Wednesday, President Trump announced that he’s invoking his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 and signing an Executive Order imposing reciprocal tariffs on nearly every country across the world. The Executive Order finds that underlying conditions, including both tariff and non-tariff barriers of foreign trading partners, have caused a threat to the national security and economy of the United States.
Read MoreSometimes I wonder why there is a need for one special day—Earth Day—to celebrate the bountiful natural resources surrounding us in Florida or anywhere else.
On my family’s farm we achieve Earth Day objectives throughout the year, guided by respect for the blessings natural resources provide. We must conserve and protect natural resources to grow food and sustain our farm for future generations.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on President Trump’s announcement that the United States will impose reciprocal tariffs on trading partners.
“Trade is critical to the success of farmers and ranchers across the country. We share the administration’s goal of leveling the playing field with our international partners, but increased tariffs threaten the economic sustainability of farmers who have lost money on most major crops for the past three years.
Read MoreLouisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited four subjects for alleged commercial fishing violations on March 26 in Terrebonne Parish.
Agents cited Luis Martinez, 39, of Chauvin, and Darrell Luke, 60, of Dulac, for possessing over the limit of immature female crabs. Agents also cited Tyler Melancon, 23, of Bourg, for failing to possess commercial fishing licenses while engaged in commercial fishing activity. Agents also cited Tyler Luke, 42, of Chauvin, for possessing over the limit of immature female crabs and failing to possess commercial fishing licenses while engaged in commercial fishing activity.
Read MoreIn this episode of Talking Total Farmer Health, our host Linda Emanuel speaks with Dr. Tara Haskins about the importance of keeping naloxone on the farm. Check out this episode to hear about what naloxone is, who it helps, and why it's important to have on hand!
Read MoreThe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated April 2025 as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month. This year’s campaign spotlights how citizen-driven, cost-efficient strategies can protect one of our Nation’s most valuable assets: healthy, abundant crops.
Invasive pests are sneaky and can hitch a ride unseen on everyday items, from outdoor gear and vehicles to agricultural products bought online from overseas.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for FY 2026 and accepting applications for four export market development programs. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service has opened funding opportunities for the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC), and Emerging Markets Program (EMP) that will help U.S. agricultural producers promote and sell their goods internationally.
Read MoreDozens of tiny black weevils cling onto a fern plant as it is tossed onto a leafy green mat coating the surface of South Africa's Crocodile River.
Those weevils aren't tossed into the river by accident: scientists hope that the insects and their larvae will munch their way through the green mat, which is made up of an unwanted, invasive South American aquatic plant called Salvinia minima.
Read MoreA recent collaborative study between the Audubon Sugar Institute and Louisiana State University (LSU) demonstrated the potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to analyze the quality of sugar cane. In this study, led by Kevin McPeak of LSU, the researchers used NIR spectroscopy to test whether it can analyze sugar cane despite the presence of extraneous matter (EM) (1). The findings have significant implications for the global sugar industry, which is valued at approximately $78 billion annually (1).
Read MoreWith heavy rain showers in recent days across much of Louisiana, you may have noticed that crawfish are showing up on roads and highways, and it's not because the water overflowed from the pond they were in.
For years, I have noticed that crawfish sometimes show up on roadways that are near the ponds where they are harvested, and I never really knew why or what may have forced them from those ponds.
Read MoreCaldwell Parish native Lucas “Luke” Stamper was recently named the new wildlife specialist for the state after serving as the LSU AgCenter regional wildlife and forestry contact for northeast Louisiana.
Stamper, who said he knew he wanted to be a wildlife biologist in high school, received his Bachelor of Science in wildlife ecology from LSU before getting his master’s degree at the University of Louisiana Monroe.
Read MoreFarming is risky, ARC and PLC can help! You may be eligible for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, which provide vital income support to farmers who experience substantial declines in crop price or revenue.
Read MoreLSU’s AgMagic is inspiring a new generation of agricultural awareness one plate at a time.
AgMagic is an event hosted by the LSU AgCenter, created to educate students from kindergarten to third grade about Louisiana Agriculture through interactive and hands-on learning experiences. The event ran from March 24 to 28 for school groups and March 29 to 30 for the general public.
Read MoreLast spring, the McNeese State University Biology Department began exploring the idea of establishing a native Cajun prairie somewhere on campus. Firestone Polymers offered to collaborate on the project.
Cajun prairie is part of the Western Gulf Coast Prairie ecosystem which historically spanned the entire shoreline in Louisiana and Texas. Less than 1% of this ecosystem currently remains and exists in small, isolated patches throughout the region.
Read MoreDeRidder corn and wheat farmer David Smith said he wanted to try out something new this year on his farm. He started tinkering with the idea of adding cover crops over small acreages but wanted to expand it to hundreds of acres.
"It is not a money-making thing. In fact, you spend money. You just want to improve your soil," Smith said.
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