Republican Governors Urge Congress to Pass Farm Bill
A group of 17 Republican governors has sent a joint letter to Congress urging passage of an updated Farm Bill.
The most recent Farm Bill, which federal lawmakers approved early in President-elect Donald Trump’s first term in the White House, expired in September.
Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp joined the GOP governors of Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia in signing the letter.
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USDA Announces December 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for December 2024, which are effective Dec. 2, 2024. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
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The LSU AgCenter ASPIRE Program
The LSU AgCenter ASPIRE program is offering a 10-week paid summer internship program for college students ($15/hour). The priority deadline to apply is March 7.
The ASPIRE Project engages undergraduates in agricultural-related internships in research, extension, and teaching, with mentorship from faculty in the LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture.
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Simple Hack Makes Louisiana Live Christmas Trees Last Longer
Thanksgiving is a bloated memory for most in Louisiana. From Tallulah to Tickfaw we're scraping our plates and finally getting those Turkey Day dishes done. Now it's time to turn our attention to the other holiday tradition that comes with Thanksgiving weekend in Louisiana. That would be getting the Christmas Tree
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Union Livestock Exhibitors Shine
Union Livestock exhibitors showcased their exceptional livestock projects at the State Fair of Louisiana, earning top honors in a highly competitive field. The event, held at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds, saw participants from across the state vying for prestigious titles.
The Union Livestock team demonstrated remarkable skill and passion, making their community proud. Their achievements at the State Fair of Louisiana highlight the importance of youth involvement in agriculture and the positive impact of such programs.
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Louisiana Choose & Cut Christmas Tree Farms
Finally, a cold front has passed through Louisiana taking the heat and humidity of summer away from the cities of Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. Yeah, the whole state actually felt the "feeling of fall" this weekend.
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LSU AgCenter Crawfish Specialist Gives Outlook For Crawfish Season
With Thanksgiving over, it's almost time for a season that nearly every person in Louisiana's appetite is craving: crawfish season.
Todd Fontenot, a crawfish agent who works with the LSU AgCenter, tells WBRZ he's been talking to crawfish farmers around the state to learn how this season will compare to last season.
He says this year's outlook is much better.
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USDA Expands Revenue Protection To Flax Producers
Flax producers can now benefit from revenue protection, a crop insurance option available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has expanded Small Grains Crop Provisions to now offer revenue protection for flax for the 2025 crop year, which is already offered for barley, rye, wheat and oats.
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Deadline Extended: Apprenticeship Project For Growing Beekeepers & Honey Producers In Louisiana
The deadline to apply for the Apprenticeship Project for Growing Beekeepers and Honey Producers in Louisiana is now December 6th.
The LDAF announced the opportunity to participate in the Apprenticeship Project for Growing Beekeepers and Honey Producers in Louisiana last week.
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Staff Retreat Includes Rest, Relaxation & Rice In South Louisiana
November is a busy time for everyone in the rice industry, and with USA Rice staff scattered across the country serving rice-growing areas (and even traveling around the world), it’s not often that the whole team is able to get together in one place. But earlier this month, the staff found time to meet up in southwest Louisiana for good food, good company, and a bit of adventure.
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Honoring the Tree Farmer of Year
Covering 862 woodland acres in East Feliciana Parish, The Shades Plantation has been a witness to Louisiana’s history since the 18th century.
Located near the community of Wilson, the plantation was established by Alexander Scott in 1796, whose family first landed on America’s East Coast from Galway, Scotland in 1690. Nine generations later, this unique place remains in the hands of a Scott descendant, Jackie Berger Harvey, who continues to nurture this remarkable family legacy.
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Louisiana Christmas Tree Farm Ready for Holiday Rush After Drought Recovery
A Christmas tree farm in Ethel is ready for the holiday rush and happy to keep Christmas traditions alive for families across the state.
Lisa Brabham and her husband Ricky Peairs own Windy Hills Farm and have been growing trees since the 1990s. Last year's historic lack of rain spooked the couple.
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USA Rice Members in DC Attend Reception at Cuban Embassy
Last week, the Cuban Embassy hosted an event commemorating U.S. and Cuba agricultural relations. Cuban Ambassador to the U.S. Lianys Torres Rivera welcomed guests including Rep. Maxine Waters of California, Ranking Member on the House Financial Services Committee, and USA Rice members PJ Haynie III, Meryl Kennedy-Farr, and John Owen to the evening reception. Their participation underscored USA Rice's commitment to normalizing trade relations and expanding opportunities for U.S.-origin rice exports to the island nation.
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Applications Open for Internship Program Giving High School, College Students Hands-on Ag Research Experience
The LSU AgCenter is accepting applications for the Charles and Rose Broussard Internship, a program that gives high school and college students the opportunity to gain hands-on agricultural research experience.
The internship program is named for Charles Broussard, a ninth-generation Vermilion Parish farmer and rancher, and his wife, Rose.
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Dry Early Fall Affecting Pecan Quality for Some Producers
Some Louisiana pecan producers could amass a larger pile of rejected nuts because of abnormally dry weather through the late summer and early fall, said Michael Polozola, the LSU AgCenter state fruit and nut specialist.
A lack of rain just before harvest prevented some pecans from filling out, Polozola said, leading to lower yields for many producers.
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