Cow Country Reporter: September 2025

There is one word that fully describes the cattle market: HIGHER! Who would have thought that according to USDA, The National Weekly Feeder and Stocker Summary for the week ending August 23, 2025, showed 400-700 lbs. steers bringing $650.00-$700.00 per head more than the same time a year ago in the Southeast region. Many are saying the market will go higher. Again, PLEASE don’t get caught with a cow herd that has an average age of over 10 years.

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LivestockAvery Davidson
Members Named to CWD Task Force

The Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Task Force officially named its members Thursday, Sept. 4.

The task force was created during the 2025 Louisiana Legislative Regular Session to study and recommend best practices for managing and mitigating CWD in the state.

The 21-member panel includes a state senator, a state representative, a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries commissioner, officials from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), a veterinarian from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and representatives from the Louisiana Landowner Association, Natural Resource Management Association, Louisiana Forest Association, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Louisiana Farm Bureau, private industry, and landowners.

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Eyes On Mississippi River Levels: A Developing Situation

Year-over-year Mississippi River levels at St. Louis and Memphis are currently measuring above last year. But, without significant rain in the forecast and concerns for the volume of water coming from the Ohio River valley into the lower Mississippi, this could elevate levels of concern, particularly in the next few weeks.

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Weatherdon molino
Rural Cooperative Development Grants

The purpose of the RCDG program is to enable nonprofit institutions to establish and operate centers for rural cooperative development (Center). The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping nonprofit organizations who in turn provide technical assistance to start, expand, or improve cooperatives and mutually owned businesses in rural areas.

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Rice Delphacid Has Become A Serious Pest In U.S. Rice Production

The Rice Delphacid (RD) is an invasive insect that has been a serious pest in rice in Central and South America and in the Caribbean. It was discovered in Texas in 2015 and has caused damage sporadically since that time. However, in 2025, the level of infestations and damage has increased significantly. The insect is also a vector of a disease called Rice Hojo Blanca Virus (RHBV). 

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Rice Leadership Development Program Application Period Ends Today

The application period for the 2026 Rice Leadership Development Class ends today, September 5.

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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Ricedon molino
Local Food Movement Powers Louisiana Ranch's Success Story

Growing great land and cattle in the semitropical sandy soils outside New Iberia, La., is a generational touchstone for the Gonsoulin family. Shannon Gonsoulin and his wife, Toni, represent the most recent group of Gonsoulins ranching on family ground — a tradition beginning in 1784, when French land surveyor Jean Francios de Beaumelle Gonsoulin became the first family member to register the F2 brand.  

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Livestockdon molino
Across the Country, American Families, Workers Benefit From the One Big Beautiful Bill

During the August District Work Period, Speaker Johnson and House Republicans delivered the good news of the One Big Beautiful Bill in Congressional Districts across America.

In Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, Speaker Johnson participated in a panel discussion with Louisiana farmers to discuss how the One Big Beautiful Bill delivers for American agriculture and explained how the One Big Beautiful Bill will help Louisiana families keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.

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kristen oaks