With the threat of tariffs being thrown left and right, many farmers here in Southwest Louisiana are feeling uncertain.
“It is indeed the biggest problem we are facing, the uncertainty of what is going to happen in the market, the tariffs are on, then the tariffs are off,” said local farmer Hilery Gobert
Read MoreLast week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) released the 2025 Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) allocations, with USA Rice receiving nearly $5 million, in addition to the $6.5 million in Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) funds allocated at the end of last year.
Read MoreIf you participate in USDA programs, including our farm loan and conservation programs, it’s time to start preparing for tax season. It is important to not overlook USDA payments when calculating your taxes. USDA issues documentation for your taxes, including 1098 forms for USDA farm loans and 1099 forms for program payments.
Read MoreApplications are now open for the Southern University College of Agricultural, Human and Environmental Sciences Beginning Agricultural Youth Opportunities Unlimited (BAYOU) Summer Program.
The program targets rising high school seniors who have completed 11th grade and graduating seniors (incoming college freshmen) and provides first-hand knowledge about career opportunities in Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Business, or the natural sciences.
Read MoreSchool nutritionists are raising alarms about the future of school meals for children, as recent and potential cuts by the Trump administration loom.
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced cuts to two programs that allowed schools and food banks to acquire food from local farms, a move that experts warn could jeopardize vital connections between schools and local agricultural communities.
Read MoreLouisiana Tech University has named Dr. Paul Jackson the new director of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry. Jackson, a faculty member with more than 12 years of experience at the University, brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and leadership to his new role.
Read MoreThe United States Department of Agriculture awarded Louisiana Tech University a $300,000 grant for a research project. Louisiana Tech officials say the grant will fund their efforts in monitoring and investigating the upcoming Forest Products Innovation Center on campus.
Read MoreAgriculture is a major industry in Louisiana, and I’m proud to be a champion of our farmers and ranchers in Washington D.C. I recently asked President Trump’s new Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, to enhance access to foreign markets for Louisiana rice exports. As a leading rice-producing region, Louisiana producers play a key role in growing the national food supply and strengthening our rural economy. Additionally, I recently had the honor of meeting with an outstanding group of young farmers from Louisiana while they were visiting Washington to advocate for pro-agriculture policies.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop producers that the application period for the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program for program year 2025 opened Jan. 1, 2025, and runs through Jan. 31, 2026. The program has been expanded to include medium-sized businesses in addition to small businesses. Eligible specialty crop growers can apply for assistance for expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification.
Read MoreDesigned for beef cattle producers with 10 years of experience or less and for people interested in starting a beef cattle operation. This is a hybrid course with video materials and in-person workshops.
Read MoreAgriculture is an integral part of everyday life and its vital contributions will especially be highlighted March 17-21, 2025 during the annual Louisiana Ag Week.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement to begin efforts to clarify how EPA will implement the Waters of the United States rule to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v. EPA.
Read MoreCrawfish production enterprises, like other farm enterprises, require advanced planning to make production decisions that are likely to result in profit. The purpose of this report is to provide production costs estimates for crawfish enterprises. These estimates may assist producers in making decisions and obtaining adequate financing. Crawfish production and its associated costs should not be interpreted as averages for producers in the industry. The purpose of the cost projections is to provide guidelines whereby producers and others with an interest in crawfish production costs can make.
Read MoreSome seafood restaurants and markets in the area are beginning to have trouble meeting crawfish demands for customers due to the shorter supply in recent weeks.
Jody Galley has been in the crawfish industry for 22 years. He said his seafood market is having trouble supplying crawfish due to the lack of catch available.
Read MoreNearly 100 youth exhibitors from throughout Louisiana gathered at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena from February 27 – March 1, 2025 for the Southern University Ag Center’s 82nd Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show.
The exhibitors showed around 130 breeds of cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, goats, and poultry during the event. The winners took home cash prizes, premiums, banners, ribbons, rosettes, and trophy belt buckles.
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