Parts of Louisiana have already seen more rain than they did all of 2023. We are just a few days over 5 months into the year, or about 43% through the year, and we are either close to, or above what we saw all 12 months of last year. If you are reading this, you are aware of this, but this is a good way for me to put into perspective how dry it was last year vs. how wet it is this year. The good news is, it seems like we are going to get a few, mostly dry days going forward.
Read MoreAhead of the International Temperate Rice Conference (ITRC) hosted by USA Rice and the Louisiana State University Ag Center, members of the Australian rice industry including the Australian Rice Growers Association and university researchers, took a preconference detour to experience the U.S. rice industry firsthand. The group of 19 arrived in Houston last Wednesday and met up with USA Rice’s Dr. Steve Linscombe, Kane Webb, and Shelby Young for two days of touring south Texas.
Read MoreHessian flies weigh in at only half the size of an average mosquito, but their in-field impacts, and year-over-year infestations cause big issues for Louisiana wheat growers.
A short reproduction cycle – occurring over about two and a half weeks – alongside a long residual life for pupae in–field mean Hessian flies cause significant impacts in the Delta region.
Read MoreThings still aren't looking too good for crawfishermen out on the Basin.
KATC spent some time out in the swamp with Basin crawfisherman Ben Bienvenu to get a better look at what he's been seeing all season.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s proposed rule to make changes to the poultry tournament system.
“Farm Bureau appreciates USDA’s work to bring more transparency to the poultry industry. AFBF has long advocated for changes to ensure poultry farmers who contract with processing companies are treated fairly, and we’re glad to see many of our concerns addressed in the new rule.”
Read MoreOpportunities to advance sustainable cotton farming in the United States are growing thanks to a nationwide partnership led by the Soil Health Institute’s (SHI) United States Regenerative Cotton Fund (USRCF).
The fund’s holistic approach to advance economic insights, soil health measurement, and education has made significant progress in the U.S. Cotton Belt since its establishment, engaging more than 1,000 cotton farmers and their advisors.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Future Farmers of America Association kicked off its state convention on June 3 at the Randolph Riverfront Center in downtown Alexandria.
Read MoreLouisiana is the country's second largest seafood producer, but its commercial fishermen are, on average, among the oldest in the country, and too few people are following in their footsteps to keep the industry going.
Read MoreAmerica’s farmers and ranchers are counting on Congress to pass a new, modernized farm bill. That was the message delivered by the chair of American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, Kevin Lussier, who testified today before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade.
Read MoreTrade is important to Louisiana agriculture. The Louisiana Commissioner of Ag recently visited Cuba, scouting it as a possible destination for Louisiana poultry and rice.
Read MoreInside a complex of nondescript buildings on the outskirts of LSU’s campus, tanks housing a dozen species of fish, frogs, salamanders, shrimp and other forms of aquatic life share space with liquid nitrogen tanks, 3D printers and a digital media studio.
Read MoreDeveloping rice varieties that are heat and saltwater tolerant and can withstand disease and insect pests is a primary goal of the CRISP rice project. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux gives us some insight into the project.
Read MoreMaster Chef Emeril Lagasse has made a name for himself, not just as a restauranteur, but as a television personality. Although not a Louisiana native, the "kick it up a notch" star is well-known for mastering Cajun and Creole cuisine.
The Roku Channel features the culinary genius in another series starring the man himself, titled "Emeril Cooks!" Louisiana natives will appreciate the fifth installment of the fifth season of the show because he's spotlighting a New Iberia veterinarian.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced next steps it is proposing to address the many, complex competition issues in agricultural markets and create a fairer playing field for poultry growers and farmers. USDA is proposing the rule Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems, to address a range of abuses that have occurred in relation to grower ranking (commonly known as “tournament”) payment systems and additional capital investment requirements that poultry companies commonly ask of their contract growers for broiler chicken.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can now sign up for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP). The signup runs from today through June 28, 2024. Grassland CRP, offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grasslands and provide important conservation benefits for wildlife, soil health and carbon sequestration, all while continuing most grazing and haying practices.
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