Patrick Johnson is well aware of what he’s getting into this year as the newly elected chairman of the National Cotton Council (NCC).
He’s been handed a plate overloaded with farm policy and political issues (including a screaming need for a new farm bill), continued economic distress at the farm level, and market challenges from foreign competitors, export customers, and manmade fibers — just to name a few.
Read MoreThis report contains the results from the Crop Progress and Condition weekly survey
Read MoreAs Americans observe Earth Day this week, the environment is on farmers’ minds year-round. In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall reminds us that farmers are the original conservationists
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau today presented House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) with AFBF’s Golden Plow award. The Golden Plow is the highest honor the organization gives to sitting members of Congress. This is the second Golden Plow award for Chairman Thompson. He was previously honored in 2014.
Read MoreIf your corn planter would do a better job in the field being hitched to a boat this week, it’s obviously too wet to plant.
However, there are times when soil conditions are less than ideal and farmers decide – because of the calendar or insurance or whatever – to move ahead with planting. What then?
Read MoreIf you are tired of battling the wind this spring, you’re not alone. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports the windiest start to spring on record, and with wind gusts continuing to grip much of the country, it’s causing headaches for farmers trying to spray herbicide this spring.
Read MoreAmid the rapid erosion of Louisiana’s coast, something hopeful is happening where the Atchafalaya River meets the Gulf. A flow of sediment from a decades-old river diversion has accidentally given birth to new wetlands.
While that small delta is dwarfed by what’s washing away all around it, researchers have gained knowledge from Wax Lake Delta that could help save the rest of Louisiana’s coast and contribute to a better understanding of wetland science across the globe.
Read MoreThe Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for pork products after determining that they could be contaminated with metal.
The alert affects pork carnitas products produced by Cargill Meat Solutions earlier this month, on April 1-2, and sold in Aldi stores nationwide.
Read MoreWith warmer temperatures, our lawns are certainly growing now, but weeds have been rapidly emerging, too. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg and AgCenter turf specialist Eric DeBoer discuss how to control existing cool season weeds and emerging warm season ones.
Read MoreIn a decisive move to protect public health and support Louisiana’s seafood industry, Representatives Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Troy A. Carter (D-LA) have reintroduced the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act of 2025. The bipartisan bill would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clear authority to destroy contaminated food imports, eliminating the current option to re-export them.
Read MoreOil and dispersant on the water's surface in the Gulf of Mexico on May 20, 2010, a month after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill began. (Credit Image: © James Edward Bates/TNS/ZUMA Wire)
Today marks 15 years since the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill began off the Louisiana coast.
Read MoreYou might recall this viral stunt from when it was announced last spring: John Deere and tech influencer David Cogen (@TheUnlockr) joined forces to set the New York-based journalist up as a row crop farmer for an entire growing season. Using 20 acres of prime Iowa farmland, Cogen’s mission was to find out if he could accomplish what farmers must achieve to put food on America’s dinner tables: turn planted crops into cold, hard cash.
Read MoreThis newsletter contains the latest agricultural policy happenings from the recent quarter.
Read MoreAs a rice farmer from California, it was a privilege to tour in one of the most dynamic and innovative rice-producing regions in the world, exploring the rice industries in Texas and Louisiana to see how our partners in the south approach rice farming, milling and trade. It gave me valuable insights into the similarities, differences, and challenges we all face in this industry.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for summer planted crops, annual forage and forage seeding. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major sales closing dates are May 1, July 15, and July 31.
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