Saddle Microchipping Event Held in Opelousas
Members of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture were in St. Landry Parish on Friday, January 31, to help the Acadiana equine community protect expensive assets.
The agency's Livestock Brand Commission was on hand at Louisiana Equine Sales and Event Center in Opelousas to put microchips in saddles.
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AFBF: New Tariffs Will Impact America’s Farmers
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall expressed alarm about potential harm to farmers resulting from the order signed by President Trump imposing stiff tariffs on the United States’ top three agricultural markets by value. An economic emergency was declared to put duties of 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada, with limited exceptions, as well as 10% on all imports from China. Canada and Mexico both announced they would impose retaliatory measures.
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4-H District Livestock Show 2024-25
On Saturday, February 1, the 2024 4-H District Livestock Show and Sale of Champions was held at the Alexandria Mega Shelter.
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Louisiana Cattle, Goat & Sheep Report: January 2025
All cattle and calves in Louisiana as of January 1, 2025, totaled 720,000 head, were unchanged from January 1, 2024. The calf crop for the full year of 2024 was 325,000 head, down 2 percent from last year. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 425,000 head, were down 2 percent from January 1, 2024.
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Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Fiscal Year 2025 Application Cycle Open
Need help paying off that student debt AND plan on practicing in Louisiana?! Listen up!!
The USDA offers a veterinary medicine loan repayment program (VLRMP) that helps pay off student debt in return for service in areas where there is a shortage of large animal veterinarians. This program allows you to live in attractive locations, while practicing food animal medicine in a more rural setting.
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US Cattle Inventory Down 1%
There were 86.7 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
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How Winter Freeze Impacted CENLA Crawfish Season
Crawfish season is officially underway, but could a recent winter storm have caused temporary delays?
With the snowy weather that swept through the south, cold weather can slow down crawfish activity and make them harder to catch as the ice and snow that covered crawfish crops can make it harder for farmers.
Louisiana Gulf Seafood in Pineville shared its experience with the recent cold weather and how it could have impacted local crops.
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Trump's Influence Dominates American Farm Bureau Convention
As farmers and ag industry types flocked to the American Farm Bureau Federation convention, a man nowhere in sight was getting lots of attention. President Donald Trump’s presence was felt throughout San Antonio’s Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. From the main stage to the exits, and seemingly everywhere in between, there was no escaping the newly re-inaugurated president.
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Hessian Fly Control in Winter Wheat
The Hessian fly, one of the most serious pests of small grain crops worldwide, poses a significant threat to winter wheat grown in the eastern United States. Clemson University scientists are leading efforts to combat this issue.
This research supports the mission of Clemson’s Advanced Plant Technology Program and is part of a broader effort across the southeastern U.S. Similar research trials are ongoing at Louisiana State University, Texas A&M University and the University of Georgia.
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SWLA Farmers Feel the Impact of Historic Freeze
The effects of last week’s freeze are still being felt across the Lake Area, especially in the farming industry.
Many farms reported several inches of snow.
“To see the entire thing covered in white snow, and the trees, it was just a sight I thought I’d never seen here in South Louisiana,” Driftwood Farm Owner Hilery Gobert said.
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Crawfish Industry Lost $140 Million-Can It Recover in 2025?
Crawfish fans all over Louisiana were extremely disappointed in 2024's Crawfish season. From the size of the crawfish to the shock factor of the price at the counter, we all experienced a very disappointing crawfish season in 2024. We can all blame the drought of 2023 for a horrid 2024 season.
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LDAF Accepting Applications For 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), funded through the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS).
Applications must be received no later than the close of business (4:30 p.m.) Friday, March 17, 2025.
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NOTICE: Final Rule - Seafood Consumer Protection
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, pursuant to ACT 148 in the 2024 Regular Session submitted a Notice of Intent with the Louisiana State Register giving public notice that the Department, through the Office of Agro-Consumer Services, Weights and Measures Division, intended to adopt LAC 7:XXXV.Chapter 5. Subchapter C. Seafood Consumer Protection.
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Cotton Prices: Will 2025 Mirror 2024 Trends?
I started attending the Beltwide Cotton Conferences in 1985, so I think this year represents my ruby anniversary. New Orleans was fun – good friends, good food, and lots of discussion about the cotton market. Here are a few points that I picked up on in the Economics and Marketing section.
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St. Helena Students Gain Real-world Skills Through Innovative Career Academy Partnership
In St. Helena, the school district has introduced a new program that will allow high schoolers to better prepare for post graduation. In a parish with limited resources, the district says this will increase the chance for student’s success post graduation.
Health science, agriculture, business management, arts and technology, and transportation and logistics are all realms of the career world that learners at the St. Helena College And Career Academy are getting a jump start on.
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