February 2016 Articles

Archives by Months

Fall is time to plant fruit trees in La. Editor

Fall is time to plant fruit trees in La. Editor: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu,
By Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Plucking fresh fruit from your own orchard can be a delicious way to add beauty and taste to your home landscape. The best time to plant fruit trees in Louisiana is now through January. Plant now, and you can pick your own fruit at home later. Fruit trees and bushes make a great addition to... read more

Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federatio

Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding Senate WOTUS Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 1, 2015 -- “While the effort to send the flawed Waters of the U.S. rule back to the drawing board fell a few votes short, we applaud members of the U.S. Senate who today stood up for farmers and ranchers. While we are disappointed in today’s vote, we know this issue will remain a critical one for America’s farmers... read more

Farm Bureau Asks Supreme Court to Stop EPA Abuse of Clean Water Act Powers

Farm Bureau Asks Supreme Court to Stop EPA Abuse of Clean Water Act Powers Source: www.fb.org WASHINGTON, D.C., November 6, 2015 –The American Farm Bureau Federation and a coalition of agricultural and builder groups today asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court ruling that allows the Environmental Protection Agency to micromanage local land use and development decisions under the guise of implementing... read more

WOTUS Guidance Would Result in Continued

WOTUS Guidance Would Result in Continued Confusion, Chaos Source: www.fb.org WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 18, 2015 - If federal agencies are left the task of developing implementation guidance for the Waters of the U.S. rule, the result will be a continuation of the rule's "liabilities, confusion and chaos." Issuing guidance can't fix a broken rule, according to a letter the American Farm Bureau Federation... read more

Louisiana 4-H’ers compete at international livestock show

Louisiana 4-H’ers compete at international livestock show
Writer: Johnny Morgan at 225-578-8484 or jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
FARMERVILLE, La. – A group of Louisiana 4-H members competed at the North American International Livestock Exposition held in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 7-20. The 4-H’ers attended after winning the LSU AgCenter’s Beef and Sheep Educational Award trip during the State Fair of Louisiana... read more

USDA Names Minority Farmers Advisory Committee

USDA Names Minority Farmers Advisory Committee WASHINGTON, November 6, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed members of the USDA Minority Farmers Advisory Committee (MFAC). The committee provides farmer, rancher, industry and public perspectives on USDA strategies, policies and programs that impact minority farmers and ranchers.... read more

La. 4-H’ers compete at National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference

La. 4-H’ers compete at National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference
Writer: Olivia McClure at 225-578-3262 or omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
BATON ROUGE, La. – Several Louisiana 4-H students placed in contests held during the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on Nov. 18 and 19.
All of the 4-H’ers who placed had previously won Louisiana contests, said Theresia Lavergne, LSU AgCenter poultry specialist.
Matthew Landry, Ascension Parish 4-H’er,... read more

Winter Feeding of Sheep and Goats: General Rules of Thumb for Gestating and Lact

Winter Feeding of Sheep and Goats: General Rules of Thumb for Gestating and Lactating Females Source: U of A, By: Chelsey Ahrens, Ph.D., Specialty Livestock/Youth Education Specialist, Arkansas Extension Knowing the nutritional requirements of females during the various stages of production allows producers to ensure females are performing at optimal levels. Since females are typically in late gestation and/or lactating during the winter... read more

Crock Pot Chocolate Lava Cake

Crock Pot Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate cake mix, prepare as directed
Chocolate pudding mix, prepare as directed
1 cup chocolate chips

Spray crock pot, put cake mix in, then layer pudding, on top sprinkle chocolate chips. Do not stir. Cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2.

