students and RA) keen on delving into theoretical and practical aspects of soil fertility and nutrient management for row crop production.

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LSU AgCenterdon molino
Total US Soy Exports Add $39.8 Billion To US Economy In 22/23

U.S. Soy complex exports (whole soybean, soybean meal and soybean oil) added $39.8 billion[1] to the U.S. economy in marketing year (MY) 22/23 on a volume of 67.6 million metric tons (MMT). The shining star: U.S. soybean meal exports broke records for both volume and value at 13.2 MMT and $6.91 billion, respectively.

“U.S. Soy exports in marketing year 22/23 were nothing short of extraordinary. A standout achievement was the record-breaking performance of soybean meal exports, reaching unprecedented volume and value levels,” said Steve Reinhard, United Soybean Board Chair and Ohio farmer.

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Soybeans, Tradedon molino
Southwest District Livestock Show Contestants Build Connections and Learn Life Lessons

Lots of excitement is in Lake Charles as the Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo returns to Burton Complex.

The rodeo starts Thursday evening, but livestock shows are underway today.

We caught up with some who are showing their animals, and they say it’s a lot of work, but the relationships they build and the friendships they make are the best part.

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4-H, LivestockAvery Davidson
Crawfish Shipper Says Central Louisiana May Provide 'Hope' for Projected Historically Bad Season

The current projections for the 2024 crawfish season in Louisiana have been troubling for farmers and consumers alike as limited supply are expected to make prices soar on historic levels.

Some early prices for crawfish are already steep. James Karst sent Fox 8 a photo of a menu from Houma restaurant that offered a 10 lbs. crawfish special with one pound of potatoes for $139.99.

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AquacultureAvery Davidson
USDA Announces February '24 Lending Rates for Ag Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for February 2024, which are effective Feb. 1, 2024. 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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USDAdon molino