The Franklin Sun was named Louisiana Farm Bureau Newspaper Of The Year on June 26.
Joe Curtis, The Sun editor, accepted the award on behalf of the staff at the 103rd annual Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention held at the New Orleans Marriott.
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Curious crowds gathered around swabs, microscopes and a simulated military working dog as two young Soldiers stationed at Fort Johnson offered a hands-on glimpse into Army veterinary careers during the 96th Louisiana National FFA Organization Convention, held June 2–3 at the Randolph Riverfront Center and the historic Hotel Bentley.
Assigned to the Fort Cavazos Veterinary Branch with duty at Fort Johnson, Pfc. Bailey Senften and Pfc. Amanda Rivera Miranda spent two days sharing their Army experiences with hundreds of agriculture and science students from FFA chapters across Louisiana.
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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plan to strategically reopen key ports of entry to shipments of live cattle, bison, and horses. This decision was made by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins following a New World screwworm assessment by USDA staff in Mexico and ongoing conversations between Secretary Rollins and the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture.
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USDA’s Planted Acres report issued on June 30 showed that U.S. cotton growers have planted an estimated 10.1 million acres of upland and Pima cotton in 2025 – down 10% from 2024’s final acreage figures.
The report reflects a 2.3% acreage increase from USDA’s Prospective Plantings estimate of 9.87 million acres on March 31.
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For the third year in a row, members of the Louisiana 4-H Shooting Sports Team are reigning national champions after defeating competitors from across the United States.
The team has placed first in five out of the past six national competitions, including 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024 with a second-place finish in 2022 and the 2020 event being canceled due to COVID restrictions.
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Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry agents arrested a Port Allen man for stealing over 100 sacks of crawfish in May of 2024.
Ricky G. Hasbert, 54, was arrested on June 30 for the alleged crawfish theft. LDAF said he is accused of not paying for 135 sacks of crawfish, estimated to be worth over $8,800, that he received from a Pointe Coupee Parish source in May last year.
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Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot issued the following statement to members of the U.S. House of Representatives:
“Food, shelter, clothing, and fuel give every American the luxury to chase their dreams, rather than chase their necessities. These securities are provided by American farmers and ranchers across this country.”
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Federal food policy changes and a homegrown farming innovation that’s improving water quality in Acadiana highlighted this week’s Sugar Conference at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s 103rd Annual Convention.
The two-hour session drew growers, processors, and policymakers from across the state to hear updates on issues shaping the future of Louisiana’s $4 billion sugarcane industry. While several speakers focused on farm policy and economic conditions, two key topics stood out.
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A crop duster landed upside down in a cane field south of Lockport.
According to Lockport Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Chief Armand Autin, a crop duster spraying insecticides on cane fields “soft crashed” about seven miles south of Lockport in a cane field about noon Tuesday.
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Sixteen Baton Rouge-area students and educators recently completed the second annual Camp CRISP, a two-week experiential learning program hosted by the LSU AgCenter as part of the Climate Resilient Innovations for Sustainable Production of Rice (CRISP Rice) grant.
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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Senate passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“Farm Bureau applauds the U.S. Senate for passing the reconciliation package. Farmers and ranchers are the foundation of America’s food supply chain, and they need the certainty that this legislation will provide. Improvements to farm safety net programs that reflect today’s agricultural economy and maintaining important tax provisions will directly benefit farm and ranch families.”
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The USDA recently released its annual Acreage Report which provides markets with a more accurate idea of spring planting progress and what potential supply implications may be in store for the 2025 crop year. On the demand side, USDA also released its Quarterly Grain Stocks report which shows usage rates between March 1, 2025 and June 1, 2025. These changes in supply levels will impact 2024/25 ending stocks and 2025/256 beginning stock levels which will subsequently be reflected in the July report.
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The American Farm Bureau Federation, with support from Farm Credit, is seeking applicants for the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence. The award recognizes U.S. military veterans or service members for excellence in farming or agriculture and positively impacting local communities.
The honoree will receive a $10,000 cash prize plus reimbursement in travel and other expenses incurred for him/her and one guest to attend the American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, Jan. 9-14, 2026.
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The Louisiana Agricultural Workforce Development Program (LAWDP) is now accepting applications for the 2025 – 2026 program year from qualified agricultural and forestry businesses interested in participating in the program.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for July 2025, which are effective July 1, 2025. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
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