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March 2012 Articles

Downs donates $10,000 to Union Parish 4-H
LDAF installs new emergency hotline phone system
Hash Brown Casserole
Notes from Germany
Preparing for Winter
Scientists use "Trojan Horse" concept to kill termites
New USDA Study
New Legislation aims to Prevent EPA Regs on Farm Dust
Planting time for cool-season flowers starts in October
Beef Quality Assurance Program Update
Cattle forage highlight field day
Soil pH, beds, fertilizer are keys to landscape success
Summit prepares teachers of financial literacy
BP grant funds LSU AgCenter wildlife research
2012 Get It Growing Calendar Published by LSU AgCenter
STRONG U.S. MEAT AND POULTRY EXPORTS
Beef forage featured at field day
Louisiana takes important step with seed coating labeling requirements
LFB Poultry Committee
Just Rambling
Use insecticides only when needed
Livestock Market News - Situation and Outlook
Market Situation and Outlook - Adjustments will Continue in Cattle Feeding
It's time to start rose care
Agriculture industry boosts rural Louisiana economy
Keep 'your plate in shape' for March Nutrition Month
Growth hormones in dairy cattle
LSU AgCenter leadership class graduates 24
Dealing with scale insects
Horse Trivia
2012 Feeder Cattle Supplies
AFBF Applauds House Action on Energy Security
Farmers, Ranchers Contribute to Hunger Program
Court Backs Need for Science in Federal Water Rules
Beef Cattle Management Calendar: March
March Gardening To-Do-List: Vegetables
Notes from Germany
Cutting Corners
Significant Events in Agricultural History

(39 articles found)

Archives by Months

Downs donates $10,000 to Union Parish 4-H

Downs donates $10,000 to Union Parish 4-H
FARMERVILLE, La. – State Rep. Hollis Downs has established the first-ever endowment for a Louisiana parish 4-H program by donating $10,000 to Union Parish 4-H on Sept. 22.
The donation will support a variety of 4-H educational programs, contests, trips, scholarships and awards to the youth in the Union Parish 4-H program.
Downs, who grew up in Farmerville, said 4-H played “a huge part of the format of my life and values.”... read more


LDAF installs new emergency hotline phone system

LDAF installs new emergency hotline phone system

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has installed a new emergency hotline phone system to better serve the public.
The new emergency hotline number is 1-855-452-5323. This new hotline will be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Strain said the LDAF... read more


Hash Brown Casserole

Hash Brown Casserole

We love this casserole.

32 oz thawed hash browns
1/2 c butter
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz sour cream
1/2 c chopped onion
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Mix ingredients together. Pour into a greased 2-quart casserole dish (shallow). Bake 350º for 50 minutes. Optional—fry and crumble bacon on top.

... read more

Notes from Germany

On September 1, I left for Germany, flying out of Monroe, Louisiana. Ten hours later, after a stop-over in Atlanta, I finally arrived at the Frankfurt International Airport, tired, but excited. Back in May, I had been awarded a Fulbright scholarship from the U. S. State Department to serve as a teaching assistant in a German high school. I would be assisting a German teacher in teaching students English, as well as about American culture. After arriving in Frankfurt, I took a train to the Fulbright orientation... read more


Preparing for Winter

Cowherd Management Tips- Preparing for Winter, Karl Harborth, Beef Cattle Specialist, LSU AgCenter
It’s not too early to start preparing for your herds winter nutrition needs. Making sure you have enough hay and supplementation plans can save you money and time later in the yeaer when feed resources are historically higher priced.
How much hay are you going to need this winter? With hay in very low supply in many parts of the south calculating your winter forage and supplement needs... read more


Scientists use "Trojan Horse" concept to kill termites

Scientists use ‘Trojan Horse’ concept to kill termites Source: LSU AgCenter
Scientists have found that hiding a toxin within yeast and cellulose powder bait holds promise in destroying termite colonies. Using a method called paratransgenesis, which is the use of genetically engineered microbes to deliver and spread toxins in target organisms, LSU AgCenter entomologist Claudia Husseneder said this technology may be useful in the control of numerous insects in the future. “I began this research... read more


New USDA Study

New USDA Study: Wood is the Greenest Green Building Material Expected to Have Major Impact on Sustainable Wood Markets Driven by Growing Green Building Sector
Washington, D.C. – The American Forest Foundation (AFF) today welcomed a new study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) showing that wood is truly the green building material, with environmental benefits that dwarf other common building materials. The new study analyzed a life-cycle assessment of green building materials and found that growing,... read more


New Legislation aims to Prevent EPA Regs on Farm Dust

New Legislation Aims to Prevent EPA Regs on Farm Dust WASHINGTON, D.C., September 13, 2011 – New legislation introduced by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating naturally occurring farm dust is welcome news for the nation's farmers and ranchers, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. "Regulation of farm dust by EPA could... read more


