Members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture visited LSU AgCenter facilities March 26 to announce a $166,668 technical assistance grant for rural Louisiana communities through its Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP.
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While American businesses are not permitted to purchase farmland in foreign countries like China and Mexico, our government lets them purchase ours and lots of it. But a bill at the state legislature looks to put an end to all of that, at least here in Louisiana.
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The cattle industry is losing $1 billion each year with no end in sight. One researcher believes his team can help save it.
Shafiqul Chowdhury, a professor of molecular and researcher at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, has developed a new vaccine that could prevent the spread of bovine respiratory disease. Cattle already receive a vaccine, but eight million calves still die each year, hindering the beef and milk supply. The current vaccine does not prevent the spread of bovine respiratory disease and does not contain a DIVA marker—what distinguishes infected from vaccinated animals.
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On March 26, a container ship rammed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge resulting in the structure’s collapse and the tragic loss of six construction workers. Aside from the everlasting impacts to the families that lost loved ones, the destroyed bridge has physically cut off key coal, container and automobile terminals at the Port of Baltimore from the outside world. In 2021, the port’s terminals processed over 37 million short tons of combined import and export product. This ranks the Port of Baltimore 17th in terms of cargo throughput in the United States.
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Are you planning to dye Easter eggs this year? Well, if you are, there is a bit of good news -- prices have dropped significantly.
Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson said prices of eggs have dropped quite a bit. As a matter of fact, the southern average for a dozen eggs was $4.17 last year but this year it's down to $2.71.
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State lawmakers advanced separate bills Tuesday to address the dominance of cheap foreign seafood in Louisiana. One would require seafood dealers to pay higher fees for importing foreign catch into the state, and another would require wholesalers and retailers to obtain a new seafood importer license.
House Bill 748, sponsored by Rep. Jessica Domangue, R-Houma, would raise the state’s imported seafood safety fee from a flat $100 per year to a 0.1% assessment on the company’s gross revenue.
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Trycera herbicide from Helena Agri-Enterprises has received federal registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in sugarcane. Trycera is the first triclopyr product to be approved for use in the crop. It offers sugarcane growers a new tool to control Divine nightshade and other problematic weed species, pending approval by state regulatory agencies.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $22 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until Sunday, May 26, 2024.
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Members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture visited LSU AgCenter facilities March 26 to announce a $166,668 technical assistance grant for rural Louisiana communities through its Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP.
The investment is meant to provide support to farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems such as solar and other energy-efficient measures.
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The Louisiana Legislative Rural Caucus elected its 2024-25 officers, selecting Representative Rhonda Butler (R-Ville Platte) as Chair. Additionally, the caucus announces the elections of Representative Travis Johnson (D-Vidalia) as Vice Chair and Representative Jason Dewitt (R-Boyce) as Secretary/Treasurer.
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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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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 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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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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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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