"Spiritual Corner"

Spiritual Corner:

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” –Luke 2:7

Christmas is the time where we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, God’s only son, was sent to this earth to live fully as a human and fully as God. He lived a completely perfect and sinless life. He was a teacher, a healer, a carpenter, a miracle worker, and a friend. He walked the earth praising His Father in... read more

Should Beef Producers Implement Genotyping Technologies/DNA Testing Into Their S

Should Beef Producers Implement Genotyping Technologies/DNA Testing Into Their Selection Strategies?
What are genotyping technologies? The genotyping technologies that are currently being marketed to beef producers are based off of genetic markers that have been identified to be associated with economically important traits. A producer can have DNA extracted from an animal’s sample of hair, tissue or blood for future genomic testing. Specifically, these genomic tests evaluate genetic... read more

Maintain body condition between calving and the breeding season (“Don’t let

Maintain body condition between calving and the breeding season (“Don’t let ‘em slip”)— Body condition score at calving is the single most important trait determining when a cow resumes heat cycles and therefore when she is likely to re-conceive for the next calf crop. However, it is also very important to avoid condition loss between calving and the breeding season to maintain excellent rebreeding performance. Fall calving cows normally are in good body condition when they calve in September... read more

Proper care helps poinsettias thrive through holidays

Proper care helps poinsettias thrive through holidays
Writer: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu
BATON ROUGE, La. – The holidays are upon us, and scores of poinsettias are available in stores and garden centers throughout Louisiana.
“If you purchase a poinsettia now, you can expect it to last until the New Year if you give proper consideration to selection and care,” said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings.
Consumers still favor red poinsettias,... read more

USDA Selects Louisiana to Participate in 2015 Specialty Crop Multi-State Program

FROM the Commissioner
For Louisiana to maintain a leading position, we must surpass existing standards of agricultural and forestry achievement and seek additional opportunities for growth and prosperity. Louisiana's agricultural industries and its forestry, soil and water resources are critical to the advancement of our state and play a central role in our diverse cultural heritage.... read more

La. forest industry website gets update

La. forest industry website gets update Writer: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu
BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter recently updated an online directory with current information about forest products companies in Louisiana.
The site allows users to search more than 600 companies by product, parish or company name, said Richard Vlosky, director of the Louisiana Forest Products Development Center in the AgCenter.
Company locations are identified on a Louisiana map, and company contact information... read more

Landowners may benefit by growing crops among trees

Landowners may benefit by growing crops among trees
Writer: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu BATON ROUGE, La. – Growing crops among trees in a managed forest can contribute to rural economic development, a group of LSU AgCenter researchers said during a presentation recently at the national convention of the Society of American Foresters. The... read more

Winners from 2015 LSU AgCenter State Fair Hay Quality Contest Announce

Winners from 2015 LSU AgCenter State Fair Hay Quality Contest Announced Winners from the 2015 LSU AgCenter State Fair Hay Quality Contest were announced at the Ark-La-Tex Agricultural Council’s State Fair Junior Livestock Sale on Wednesday, October 28, 2015. First place in the warm season grass category was awarded to James Gray of Desoto Parish. Mr. Gray’s hay sample had a 21% crude protein rating, and a 60.4% total digestible nutrients (TDN) value. This sample was also the Grand Champion Forage. Second place in the warm season grass category... read more

Cattlemen Urge Congress to Address Expired Tax Extenders Legislation

Cattlemen Urge Congress to Address Expired Tax Extenders Legislation
(November 16, 2015) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association along with the Public Lands Council and 37 additional agriculture groups sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging Congress to take up legislation addressing expired tax extenders. NCBA President Philip Ellis of Chugwater, Wyo., said it is critical to address expired tax provisions for long-term business planning.
“Farmers... read more

Rose rosette disease confirmed in Louisiana

Rose rosette disease confirmed in Louisiana Editor: Johnny Morgan at 225-578-8484 or jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
BOSSIER CITY, La. – A devastating disease of roses called rose rosette disease caused by Rose rosette virus has been confirmed for the first time in Louisiana by LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings and AgCenter “Plant Doctor” Raj Singh.
Rose rosette was found on landscape shrub roses growing in a commercial landscape in Bossier City, Singh said. “Modern roses, which include our hybrid... read more

Just Rambling February 2016

Just Rambling:
We enjoyed another very good Ag Expo sponsored by the North Louisiana Agri-Business Council. What a great event for Agriculture and Agri-Business. This year’s event had so much to offer—Stock Dog Trials, Horse riding techniques, Farrier demonstrations, Jr. Livestock Show, Drone operations, Basic gardening techniques, Bee keeping demo, Chicken chat, Healthy horses, and Ag Alley for the kids to learn more about where and how their food and fiber is produced.... read more