Planting time for cool-season flowers starts in October

Planting time for cool-season flowers starts in October LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Dan Gill, Kyle Huffstickler & Allen Owings
Cool-season bedding plants continue to be popular in Louisiana. Most home gardeners do more warm-weather than cool-weather flower gardening, but we all need to realize that we have many great cool-season flowers that will do well in our climate from mid-fall through late spring.
Home gardeners need to consider the following practices to ensure they... read more


Beef Quality Assurance Program Update

Beef Quality Assurance Program Update
Dr. Christine Navarre cnavarre@agcenter.lsu.edu
What is BQA?
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program. The program provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers, and beef consumers, on how common sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. The program raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques... read more


Cattle forage highlight field day

Cattle, forage highlight field day Source: LSU AgCenter
CARENCRO, La. – Louisiana cattle owners stand to benefit from the Texas drought because ranchers in the Lone Star State are selling cattle and will eventually have to restock, cattle experts said at the Acadiana cattle field day held Saturday (Sept. 17).
Ross Pruitt, LSU AgCenter economist, said 23 percent more beef cows have been slaughtered in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas so far this year compared with 2010, contributing to a 4 percent... read more


Soil pH, beds, fertilizer are keys to landscape success

Soil pH, beds, fertilizer are keys to landscape success
By LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Dan Gill, Kyle Huffstickler and Allen Owings
The LSU AgCenter has been promoting research-based best management practices in the home landscape for several years to inform residents on how to properly manage their landscape plants. Many problems associated with landscape plants can be overcome easily if proper practices are maintained.
Inadequate preparation of landscape beds frequently tops the list of problems with ornamental... read more


Summit prepares teachers of financial literacy

Summit prepares teachers of financial literacy Source: LSU AgCenter

Teachers, bankers and other community leaders met at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge on Sept. 15-16 to “Prepare Louisiana for Real Life” at the 2011 Financial Education Summit. The summit, which is sponsored by the Louisiana Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, featured a range of speakers that included Rachel Ramsey Cruze of the Dave Ramsey Organization, who discussed money management for children. The summit provided educators... read more


BP grant funds LSU AgCenter wildlife research

BP grant funds LSU AgCenter wildlife research
Researchers from the LSU AgCenter are participating in a three-year, $12.2 million grant through the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) to evaluate the effects of the 2010 Macondo oil spill on coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.
The AgCenter’s share is nearly $2 million that will be used to fund researchers looking at coastal insects, birds and oysters, according to Linda Hooper-Bùi, lead researcher for the AgCenter group.
The funds are from... read more


2012 Get It Growing Calendar Published by LSU AgCenter

2012 Get It Growing Calendar Published by LSU AgCenter Source: LSU AgCenter
The LSU AgCenter is releasing the latest of its helpful resources for Louisiana gardening enthusiasts – the 2012 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar.
The Get It Growing calendar is packed with photos, gardening hints and monthly tips from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill that are specifically written for Louisiana’s growing conditions and climate.
It is part of an overall educational effort from the LSU AgCenter that’s... read more


STRONG U.S. MEAT AND POULTRY EXPORTS

STRONG U.S. MEAT AND POULTRY EXPORTS
For the first six months of 2011, strong exports have supported U.S. red meat markets and hence cattle and hog prices. That trend has continued as shown in the recently released official international trade data for July. Further, the July data showed that chicken exports finally joined that trend after lagging for several months. In July, tonnage of U.S. beef, pork and chicken sold overseas was 33%, 18% and 29% above a year earlier, respectively.
For the month of July, Canada was the largest foreign... read more


Beef forage featured at field day

Beef forage featured at field day
HOMER, La. – Recent droughts have forced producers to use carryover hay from previous years or purchase lesser-quality hay, and the LSU AgCenter is looking for ways to increase feed efficiency.
Providing a liquid protein supplement applied into a bale showed improvements in cattle’s hay intake with slightly less hay waste, LSU AgCenter cattle researcher Ryon Walker told the 100 attendees at a field day at the Hill Farm Research Station Sept. 15.
“With today’s current hay prices,... read more


Louisiana takes important step with seed coating labeling requirements

Louisiana takes important step with seed coating labeling requirements
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will require anyone selling seed in Louisiana with coating material such as moisture retainers and other substances in 2012 to list the amount of coating and related information on the front of the package plainly visible to the buyer. Agriculture and Forestry... read more


LFB Poultry Committee

Members of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Poultry Committee spent Monday, September 13th through Wednesday September 15th in Washington, D C meeting with the Louisiana delegation of Congressman, Senators and/or their Legislative Assistants. Those members attending were Ronnie Owens, a breeder hen grower with Pilgrim Pride from Marthaville, La.; Angie Tyler, a broiler grower with Raeford Farms from Dubach, La.; Van Bennett, a former pullet grower with Pilgrim Pride from Spearsville, La. and Ron Harrell, Commodity Director for Louisiana... read more


