Avian Influenza Detections Drop, But Fall Migration Looms
Over 175 million birds and 1,075 dairy herds have been affected by the current strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) since it began in February 2022. Detections of HPAI in both poultry and dairy cattle have slowed over the summer months with zero detections in commercial poultry flocks and just one dairy herd detection in the last 30 days. This Market Intel provides an update on the status of HPAI and what to watch for as the fall migration season approaches. Migratory birds moving south along flyways are the most likely to spread HPAI, which survives better in cool conditions, making fall a likely time for HPAI flare-ups.
Read More
Disaggregation Decision A Positive Step In Labor Reform, Duval
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented Friday on a federal court decision that vacates a burdensome and unfair disaggregation labor rule, which is part of the 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate Rule.
Read More
Grants & Funding From LDAF
Get funding and other assistance for farming, firefighting, forestry, business recovery, and more.
Read More
US Rice Farmers Facing 37% Decrease In Prices
As the U.S. rice harvest hits full speed in late August and early September, growers are facing the stark reality that U.S. rice prices are 37% lower than they were at the beginning of the 2024 season.
When Keith Glover, the president and CEO of Arkansas-based Producers Rice Mill, cited that number in a speech to the Little Rock Rotary Club in early August, some analysts questioned it. Glover stands by the percentage.
Read More
Mexico Reports 53% Surge in Screwworm Cases
Cases of New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that infests livestock and sometimes humans, have risen sharply in Mexico. According to Mexican government data cited by Reuters, as of August 17 there were 5,086 recorded infestations in animals — a 53 percent increase in just one month, with 649 active cases.
Read More
Local Grain Prices Responding To Lack Of China Demand
An ag economist says the increased trade tensions between the U.S. and China are starting to negatively impact soybean prices.
Read More
The Year that Stunned Louisiana: An Oral History of the LSU AgCenter Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
When Hurricane Katrina hit the coast on Aug. 29 and Hurricane Rita followed on Sept. 24, much of south Louisiana sustained tremendous damage. The storms caused more than 1,100 deaths, according to the Louisiana Department of Health; displaced several communities; and led to $108 billion in damage, according to the National Weather Service. LSU AgCenter economists estimated that the state’s agricultural sectors sustained nearly $1.6 billion in losses from the storms.
Read More
Case Farms Acquires Foster Farms’ Louisiana Operations
Case Farms has completed the acquisition of Foster Farms’ Farmerville, Louisiana complex, marking a strategic expansion of its poultry operations.
The deal covers the Farmerville Fresh Chicken, Prepared Foods and Protein Conversion facilities, along with a feed mill in Arcadia and a hatchery in Athens, Louisiana. Both companies said they will work to ensure a smooth transition for employees, customers and suppliers.
Read More
12 States Report Soybeans Dropping Leaves
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.
Read More
Rice Delphacid Detected In Louisiana For The First Time In >70 years
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.
Read More
Louisiana Students Invited To Celebrate Agriculture In Annual Farm To School Art Contest
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.
Read More
USDA Youth Loans
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.
Read More
The Shrimp & Petroleum Festival's History With 6 Major Hurricanes
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.
Read More
Shrimpers Worry About the Future of Industry in the State
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.
Read More
Amelia Kent Named 2025 Cattlewoman of the Year
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.
Read More
