Enjoy That Summer Cookout, but Skip the Red Swamp Crayfish
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding the public and seafood distributors that importing and possessing live red swamp crayfish also known as crawfish or Louisiana crawfish, is prohibited by law in Illinois.
The crustaceans are a popular choice for live crawfish boils.
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Are You Ready for the Cicada Invasion of Northwest Louisiana?
Picture this: while folks in the Big Easy are chillin' without a care in the world, sippin' their daiquiris, and enjoying the jazz, up in northwest Louisiana, it's gonna be a whole different story. Get for the invasion of the Cicadas!
Caddo Parish is about to be swarmed by these buzzing critters like it's going out of style. So, if you're planning a picnic or an outdoor shindig, you might wanna think twice unless you're cool with sharing your space with a few thousand extra guests. It's like the cicadas decided to throw their own party, and Caddo Parish is the VIP section.
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An Invasive Snail Found in Arkansas
The invasive Apple Snail was recently found in a live crawfish shipment coming from Louisiana to Arkansas. Experts say while there may not be an immediate concern for rice farmers currently, land owners and crawfish enthusiasts alike should be aware of the snails and alert Arkansas Game and Fish if they spot any of the invasive species.
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Kinder Livestock Auction: May 6, 2024
Click below for the market report from the latest Kinder Livestock Auction.
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Cow Country Reporter: May 2024
The last week in April three of your Executive Committee members, Mike Kovac, Dave Sanson and myself, made a trip to West Texas. We visited a Red Angus Ranch in Whitesboro, TX and the Bradley 3 Ranch near Childress, TX. Both ranches gave us contact information as well as insight into different operations and how they manage their cattle operations. James Henderson, one of the 3 in B3R, shared his wisdom of his cattle operation and 18 years of running their processing plant.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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).
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