Teal Jones Mill Officially Acquired by Sumitomo Forestry
Sumitomo Forestry Co. officially announced it has acquired 100 percent of interests in the Teal Jones Louisiana Holdings through its Sumitomo Forestry America Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary.
"With these acquisitions, we will begin the launch of our first timber industrial complex*1 in the US. In addition to dimension lumber*2 and other materials to build houses and multi-family residential buildings in Louisiana, this complex will consider manufacturing mass timber*3 to maximize the value of wood through the cascading utilization of logs where nothing goes to waste. Harnessing the synergy effect with our existing US operations in residential property development, real estate development and FITP,*4 we are aiming to further grow our businesses in the US," according to a press release.
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One Big Beautiful Bill: Notable Changes for Agriculture
President Trump signed H.R. 1 also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act” on July 4, 2025. The OBBB Act contains a much-needed update to commodity and crop insurance programs- with some of those improvements beginning with the 2025 crop year. However, the agricultural-related provisions of the OBBB Act extend beyond the farm safety net to include several tax-related benefits for farm operations. This report highlights selected provisions of the OBBB Act.
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Record-Breaking Turnout at 19th Annual Watermelon Classic Livestock Show in DeRidder
Youth livestock exhibitors from not only Beauregard Parish but across Louisiana and Mississippi gathered in at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds in DeRidder recently for the 19th Annual Watermelon Classic Livestock Show, a cherished tradition in Beauregard Parish. This year’s event reached a milestone with an impressive 638 junior entries, making it the largest turnouts in the show’s history. This year we added Adult Showmanship with an additional 44 entries. Making our total entries 682!
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Farm Security is National Security: The Trump Administration Takes Bold Action to Elevate American Agriculture in National Security
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the next pillar of her Make Agriculture Great Again initiative: USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan. This historic plan elevates American agriculture as a key element of our nation’s national security, addressing urgent threats from foreign adversaries and strengthening the resilience of our nation’s food and agricultural systems.
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Rice Wins with Enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
On Friday, the Fourth of July holiday, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act, officially known as H.R. 1), which concluded a frenzied two weeks of legislating, lobbying, and advocacy aimed at getting the bill across the finish line. For rice farmers, there have been several key policy wins that USA Rice has been advocating for since the farm bill reauthorization process began in 2022.
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2025 Sugarcane Variety Performance
Sugarcane varieties are the lifeblood of the Louisiana sugar industry. Therefore, variety selection is one of the most important decisions on the farm — a decision with long-term consequences. The goal is to maximize profitability on every acre of the farm for each year of a long crop cycle.
Sugarcane variety choices for planting in 2025 are many. L 01-299 and HoCP 14-885 will continue to be widely planted by producers across the Louisiana sugar industry. L 15-306 and HoL 15-508, new variety releases from 2022, should occupy a moderate portion of your planting acreage because of excellent stubbling ability and yield potential.
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Why Louisiana Is Seeing More Black Bear Sightings Than Ever Before
Louisiana’s woods and bayous are buzzing with excitement as black bear sightings reach record numbers across the state.
Once teetering on the brink of extinction, these magnificent creatures are making a remarkable comeback in their native range. Wildlife officials and residents alike are adjusting to this new reality where encountering a Louisiana black bear is becoming increasingly common.
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Louisiana Forage Farmer: Summer 2025
Winter annual forages are adapted for grazing, green chop, hay, and silage production in Louisiana. Each year, scientists at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center conduct performance trials to evaluate the forage production of annual ryegrass, small grain forage, and legume forage varieties. Trials are conducted at various Louisiana State University Agricultural Center research stations throughout the state to provide information on the performance of varieties under varying soil and climatic conditions.
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Heart of Louisiana: Louisiana Watermelons
The watermelon picking starts at sunrise. The idea is to pick the ripe melons before the day gets too hot. It’s a summer job for several young men who walk through knee-deep vines looking for ripe melons. Caleb Mathews has been picking watermelons for the past six years.
“This brown spot, we call that a cue. Now two of them are dead. You pick it, plus hear that sound. That sound’s a good spot. And it’s got this sun spot on it as well. Another indicator that it’s ready,” said Mathews.
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Zaunbrecher Takes Over As USA Rice Farmers Board Of Directors Chair
With their two-year terms ending later this month, the chairs of two USA Rice governing boards handed their gavels to colleagues from other rice growing states. Fred Zaunbrecher, a rice and crawfish farmer from Acadia Parish in Louisiana was unanimously elected to serve as the new chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors, taking over from Texas’s LG Raun, and California rice farmer Josh Sheppard handed the reins of the USA Rice Council Board of Directors to Mississippi’s Carter Murrell who farms in Washington County.
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Congress Passes Reconciliation Bill With Long-Awaited Farm Safety Net Improvements For Rice Farmers
After more than 24 hours of non-stop action in the U.S. House of Representatives, Speaker Mike Johnson and White House leadership helped secure passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) by a vote of 218-214.
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Kennedy Supports Trump Administration's Engagement on Agricultural Trade Priorities
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.
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LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station To Host Horticulture Field Day July 18
The 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.
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Cow Country Reporter: July 2025
Don’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.
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Rice Leadership Development Program Now Accepting Applications
The 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.
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