Foreign Footprints: Trends in U.S. Agricultural Land Ownership
Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land, which includes timberland, remains a widely debated and often controversial topic, fueled by concerns about the implications of foreign investments — especially those from nations viewed as adversarial to the U.S. Since our previous analysis, Foreign Investment in U.S. Ag Land – The Latest Numbers, two additional years of data — 2022 and 2023 — have become available.
This article updates the trends in foreign ownership, revealing a 1.58-million-acre increase in foreign-held agricultural land between 2022 and 2023, driven primarily by investments linked to renewable energy projects.
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Tournament Rule Provides More Transparency for America’s Farmers
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the final USDA poultry tournament rule under the Packers & Stockyards Act.
“Farm Bureau appreciates USDA’s commitment to bringing greater fairness to farmers who raise poultry under the tournament system.”
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Despite Falling Production Costs, Depressed Commodity Prices Likely to Keep Farm Margins Tight in 2025
As farmers begin making plans for the upcoming growing season, many are bracing for the likelihood of another year marked by tight margins.
“Production costs for 2025 are estimated to decrease for the second consecutive year, which is good news,” said LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto.
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USDA Grants More Than $70 Million to Protect Crops and Natural Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing an investment of more than $70 million in 357 projects in Fiscal Year 2025 through the 2008 Farm Bill’s Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 program. The work will strengthen the country’s defenses against plant pests and diseases, safeguard the U.S. nursery system, and enhance pest detection and mitigation efforts. Universities, states, Tribal organizations, federal agencies, and others will manage these projects in 49 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
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Is Louisiana Prepared to Fight its Next Wildfire Outbreak as Los Angeles Burns?
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said his agency is better equipped to fight the kind of wildfires devastating California than it was in 2023 during Louisiana's worst wildfire season in a century.
"We've upped our game," said Strain, whose agency oversees wildland fires in Louisiana, in an interview with USA Today Network Tuesday.
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USDA Invests $2 Million to Provide Risk Management Training to Farmers, Ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced up to $2 million is available for cooperative agreements for risk management training programs that support American farmers and ranchers.
This funding provides the needed resources for organizations such as universities, county cooperative extension offices, and nonprofit organizations, to develop education tools to help producers learn how to effectively manage long-term risks and challenges.
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Legacy of Leadership: Pete deGravelles′ Impact on Agriculture Lives On
Pete deGravelles’ legacy is deeply intertwined with agriculture, community service and leadership. Throughout his life, deGravelles had a strong commitment to nurturing future leaders, not only in the agricultural sector but for all organizations in which he was involved.
Two of his daughters, Renée DeMoss and Diane Trull, are honoring their late father by establishing the Pete deGravelles Ag Leadership Endowment to support the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Leadership Development Program.
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LDWF To Launch Rainbow Trout Season In 17 Parishes On January 14th
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Rainbow Trout Season will be stocked in all of 17 of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Get Out and Fish Ponds.
In addition, the Beginner Rainbow Trout Fishing course is also available for those needed to learn tips and tricks for catching novelty fish.
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Coming Soon: The LSU AgCenter & 4-H Livestock Show
Cenla students will soon get the chance to showcase their hard work and talents at the upcoming 4H Livestock Show.
Jessie McDowell, a market lamb exhibitor from Deville, has been showing her animals in 4H for eight years.
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Louisiana Farm & Ranch: January 2025
Thanks to Buck Leonards and the team at Louisiana Farm & Ranch for making the digital edition available.
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Rice Seed Availability Tightens Even More For 2025
Planted rice acreage that was once predictable has shifted patterns, with acres inching higher the past three consecutive years. That, in addition to hurricane weather, tightened seed supply for one of the largest players in the market.
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New Law Aims to Support La. Seafood Industry
A new law is now in affect across the state requiring restaurants to provide transparency on where they are sourcing their seafood.
Louisiana Law Act 148 became effective on Jan. 1, and requires restaurants that serve seafood to have the origins of their seafood listed on their menus.
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Provisia® Rice: Past Lessons Set Stage for Future Success
We hope to see you in Memphis, Tennessee on Jan. 27 at the Conservation System Cotton & Rice Conference at the Hilton Hotel East Memphis, where Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag CEO, will be leading two conference breakout sessions entitled Provisia Rice: Past Lessons Set Stage for Future Success. During these session, Dr. Walker will share key learnings from recent seasons that can help rice farmers best manage Provisia varieties and the Provisia Rice System for the 2025 season.
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US Cotton Growers: Enroll Now For Sustainability Programs
U.S. cotton growers can now enroll in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and apply for the Climate Smart Cotton Program for the 2025 crop year. Grower enrollment specialists are available to provide personalized, regional-specific support, answer questions, and guide producers through the process
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USDA Announces 2025 Enrollment Periods For Crop and Dairy Safety-Net Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the 2025 enrollment periods for key safety-net programs – Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) as well as Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). Agricultural producers can submit applications to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) for ARC and PLC for the 2025 crop year from Jan. 21 to April 15 and for DMC for the 2025 coverage year from Jan. 29 to March 31.
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