About UsMore about us and what we do.
SubscribeBegin your subscription today.
ArticlesFarm safety, animal care & more...
Reproductive Diseases Can Cost You
Reproductive Diseases Can Cost You Dr. Jeremy Powell, Assistant Professor and Veterinarian Sometimes we don’t realize the danger that is lurking around the next corner. Just when you get through the breeding season & you’ve got all the cows settled, it hits. A major abortion storm sweeps through that wipes out next year’s calf crop, & you’re left with the questions: What could have caused this? How can you... read more
Herd Health Program for Meat Goats
Herd Health Program for Meat Goats Jodie A. Pennington, Extension Dairy Specialist, Jeremy Powell, Extension Veterinarian
Importance of Health Program An effective animal health program is an essential part of a successful meat goat management program. Good feeding & breeding will not result in maximum production if goats are not kept in good in health. Since each herd is a different situation, each owner should work with their veterinarian to create their own herd health plan. Keep... read more
Preconditioning, Still a Good Option?
Preconditioning, Still a Good Option? Brett Barham, Ph.D In times of increasing costs and decreasing revenue, does spending more money to produce a calf really make sense? The answer is yes, if that increase in cost is more than offset by increased revenue. Preconditioning calves is not some new trend that is going to fade away. In reality, it is now more the norm than the exception. Study... read more
Fly Control Has Been Challenging This Year
Fly Control Has Been Challenging This Year Jeremy Powell, DVM, and Dr. C.A. Tucker, Livestock Entomologist Fly problems started early this year for cattle producers and have continued to be a challenge. Heavy fly infestations can cause stress to your cattle, leading to poor weight gains and decreased milk production. Flies can also spread disease-causing pathogens, leading to pinkeye or mastitis in cattle. Estimated losses from horn flies cost U.S. cattle producers nearly $900 million each year. A USDA... read more
Practice Cell-Phone Safety
Practice Cell-Phone Safety
An increased reliance on cell phones has led to a rise in
the number of people who use them while driving. A survey released by the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company in January 2007 found that 73 percent of the 1,200 drivers interviewed talk on cell phones while driving. Unfortunately,
countless others use cell phones to read and send text messages while driving.
Talking on your cell phone — or worse, texting — spells
danger when... read more
Pre Trip Check List for Horse Trailers
Pre Trip Check List for Horse Trailers TIPS for Controlling Mold in your barn -Add vents to your barn Bareback Riding Tips 1. When choosing a bareback pad, pick one without stirrups. Stirrups on a pad are unsafe because pads slip when you put more weight in one stirrup than the other. Follow 7 principles for a sustainable landscape One of the LSU AgCenter’s many educational efforts is the Louisiana Yards and Neighborhoods program for gardening and landscape enthusiasts. LYN – through its literature and demonstrations – tells how to maintain sustainable landscapes and follow best management practices in home horticulture. LYN centers on seven landscape principles: putting the right plant in the right place; watering efficiently; maximizing mulch and recycling yard waste;... read more The USDA Farm Values Post First Decline Since 1987 Economic, Environmental, Public Policy, and Production Issues are Important to Louisiana’s Poultry Industry Forestry Situation (Provided by Dr. Mike Dunn) Disaster Preparedness for Louisiana Livestock Producers Christine Navarre, DVM, LSU AgCenter, Theresia Lavergne, Associate Professor, LSU AgCenter As August begins, it’s a good time for livestock producers to review their readiness in the event of a disaster. The largest threat this time of year would be a hurricane, but preparation for hurricanes can help producers prepare for other disasters (fire, hazardous spills, & animal disease outbreaks to name some potential disasters). It must be... read more Hot Chicken Cheese Bread Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve. In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. 'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked. 'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress. The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. 'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.... read more Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path. Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts... Building Partnerships In Our Poultry Industry: I would like to preface this writing with the fact that I am not a poultry farmer, nor is my family in the poultry business….merely a concerned citizen and friend. I would also like to issue a statement of gratefulness to the Foster Farm’s family. Thank you for providing an opportunity for our neighbors to go back to work. I fully realize your company is combating a problem it didn’t create, my prayer is of hope that your business will continue to grow. February... read more
❑ Wheel bearings. Have wheel bearings serviced
annually or ever y 12,000 miles — regardless of
mileage — due to possible moisture build-up.
Carry a spare wheel-bearing set in case of
premature failure.
❑ Tires. Look for dry rot, uneven tire wear, and
overall tire wear and damage. Replace tires every
three to five years, regardless of mileage.
❑ Tire pressure. Check tire pressure on all tires, TIPS for Controlling Mold in your barn
-Never stack hay on the ground -Windows and skylights allow more sunshine
-Keep grain in airtight containers
-Insulate barn with vapor barrier Bareback Riding Tips
2. To improve your balance, try to sit up straight and limit the amount that you squeeze with your knees. Don't use your reins for balance. Follow 7 principles for a sustainable landscape
The USDA Farm Values Post First Decline Since 1987
The USDA’s Agricultural Land Values and Cash Rents Annual Summary, released August 4, shows U.S. farm property losing some value over the past year, after more than two decades of steady gains. Farm real estate values, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $2,100 per acre on January 1, 2009, down 3.2 percent from 2008. The 3.2 percent decrease from 2008 is the first decline in farm real estate value since 1987, according... read more Economic, Environmental, Public Policy, and Production Issues are Important to
Theresia Lavergne, Ph.D., P.A.S., Associate Professor – Poultry, LSU AgCenter
A survey was conducted to determine the opinions of commercial poultry producers, integrator representatives, allied industry representatives, regulatory personnel, and academic personnel concerning issues facing the poultry industry in Louisiana. Respondents were asked to rate ten items within four categories of... read more Forestry Situation
There are still plenty of reasons to remain pessimistic about the general forest products economy in the southern United States. Timber Mart South, in their second quarter, 2009 summary, reported the following: • The South wide average pine sawtimber price is at its lowest point since 1993. • Pine chip-n-saw prices are at their lowest point since 1991. • The South wide average hardwood sawtimber price is the lowest in five years. • The Forest Business... read more Disaster Preparedness for Louisiana Livestock Producer
Hot Chicken Cheese Bread
Loaf of French bread - Slice in half lengthwise. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Mix, 1/3 cup sour cream &1/3 cup mayo, add Garlic salt and Parsley to taste. Mix with a can of chicken , crabmeat or shrimp. Spread over cheese on bread. Bake at 400° until Hot Third Important Lesson
Fourth Important Lesson
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the... read more Fifth Important Lesson
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a
hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who
was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only
chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing... read more Building Partnerships In Our Poultry Industry:
