How Drought is Destroying the US Crawfish Sector
Over the past decade, crawfish (often known as crayfish outside the US) production in Louisiana and the surrounding region has grown to become, arguably, the second most valuable sector in US aquaculture behind only catfish. This low-input, environmentally sustainable industry is based on management practices that mimic natural hydrological and vegetative cycles. It is also, however, greatly influenced by the weather and when normal precipitation patterns are disrupted crawfish populations (and harvests) can be significantly impacted. This 2023- 2024 season is a sobering illustration of how severe those impacts can be.
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Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board Seeking Nominations
A meeting of the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board (LSGRPB) has been scheduled.
The purpose for our meeting will be to review nominations to the United Soybean Board (USB). The LSGRPB nominates individuals to the US Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, for appointment to serve as a Board member on the USB.
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Dairy Cattle in Texas and Kansas Test Positive for HPAI
Dairy cows in Texas and Kansas has tested positive for bird flu, U.S. officials said Monday.
Officials with the Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed the flu virus is the Type A H5N1 strain, known for decades to cause outbreaks in birds and to occasionally infect people. The virus is affecting older dairy cows in those states and in New Mexico, causing decreased lactation and low appetite.
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Louisiana Landowner Challenges Open Fields Doctrine
Two words are usually enough to keep uninvited visitors off private property: “No trespassing.” But game wardens ignore the signs that mark the perimeter of Tom Manuel’s timberland in East Felicia Parish, Louisiana.
Manuel was shocked the first time he found a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries official on his land without a warrant. The intruder had no consent, no complaint, no emergency, and no reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing. Yet he entered the private property anyway in December 2023, just to look for evidence of game and fish violations.
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US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Invest $166,668 to Louisiana State University through Rural Energy of America Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Louisiana State Director, Deidre Deculus Robert, will announce that USDA will invest $166,668 to Louisiana State University through the Rural Energy of America Program – Technical Assistance Grant (REAP TAG).
These funds will provide hands-on support to farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems, like solar, and energy efficiency measures. This investment not only help producers and small businesses lower energy costs, but also access new markets and strengthen their operations.
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Lee Touts LSU AgCenter, College Of Agriculture Successes In Spring Update
Speaking from a bustling John M. Parker Agricultural Coliseum during another successful AgMagic, Matt Lee, LSU vice president for agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture, highlighted many achievements during a virtual statewide spring update March 22.
After inviting AgMagic coordinator Hannah Devall to acknowledge the 7,000 teachers, students and volunteers who participated in this year’s event, Lee spoke about the impact of AgCenter research.
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LSU AgCenter Mentor Helps Student Win Accolades With Innovative Catfish Experiment
Under the watchful eye of her mentor, Lily May carefully measured catfish fillets, powdered gelatin and water. May was preparing an experiment to test the effects of coatings on the omega-3 fatty acids in refrigerated catfish.
May’s mentor, Evelyn Watts, a seafood extension specialist with the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant, has supervised graduate and undergraduate students conducting research in her lab, but May, a junior at St. Joseph’s Academy, was the first high school student Watts has worked with.
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Constitutional Convention: What We Need to Know
While I’m not opposed to the governor’s plan to hold a constitutional convention, I do question the timing. The 1973 constitutional convention took two years, and Louisiana is currently considering re-tooling our state’s most precious document in roughly two weeks. Is some voodoo magic gonna occur within that two-week period, or is Louisiana‘s next Constitution already drafted?
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Stable Horse Income Needed
Horses are big business here in Louisiana, but funding for equine programs is not stable. Several years ago, the state received a grant that ponied up; however, a coalition of horse groups is advocating for more permanent funding.
“In our first year in 2022, we were able to award $194,000 throughout the equine industry,” said LSU AgCenter Equine Extension Specialist Dr. Neely Heidorn. “The economic impact of those funds into the industry ended up being around $4.4 million, which was over a 2,000% return on investment in 2023.”
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Gulf Coast Rice Planting 2024
The gulf coast region was busy getting the 2024 U.S. rice crop off to a quick and early start, but is now taking a break with the recent untimely rains over the past two weeks, also ushering in the inevitable cool spell, but not too cool to appear a threat to the young emerging rice. Planting got off to an early start in both the Texas and SWLA regions, with ideal weather conditions prompting growers to take advantage and get a portion of their crop planted ahead of the rains as we near the end of March, although a few were able to get all of their crop in the ground.
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Cover Crop Field Day Scheduled For Thursday
The 2024 Soil Health and Cover Crop Fielkd Tour is set for Thursday, March 28 at the Northeast Research Station, on HIghway 605 in St. Jo; Registration begins at 8 AM with the program getting underwayiat 8:30.
Lunch will be served.
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Alternative Oyster Culture, A New Way Of Farming, Introduced in Cameron Parish
Oyster farmers in Cameron Parish are hopeful that a new initiative will further drive business.
Back in 2022, a grant was given to the Cameron Parish port to establish a new kind of oyster park located at the south end of Calcasieu Lake.
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Higgins Announces SBA Approval of Louisiana’s Disaster Request for Crawfish
Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Governor Landry’s drought disaster declaration request and extended the deadline for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications in response to the 2023 drought.
Congressman Higgins led a letter with members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to the SBA Administrator, Isabel Guzman, in support of Governor Landry’s request earlier this week.
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Congresswoman Julia Letlow Questions US Agriculture Secretary Vilsack During FY2025 Budget Hearing
During the House Appropriations Committee FY2025 Department of Agriculture Budget Hearing, Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and discussed the steps his Department is taking to provide assistance to our agriculture industry.
Congresswoman Letlow highlighted the challenges Louisiana farmers, ranchers, and producers are facing due to high temperatures and drought from 2023. Specifically, the Congresswoman urged Secretary Vilsack to use his authority and provide relief to the crawfish industry.
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Louisiana Crawfish Businesses Impacted by Drought Could Get Federal Assistance
Those in the crawfish industry in Louisiana and neighboring states who have been affected by last year's severe drought can apply for federal disaster loans to help with financial loss, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced on Thursday.
The federal approval for disaster funds comes after Gov. Jeff Landry issued a disaster declaration at the beginning of the month amid a crawfish storage caused by drought and extreme heat.
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