Just Rambling

A trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas will carry you back in time as you visit the old cow town. The buildings have been so magnificently restored, and in the Stockyards Museum, you can see Old West artifacts and read stories about the West and how cattle marketing was handled in years past. You get to view the stockyards themselves and see a re-enactment of a cattle drive through the streets of the old cow town. As I stood on the street, I could only imagine the activity that once went on in and around the Fort Worth stockyards—the sounds... read more


Use insecticides only when needed


Use insecticides only when needed By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist
Yard and garden pest problems will become more common as we move into the warmer summer months. Some gardeners still feel that they should immediately get an insecticide and begin spraying when they see insects or some apparent insect damage in their gardens.
But just seeing an insect or insect damage is not reason enough to spray. You may end up killing beneficial predatory insects that are eating pests on... read more


Livestock Market News - Situation and Outlook

Livestock Market News - Situation and Outlook Source: Uof A
Net value of U.S. Beef Trade Record High in 2011: The combined dollar value of U.S. cattle, beef, and beef product exports surged to a new record high in 2011. Cattle prices jumped up in 2011 largely because of new dollars flowing into the industry from overseas consumers. Beef and cattle trade values from USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service are summarized into the following groups by the LMIC: 1) Live Cattle & Calves; 2) Beef/Veal, which includes fresh and frozen bone-in, boneless, carcass... read more


Market Situation and Outlook - Adjustments will Continue in Cattle Feeding

Market Situation and Outlook– Adjustments will Continue in Cattle Feeding Source: UofA Drilling down into the USDA-NASS Cattle report released in late January from a cattle feeding perspective, two key factors emerge. First, the calculated feeder cattle supplies shrunk dramatically. Second, small feedlots reduced their role in the cattle industry. Further downsizing of the U.S. cattle feeding sector is expected in 2012 and both small and large feedlots will likely have fewer cattle on-feed than in 2011. The calculated national number of cattle outside feedlots... read more


It's time to start rose care

It’s time to start rose care By LSU AgCenter Horticulturists Dan Gill, Kyle Huffstickler and Allen Owings
Home gardeners need to increase their knowledge and awareness of cultural practices recommended for roses in our landscapes. February and March is the time of the year to get started with your rose garden maintenance.
Roses are one of our most popular ornamental plants. There are many types of roses, but basic care is the same for most. Keys to success with roses include correct sunlight conditions, ideal soil pH, proper pruning, regular fertilization,... read more


Agriculture industry boosts rural Louisiana economy

Agriculture industry boosts rural Louisiana economy
YOUNGSVILLE, La. – The prosperity of many small, rural communities rises and falls with agriculture, and that sector of the economy had a $7.3 billion impact in Louisiana last year, according to an LSU AgCenter economist.
Mike Salassi, speaking at the 2012 Farm Forum held by Rep. Charles Boustany, R-La., on Feb. 23, said cotton, corn, soybeans, rice and sugarcane generated a total of $2.4 billion in direct income.
Farmers in turn spend their profits at local businesses that also make purchases with the... read more


Keep 'your plate in shape' for March Nutrition Month

Keep ‘your plate in shape’ for March Nutrition Month Source: LSU AgCenter
“Get Your Plate in Shape” is the theme for the annual March National Nutrition Month, which is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, according to Beth Reames, LSU AgCenter nutritionist.
The “plate” refers to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ChooseMyPlate.gov website, which provides all kinds of nutritional advice to help people live a healthier lifestyle and lose weight.
“Eating should be pleasurable, but it is important... read more


Growth hormones in dairy cattle

Growth hormones in dairy cattle Source: LSU AgCenter
With all of the negative messages about recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in dairy cattle, some consumers are concerned about the safety of the hormone for animals and humans, but LSU AgCenter dairy scientists say there is no safety issue. The hormone, which is produced naturally by cows, is also produced in synthetic form and can be used to improve milk production in cows. But it is not harmful to humans, according to LSU AgCenter dairy science professor Cathy Williams.... read more


LSU AgCenter leadership class graduates 24

LSU AgCenter leadership class graduates 24 The 12th class of the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development program completed its two-year course of study with graduation February 25 at the LSU Union in Baton Rouge. The program featured 24 leaders in agriculture production and ag-related industries from around the state who completed the program. “This is an outstanding group of agricultural leaders,” said... read more


Dealing with scale insects

Dealing with scale insects By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist
Scale insects are one of the more common groups of insects that attack plants. You may find them feeding on trees, shrubs and even indoor plants.
When they first hatch out of their eggs, scale insects are mobile. At this stage they are called crawlers, and they are very tiny. Most gardeners never notice them.
Once they settle down to feed and pierce the plant’s tissue with their needle-like mouthparts, they never... read more


Horse Trivia

Horse Trivia:
Stallion will fight over females, but generally not over territory. The approximate gestation period of the horse is 337 days. Horses are not color-blind. Adult male horses generally have 40 teeth; females, 36.

