The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down Louisiana’s second majority Black congressional district in a decision that could open the door for Republican-led states to eliminate Black and Latino electoral districts that tend to favor Democrats and affect the balance of power in Congress.
Read MoreAs the war in Iran rages on, gas prices in the United States hit a four-year high, hitting farmers and truckers the hardest. Since the war started, the cost of diesel has risen by 45 cents, and the longer the war goes on, the more likely it is that the farmers' diesel reserves will run out.
Read MoreA cease-fire in the Middle East has helped lower crude oil prices, but U.S. farmers are still facing sharply higher nitrogen fertilizer costs as global shipping disruptions continue, according to a University of Illinois analysis.
Read MoreThe director of the Gardner Agricultural Policy Program at the University of Illinois says pesticides have become a sticking point in farm bill negotiations.
Read MoreThe Forest Landowners Association (FLA) welcomed bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced yesterday in the U.S. House (H.R. 8538) and to be introduced today in the Senate that would help private forest landowners recover reforestation costs more quickly after natural disasters. FLA says current tax rules slow down replanting after major losses.
Read MoreAccording to the USDA’s latest Crop Progress report published Monday, 8% of the U.S. soybean crop has emerged. This is 7 points higher than the five-year average. According to the March 31 Prospective Plantings report, U.S. farmers are expected to plant 84.7 million acres of soybeans this season.
Read MoreLouisiana soybean farmers are moving quickly to get this year’s crop planted during a key window for yield potential.
Read MoreSecretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.
Read MoreRice delphacid struck hard and fast in 2025 amid an already challenging season. The tiny leafhoppers struck midseason, and farmers had no strategy for control, with delphacid being one of the few insects a pyrethroid application incites rather than ignites.
Read MoreLouisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), funded through the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS).
Applications must be received no later than the close of business (4:30 p.m.) Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Read MoreThe Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is back for 2026 and organizers say this year is expected to be bigger and better than ever.
Read MoreLouisiana moved closer to lifting "zombie" deer feeding bans associated with chronic wasting disease with a bill supported by Hunter Nation and rock legend turned political activist Ted Nugent.
Read MoreTensions in the Middle East disrupting global energy markets are driving up fertilizer prices, creating new pressures for Louisiana farmers while boosting export demand through the state's ports.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing $52 million to help state and tribal governments encourage private landowners to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications through June 8, 2026 on Grants.gov for this program that benefits landowners and the public.
Read MoreCongressional leaders are preparing for renewed debate over the next Farm Bill. Producer organizations are pressing lawmakers to strengthen the farm safety net as growers face weak crop prices, elevated borrowing costs and uncertainty over export demand.
Read More
