February 2011 Articles

Archives by Months

Knock Out Roses require care

Knock Out roses require care Source: LSU AgCenter Many home gardeners and landscape professionals have been talking about the landscape performance of Knock Out roses this spring and summer. We went through a very significant non-blooming time this spring, which was unusual for Knock Out roses. They are the best-blooming landscape shrub rose on the market. So, what happened? Initial bloom on the Knock Out rose varieties was significant and impressive this spring. Normally Knock Out roses almost... read more

Farmers Must Use all Tools to Tell Their Stories

Farmers Must Use All Tools to Tell Their Stories Source: www.fb.org By Cyndie Sirekis
As an increasing number of farmers and ranchers recognize the value of forging connections with their non-farming customers, many are changing the way they communicate. With millions of Americans using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media platforms as their primary source of information about the food they eat and how it’s produced, farmers are proving wise to dive in and join them. But... read more

Trader Missions Help us Keep our fingers on the Pulse

Trader Missions Help us Keep our Fingers on the Pulse Source: Ag Agenda, Bob Stallman , President, American Farm Bureau Farm Bureau leaders recently made two trade missions to very different parts of the world. The first trip, to China and Korea, was spent sharing information on the farming practices of our vastly different cultures, while furthering trade relations. The second trade visit, to Geneva, was an opportunity to meet with world trade representatives, reminding them that U.S. agriculture... read more

Horse camping tips

Horse camping tips This season, you’ve promised yourself you’ll make the leap. You’re ready to camp with your horse — well, for just one night. You’ll camp beneath the stars before a day of riding. When you arrive at your destination-of-rest, you won’t hear vehicle engines. You’ll... read more

Continued from Beef Sire Selection

Continued from Beef Sire Selection, University of Arkansas
Selection Criteria Beef cattle selection should be based on many factors . growth and reproductive performance, fertility, health, disposition, age, frame size, muscling, etc. Single trait selection should be avoided when selecting a herd sire. Overemphasis on one or a few traits may reduce performance for other traits. There are several genetic antagonisms that may result in performance tradeoffs. For example, selection for high growth (high... read more

The Important of Price Discovery

The Importance of Price Discovery Ross Pruitt, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness LSU AgCenter
Recent events in the livestock markets have turned attention back to the issues of price determination, price discovery, and what factors affect the observed market price. Price determination is the observance of the market price which is influenced by supply and demand factors at the aggregate level. Price discovery is not the same as price determination although the concepts are related.... read more

Farm Bureau Pushing for Repeal of Form 1099 Requirements

Farm Bureau Pushing for Repeal of Form 1099 Requirements Source: www.fb.org WASHINGTON, D.C., September 28, 2010 – Provisions in the new health care law that require farms, ranches and other businesses to complete an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 for any expenditure totaling more than $600 in a calendar year create an unnecessary and costly paperwork burden, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau backs bills... read more

LSU AgCenter seeing increased calls about bedbugs

LSU AgCenter seeing increased calls about bedbugs Source: LSU AgCenter Bedbugs are more of a nuisance than a health hazard, but they should be correctly identified and dealt with, according to several LSU AgCenter entomologists. “Bedbugs are an increasingly serious problem,” said LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Chris Carlton. “They are beginning to transition from large hotels... read more

Feral Hogs can be controlled

Feral hogs can be controlled Source: LSU AgCenter
BENTON, La. – It is possible to manage feral hogs on a large scale by being consistent and persistent, landowners and hunters were told at an LSU AgCenter seminar Sept. 28. Farmers and hunters across the Southeast are reporting feral hogs as nuisances that cause considerable damage to their land and other wildlife populations, said Don Reed, LSU AgCenter forestry and wildlife specialist.
“Even people who don’t hunt, such as sugarcane and rice... read more

Thoughts

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Proposed GIPSA Rules would mean big changes for Livestock and Poultry Industries

Proposed GIPSA Rules Would Mean Big Changes for Livestock and Poultry Industries
The federal agency responsible for issuing regulations that govern contracting, buying and selling of livestock and poultry has proposed new rules that- if finalized- would drastically change the way that producers, packers, dealers and contractors raise,
buy, and sell livestock and poultry. The National Agricultural Law Center is planning a series of workshops to discuss the changes,
including a question and answer session... read more

