Middle East Tensions Threaten Global Farm Input Flows
Escalating tensions between Iran and Israel have reignited concerns about global energy and input flows through the Middle East, placing renewed geopolitical stress on one of the world’s most critical shipping routes: the Strait of Hormuz. On June 22, Iran’s parliament voted in favor of closing the strait following U.S. and Israeli military airstrikes. Although tensions appear to have temporarily eased, the situation remains volatile, and disruptions to petroleum and fertilizer shipments could resume with little warning.
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US Heading To Record Ag Trade Deficit
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit is widening in 2025, driven by shifting global trade dynamics and rising import demand. USDA's Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade: May 2025 report provides projections for exports and imports, offering insight into current trade trends. From January through April, the United States imported $78.2 billion in agricultural products while exporting just $58.5 billion. This $19.7 billion deficit is the largest ever recorded for the first four months of a year and signals that the 2025 deficit could surpass previous records.
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Louisiana Farm Bureau Set for Record-Breaking 103rd Annual Convention
The Louisiana Farm Bureau is gearing up for its largest annual convention ever, with over 1,500 farmers and their families registered to attend the four-day event in New Orleans.
The 103rd LFBF convention will take place from June 26-29 at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal St. High-profile elected officials, including 5th District Congressman Clay Higgins, are slated to attend. Members will also participate in officer elections, attend a wide variety of conferences, and witness the crowning of the next Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen.
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Mainland Rum – California and Louisiana
Seth Benhaim, known for his impactful entry into the spirits scene with Broken Barrel Whiskey, is now making waves with his latest venture under Badwater Brands: Mainland Rum. This innovative project aims to independently bottle rum distilled right here on the American mainland.
Mainland Rum launched in May 2025 with its inaugural releases, including a 10-year-old Mainland Rum Louisiana Single Cask and a 9-year-old Mainland Rum California Single Cask.
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Ruston Farmers Market Celebrates a Flavorful Tradition at the 2025 Peach Cookery Contest
The Ruston Farmers Market and Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen were full of energy and excitement on Thursday, June 5, as community members gathered for the annual Peach Cookery Contest, a beloved tradition held in conjunction with the Louisiana Peach Festival.
Sponsored by Park Haus, the event celebrated local culinary talent with a delicious array of pies and cobblers featuring the region’s favorite fruit, peaches.
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Letlow Files Bill Directing Tariff Revenue to Farmers
Congresswoman Julia Letlow has filed legislation to support American agricultural producers impacted by disruptions to the global trade market.
The bill would create a dedicated fund, administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, to provide a timely and targeted safety net for American farmers and producers.
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USDA Announces $26.5 Million In Grant Funding Available through The Local Agriculture Market Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $26.5 million in grant funding available through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) to help local and regional food entities develop, coordinate, and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets, and local food enterprises.
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Hurricane Laura Still Affecting Hunters Due To Tree Debris, Feral Hogs
Hurricane Laura wreaked havoc in woodland areas, taking the tallest trees and turning them into nothing but stumps.
Those very trees not only provided habitat for many of Louisiana’s native animals, but it also served at the foundation for hunters’ tree stands.
Tree stands were abandoned in the debris.
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Crescent Soil Board Winner Erica Johnson Speaks Out After Controversial Election
For the first time since a highly controversial election stirred widespread public debate, the winning candidate for the Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District Board, Erica Johnson, is speaking out.
The district, established decades ago, held its first election this past Saturday, an event marred by reports of numerous voters being turned away at the polls and subsequent calls for a redo.
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LSU Kicks Off Search to Fill Presidency by Announcing Search Committee
LSU announced the members of its presidential search committee who’ll oversee the process for selecting a new university president after former President William Tate IV left for the same job at Rutgers in May.
The committee is made up of 19 members, many of them business leaders from around the state.
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Fire Ant Quarantine: What Every Louisiana Resident Needs to Know
With summer in Louisiana comes hot temps. Really hot temps. And with the hot temperatures comes mowing, grilling, and fire ants.
And fire ants cause more harm and damage than just painful stings. For some reason they are extremely attracted to electricity. When we built our house in North Bossier years ago, we were outside city limits, so we had to have a well. And one soon discovers that fire ants love to find their way into electrical boxes and circuits and cause electrical shorts, or even fires. Hence, another reason for the Federal Fire Ant Quarantine.
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Farm Bureau Applauds Suspension Of Burdensome Labor Rule
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Department of Labor suspending a rule dubbed the Farmworker Protection Act, which failed to live up to its name and was initially struck down by a district court.
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USDA To Survey Cattle Operations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed the July cattle survey to about 18,000 cattle operations nationwide to provide an up-to-date measure of U.S. cattle inventories. This is the first July cattle survey mailed to producers since the reinstatement of key reports was announced earlier this year.
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Rising Stars: Saddling Up For Success
This week’s Rising Stars are six junior high athletes who are set to compete at the National Junior High School Rodeo Finals.
Over the course of the season, the athletes have found success from the close connections formed with their horses.
The road to success has not always been easy, but the athletes have broken through the barriers and continue to reach for the stars.
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This Louisiana Program is Training Educators to Build Connections Between Students and Local Food
For Carl Motsenbocker, Farm to School is more than just a program. It's about local food systems and working to teach children and feed children within a local food area.
For more than 20 years, he has recruited LSU students and his own family to help plant gardens in local schools. Back in 2014, he attended a Farm to School conference in Austin, Texas, and realized Louisiana would be a perfect place to implement the Louisiana Harvest of the Month pilot program.
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