Sugarcane Suffers from Hurricane Francine, but the Season Isn’t Over Yet
Kids growing up on farms in southern Louisiana date themselves according to hurricanes and sugarcane variety releases, Louisiana State University sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois jokes. 2024 will be known as the year of Hurricane Francine, and hopefully only Francine, as sugarcane producers race tropical storm season to finish out harvest with minimal crop damage.
Hurricanes are not a new obstacle to sugarcane production. The very nature of a tropical crop both harvested and planted during hurricane season demands hardiness.
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Growing Bahiagrass and Beef in the Bayou State
Sometimes an opportunity presents itself that is too good to pass up. In Tara and Josh Morris’ case, it was a series of several opportunities strung together that made their dreams of grazing cattle in southern Louisiana a reality.
Tara and Josh both got their feet wet in agriculture by working on research farms in college before they rented their first piece of land in 2016. They leased the then conventionally farmed field from a friend under the condition that they fix the fence.
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Louisiana Crop Market Update: October 2024
The 2024/25 U.S. corn outlook calls for smaller supplies, larger exports, and reduced ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks for 2024/25 are 52 million bushels lower based on the Grain Stocks report. Corn production is forecast at 15.2 billion bushels, up 17 million from last month on a 0.2-bushel increase in yield to 183.8 bushels per acre. Harvested area for grain is unchanged at 82.7 million acres. Total use is raised slightly to 15.0 billion bushels reflecting greater exports.
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Odds Favor A New Farm Bill By End Of Year, Says Vilsack
Time is running out for Congress to agree on the new farm bill, now a year overdue, but a “common sense, reasonable, practical” package is still possible, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday, declaring himself an optimist. “I think there’s better odds than not that we get it done,” he said at a White House conference.
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Pesticides And Endangered Species Educational Resources Toolbox
The Pesticide and Endangered Species Educational Resources Toolbox catalogs educational resources including guidance documents, handouts, presentations, informational webinars, and other resources relating to EPA’s endangered species work
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Agricultural Policy and Market Situation Newsletter: October 2024
After having been initially extended last year until the end of fiscal 2024, the 2018 Farm Bill has expired. Many are wondering what lies in store for both farm and nutrition programs? A Farm Bill that expires is not quite the aberration some would take it to be. When the 2002 Farm Bill expired, portions of it were extended six times in the spring of 2008 for less than a year in total, according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
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Louisiana Crop Production: October 11, 2024
Louisiana corn for grain production is forecast at 84.1 million bushels, down 1 percent from September 1 forecast and down 29 percent from 2023. Based on conditions as of October 1, yield is expected to average 189 bushels per acre, down 2 bushels from last month but up 14 bushels from last year. Harvested acreage for grain is estimated at 445,000 acres, down 235,000 acres from 2023.
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Louisiana Farm and Ranch: October 2024
Thanks to Buck Leonards and the staff at Louisiana Farm and Ranch for providing the digital edition.
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Bring the Boot Back: The Golden Boot Giving Challenge
The Golden Boot Giving Challenge is back again this year, as the LSU College of Agriculture takes on the University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences to see who can get the most donations (# of donors, not dollars) next week leading up to the LSU/Arkansas football game.
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Top 12 Most Common Hunting Accidents
A hunter takes the shot with an unsafe backdrop, and someone gets hurt. A firearm malfunctions, which could have easily been avoided. An ATV rolls over, which didn’t have to happen. A hunter falls from a stand, because they weren’t following safety precautions. These and more are among the most common hunting accidents. Here are the top 12 most common hunting accidents, in no particular order, with ways to avoid them.
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How to Negotiate With Your Ag Lender and Win
As margins tighten, concerns mount for operating and equipment loan appointments. It’s natural to feel a bit nervous heading into a banker’s office during drought or a period of low prices, but a few simple preparations can help alleviate the stress around securing critical financing.
Louisiana Land Bank CEO Stephen Austin shared factors loan officers value when making financing decisions. Approaching the meeting with preparation and purpose can be key to leaving a lending meeting feeling victorious.
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Local Farmers, State Officials Stress Importance of a New Farm Bill
An important deadline for congress has passed.
On Sept. 30, the current farm bill expired, leaving many in the agriculture industry concerned about what the future holds.
“Farmers aren’t going to stop working. We can’t this isn’t a wait and see type of deal. Lawmakers have that luxury. Farmers do not,” said farmer Brandon Vail.
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Cow Country Reporter: October 2024
Hurricane Helene caused record destruction and deaths from Florida, Georgia, The Carolinas and into Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and beyond. My prayers go out to the families, loved ones and friends who died and those who lost homes and businesses. This tragic event was followed by the longshore union strike. We as a nation have got to come together and assist those in need.
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LACA Scholarship Application Deadline November 1, 2024
Preference is given to applicants currently enrolled at a Louisiana college or university, and following an agricultural curriculum that emphasizes one or more of the following: Agribusiness/Economics; Agronomy; Entomology; Plant Pathology; Plant Science; Soil Science; Weed Science.
A minimum of one undergraduate and one graduate scholarship will be awarded in February of 2025. If funding is available, a third, and possibly even a fourth graduate scholarship will be awarded.
Each scholarship is valued at $2,000.00.
LACA 2025 Scholarship application deadline is November 1, 2024.
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Learn Forest Management, Earn CEs
The Louisiana Logging Council, Drax Biomass, Hunt Forest Products, LaSalle Lumber Co. and Kisatchie National Forest are offering an opportunity for loggers to learn about Complimentary Forest Management, At-Risk Species, Timber Extraction and Restoration efforts on the Calcasieu District.
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