Thank You, Farmworkers

Farmworkers, today we appreciate you. Your hard work may often be behind the scenes but please know that it does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Today may be Farmworker Appreciation Day, but every day anyone enjoys a meal is one we should be thanking a farmworker.  

Read More
LaborAllie Shipley
In Long-Sought Change, States Must Consider Tribal Rights When Crafting Water Rules

This May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a revision to the Clean Water Act that requires states to consider tribal treaty rights when crafting water quality regulations. The rule could protect resources such as wild rice, sturgeon, salmon, and shellfish.

The states challenging the rule are Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Read More
Allie Shipley
U.S. Agricultural Land Values and Cropland Cash Rents Reach Record Levels Amid Falling Commodity Prices

Agricultural land values increased by $200 an acre over last year, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The Land Values 2024 Summary report, released on August 2, shows a 5% increase to an average $4,170 per acre. This follows a 6.7%, or $250, increase between 2022 and 2023 and marks the fourth consecutive increase in agricultural land values. Cash rent values for cropland were up 3.2% to a record $160 per acre and up 3.3% to $15.50 per acre for pastureland.

Read More
Allie Shipley
Chairman Vows To Overrule CBO on Question of Overspending in GOP Farm Bill

The Republican-written House farm bill is $33 billion over budget and fails to pay for its large increase in crop subsidies, said congressional scorekeepers in an official cost estimate. House Agriculture chairman Glenn Thompson, who brushed aside earlier warnings about over-spending, said if the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office won’t change its mind, he would rely on the House Budget Committee to overrule the CBO.

Read More
don molino
Dicamba Update from LSU AgCenter Weed Scientists

As you are aware, the EPA existing stocks order resulting from the vacated labels of Xtendimax, Engenia, and Tavium herbicides in February of this year ended for soybean on June 30 and July 30 for cotton in Louisiana.  Bayer (Xtendimax), BASF (Engenia), and Syngenta (Tavium) have each submitted proposed labels for EPA review and approval this summer 2024. 

Read More
Yes, 24-Hour Corn Vending Machines in Louisiana Are a Real Thing

Do you ever wish that you could grab corn on the go at any hour, 24-7, day or night? If you're in Louisiana, I'm here to tell you that you're in luck.

While some Louisianans are just discovering them, 24-hour corn vending machines have been around since at least 2020, providing a unique convenience for hunters and farmers alike. Mitch Rabalais recently shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting a corn vending machine in Rayville, Louisiana, bringing renewed attention to this practical solution that aligns perfectly with the state's outdoor culture.

Read More
CornAvery Davidson
Agriculture Interests and Others Worry that Congress Will Punt the Wide-ranging Farm Bill Again

The schedule shows Congress will be in town for 13 days between now and the week after the Nov. 5 congressional and presidential elections.

Judging from the amount of work left, such as passing an annual federal government budget, most remaining legislation will be shunted aside, including the $1.25 trillion Farm Bill, the shorthand for H.R. 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024.

Read More
Honey Bee Colonies Across Louisiana: August 2024

This report contains the results from the Quarterly Colony Loss surveys.Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in the Delta Region on January 1, 2024 totaled 88,000 colonies. This is up 11 percent from 79,000 colonies on January 1, 2023. On April 1, 2024, honey bee operations in the Delta Region totaled 104,500 colonies. During 2023, honey bee colonies for the Delta Region on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 were 79,000 colonies, 131,000 colonies, 92,500 colonies, and 101,000 colonies, respectively.

Read More
USDAdon molino