USDA Seeks Proposals for $10 Million Partnership Funding Opportunity to Assess CRP Benefits
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) strongly encourages eligible conservation partners to submit proposals for $10 million in available funds to research the Conservation Reserve Program’s (CRP) environmental benefits and outcomes. CRP is one of the world’s largest voluntary conservation programs with an established track record of preserving topsoil, sequestering carbon, reducing nitrogen runoff and providing healthy wildlife habitat.
Funding this research with partners outside of USDA will enable USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) — the agency responsible for administering CRP — to best focus the program’s future functionality and goals based on the collective research results.
Read More
LSUA and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Forge New Pathways for Aspiring Rural Veterinarians
LSUA has announced an exciting new partnership with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine aimed at advancing expertise in rural and agricultural veterinary practices. This new agreement introduces an early admission pathway for LSUA graduates aiming to specialize in rural, agricultural or livestock medicine.
The initiative is designed to cultivate a dedicated pipeline of veterinarians through enhanced early educational experiences, aimed particularly at supporting the food animal and production medicine sectors. Up to ten LSUA graduates per year will have the opportunity to gain early admission to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, provided they meet the specific eligibility criteria focused on rural and agricultural commitment.
Read More
The Farmer's Forecast: Severe Weather Threat Along I-20
It looks like a wild Thursday evening for some, with not much at all in other spots. There’s a solid threat for severe weather in communities like Stonewall, Jonesboro, and Wisner, while you might not see a drop of rain in Abbeville, Thibodaux, and Galliano.
This doesn’t look like a huge rain maker. I think there will be a corridor of 1-2 inches across northern and parts of central Louisiana, with lesser totals to the south, ranging all the way down to nothing much south of I-10.
Read More
Louisiana Crop Progress & Condition Report: May 5, 2024
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 3.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, May 5, 2024. Topsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 31 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus.
Read More
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
New USA Rice Intern Has Deep Roots In LA Rice Industry
Caroline Hardy has joined the USA Rice team as a government affairs intern and will be working out of the Arlington office until she begins a law clerkship in Louisiana later this summer.
A Louisiana native, Caroline earned her B.S. from McNeese State University in agribusiness in 2021 and is entering her final year at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
Read More
USDA Seeks Members for Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. USDA will accept nominations from May 7, 2024, to July 7, 2024. The 12-member Committee, which first convened in March 2022, is part of USDA’s efforts to increase support for urban agriculture and innovative production. Members of the Committee provide input on policy development and help identify barriers to urban agriculture as USDA works to promote urban farming and the economic opportunities it provides in cities across the country.
Read More
Kentucky Derby Winner Mystik Dan has Strong Ties to Louisiana
The winning horse at Saturday’s Kentucky Derby has Louisiana’s fingerprints all over it. Mystik Dan won by a nose, edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young. Lafayette native Brian Hernandez was the jockey and Shreveport native Sharilyn Gasaway is a co-owner.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable and a dream of a lifetime for us, we are just grateful and blessed to own this horse,” Gasaway said.
Read More
Prepare To Price 2024 Cotton Late In The Marketing Season
Fundamentals drove cotton prices down to the mid-70s before selling ran out of steam and a small bit of demand brought prices back to the high 70s for old crop and the mid-70s for new crop. July found its support at 77 cents but slipped lower before recapturing the 78-cent mark, settling the week at 78.06. Likewise, December searched out its support at the 74-cent mark and settled the week at 75.97
Read More
USDA Announces $22M To Support Underserved & Veteran Farmers & Ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $22.3 million available to community-based and nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities that help underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through USDA’s 2501 Program. This program is administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
Read More
Horizon Ag Adds New Rice Breeder At LSU Rice Research Station
Horizon Ag is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. María Guadalupe Montiel for the newly created position of Rice Breeder for the company’s independent lab located at the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter Rice Research Station at Crowley.
The position was created as part of a recent partnership between Horizon Ag and the LSU AgCenter to support enhanced collaborative breeding efforts. In her new role, Dr. Montiel will have access to the AgCenter’s elite rice-breeding germplasm, and any new varieties released by Horizon Ag will be in addition to the AgCenter’s breeding activities.
Read More
2024 Rayne Frog Festival Happening This Weekend, May 9-11
The Rayne Frog Festival is taking place in the Frog Capital this weekend, May 9-11, 2024, at the Frog Festival Pavilion.
This year's festival will be the 52nd year of celebrating all that is those hopping and tasty little swamp critters.
As always there is a full schedule of music, delicious food and drinks, arts and crafts show, carnival rides, kick-off parade, frog derby, frog races, frog leg sauce piquant eating contest, and a whole lot more.
Read More
Will Louisiana Crawfish Season End Early After a Tough, Pricy Year?
Any Louisiana seafood lover will agree— the 2024 crawfish season has been far from normal.
As farmers battled with drought and saltwater intrusion in the fall, mudbug prices have stayed higher than average for most of the season, and the yield for many in the seafood industry has been significantly smaller.
Read More
Food Preservation Camp Demystifies Canning
In a kitchen normally used to prepare meals for hungry 4-H campers, participants in a different type of camp looked on with interest and anticipation as LSU AgCenter nutrition and community health agent Breanna Staab stirred a saucepan containing a bubbling blend of pureed bell and serrano peppers, sugar and vinegar.
Staab was guiding the adult campers through the process of making and canning pepper jelly as part of an April 30 food preservation camp at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock.
Read More
Union Members Tell Congress Sugar Policy Means Good Jobs, Strong Communities
Sugar workers who are members of the International Association of Machinists were recently on Capitol Hill talking about how a strong U.S. sugar policy supports union jobs across the country. We’re proud that much of the sugar made in America is done so by a union workforce.
“U.S. sugar policy provides so much opportunity for people in the rural communities,” said Cornelius Fowler, a truck driver for Florida Crystals with 16 years’ experience on the job. “They have great benefits, great programs that allow individuals that want to further their career.”
Read More