... read more

2012 Feeder Cattle Supplies

2012 Feeder Cattle Supplies Source: Ross Pruitt Department of Agricultural Economics ad Agribusiness LSU AgCenter

The most recent USDA NASS Cattle on Feed report listed total capacity for U.S. feedlots greater than 1,000 head as unchanged from 17 million head from the beginning of last year to this year. This represents a 5% increase in feedlot capacity of lots with at least 1,000 head capacity since 1999 even though total U.S. cattle inventory has declined 8.4% during this time period. The increase in feedlot capacity among operations that handle at least 1,000 head... read more


AFBF Applauds House Action on Energy Security

AFBF Applauds House Action on Energy Security Source: www.fb.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 17, 2012 – Passage by the House on Thursday of a bill to increase domestic energy supplies, including development of a vast new source in the oil shale deposits of the American West, helps provide the type of energy solutions America needs, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
In a letter to the House prior to passage, AFBF President Bob Stallman explained that increasing U.S. energy security is an important issue for America’s farmers and ranchers.
“Farm... read more


Farmers, Ranchers Contribute to Hunger Program

Farmers, Ranchers Contribute to Hunger Program Source: www.fb.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 22, 2012 – The farm and ranch families of Farm Bureau last year raised more than $556,273 and donated more than 10 million pounds of food to assist hungry Americans as part of Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program through Feeding America. Combined, the monetary and food donations provided nearly 13 million meals.
Members of Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program spearhead Harvest for All across the country, but all facets of Farm Bureau contribute... read more


Court Backs Need for Science in Federal Water Rules

Court Backs Need for Science in Federal Water Rules
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 24, 2012 – A U.S. District Court in Tallahassee, Fla., has ruled that Environmental Protection Agency-imposed numeric nutrient criteria for Florida streams & unimpaired lakes are unlawful because they are arbitrary & have no scientific basis. The ruling resolves several challenges to federal numeric nutrient criteria imposed by EPA on Florida waterways. The court upheld EPA’s ability to issue federal standards under the particular facts at issue in Florida and upheld some... read more


Beef Cattle Management Calendar: March

Beef Cattle Management Calendar
March
This calendar is intended to be a reminder of management practices thought to be appropriate for each month of the year. It was developed with herds of all sizes in mind. While it suggests management practices to be considered, it does not give any recommendations as to how they may be accomplished. Annually revised recommendations are available through your local parish or county Extension Service office.
Continue winter feeding (hay, protein supplements).
If supplying minerals, resupply mineral feeders.
End fall-winter breeding... read more


March Gardening To-Do-List: Vegetables

March Gardening To-Do-List
Vegetables
March is an open window to plant vegetables by direct-seeding such as Swiss chard, radishes, lettuce collards, mustards, turnips, cabbage, broccoli, snap beans and sweet corn. Use transplants to grow eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes. Late March plant cantaloupe, cucumbers, squash and watermelon or well after the danger of frost closer to April 1 in northern Louisiana.
Apply plastic mulch now to warm the soil prior to planting for a better start.
Sidedress established vegetables to keep them growing vigorously.... read more


Notes from Germany

Spring is almost here in southern Germany, and though ponderous snow still lingers in some of the streets and along the roadsides in the Black Forest, the days have grown longer and noticeably warmer, and in the fir trees, birds are at long last singing once again. Indeed, despite the sudden cold snap that stunned Europe in early February, the end of the month was pleasant—the sun peeked out again from behind the mountains, and the winter chill broke for the first time since Christmas. Once again, I spent the majority of the month in the small town of Neustadt. I went cross-country skiing for the first... read more


Cutting Corners

Copy Cat Coleslaw
From the kitchen of Velvet Roberts

8 cups cabbage 1/4 cup carrots
4 Tbs onions 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt 1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup buttermilk 1 1/2 Tbs vinegar
2 1/2 Tbs lemon juice

Mix all together and chill in refrigerator for at least an hour
* This taste like KFC coleslaw

... read more

Significant Events in Agricultural History

Significant Events in Agricultural History:


8000 BC Animals and grain domesticated in the Middle East—the birth of agriculture.
Christopher Columbus brought calves, goats, sheep, pigs, hens, citrus, melons and many kinds of vegetables to America.
1585 The potato was introduced in Spain from South America.

Source: American Farm Bureau, Food & Farm Facts

... read more
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