USA Rice hosted a delegation of eight South American importers and industry representatives here for a firsthand look at the U.S. rice industry. The delegates hailed from Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.
The mission began with an industry dinner in Little Rock where USA Rice members discussed export possibilities, rice varieties, and characteristics preferred by South American consumers. The group then headed south for the remainder of the trip.
Read MoreSometimes a simple message can make a difference. That was the idea behind a 4-H suicide prevention project in Calcasieu Parish that started with markers, coffee sleeves and a group of 4-H’ers hoping to spread encouragement.
Read MoreIn Louisiana, 2026 has definitely been the year of the insect. Now this doesn’t mean we’ve had widespread yield losses and control failures, but instead we’ve seen insects do things we don’t normally expect. South American Rice Miner showed up pretty consistently in most fields and didn’t go away.
Read MoreThere has been an abundance of ear rots reported in Louisiana throughout this growing season. As the harvest window is winding down, and with many growers already finished with harvest, I have heard of one reoccurring issue in particular: aflatoxin. There have been reports of heavy docking and even loads being rejected at the elevators. In addition to this, there are now many growers who are planning to store their grain who have been inquiring about storage guidelines for infected grain.
Read MoreA priest blessed this year’s sugarcane crop at Gonsoulin Farms outside New Iberia, a tradition that marks the official start of the grinding season.
Fr. Keith Landry of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church used holy water for the blessing on Friday, Sept. 25, as those gathered prayed for a safe and bountiful harvest. A drone was also used to spray hard-to-reach areas of the field during the ceremony.
Read MoreLong before football fans fire up the grill, stir a pot of jambalaya or gather around sweet treats on gameday, Louisiana farmers are working hard to make those traditions possible.
Rice, beef, crawfish, poultry and sugar are staples of Louisiana cooking, including countless dishes served before kickoff each week.
Read MoreU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Louisiana’s sugarcane industry Friday, touring the Louisiana Sugar Cane Cooperative (LASUCA) in St. Martin Parish and meeting with Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot and industry leaders to discuss the state’s agricultural economy and challenges facing farmers.
Read MoreThe drought continues to expand and intensify. 85% of Louisiana is under at least moderate drought conditions with 25% experiencing severe drought conditions. I know that math seems weird, but the 25% of the state in the severe drought would qualify for “at least” moderate drought. So it’s really dry once again. I think that’s all about to change.
Read MoreU.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Louisiana State Director Troy Romero today announced the agency is awarding a $200,000 grant to Cockeyed Farms to expand processing, marketing, and distribution of its American-grown elderberry products.
“As the first elderberry farm in Louisiana, Cockeyed Farms is already bringing innovation to our state’s agricultural production,” said Romero. “With this investment, and so many others like it, USDA is backing producers that put in the hard work to build new markets and create jobs in their rural communities.”
Read MoreWith fall upon us, many a Louisianan’s mind turns to that first piping hot pot of gumbo simmering on the stove. But if the cotton jassid (Amrasca biguttula) has its way, one favorite ingredient — okra — may have to be left off the ingredient list.
Fortunately, LSU AgCenter researchers, armed with U.S. Department of Agriculture funding, just might save your mamaw’s recipe.
Read MoreUSDA is targeting shortages in small meat processing capacity as ranchers in some areas face long trips to get cattle harvested. Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears says about 80% of U.S. beef processing capacity is concentrated among four major processors.
Read MoreLouisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission inspectors have arrested a 51-year-old Bastrop man on three counts of theft of livestock following an investigation involving registered Highland cattle.
Read MoreLouisiana drivers continue to pay more than $4 a gallon for regular gasoline while diesel prices remain near a state record.
AAA reported Thursday that Louisiana’s average price for regular gasoline was about $4.03 per gallon. Diesel averaged about $6.01 per gallon.
Read MoreSoybeans, sorghum, and other U.S. farm goods are expected to be high on the agenda at this week’s summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, joining rare earths trade and artificial intelligence as a focus of contention.
Read MoreThe American Farm Bureau Federation on Thursday called on President Donald Trump to roll back the additional 300,000 metric tons of beef imports authorized by his administration. The group cited new data showing little change in retail ground beef prices since the lower-tariff imports began entering the United States.
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