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August 2011 Articles

Shipping Day on Riser's Family Farms
LSU AgCenter beef specialist offers tips to prevent cattle theft
Use of Pharmaceuticals in Food-Producing Animals
FEEDLOT PLACEMENTS REMAIN LARGE
Art, science combine in reducing sweet potato diseases
Langston Places at State 4-H Ambassador Talk
Proper landscape watering is important
Exchange Rates Favoring U.S. Beef Exports
Growth-Promoting Implants and Our Food Supply
Is Beef From Naturally-Managed Cattle Better Than Beef From Conventionally-Manag
Improving Grazing Management
Updates and New Recommendations for Equine Deworming
Timing management practices?
Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding
Management Determines the Selling Price of Feeder Calves
Retail Staple Food Prices Rise in First Quarter
LSU AgCenter agents help prisoners prepare for reentry
DROUGHT AID AVAILABLE FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Cutting Corners: Easy Strawberry Pie
Fun Facts
Fun Facts
FEEDLOT UPDATE:
Foreign Oil Imports:
New food safety law shifts focus to prevention
Home sales, Japan, mills featured at forestry forum
Equine--The Golden Years
Louisiana Young Ag Producers Program participants selected
'Louisiana Honey Plants' publication released by LSU AgCenter
AFBF Applauds House Passage of Veterinary Health Bill
AFBF Intervenes in Pesticide Lawsuit
Budget cuts force LSU AgCenter to phase out 3 research stations
Did You Know?
Learn all about blueberries on new website
Fun Facts
Commissioner Strain and LDAF celebrate Ag Day 2011
Fun Facts
Strain: It's A Great Day in Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry
Beekeepers can remove, manage honeybee swarms
New vitamin D dietary rates announced
New USDA Standards to Reduce Foodborne Pathogens in Poultry
Farmers Prevail in Court Decision on EPA Livestock Rules
Louisiana agriculture up 20 percent in 2010 to $9.9 billion
Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding
Fun Facts
Cutting Corners: Quick and Easy Banana Pudding
News Brief:
VERY STRONG CALF AND YEARLING PRICES
Don't Let Tetany Be a Problem For You This Year
10 Traits of Top Managers
Louisiana Junior Cattlemen of the Year Award
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's Statement on Record Forecast for U.S. Farm Expor
• Crawfish season off to sluggish start
LSU AgCenter experts help crawfish farmers increase their yields
Non-native grass threatens La. forests
News Brief:
Knowing your rights can protect your 'heir property'
Physical activity has no age limit
EPA GHG Regulations Brings 'Double Economic Jolt' to Ag
Over-regulation Continues to Hurt the Banking Industry
News Brief:
Strain Mississippi River resolution approved by NASDA
LAFA distributes $11.2 million for poultry grower aid
87 Percent of Young Farmers, Ranchers Express More Optimism
Earth-Kind roses are low-maintenance options
News Brief:
News Brief:
Cutting Corners: Hot Chicken Salad

(71 articles found)

Archives by Months

Crawfish season off to sluggish start

Crawfish season off to sluggish start Source: LSU AgCenter
This year’s crawfish season is off to a slow start mainly because of unusually long stretches of cold weather, but a warm-up is boosting the catch.
Predicting whether the season will be good or bad is difficult, according to Ray McClain, crawfish specialist for the LSU AgCenter. “There are many factors that influence crawfish production and the degree of how each factor affects production will vary widely making a prediction an inexact science. There really is no crystal ball.” During an LSU AgCenter meeting on Feb. 21 for crawfish producers in Opelousas, Donnie Fisher, of Whiteville, said his ponds are off to a slow start and most of the crawfish are small. “Right now it’s about the same as last year,” Fisher said. He caught 250 pounds Tuesday in 1,250 traps and said the total is increasing with warm weather. “It’s picking up every day. It went from three sacks one day to five to seven sacks,” Fisher said. Dustin Le of Arnaudville said his 25-acre pond isn’t producing much. “Right now, it’s very slow, probably because of the cold,” he said. But he’s optimistic that warm weather will bring improvement. “I think we need a little time,” Le said. Barrett Olivier of Opelousas said he’s noticing better results with the warmer temperatures. “The catch is picking up. I think the season is going to be good, but late,” He said the catch seems to be better this time last year. Weather and the health of the animals play a large role in whether a successful season will unfold, McClain said. Spawning takes place as early as late July through September. Females will burrow into the ground nearly 3 feet deep where they will lay their eggs and hatch their young. An unusually dry period during this time can lead to a high mortality rate in the burrow of both mature and juvenile crawfish causing a poor season. Rainfall is also important during the early fall. “A mature crawfish needs rainfall to soften the plug on the burrow. Without moisture during this time, the female and young cannot escape the burrow,” McClain said. “Just because the harvest is slow this time a year, it may not equate to a poor season,” McClain said. “The season may just be delayed. The crawfish are there. They just haven’t reached a marketable size.” He notes that a long delay generally correlates to a lower seasonal harvest. The majority of crawfish production comes from farm ponds in southwest and south central Louisiana. According to the latest LSU AgCenter Ag Summary figures, approximately 98 million pounds of crawfish were harvested from ponds last year compared to about 15.5 million pounds caught in the wild. Production costs have increased for producers this year. Both fuel and bait are up according to McClain. Fish bait is used by many crawfish producers when water temperatures are below 70 degrees because research has showed it to be more effective.

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