Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Deadline Extended to June 22

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, has extended the deadline to June 22 for entrepreneurs to apply online for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 11th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

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Allie Shipley
Crawfish Season Coming to an End

Crawfish season is winding down, and to say it was an unpredictable one is an understatement. LSU Ag Center Crawfish specialist Mark Shirley said towards the end of the season April and May, supply increased in some fields, but that wasn’t the case for every crawfish farmer.

“There was still a significant amount of acres that were flooded back in the fall that did not produce any crawfish or produce so few crawfish that the farmers just did not harvest those fields.”

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Cover Up: Best Protection Against Skin Cancer

When I was a kid, I couldn’t help but notice how the contract crews that chopped our cotton were usually covered head to toe in garments and hats that covered their skin.

Being young, immortal and stupid we chopped cotton in shorts, sometimes shirtless while the sun beat down in the summer heat. We had no concern for the effects of ultraviolet radiation. Many of us started the season with a hearty sunburn.

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don molino
LSU AgCenter Opens Application Process For Its Leadership Class

The LSU AgCenter Agricultural Leadership Development Program is now accepting applications for Class XIX, which is scheduled to begin in January 2025 with a completion date of February 2027.

“Developing leaders is essential to advancing agriculture, especially in areas such as finance, policy issues and regulatory matters,” said Matt Lee, vice president for agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture. “The graduates of this program continue to advocate for agriculture and help maintain a healthy and viable industry that plays a crucial role in Louisiana’s economy.”

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Dr. Zhu Ning Named Southern University’s Spring 2024 Outstanding Researcher

Dr. Zhu Ning, Chair and doctoral program leader of the Department of Urban Forestry, Environment, and Natural Resources in the SU College of Ag, has received the Spring 2024 Outstanding Researcher Award from the Southern University Baton Rouge campus.

A certificate and a monetary award were presented to Dr. Ning on April 19, 2024 by the Southern University Office of Sponsored Programs.

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Corn Disease Update

Common rust has been reported in some fields in central Louisiana and on the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center. However, this disease has not been a major concern in previous years.

Common rust may be the first disease found in corn fields and usually occurs in the lower-to-mid-canopy. Disease development is favored when temperatures are cool (60-77oF) and leaf wetness of 4-6 hours.

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Sustainability: Myths vs. Facts

The story of the newly married couple and their dream of continuing the family farming legacy is a tale of determination and resilience in the face of challenges. With a deep-rooted belief in living off the land and improving it for future generations, they encountered obstacles such as limited land availability and the need to manage it for multiple family members. That couple is us. This is our story.

Soil is the foundation of productive, sustainable agriculture. Over 20 years ago, we implemented no-till practices to help improve the soil and reduce our fuel costs.

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