December 2014 Articles

Archives by Months

Fruit, vegetable growers hear about practices, products

Fruit, vegetable growers hear about practices, products Writer: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu
BATON ROUGE, La. – Proper record keeping is essential for vegetable producers to verify their compliance with new Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Handling Practices (GHPs), LSU AgCenter food safety specialist Achyut Adhikari told a recent meeting of Louisiana fruit and vegetable growers.
While not regulations, GAPs and GHPs... read more

Pasture preparation starts now, experts say

Pasture preparation starts now, experts say Writer: Bruce Schultz at 337-788-8821 or bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu
OPELOUSAS, La. -- It’s not too early to start preparing spring pastures by attacking weeds and addressing fertility issues, LSU AgCenter experts advised Thursday (Nov. 6) at a beef cattle producer program.
LSU AgCenter weed scientist Ron Strahan said good rainfall didn’t just benefit forage. “It was a great growing season for weeds,”... read more

Feeding Hay: Management Considerations

Feeding Hay: Management Considerations - Winter feeding is often cited as the greatest cost associated with livestock production and hay is the primary winter feed used in most operations. Grazing is usually more economical than hay feeding so one goal should be to graze as long as possible before starting to feed hay. Whatever plans had been made for extending
grazing there will most likely be a time when hay feeding is necessary. Like other feed options, hay is an expensive... read more

Mobile Pet Shelter for Disasters Becoming a Reality

Mobile Pet Shelter for Disasters Becoming a Reality Source: www.ldaf.state.la.us
Baton Rouge, La. (November­­­ 24, 2014) – Construction is expected to begin in December for a mobile pet shelter scheduled to be in use by the 2015 hurricane season.
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said, “The evacuation, transportation and sheltering of household pets during disasters has become... read more

Horses need proper feeding in winter

Horses need proper feeding in winter
Writer: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu
BATON ROUGE, La. – Winter is quickly approaching in Louisiana.
In most other parts of the country, that means increased stable time, decreased riding time and significantly different nutrient requirements for our horses, said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker. Despite Louisiana’s mild winters, decreased temperatures and wet conditions will affect... read more

Cool down horses after exercise in winter

Cool down horses after exercise in winter Writer: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu
BATON ROUGE, La. – As cool November temperatures arrive in Louisiana, horse owners need to make preparations to keep their horses healthy through the winter.
“However, don’t let this cold weather fool you,” said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker. “Your riding and training goals for the winter can still be achieved as long... read more

Bed preparation key to long-term landscape success

Bed preparation key to long-term landscape success Editor: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu
By Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter horticulturist
HAMMOND, La. – Whether renovating an existing landscape or starting from scratch, we need to remember that soil pH and proper bed preparation will be essential in assuring top performance of our ornamental plants. A Louisiana landscape planned for long-term success includes these important considerations.read more

Horse owners should watch for symptoms of coronavirus

Horse owners should watch for symptoms of coronavirus
Writer: Olivia McClure at 225-578-3262 or omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
BATON ROUGE, La. – A horse in Port Allen, Louisiana, has been diagnosed by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine with equine enteric coronavirus. This highly infectious RNA virus can cause intestinal distress and is more common during the colder months of the year, said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.
Coronaviruses are a part of a large... read more

Farm Bureau and Coalition Call for Lame-Duck Congress to Extend Key Tax Provisio

Farm Bureau and Coalition Call for Lame-Duck Congress to Extend Key Tax Provisions
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 18, 2014 – America’s farmers and ranchers are ready for Congress to act swiftly to restore tax provisions essential to boosting small businesses and rural economies, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
In a letter to House and Senate leaders, Farm Bureau urged members of both chambers to work across the aisle to renew and preserve important tax provisions... read more

American Farm Bureau Calls on EPA to Ditch the Waters of the U.S. Rule

American Farm Bureau Calls on EPA to Ditch the Waters of the U.S. Rule Source: www.fb.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 14, 2014 – The Environmental Protection Agency’s and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed Waters of the U.S. rule is a blatant effort to expand federal authority over land use by regulating land as if it were “water,” the American Farm Bureau Federation said today.
AFBF filed formal comments with the EPA after... read more

Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding

Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding President Obama’s Statement on Immigration Source: www.fb.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 20, 2014 – “In practical terms, we do not expect the president’s initiative to help America’s farmers deal with the real labor challenges they face. Our nation loses millions of dollars in fruit and vegetable production every year because farmers cannot find labor to harvest... read more

Louisiana pecan industry still catching up from 2011 drought

Louisiana pecan industry still catching up from 2011 drought
Writer: Olivia McClure at 225-578-3262 or omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
SHREVEPORT, La. – As the weather cools off and the holidays get closer, “we buy pecans” signs are cropping up at gas stations and small stores along Louisiana highways.
Pecan harvest started about three weeks ago and will run through late December, said LSU AgCenter pecan specialist Charlie Graham. He expects about 15 million... read more

Estimated Feeding Returns in the Broiler Chicken Industry

Estimated Feeding Returns in the Broiler Chicken Industry Source: Ross Pruitt, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness LSU AgCenter
Net ready-to-cook (RTC) broiler chicken production has moderated in recent years from growth rates that frequently exceeded four percent prior to the early 2000s. Increased feed grain prices, excess supply, and the economic recession of 2007-2009 have contributed to modest production increases and two years of declines... read more

As strong as an oak

As strong as an oak Editor: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu, By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist
The oaks have become a part of American culture more than many other type of tree. Oaks are a symbol of strength and durability. Strong as an oak is a common comparison. “From little acorns mighty oaks do grow,” is a saying used to mean that small beginnings can lead to great things.
Oaks are not among the fastest growing shade trees, but some species grow... read more

Increasing production efficiency in the cowherd without in

Increasing production efficiency in the cowherd without increasing inputs
The cattle markets over the past few years have been very strong, but at the same time they have been faced with high production costs. With cattle selling at record high val-ues a lot of producers have expressed interest in increasing their herds, but have been hesitant due to the increased cost of produc-tion. A comment from Dr. Jude Capper sparked the topic of this article. Dr. Capper made the following... read more

Slow Cooler Dressing

Slow Cooker Dressing

1 pkg Jiffy Corn bread Mix (Cooked)
1 can cream of celery soup 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 Walmart rotisserie chicken deboned
1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped celery
10 slices torn white bread 4 eggs, beaten
2 cans chicken broth 2 t Poultry seasoning

Mix by hand and put in crock pot-(6qt)
Add 1 tablespoon butter on top, Cook 4-5 hours
Put on high & then on Low or medium
Stir at least one time to mix while cooking.... read more

Humor

Humor Helps us to overlook the unbecoming, understand the unconventional, tolerate the unpleasant, overcome the unexpected, and outlast the unbearable. Billy Graham

2013 U.S. animal agriculture

2013 U.S. animal agriculture contributed:

* Over 1.9 million jobs to the economy;

* $371 billion to gross domestic product; and

* $65 billion to household incomes.

At the national level animal agriculture paid $16 billion in income taxes and $7 billion in property taxes. In addition, the farmers and ranchers involved in animal agriculture contributed 5% or more of gross state product in 15 states-Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico,... read more