I want to give you an update on all the work your leadership and staff are putting in on the row crop assistance asks you’ve likely been reading a lot about. While there is no definite news to share, only rumor, we have been very active in trying figure out the best path to getting commodities suffering unprofitable market conditions some support to make it into 2026.
Read MoreThe sugarcane harvest season has begun, and the crop plays a big role in Louisiana’s economy.
“So far, we’re looking at great conditions. It’s a little bit dry, and the cane is dehydrated. Yields are down a little bit more than what we expected, but the sugar levels are reall,y really good,” sugarcane farmer Chad Hanks said.
Read MoreFollowing USDA guidelines regarding the current government shutdown, the National Cotton Council (NCC) has analyzed and listed the status of programs and operations most relevant to the U.S. cotton industry.
Overall, the NCC anticipates that most USDA activities will be shut down or scaled back, and nearly half of USDA’s employees will be furloughed. However, most activities supported through mandatory appropriations or user fees will remain in operation.
Read MoreOn September 30, the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act (H. R. 5620) was again re-introduced by House Agriculture Committee member Rick Crawford (R-AR) with Louisiana Representatives Troy Carter (D-LA) and Clay Higgins (R-LA) as co-sponsors.
Read MoreA national effort to combat New World screwworm that includes producing sterile flies in the U.S. via electron beam, or eBeam, is underway between Texas A&M AgriLife and the Office of Radiological Security, which is part of the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Read MoreFoster Poultry Farms LLC has announced a recall of nearly 4 million pounds of chicken corn dog and turkey products.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the products might be contaminated with foreign materials, specifically pieces of wood in the batter.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Strategic Partnerships and Veterans Outreach Program is set to host a Farmer Resource Fair.
Attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights into available grants and loan opportunities, as well as strategies to enhance farming benefits.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it received 1,300 applications for the 2025 Black Bear Hunting Lottery. LDWF black bear biologist John Hanks says the 2024 hunt drew 973 applications. He says interest was higher this year, because more of the state is open to bear hunting during a two-week-long season in December.
Read MoreOf all the grand beliefs held by American farmers, this one has always stood out: The world, and China in particular, needs American grain.
That may no longer be the case.
Read MoreThe 2025 planting season was marred by considerable challenges. Farmers in the Midsouth faced historic flooding in April that forced replanting across a significant portion of the Mississippi Delta.
Read MoreEarly indications are that foreign cotton producers will reduce the area devoted to cotton production in 2026. However, the mass of planted area reductions would come from major foreign producing countries, as U.S. plantings should see a minimal increase due to an abnormally low carryover in the U.S.
Read MoreFor more than 30 years, LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant coastal specialist Mark Shirley has been leading the five-day camp, which teaches Louisiana students about the importance of marsh and coastal environments. It’s split into four-week groupings every July.
Read MoreLouisiana Congressman Clay Higgins and Gov. Jeff Landry are asking President Trump and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to add New Orleans to the agency's list of five new regional hubs.
Rollins and Trump announced in July that they would decentralize the U.S. Department of Agriculture by dramatically shrinking its Capitol work force in Washington and creating five regional hubs.
Read MoreAgri-Pulse's Noah Wicks reported that "water levels in parts of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers are likely to reach critically low stages soon, forcing shippers to light-load harvest-season grain barges for the fourth year in a row."
"Readings on the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois, have already fallen below that gauge's 'low threshold,' while those on the Mississippi River at Memphis, are projected to do so by Tuesday," Wicks reported. "With harvest season already underway, agricultural shippers are being forced to load their barges lighter due to the threat of low water conditions developing in coming weeks. 'We've had low water levels for four years in a row now,' said Mike Seyfert, president and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association. 'What I would say is, it certainly doesn't make things easier.'"
Soybean growers this week are set to hear details of a potential bailout. The White House is promising to make farmers a “fortune” after their largest buyer, China, left the market and has not returned.
Meanwhile, critical services are on hold as the government shutdown continues. The Senate will gather this afternoon for another vote on a continuing resolution to fund the government.
Read More
