A new round of federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation includes around $40,000,000 for railroad and bridge replacement and rehabilitation starting in the DeRidder area.
Read MoreCrazy. Chaotic. Extremes. Those three words were used by AgriGold agronomists in Illinois, Louisiana and Iowa, respectively, to describe the 2024 growing season. Some corn fields shined; others struggled. As with any season, lessons were learned. These agronomists share their biggest takeaways.
Read MoreLouisiana farmers are in limbo after a safety net bill passed in 2018 expired last month, leaving some unprotected from emergencies.
Read MoreMore than a third of grain bin entrapments result in fatalities. However, a recent incident in north Louisiana had a happier ending.
Read MoreAn overly-simplified perspective on the problem...
Today’s issuance of the U.S. Drought Monitor will show that drought continues to dominate most of the greater Mississippi River Basin, although a large portion of the drainage area could see 2" to 5" of rain over the next several days thanks to a return of frontal weather.
Read MoreSugarcane harvesting season is underway across Louisiana, but farmers say unpredictable weather patterns are shaking up their plans. More than a month ago, Hurricane Francine swept across the southern part of the state; the wind and rain damaged crops.
Read MoreAgriculture giants including Cargill Inc. and Bunge Global SA are slowing their buying of soybeans due to uncertainty over U.S. biofuels policy.
Read MoreState Rep. Troy Romero, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, and Louisiana Commissioner of Agricultural and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain gathered in Jennings today to hear the concerns of local farmers.
Read MoreThe past couple months have been dry in Louisiana, with the exception of a couple pockets and a quick tropical system that rolled through the state. Drought conditions are affecting farmers and ranchers across the state, but the tool used by USDA in determining financial assistance may not be keeping up with conditions on the ground. Avery Davidson sits down with Louisiana State Climatologist, Jay Grymes, and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Mike Strain, to discuss how you can help paint the picture of Louisiana's drought.
Read MoreThroughout the southeastern United States, an invasive species, Chinese privet, has been entering and taking over land at an exceptional rate. The shrub produces thousands of small, green and purple fruits that are eaten by animals and spread with notable efficiency. In south Louisiana, these plants are not hard to find on the side of the road and in areas of overgrowth.
Read MoreThis year’s Real Sugar Day campaign included an invitation for people from across the country to tour sugarcane and sugar beet farms as well as a sugar mill and sugar factory to see firsthand how the plants are cultivated, harvested and processed. Participants were most surprised to learn that real sugar is entirely natural.
The campaign also featured Madison Saunier with the third-generation Guidry’s Cakery in Erath, 25-year old owner Madelyn Schmidt of Eloise Market and Cakery in Baton Rouge explaining how sugar ensures flavor, texture and moisture needed to make any birthday or wedding celebration complete.
Read MoreLSU sociology professor Tim Slack uses his research and expertise to share a closer look at rural Americans’ lives and challenges as they prepare to vote in the 2024 election.
An expert in social and economic issues, Professor Slack explains the unique struggles facing rural communities—like changes in jobs, health concerns, and population shifts.
Read MoreThe prevalence of litter today is mind-boggling. Trash here, trash there, trash everywhere, along the roadsides, parking lots and anywhere humans congregate. To borrow the title of TV commentator Chris Hayes’ podcast, why is this happening?
It’s 2024, and everyone should do better.
Louisiana, consistently ranked among the worst states for litter by the American State Litter Scorecard, is taking a significant step to tackle the problem by creating the LSU Litter Institute, perhaps the first of its kind in the U.S.
Read MoreOne of the biggest days of the year for local students is almost here. It's when the best of the best compete in the ArkLaTex Agricultural Council's Jr. Livestock Sale at the State Fair of Louisiana.
It's set for Nov. 6 in the fairgrounds Sale Arena. Students from across the state have put in blood, sweat, and tears for months getting their show animals ready for auction. Prospective buyers will be on hand ready to offer up the highest bids.
Read MoreCrawfish aquaculture is the most profitable aquaculture endeavor in Louisiana, representing roughly 69% of the total gross farm value generated across all commercial aquaculture enterprises in 2022, according to the Louisiana Summary Agriculture and Natural Resources 2022. Crawfish producers in south Louisiana create a suitable wetland habitat for crawfish to survive, reproduce and grow to harvest size in shallow water impoundments used for both crawfish and rice.
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