A Secretarial disaster designation was issued for Louisiana due to drought, making farm operators in primary and contiguous parishes across Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi eligible for Farm Service Agency emergency loan assistance.
The drought, classified as a Fast-Track disaster, began on April 14. Farmers have until Jan. 4, 2027, to apply for these emergency loans.
Read MoreLouisiana is a top U.S. rice producer and exporter, with over 60% of its roughly 400,000-acre annual crop shipped internationally, valued at approximately $360 million.
One of those producers, Supreme Rice in Crowley, is the state’s largest rice milling operation. Supreme processes over 1 billion pounds of rice annually, and ships worldwide to more than 50 countries.
Read MoreThe USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation says the agency is addressing concerns about ag data security in the One Farmer One File initiative.
Read MoreFarm banks remained a cornerstone of the rural economy in 2025, providing critical financing to farmers, ranchers, and small agricultural operations across the country.
Read MoreThis Secretarial 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.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation recently selected an outstanding group of leaders in agriculture as the organization’s 13th Partners in Advocacy Leadership class. AFBF designed PAL to help agricultural leaders accelerate their engagement abilities and solidify their roles as advocates for agriculture.
Read MoreFarmer sentiment dropped in April as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index declined from 127 in March to 121. The Current Conditions Index fell by 11 points, while the Future Expectations Index decreased by 4 points.
Read MoreThe National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is backing new legislation that would establish federal labeling standards for plant-based and cell-cultivated protein products, arguing consumers deserve clearer information at the meat case.
Read MoreTechnology continues to play an integral role in today’s agriculture sector, but as data use grows, so does the threat of ransomware attacks targeting the food and agriculture supply chain.
Read MoreMother's Day is coming up, and if you're planning a crawfish boil, we have some good news.
Read MoreThe state capital of Louisiana was turned green and blue last Tuesday as Louisiana 4-H and FFA Capitol Day brought nearly 500 high school students from across the state to Baton Rouge for a day of learning, leadership, and civic engagement.
Read MoreAll eyes shifted to the U.S. Senate after the House passed its farm bill last week.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture is ramping up wildfire preparedness ahead of the 2026 fire season, directing the U.S. Forest Service to strengthen response efforts and protect rural communities.
Read MoreAshley Walker can tell you about real estate and landscaping and pressure washing and fleet washing, all small businesses she owns.
Her family history, though, is filled with dirt- the kind you amend, till and plant vegetables in. “I have a horticulture license. I'm also an avid gardener, grew up on a farm.
Read MoreScattered strong-to-severe storms will return to the northern half of the state on Wednesday with a "SLIGHT Risk" for severe storms.
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