Farm Bureau Applauds Congress for Full Passage of Continuing Resolution
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the full passage of the continuing resolution that includes economic and disaster aid for farmers and a farm bill extension.
“Farm Bureau thanks the House and the Senate for finding common ground and passing legislation that will keep the government open and help farmers who are struggling with natural disasters, high supply costs and out-of-reach interest rates. For many farmers, the disaster relief provided through the CR will be the difference between planting for another year or going out of business.
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USDA Announces Final $300 Million In Automatic Assistance for Distressed Farm Loan Borrowers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the final approximately $300 million in assistance to distressed direct and guaranteed farm loan borrowers under Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past two years, USDA acted swiftly to assist distressed borrowers in retaining their land and continuing their agricultural operations.
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LSU AgCenter Veterinarian Urges Caution Amid Rise In Bird Flu Cases
Louisiana has recorded the nation’s first severe human infection of H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This development highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting both human health and the state’s animal industry as well as backyard flocks
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House's New Funding Bill to Avoid Shutdown Fails in Fast-track Vote
House Republicans tried and failed Thursday evening to fast-track a measure to keep the government funded through a maneuver that required a two-thirds majority, pushing the government closer to a shutdown.
The new deal would extend government funding for three months, suspend the debt limit until January 2027 and provide $110 billion in disaster aid. It also includes health care policy extenders, funding for rebuilding Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge and a renewal of the farm bill for one year.
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The Farm Bill is Years Overdue
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain discussing the importance of self-reliance and the Farm Bill. Strain emphasizes the need for countries to achieve self-reliance to buy American products, highlighting the strength of the U.S. dollar. He notes that while countries need to be self-reliant, the U.S. must help them achieve this to maintain trade relationships.
Strain outlines the U.S. strategy to diversify trade by engaging with smaller, less-traveled countries, moving away from reliance on major partners like China.
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Burned Body Found in Louisiana Sugar Cane Field
An investigation is underway after a body was found in a Louisiana sugarcane field on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, a sugarcane farmer discovered the body in his field.
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'Tariffs Not Enough' to Save U.S. Shrimping Industry
The U.S. International Trade Commission recently approved tariffs on frozen warm water shrimp imports from Ecuador, India, Vietnam and Indonesia, aiming to counteract the damage these imports are inflicting on the domestic shrimping industry.
David Chauvin, a Louisiana-based seafood company owner, highlighted the disparity.
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Acadia Parish County Committee Elections
Acadia Parish U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that County Committee elections are over, and the ballots have been counted.
Mr. Ross Thibodeaux was elected to represent local administrative area LAA 1.
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LSU AgCenter & College Of Agriculture Announce 2024 Faculty & Staff Award Winners
The LSU AgCenter and LSU College of Agriculture recognized outstanding faculty and staff during an award ceremony held Dec. 18 at Nelson Memorial on the LSU campus. Recipients were honored for their contributions to research, extension and teaching.
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Avian Influenza Detected In Second Louisiana Backyard Flock
On December 13, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced the detection of the first presumptive positive human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana. Following a report of increased mortality in the non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) on the property in southwest Louisiana, testing by Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL) has detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the flock.
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Bird Flu Found in SWLA Backyard Flock After Person Hospitalized
Bird flu has been detected in a backyard flock in Southwest Louisiana after a person exposed to the flock tested positive for the illness.
The SWLA resident was the first person in the state diagnosed with H5N1 and became the first person in the U.S. with a severe case of the disease in the current outbreak. They are hospitalized in Louisiana in critical condition, health officials said Wednesday.
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Farm Bureau to Congress: Stand Up for Farmers in CR Dispute
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall delivered a letter to Congress urging elected leaders to stand with farmers as they reconsider the contents of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government and potentially offer a lifeline to farmers and ranchers. Below are excerpts from the letter.
“Any alternative Continuing Resolution (CR) must include: a farm bill extension, aid to rebuild after natural disasters, economic assistance to bridge the gap until we can get to a new farm bill, and year-round E-15 sales.”
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Tensas Parish Farm Service Agency Announces County Committee Election Results
Tensas Parish Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that Donnie Vandeven of Saint Joseph was elected to represent local administrative area (LAA) # 02.
Sylvester Davis of Saint Joseph will serve as the first alternate.
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Crawfish Season Starts Early, Sparking Hope for Farmers After a Bad Year
Move over, Christmas – crawfish season has arrived.
It’s here much earlier than usual, as harvesting operations across the state usually begin around January.
This is great news for fans of crawdads, especially compared to last year when a severe drought affected crawfish farms across the state, leading to a surge in prices and shorter inventory.
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New Wasting Disease Deer Death Prompts Concerns, Warning
If you enjoy getting in some hunting over the winter months, there's a new alert out about a fatal disease in deer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) killed a deer in a captive herd in Jefferson Davis parish in early November. This, in addition to nearly two dozen cases detected in deer in the wild in Louisiana, has brought on the heightened concerns.
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