Takeaways From a New Report on How Overseas Shrimp Farmers are Exploited

A new investigation focused on three of the world’s largest producers of shrimp released on Monday claims that as big Western supermarkets make windfall profits, their aggressive pursuit of ever-lower wholesale prices is causing misery for people at the bottom end of the supply chain.

The regional analysis of the industry in Vietnam, Indonesia and India, which provide about half the shrimp in the world’s top four markets—the United States, European Union, United Kingdom and Japan—is based on research done by an alliance of NGOs.

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AquacultureAvery Davidson
Louisiana Loves National Rice Month

September National Rice Month is always a whirlwind of activity in Louisiana! There are so many celebrations, cooking contests, and charitable food donations during NRM that they don't all fit. Stay tuned for the 87th International Rice Festival in Crowley, Louisiana, October 17-20.

The Cal Cam Rice Growers Association and the Port of Lake Charles partnered again this year for their annual cooking contest where students from several southwest Louisiana parishes compete with their rice dishes for prizes and tour the Port of Lake Charles during the judging session. 

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Ricedon molino
Rice Farmer Turned Entrepreneur Celebrates 60th Year in Rice Farming

Des Woods is a vibrant man who is one of a vanishing breed of rice farmers.

Woods is one of only four remaining farmers in the area still involved in rice production – the others are Clayton Pederson, Johnny Colvin and David Welch, he said.

Although Woods has been involved in rice farming himself for 60 years, his family’s involvement started even earlier – in 1931, when his father J. D. Woods and uncles Ray and Richard planted their first crop off what is now Woods Road after moving from Louisiana in 1929.

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RiceAvery Davidson
Farm Losses Mounting, Projected To Get Worse

Over the last two weeks, row crop producers descended on the nation’s capital, lobbying for passage of a new farm bill and highlighting the need for ad hoc disaster assistance.

If you do not personally live with the constant barrage of challenges facing our nation’s farmers and ranchers – ranging from droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes to inflation and market collapses – it’s easy to grow numb to their plight. Besides, aren’t farmers and ranchers always on Capitol Hill asking for assistance?

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Farm Billdon molino
2025 Rice Technical Working Group Meeting

The LSU AgCenter and H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station is hosting the 2025 Rice Technical Working Group Meeting in New Orleans on February 17 – 20, 2025.  The Rice Technical Working Group (RTWG) convenes every two years, bringing together research and extension faculty, as well as rice industry professionals. The purpose of the group is to exchange information, engage in cooperative planning, and periodically review all phases of rice research and extension conducted by rice states, the federal government, and cooperating agencies.

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Ricedon molino
Understanding The Important Of Farmers' Participation In USDA Surveys

Policy decisions that affect producers depend on good data and information. Accurate and timely data is essential for developing effective agricultural policies, which in turn helps farmers make informed decisions about their production and inventory management. In light of this, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) releases several monthly reports to provide an outlook of demand and supply fundamentals.

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LSU AgCenterdon molino
USDA Offers $58 Million in Available Assistance to Help Organic Dairy Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $58 million available for marketing assistance to eligible organic dairy producers through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024 to help expand the market for organic dairy and increase the consumption of organic dairy.  

“The Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program continues USDA’s commitment to keep the market for organic dairies sustainable as they weather challenges outside of their control,” said USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

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USDA, DairyAvery Davidson