December 2013 Articles

Archives by Months

Just Rambling, December 2013

Just Rambling:
As most of you that read my “Just Rambling” know, I have experienced a health problem in the past few months. This health problem has affected the sight in my left eye (the peripheral vision primarily). All of my vision has been affected to the extent that I have to wear glasses practically all the time now, especially when I am driving. My father had to wear glasses practically his entire life, starting as a young boy. I can remember Daddy complaining about... read more

La. dairy farmers prepare for EPA visits

La. dairy farmers prepare for EPA visits Writer: Johnny Morgan at 225-578-8484 or jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
BATON ROUGE, La. – A recent meeting sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry brought dairy farmers together to discuss their nutrient management plans and to make sure they are in compliance before EPA visits in the coming weeks.
The visits to dairy and other types of farm operations are routine, said Gary... read more

Workshop focuses on wood-based bioenergy

Workshop focuses on wood-based bioenergy Writer: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu
HAMMOND, La. – The U.S. forestry industry has migrated from the Pacific Northwest to the South over the past two decades, providing additional opportunities for Southern forest landowners, an LSU AgCenter business development expert told an audience at a workshop on forest-based bioenergy.
Emerging biomass-to-energy markets have been driven by increasing... read more

Cost of Gain Falls as Value of Gain Stays Strong

Cost of Gain Falls as Value of Gain Stays Strong
Source: Ross Pruitt, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness LSU AgCenter
For the first November in four years, corn futures prices are below $4.50 as a record large corn crop is expected. Total corn production is forecast by USDA to be 13.99 billion bushels and the marketing year average price is forecasted at $4.50/bushel. Additionally, the EPA has recently proposed to lower the Renewable Fuel Standard... read more

Students learn about agriculture at the State Fair’s AgMagic

Students learn about agriculture at the State Fair’s AgMagic
Writer: Bruce Schultz at (337) 788-8821 or bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu
SHREVEPORT, La. – Several thousand students and their teachers visited the LSU AgCenter’s AgMagic exhibit at the 2013 Louisiana State Fair.
Roughly 2,500 students were registered for the event from schools across northwest Louisiana, but many more showed up for unscheduled visits,... read more

Feral Hogs

Feral Hogs Source: LSU AgCenter
When talking to hunters, landowners, farmers and land managers across Louisiana, there is probably no greater concern in the area of wildlife damage management than that of the seemingly unstoppable invasion of feral hogs across our state.
The first documented introduction of swine into what would later become the United States occurred in 1539 in Florida by Spanish explorer Herando de Soto. After that time, it was common practice... read more

The President’s Column

The President’s Column Source: Louisiana Farm Bureau
Any Louisiana farmer will tell you that in agriculture things don’t always go as planned.
In fact, many farmers I know tell me they never frequent any of the state’s gaming establishments because farming is a big enough gamble in itself. They don’t need to “go to the boat” if they want to engage in a game of risk and reward.
Farmers never know from the beginning of each... read more

Care and Storage of Tack During the Off-Season 

Care and Storage of Tack During the Off-Season
Mark Russell, Assistant Professor - Equine, University of Arkansas
By now, most horse owners in Arkansas are winding down their season of shows, trail rides and other events or functions across the state. With the exception of a few trail riders and those who are still showing occasionally, most riders are done for awhile. With organized events also slowing considerably for the next few months, horse owners are finding themselves... read more

Clean Water Act

Clean Water Act Source: www.fbactinsider.org Issue Background
The Success of the Clean Water Act (CWA) over the last 40 years is largely due to the partnership the Act established between the federal government and the states, a partnership that limits federal regulatory power to “navigable waters” rather than all waters. This limitation also provides states with the primary authority to determine water quality goals and implementation measures for achieving those goals.... read more

Record Corn Crop, More Soybeans Forecast

Record Corn Crop, More Soybeans Forecast Source: www.fb.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 8, 2013 – The November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report released by the Agriculture Department forecasts a record corn crop. November’s WASDE report projected the 2013 corn crop at 13.989 billion bushels will be a record crop, if realized, and more than a 3.2 billion bushel increase over the drought-stricken 2012 corn crop. The previous... read more

Many plants need winter frost, freeze protection

Many plants need winter frost, freeze protection Editor: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu
By Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter horticulturist
HAMMOND, La. – Winter is here, and this time of year brings questions about protecting landscape plants during the cold months of December, January and February. The best approach to protecting plants in winter is to pay attention to the weather forecasts and try to know a couple days ahead of time when a freeze is approaching.read more

Plant pecan trees in winter

Plant pecan trees in winter Editor: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist
November through February is the best time to plant pecan trees. But before you decide to add a pecan tree to your landscape, there are some things to consider.
Pecan trees grow to be quite large – 60 feet tall with a spread of 40 feet – so make sure your site is large enough. In addition,... read more

New Resource Guide Assists Veterans in Agriculture

New Resource Guide Assists Veterans in Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 25, 2013 – A new resource guide developed by Farm Bureau and the Farmer Veteran Coalition Partnership is now available.
Farm Bureau and the FVC are working together to train beginning farmers, make equipment available to veteran farmers and help find farm ownership or employment opportunities for members of the military transitioning into the civilian workforce.
“Through this partnership, I am optimistic returning... read more

Our Light...Yours and Mine

Our Light...Yours and Mine

A lighthouse keeper lit a tiny candle and carried it up a long, winding stairway. “Where are you taking me?” asked the candle. “To show big ships their way across the ocean,” was the reply. “But no ship could possibly see my little light,” weakly said the candle. “Leave that to me,” said the keeper as from the flame of the little candle he lit the lighthouse beacon.

If you and I ever get discouraged, there is a BIG MESSAGE in this little... read more

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

This is a new take on
an old favorite

1/2 cup butter, softened 2/3 cup sugar
1 egg, separated 2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
FILLING:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 2 teaspoons milk
1 tablespoon butter, softened 26 milk chocolate kisses
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, cream butter... read more