In Karuna Kharel’s LSU AgCenter food microbiology lab, pecans are better protected, freeze-dried strawberries are safer and smoked and canned oysters are safely on the menu. The researcher focuses on improving the safety and quality of Louisiana commodities, with particular attention to low-moisture foods like nuts and freeze-dried products.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for July 2026, which are effective July 1, 2026. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
Read MoreSugarcane field days have long been a summer tradition across Louisiana’s cane belt, providing growers an opportunity to see research firsthand and hear directly from scientists, extension specialists and fellow farmers.
Read MoreAmerica’s farmers are facing a labor crisis. Continued agriculture workforce shortages threaten farmers’ ability to grow the food families rely on. Many labor challenges are addressed in new legislation introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson. The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 builds on recommendations of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group and modernizes the H-2A visa program by expanding access to a year-round workforce and eliminating unpredictable swings in wage rates, among other changes.
Read MoreThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday finalized registrations for a slate of new crop protection products, a move farm groups say will give growers additional tools to fight resistant weeds and disease pressure ahead of the 2027 growing season.
The agency also announced a separate effort to gather input from farmers and other agricultural stakeholders on registered pre-harvest desiccation uses in wheat, a review tied to an executive order from President Trump directing EPA to ensure such uses remain aligned with safety and environmental standards, including accurate product labeling.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalizing the registrations of new pesticide products that provide farmers with additional tools to protect their crops.
Read MoreUSDA’s much-anticipated Acreage Report was released on June 30th. Corn acreage stayed large, but lower-than-expected corn and wheat stocks gave traders enough demand support to trigger relief buying and short-covering after a sharp June selloff.
Grain markets treated the Acreage and Grain Stocks reports as less bearish than the headline corn acreage number first suggested. USDA pegged corn planted area at 95.343 million acres, above the average pre-report trade estimate near 94.99 million acres, with harvested area for grain forecast at 87.434 million acres.
Read MoreAfter spring planting is complete, agricultural producers in Louisiana should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) parish office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline.
Read MoreCrews are working to contain a four to five acre brush fire on Cox Road near Fairview Alpha, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
NPSO said the fire possibly began due to a downed power line in the area. About 75% of the fire has been contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
Read MoreCongressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced the Establishing and Developing University Cannabis Agriculture Techniques and Excellence (EDUCATE) Act. This bill creates pathways for minority students to explore and study jobs in cultivation, research, business, and policy sectors of the legal marijuana market.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Tuesday announced that it does not expect to purchase and sell sugar under the Feedstock Flexibility Program for crop year 2025, which runs from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026.
Read MoreLast week, Louisiana rice farmer Fred Zaunbrecher, who serves as chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors, joined Arkansas rice farmers Tim and Robin Ralston and other agricultural leaders from across the country for dinner at the White House Rose Garden Club hosted by President Trump.
Read MoreIt is difficult to sit in the chair today, with December futures trading at 75-76 cents. I have procrastinated as long as I can in trying to get the market above 80 cents. I again suggest growers seek protection on any movement above the 79-80 cent level.
Read MoreLouisiana'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.
Read MoreThe 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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