Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) led 54 of their colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. The letter commends the Trump administration for ongoing efforts in trade negotiations and advocates for robust market access on behalf of American farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will host its annual horticulture field day July 18.
Visitors will hear from experts about their research endeavors and have the chance to see an array of plants during a tour of the station’s sprawling trial gardens.
Read MoreDon’t forget to send in your CPL dues for fiscal year 2025-2026. Thank you for your support. If you didn’t receive a renewal notice with a form in the mail, please contact me.
The first week in July the bulk of the auction markets will be closed in the U.S. this includes the Louisiana and Mississippi auctions.
Read MoreThe Rice Leadership Development Program gives future leaders a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. The class attends four one-week sessions over a two-year period that encompasses studies of all aspects of the rice industry through firsthand observations. They also attend seminars and workshops designed to strengthen leadership skills.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreCurious 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreUSDA’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.
Read MoreFor 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.
Read MoreLouisiana 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.
Read MoreLouisiana 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.”
Read MoreFederal 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.
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreSixteen 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.
Read MoreAmerican 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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