Boiler--Salmlonella Enteritidis Monitored Program

Broiler -- Salmonella Enteritidis Monitored Program Theresia Lavergne, Ph.D., P.A.S., Associate Professor – Poultry
Over the past few months the news has been filled with information on the Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) recall of table eggs. While only less than one percent of the table eggs produced in the U.S. were involved in the recall, consumers and importers of U.S. poultry products have been concerned about their safety. Even though this recall was very limited and the broiler industry was not in the recall, Russia... read more

AFBF Backs Bill to Expand Broadband in Rural America

AFBF Backs Bill to Expand Broadband in Rural America Source: www.fb.org WASHINGTON, D.C., September 16, 2010 – The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging Congress to help ensure rural Americans have the same access to high-speed broadband internet services that Americans in more populated areas enjoy. H.R. 5828, the Universal Service Reform Act of 2010, would declare broadband internet a universal service, which would... read more

Russia OKs mor US poultry plants, plans inspections

Russia OKs more U.S. poultry plants, plans inspections Source: meatingplace.com By Tom Johnston
Russia on Friday re-listed three more U.S. poultry plants as eligible exporters as Moscow plans to begin inspections of U.S. facilities to ensure they are complying with a new export agreement.
The latest round of approvals includes Mountaire Farms Inc.’s Lumber Bridge, N.C., plant (product produced on or after Sept. 28) and... read more

Make Plans for Fall planting now

Make plans for fall planting now By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter
Late October through March is the prime season for planting hardy trees, shrubs and ground covers in Louisiana, so now is an excellent time to assess your landscape situation and begin to make plans. Landscaping is a great way to give your home a beautiful appearance as well as make outdoor spaces function usefully for the family. The benefits of a well-planned landscape are many, from providing shade, privacy and color, to correcting drainage problems and creating outdoor... read more

Cutting Corners

As you can tell, our family is going a little nuts over pumpkins this year, so pumpkins are the subject of our Cutting Corners this month. First, how to prepare your pumpkin for cooking. I have always peeled, & boiled the meat for my pies, but Velvet found a much easier way. You take your pie pumpkin, cut the stem out, slice it in half & remove the seeds. Spray a baking sheet & lay pumpkin halves meat side down, bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until meat is tender. When the pumpkin cools, you can peel the skin... read more

Beef Cattle Reproductive Efficiency – Profitability

Beef (Dr. Tim Page)
Beef Cattle Reproductive Efficiency – Profitability
One of the most important economic concerns for cow-calf producers is reproductive efficiency. Some economists say it is 10 times more important than production (weaning weights, etc.) and 20 times more important economically than carcass traits and/or product. Revenues are increased in a herd that produces more calves per exposed female, by selling more calves. Depending on the source you check, Louisiana calving rates range from... read more

News Brief

News Brief: Sanderson Farms is considering two counties near the town of Goldsboro, N.C. for the site of a $106 million poultry processing plant. This would be their second plant in North Carolina. They are currently building a poultry processing complex in Kinston, N.C. which is set to open in January. Source: meatingplace .com

Mosquito

Mosquito numbers, virus activity down but picking up Source: LSU AgCenter
Wayne Kramer’s phone hasn’t been ringing incessantly yet this year. The LSU AgCenter mosquito expert said that’s one unscientific indication the state’s mosquito population is down.
“Mosquitoes really are under the radar this year,” Kramer said. “You hear from people when mosquito populations are high.”
Both mosquito numbers and virus activity associated with mosquitoes have been significantly lower... read more

Extreme Vertical Integration in the Broiler Industry

Extreme Vertical Integration in the Broiler Industry
The poultry industry has become increasingly concentrated over the past 20 years as larger companies acquired smaller regional processors and cooperatives. The percentage of the market controlled by the four largest broiler companies has increased by nearly 50 percent in the past decade and has tripled since the 1980’s as the results of mergers and acquisitions. In 2006, four processors controlled nearly three out of five (58.5 percent)... read more

Never Discount a Woman's Voice

Never Discount a Woman’s Voice Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Someone once said that women get the last word in every argument and anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument. Being outnumbered by two daughters and my lovely wife, I can attest to this sentiment. It is this persuasiveness, persistence and passion that have brought women to the forefront of politics. They can swing elections, bring awareness to issues and sway the toughest... read more

