Louisiana Ag Commissioner Outlines Path to Federal Aid for Flood-damaged Farms
Louisiana's agriculture commissioner met with flood-affected farmers in Opelousas on Monday, urging them to meticulously document their losses as crop damage from catastrophic flooding in Avoyelles and St. Landry parishes climbs into the millions of dollars.
Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain traveled to Opelousas to outline the steps farmers must take to access state and federal assistance following flooding that inundated miles of farm fields and forced livestock to seek higher ground about a week and a half ago.
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Southern University System Strengthens Partnership with St. Kitts and Nevis During Official Visit
The Southern University System continued to advance its growing international partnership with the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis during an official visit to the Caribbean nation, where Interim President Orlando F. McMeans met on June 25 with Prime Minister, the Honorable Dr. Terrance Michael Drew, to discuss expanding collaboration in higher education, agriculture, research, and workforce development.
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2026 Sugar Notables Announced
Sugar Journal is happy to announce the 2026 Sugar Notables – the 5th year to celebrate the careers of several sugar technologists in the global sugar industry.
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President Trump Takes Action to Lower Fertilizer Costs and Support American Farmers
President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation temporarily suspending countervailing duties (CVDs) on certain phosphate fertilizer imports, providing immediate relief to American farmers while advancing the Administration’s broader strategy to strengthen America’s fertilizer supply chain.
The temporary suspension will increase phosphate fertilizer availability, improve competition, and help lower one of agriculture’s largest production expenses while supporting a stable and reliable fertilizer supply ahead of future planting seasons.
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Time’s Up
The recent announcement from Riceland Foods that they were temporarily shuttering nine of 23 rice dryers was shocking. The fact that Producers’ Rice Mill has indicated they may pause operations at two of their dryers as well is confirmation that this is not a headline to skim past. Nor is it a sign of poor leadership – in fact, it’s the exact opposite. These are sound management decisions in a brutal year – and that should be a wake-up call for policymakers and legislators.
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Farmers Applaud Executive Order to Suspend Tariffs on Fertilizer
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on President Trump’s executive order to lift countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizers from Morocco through early next year.
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ASA Statement on Supreme Court Decision Regarding FIFRA and Pesticide Labeling
The American Soybean Association released a statement following today’s decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in Durnell v. Monsanto, a case addressing whether state failure-to-warn claims can override federal pesticide labeling decisions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The Court ruled that FIFRA and federal labeling requirements preempt state failure-to-warn claims.
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Innovations, Updates, and Awards Abound at Rice Field Days in Louisiana
Field days abounded earlier this week throughout rice country in southern Louisiana.
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Farmers in Avoyelles Parish Lose Crops, Livestock in Flooding From Tropical Storm Arthur
Nine days after Tropical Storm Arthur hit parts of Louisiana, farmers in Avoyelles Parish are still dealing with the aftermath of widespread flooding.
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This Lafayette Chef Just Beat 12 Competitors To Become Louisiana’s Seafood King
Lafayette chef Kris Allen has been crowned the 2026 King of Louisiana Seafood after winning the 19th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off.
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Iran Fund Dispute Raises Questions for Us Agriculture
An ag economist says uncertainty continues to surround a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran.
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USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in la Impacted by Recent Flooding
Agricultural operations in Louisiana have been significantly impacted by recent flooding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.
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Louisiana Farm Bureau Ask, Letlow Efforts, Finally Come to Pass in Senate Legislation
A long-standing priority of Louisiana Farm Bureau and years of advocacy by Congresswoman Julia Letlow have culminated in legislation that will soon become law.
Upon President Trump’s signature of the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act, critical disaster recovery reforms for Louisiana farmers, ranchers and forest landowners will take effect. That will bring faster recovery when farmers are most in need.
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Shrimp Mislabeling Rate Rises in New Orleans Restaurant Testing
Imported shrimp is still being sold as American wild-caught at New Orleans restaurants despite a series of Louisiana laws aimed at forcing seafood transparency, according to new genetic testing commissioned by the Southern Shrimp Alliance.
SeaD Consulting tested shrimp dishes from 44 randomly sampled New Orleans restaurants in May, according to a release from the company. The testing found 33 restaurants served authentic American wild-caught shrimp, while 11 served imported shrimp.
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Sugarcane Considerations Following a Flood
A mid-June tropical disturbance (remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur), combined with a stalled frontal system, produced record-breaking rainfall and significant flooding across south-central Louisiana. The highest rainfall totals were recorded in Avoyelles, St. Landry, and northwestern Pointe Coupee parishes.
Sugarcane is a key component of the diverse cropping systems in these affected areas.
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