The Farmer's Forecast: March 8, 2024
The Farmer's Forecast: March 8, 2024

A couple of waves of rain are going to move through Louisiana over the next 10 days. As is typical for this time of year, the threat for rain will be tied to the potential for some severe weather. When dealing with the whole state, it’s tough to say if this rain is needed or not at your specific location. For example, at my house in Alexandria, we had 1/2 inch of rain from the storms we had earlier this week. 30 miles southeast of where I live, over 5 inches fell. At my location, we could use the rain, while a short drive southeast was dealing with flood warnings earlier this week.

Read More
Louisiana Farm BureauAvery Davidson
Louisiana Farm Bureau Educates First Responders, Farmers about Grain Bin Safety
Louisiana Farm Bureau Educates First Responders, Farmers about Grain Bin Safety

In just the few seconds it takes you to read this sentence, a farmer could become trapped in inescapable, knee-deep grain.

Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation (LFBF) partnered with Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation to host a series of grain bin safety workshops across the bayou state. Over a three-day span, over three hundred farmers and first responders were trained on the risks and safety precautions concerning grain bins.

Read More
Louisiana Farm BureauAvery Davidson
Higgins Announces $40.4M in Funding for Projects in Louisiana’s 3rd District
Higgins Announces $40.4M in Funding for Projects in Louisiana’s 3rd District

Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced today that Louisiana’s 3rd District will receive $40,400,000 in Community Project Funding through H. Res. 1061, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today.

“As publicly stated, I opposed the bill because of the level of overall spending and the removal of many Conservative policy riders through negotiations with the Senate. However, a tremendous amount of effort went into securing this community funding,” said Congressman Higgins.

Read More
Avery Davidson
Targeting Insects In Louisiana Hemp
Targeting Insects In Louisiana Hemp

Research efforts across all aspects of hemp production are currently needed to aid in the successful reestablishment and long-term success of this crop in the U.S. A 2020 survey of licensed U.S. hemp farmers determined one of the most challenging aspects of production was the lack of information on the efficacy of currently labeled hemp insecticides.

Read More
LSU AgCenterdon molino
USDA Announces New Final Rule Under The Packers & Stockyards Act
USDA Announces New Final Rule Under The Packers & Stockyards Act

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the finalization of Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

The final rule will be effective 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. The final rule Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act (the Inclusive Competition Rule) establishes clearer, more effective standards under the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act for prohibited practices relating to discrimination, retaliation and deception in contracting.

Read More
Livestock, USDAdon molino
Farm Safety Check: Fatigue
Farm Safety Check: Fatigue

Fatigue has serious negative impacts on physical and mental health. Operating machinery when you’re sleep deprived can be as dangerous as operating machinery under the influence.

Increased physical and mental demands can result in poor sleep, which increases the risk for injuries.

Read More
Avery Davidson
Proposed Bill Could Help Crawfish Farmers
Proposed Bill Could Help Crawfish Farmers

On February 29th, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy introduced the crawfish recovery assistance from weather disasters and droughts act. The CRAWDAD act would support Louisiana's crawfish jobs, providing farmers with federal aid in order to sustain their business during difficult conditions.

The bill would provide emergency livestock aid due to drought, something that is currently not in effect.

Read More
Aquaculture, USDAAvery Davidson
More Than 7,000 Head of Cattle Have Died in Texas Panhandle Wildfires, Causing a "Total Wipeout" for Many Local Ranchers
More Than 7,000 Head of Cattle Have Died in Texas Panhandle Wildfires, Causing a "Total Wipeout" for Many Local Ranchers

The Texas Panhandle wildfires are taking a significant toll on the region's agricultural industry. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told CBS News on Thursday morning that preliminary numbers show more than 7,000 heads of cattle have died in the fires, and that he believes the final toll could end up including thousands more. 

The state has yet to get all the counts of lost cattle in the fires, he said, adding that the 7,000 death toll does not include cattle that will have to be euthanized due to their injuries.

Read More
LivestockAvery Davidson
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $2.3 Billion in Projects to Expand Affordable, Reliable, Clean Power in Rural Communities Through Investing in America Agenda
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $2.3 Billion in Projects to Expand Affordable, Reliable, Clean Power in Rural Communities Through Investing in America Agenda

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s PowerXchange annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas that USDA is moving forward on clean energy investments in 23 states to reduce pollution and strengthen rural America’s power grid. The announcement includes the first five awards totaling $139 million under the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program.

Electric infrastructure projects will benefit rural business owners, families and individuals in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, Texas and Wisconsin.

Read More
USDAAvery Davidson
The Gloves Come Off over Louisiana Product Labels
The Gloves Come Off over Louisiana Product Labels

When someone in south Louisiana's Cajun Country says, "cook some rice," they mean the authentic grain. Offering them a vegetable you call rice would be nearly as offensive as putting tomatoes in gumbo.

Louisiana rice millers want to make sure no one is mislead by products marketed to be something they aren't.

Read More
RiceAvery Davidson
Higgins Commends Governor Landry’s Executive Order on Crawfish
Higgins Commends Governor Landry’s Executive Order on Crawfish

Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) released a statement in support of Governor Jeff Landry’s (R-LA) executive order requesting disaster assistance for the crawfish industry.

“The crawfish industry is a vital part of Louisiana’s economy and culture, and last year’s drought severely impacted the industry. My office is committed to the mission of assisting our crawfish industry and will continue to work at the federal level to secure much-needed assistance. Today’s executive order by Governor Landry will help to unlock additional relief for the entire industry, and I appreciate his efforts in protecting our way of life.”

Read More
AquacultureAvery Davidson