It's time for fall vegetable gardening

It’s time for fall vegetable gardening By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist
Although September weather is often still hot, vegetable gardeners begin to anticipate the cooler weather to come. It is now that we begin to focus on planting cool-season vegetables that will grow and produce during fall, winter and spring. September is a transitional month, however, and warm-season vegetables are also in the garden this time of year. Most warm-season vegetables, like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, should have been planted back... read more

LSU AgCnter experts say US eggs are safe

LSU AgCenter experts say U.S. eggs are safe Source: LSU AgCenter
The recent salmonella outbreak associated with the two Iowa egg farms has raised concern about the safety of consuming eggs. However, consumers can be confident that U.S. eggs are safe, according to LSU AgCenter experts. The number of eggs involved in the recall amounts to less than one percent of the total eggs produced annually in this country, said Theresia Lavergne, LSU AgCenter poultry specialist. And, the egg farms involved in the recall are cooperating fully with the U.S. Food... read more

LSU Ag Center researchers focus on food safety

LSU AgCenter researchers focus on food safety Occasional food recalls because of contamination may create concerns about food safety, but these worries are often overstated, say two LSU AgCenter researchers who focus on food safety. Listeria, one of the most dangerous food-borne pathogens, rarely infects U.S. consumers, according to the experts. That’s because food processors are particularly careful to control the bacteria. “Listeria is a major problem. It can kill people. It’s very dangerous,”... read more

So far, sweet potato outlook much better than past 2 years

So far, sweet potato outlook much better than past 2 years CHASE, La. – With sweet potato consumption rising and a shift in the industry toward more processed products, the LSU AgCenter’s Sweet Potato Research Station showed growers how to optimize production at a field day held at the station Aug. 24. The latest research was presented to help growers learn how to produce a high-yielding, predictable, profitable crop. Don La Bonte, LSU AgCenter sweet potato breeder, said one of the goals in his breeding program is to develop a tougher-skinned sweet... read more

Horses

Horses (Dr. Neely Heidorn) Source: LSU AgCenter
Hello, Louisiana! Let me introduce myself, I am Dr. Neely Heidorn your new extension equine specialist. I grew up on a hobby farm raising fruit trees and horses in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. I earned a B.S. in animal health science from California State Polytechnic University Pomona (Cal Poly, Pomona) in 2003. While attending school I worked as the assistant farm manager for the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center. Following graduation I was hired as the stallion manager at an... read more

Horse Trivia

Horse Trivia
Horses don’t have a gall bladder.
Horses have memories that put elephants to shame.
A horse’s teeth occupy more space in its head than its brain.
The horse has the largest eyes of any land animal.

Goat farm finds new markets

Goat farm finds new markets MOREAUVILLE, La. – Besides saying cheese, visitors can taste it at WesMar Farms, a self-proclaimed agricultural respite owned by West and Marguerite Constantine. “The ultimate goal is for them to buy, but we want them to come back and spread the word, to bring their cameras,” she said. The Constantines say their full-time work in the National Guard taught them... read more

The Veteran

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag. It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag. ETERNAL REST... read more

Final: Selection and Management of Beef Replacement Heifer Source

Final: Selection and Management of Beef Replacement Heifer Source: University of Arkansas
Management from Breeding to Calving
Replacement heifers should be on a good health program. Heifers should be vaccinated or revaccinated for IBR-BVD-PI3, BRSV, vibriosis, leptospirosis and blackleg 7-way prior to first breeding.
Calving difficulty is of great concern with first-calf heifers, as it is the primary cause of calf losses at birth. The major causes of dystocia are an oversized calf or an undersized heifer. A large calf and/or a heifer with a... read more

Frequently asked questions: Livestock Show Animal Health

Animal Health (Dr. Christine Navarre)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: LIVESTOCK SHOW ANIMAL HEALTH
1. Should I give my show animal antibiotics before, during or after the show to prevent them from getting pneumonia? No. Although some animals may become sick when they get stressed and are exposed to other animals from the show, most do not. Animals should only be treated if they show signs of pneumonia and a diagnosis is made by a veterinarian. Needlessly treating
animals with antibiotics is a misuse of these drugs, and jeopardizes their future availability... read more

