In the USDA Crop Progress report released on Aug. 25, 12 states reported soybeans dropping leaves. Here’s a closer look at the 12 states that reported for that crop growth stage.
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An invasive insect pest of rice, the rice Delphacid (Tagosodes orizicolus), has been detected in Louisiana. No adverse impacts on rice have been observed in Louisiana as yet, but the detection is certainly a concern. The inset is a major pest of rice in Texas, particularly late-planted and second crop rice.
Specimens were first detected in July in Tensas Parish. Subsequent surveys detected an infestation in western Calcasieu Parish, but its distribution in the State remains largely unknown. It was not detected during initial observations in other areas of northeast or southwest Louisiana, but its occurrence in those are still being investigated. Producers in Calcasieu and Tensas Parishes should exercise caution to avoid additional spread. Rice straw or hay should not be moved out of these Parishes. Producers in other Parishes that detect possible Delphacid infestations should report the sites to LSU AgCenter extension agents.
More information on rice delphacid biology and management can be found on the LSU AgCenter website.
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In honor of National Farm to School Month this October, Seeds to Success: The Louisiana Farm to School Program and the LSU AgCenter are inviting K through 12 students across Louisiana to showcase their creativity in the 2025 Louisiana Farm to School Art Contest. Students are encouraged to explore Louisiana agriculture and create artwork featuring foods grown in the state, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and seafood.
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FSA makes loans to individual young persons to start and operate income-producing projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA, a Tribal youth group, or similar agricultural youth organization. The project being financed with an FSA Youth Loan needs to provide an opportunity for the young person to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills.
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This week in WBRZ history, six different hurricanes made landfall, putting Morgan City's Shrimp and Petroleum Festival at risk each year.
One particularly devastating storm that struck Morgan City — Hurricane Andrew — made landfall on Aug. 26, 1992. This was one week before the 57th festival.
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Shrimping has been an industry and a tradition for over a century, but for many on the job, there are concerns about what comes next.
Fourth-generation shrimper, St. Mary Councilman, and member of the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, Rodney Olander says shrimping today isn't what it used to be.
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We are very pleased to introduce our 2025 Cattlewoman of the Year, Amelia Kent!
Amelia Kent is a fourth-generation farmer who started her own farm immediately after graduating from Wellesley College. Amelia, her husband, Russell, and their daughter Avery, raise cattle through Kent Farms LLC, located in Clinton, Louisiana.
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In coordination with local, state, and federal officials, environmental sampling and analysis have been conducted following the fire at the Smitty’s Supply Facility. Based on the data currently available, there is no indication of any imminent threat to public health from the soot or smoke residue deposited in the surrounding area.
Out of an abundance of caution, residents are advised to take general hygiene precautions, including washing any outside surfaces that may have been impacted by soot or smoke and practicing good handwashing after contact with outdoor surfaces.
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The Southern University Ag Center will host its 20th Annual Business Development and Procurement Conference October 27-29, 2025. The conference, themed “A Legacy of Leadership: 20 Years of Innovation and Impact,” will be held on the Southern University campus in Baton Rouge, La.
Whether your business is just a dream waiting to be launched or an established enterprise ready to scale, the 20th Annual Business Development and Procurement Conference is the place to be.
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I hope the weather has been treating you well! It looks like we've had enough rain to escape any sort of major droughts in the state, though this recent string of dry days probably has some of you wanting some rain. It looks like we will get plenty in the Friday to Sunday timeframe. Yes that's right, right on the long, Labor Day weekend.
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In honor of National Farm to School Month this October, Seeds to Success: The Louisiana Farm to School Program and the LSU AgCenter are inviting K through 12 students across Louisiana to showcase their creativity in the 2025 Louisiana Farm to School Art Contest. Students are encouraged to explore Louisiana agriculture and create artwork featuring foods grown in the state, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and seafood.
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Political news on Monday included a visit to the KTBS-TV studios from Louisiana 5th District Congresswoman Julia Letlow.
Letlow was here to appear on an episode of the KTBS political podcast “The App-Arklatex People and Politics.” She discussed a variety of topics, including agriculture, which comprises a big part of her district.
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New Iberia's West End neighborhood is one of the city's most impoverished communities. Demarked by South Hopkins Street west of downtown, the West End is where Phanat Xanamane's family first landed when they came to New Iberia from Laos in 1981, as part of a wave of post-Vietnam War resettlement to New Orleans and rural areas of southwest Louisiana.
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Applications are now being accepted for the Louisiana Sea Grant Fisheries and Seafood Leadership Program.
The program launched in 2023 to help enhance leadership in the Louisiana Commercial Fishing and Seafood Industry.
The Louisiana Sea Grant Fisheries & Seafood Leadership Program (FSLP) is a one-year program divided into four, two-day workshops for networking and skill-building. It includes seminars with experts, on-site tours, personal skills improvement, and meetings with business and government leaders in Louisiana.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently identified an instance of a traveler-associated human case of New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reaffirmed its robust surveillance and trapping strategy, confirming there have been no detections of NWS in U.S. livestock.
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