The Surprising Role of Oil & Gas in Sustaining Louisiana’s Rice Industry
Chevron has a longstanding partnership with Ducks Unlimited. Chevron's initial $175,000 investment in 2013 helped launch the Rice Stewardship Program and fuel its expansion across all six rice-growing states: Louisiana, Arkansas, California, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. To date, Chevron has invested over half a million dollars, and the program has impacted more than 800,000 acres across 1,000 farms, including in 11 Louisiana parishes: Beauregard, Allen, Evangeline, St. Landry, St. Martin, Lafayette, Acadia, Jefferson Davis, Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermilion.
Read More
Which States Won and Lost in the Latest USDA Crop Progress Report?
Based on the most recent condition ratings for corn and soybeans reported by USDA, there are clear “winners,” or states with the highest rated crops, and “losers,” or states with the lowest rated crops.
Three top soybean-growing states reported that more than 80% of their crop was in good or excellent shape, but one of them dominated. USDA reported that 92% of Louisiana’s soybean crop was in good/excellent condition.
Read More
4-H Hall of Fame Ceremony Highlights Dedication to Youth Development
Rosy Williams Bromell said if she can do something well, she probably learned it in 4-H. Bromell was one of 12 honorees inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony held Aug. 9 at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock, Louisiana.
“I learned how to sew a little, how to cook, how to judge livestock, how to show cows and pigs and how to speak,” Bromell said. “I think the biggest thing that 4-H gave to me was my ability to be a leader.”
Read More
Moving Cotton Harvest Equipment Into Louisiana Is Restricted Without Proper Inspection
As Louisiana cotton producers move into cotton harvest season, Louisianians will see an influx of cotton harvest equipment moving into and through the state. To protect our cotton producers from the reintroduction of boll weevils, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) implements restrictions for all cotton harvest equipment entering the state.
Read More
Farmers Applaud Common-Sense Approach To Diesel Engines
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement that it will revise Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) guidelines for manufacturers of heavy trucks and off-road equipment. Manufacturers will be directed to update software in equipment that uses DEF to prevent them from losing power.
Read More
Louisiana Beekeepers Association Meets August 22-23 In Pineville
The Louisiana Beekeepers Association (LBA) will have their 63rd Annual Convention at the Country Inn & Suites, Pineville, LA - August 22-23, 2025. The event will begin Friday morning at 9 a.m. and conclude Saturday at 3 p.m. Doors open at 8 a.m.
Read More
LSU AgCenter Plant Doctor Says Recent Southern Red Oak Tree Symptoms Are Unlikely To Be Oak Wilt
In southern Louisiana and Mississippi, oak trees are a common, beautiful sight in the natural landscape. However, recently, southern red oak trees have been showing concerning symptoms that resemble disease.
LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh wants to ensure that homeowners and foresters do not panic.
Read More
The Farmer's Forecast: Typical Summer Weather
It’s time to take a look at what’s going on in the world of weather! Spoiler alert, it looks pretty much like typical summer weather. That means highs generally in the 90s, lows in the 70s, and scattered storms each day. No need to dress that up too much. I do think we will see higher rain chances through Thursday, and then things become a bit more isolated into the weekend.
Read More
Don't Look for Raccoons! This Bossier Farm Is the New Flower-Picking Gem
After driving past the sign for what felt like the hundredth time, I finally pulled over to see Raccoon Bend Farms for myself, right here in Bossier. And spoiler alert: there are, in fact, zero raccoons for petting. However, you can walk through a field of flowers and pick your own, and honestly, that brings just as much joy, if not more.
When my friend and I decided to check out this Bossier gem, we had no idea what to expect.
Read More
Acadia Parish Farm and Distillery Featured on Cowboy Channel’s ‘Farms of America’
A local farm using its own rice to make whiskey and vodka was featured on “Farms of America” on the Cowboy Channel Monday night.
Frugé Aquafarms is a full service seafood company covering major markets in Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma, which began when Mike and Mark Frugé first started crawfish farming to make money in college.
Read More
Regular Maintenance Requirements for All CRP Contracts
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to conserve farmland for future generations while providing habitat for wildlife, reducing soil erosion, and improving water quality. Regular maintenance on CRP acres is needed to ensure the acreage continues to provide conservation benefits and remains in compliance with the CRP contract.
Read More
Rice Stewardship Program Helps Keep Louisiana Rice Farming, Wildlife Thriving
From the fields of Louisiana to kitchens across the country, rice is a staple in the Bayou State.
For many family farmers, rising costs and changing conditions are making it harder to keep the crop — and a way of life — alive. That’s where the Rice Stewardship Program comes in.
Read More
Louisiana Master Farmer Program Wins 2025 Conservation Innovation Award
The Louisiana Master Farmer Program has won the prestigious 2025 Conservation Innovation Award from the Soil and Water Conservation Society for its work in advancing conservation practices across the state.
The Louisiana Master Farmer Program has provided voluntary certification opportunities for producers and landowners across the state for more than 24 years.
Read More
2025 USA Rice Outlook Conference Tackles ‘The Future’ In New Orleans
The largest rice-specific event in North America, the USA Rice Outlook Conference, is heading to New Orleans later this year and registration opened today. As always, the conference will feature a mix of insightful speakers, carefully curated educational programming, business meetings, a 24,000 square foot exhibit hall, and networking events in the city Travel + Leisure Magazine has ranked the #2 destination in the United States.
Read More
Good Week For Cotton Prices, But Bears Maintain Control
Cotton’s good news: the December futures contract settled the week near the upper end of last Friday’s trading range. That’s always a good sign, and the first one that suggests prices might be higher tomorrow. Good news also came in the form of a 24-point increase in prices for the week.
Read More