Broiler Demonstration Houses

LSU AgCenter’s Hill Farm Research Station Broiler Demonstration Houses Theresia Lavergne, Ph.D., P.A.S. Associate Professor – Poultry
The LSU AgCenter’s Hill Farm Research Station Broiler Demonstration Houses are in production! On July 29th Raeford Farms of Louisiana placed the first flock in the broiler demonstration houses.
The purpose of the two broiler demonstration houses is to conduct management and equipment demonstrations to provide information for the benefit of Louisiana’s broiler industry. There is a “steering committee”... read more

Rules would level playing field for contract poultry farmers

RULES WOULD LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR CONTRACT POULTRY FARMERS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Department of Agriculture Office of Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards issued proposed rules in June that increase fairness for poultry farmers and protect competition in poultry markets. Hundreds of growers have already sent in comments to the USDA in support of these rules. Now the National Chicken Council, the DC-based lobbying organization for the nation’s poultry companies, is urging its member companies to distribute a document that providesread more

Clarification of Certain poultry Provisions of the Proposed GIPSA Rule

Clarification of Certain Poultry Provisions of the Proposed GIPSA Rule Misconception: The proposed GIPSA rule will make reforms to the tournament system that will hurt poultry growers.
Clarification: The proposed rule would require poultry companies to use the same “base pay” for all poultry growers raising and caring for the same type of poultry and prohibit them from paying less than that base amount. It does not prohibit a company from paying incentives above... read more

Deal Carefully with Poison Ivy

Deal carefully with poison ivy By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter
Anyone cleaning out overgrown areas or even just pulling weeds should beware. Poison ivy may be growing among the plants you’re handling. By late summer, poison ivy has had months to grow in your landscape, and you may find you have areas where the vine is present. This may be particularly true in out-of-the-way areas behind garages and along overgrown fences. Recognizing poison ivy Poison ivy is a tall, climbing, deciduous vine that is leafless in winter, so now is a good time to look for it because it... read more

Paul Harvey

Here is a pretty neat little thing from Paul Harvey. We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would. I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when... read more

Pear or Apple Crunch

Pear or Apple Crunch
4 cups sliced fruit lemon juice
1 stick margarine 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cups sugar 1/2 cup oatmeal
1 t cinnamon

Place fruit in baking dish, sprinkle with lemon juice, melt margarine and mix with remaining ingredients, sprinkle over fruit, bake at 350 degrees until bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Tip: oatmeal can be used to substitute for nuts in most recipes.

Just Rambling Oct 2010

Just Rambling: It’s the October issue of Ag Trader, and there is really only two things I want to tell you about, and the first one is PUMPKINS! I just love pumpkins. I think they really exhibit God’s handiwork. Who else but our Great Creator could invent such a dual purpose vegetable? I mean, think about it. Pumpkins are used for decorative purposes. You don’t have to do anything to a pumpkin-just sit it out on a table, and it becomes decoration! However, if you would like to be a little more creative, you can paint pictures or faces on a pumpkin or, of course, carve a... read more

Family economist warns of recent scams

Family economist warns of recent scams Source: LSU AgCenter
Scam artists are at work even in a recession, says LSU family economist Gloria Nye. Many scams and frauds count on people being more vulnerable when they are desperate because of hard times. “Bottom line, as always, is that if it sounds too good to be true, beware,” Nye says. Nye details several scams in operation:
– AARP warns that scams are on the rise in the wake of health care reform. Con artists are trying to sell “ObamaCare” insurance, telling people they’ll go to jail if... read more

New herbicides help cattle farmers manage pastures

New herbicides help cattle farmers manage pastures Source: LSU AgCenter HENRY, La. – Cattle farmers got a look at test results of a new herbicide that shows some promise of controlling Vaseygrass in pastures. At an LSU AgCenter field day on Sept. 30, Ed Twidwell, forage specialist, said Pastora, a DuPont product, can also be used on Johnson grass, but he warned it kills Bahia grass and clovers and can also cause some stunting of Bermuda grass. “We’re still trying to determine the best... read more