April 2016 Articles

Archives by Months

Spiritual Corner: Try the Lamb

Try the Lamb
I’m going to be completely honest. I am not a fan of politics. At all. Honestly, until this year, I have never really kept up with anything political. I still am not overly involved with them, but this year I have watched a little more Fox News and read a little more about the potential candidates online. I have actually even discussed my opinions and thoughts with some people and allowed them to voice theirs to me. I’m telling you, I took huge... read more

Lots of Lambs – NSIP helps lamb production

Lots of Lambs – NSIP helps lamb production “If you keep better records, you will produce a better product,” says Dale Thorne, of Thorne Farms near Hanover, Michigan. A member of the American Lamb Board, which developed the Industry Roadmap advocating use of the National Sheep... read more

Frazier Named to Lead NCBA

Frazier Named to Lead NCBA The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has named Kendal Frazier its new chief executive officer. NCBA President Tracy Brunner made the announcement, saying he is confident that the nation's oldest and largest cattle industry association is in good hands.
"It was the belief of the officers and others involved with the search process that NCBA owed it to our members, our stakeholders... read more

Using young bulls in multi-sire pastures and cow-to-bull ratios—

Using young bulls in multi-sire pastures and cow-to-bull ratios—With spring bull sales in full swing, cow calf operators are assessing their bull batteries and making needed purchases. Producers often ask about the use of young bulls in the same breeding pasture with older, larger bulls. In most instances, this is a practice that should be discouraged if at all possible. Young bulls will normally lose the battle of deciding who is the dominant individual in the breeding pasture.... read more

Flooded landscapes require special care

Flooded landscapes require special care
Writer: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu (03/17/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Flooded gardens and landscapes require attention. Freshwater flooding caused by excessive rainfall primarily affects landscape plants by saturating the soil, said LSU AgCenter horticulturist... read more

Growing Weaned Calves

Growing Weaned Calves Source: www.uaex.edu Growth Growing calves have the highest TDN and protein requirement, as a percentage of the diet, of any cattle in the beef herd. For this reason, growing calves should be fed separately from the rest of the herd. The nutritional requirements for the weaned calf are determined by the age... read more

Beef producers hear about new regulations at field day

Beef producers hear about new regulations at field day Writer: Bruce Schultz at 337-788-8821 or bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu
(03/23/16) JEANERETTE, La. – Beef producers attending the Acadiana Cattle Producers and LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station Field Day on March 19 heard about new regulations that will restrict antibiotic use for livestock.
A total of 130 people attended the event.
AgCenter veterinarian Christine Navarre said antibiotics used for people and... read more

Protect Homes and Businesses from Termites after Flooding

Protect Homes and Businesses from Termites after Flooding

March 23, 2016
Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., is urging builders and homeowners to take steps to prevent the spread of termites as they remodel and clean-up following the recent flood event.
“If your community flooded and soil around your home or business washed away, the applied termiticide barrier may no longer exist and the area may need... read more

Farm Bureau calls on Congress to address Internet sales tax problem

Farm Bureau calls on Congress to address Internet sales tax problem Source: www.fb.org

March 23, 2016-Now is the time for Congress to move legislation that would provide clarity, uniformity and parity to U.S. merchants by allowing states to collect existing sales and use taxes on remote purchases, the American Farm Bureau Federation and 25 other organizations told House Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert Goodlatte (R-VA) in a recent letter.
Small and rural... read more

Farm Bureau Pleased by USDA Checkoff Decision for Cuba

Farm Bureau Pleased by USDA Checkoff Decision for Cuba Source: www.fb.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 22, 2016 -- The Agriculture Department's announcement that commodity checkoff funds can be used to help market U.S. farm products in Cuba lets America's farmers invest directly in the growth in trade between the two nations, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.
"American-grown foods hold a clear competitive advantage in the Cuban marketplace,... read more

Farm Bureau calls for permanent rail maintenance tax credit

Farm Bureau calls for permanent rail maintenance tax credit

March 22, 2016-With the Railroad Track Maintenance Tax Credit set to again expire at the end of this year, farmers and ranchers are urging Congress to approve the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act (S. 2595, H.R. 4626), which would permanently extend the 50 percent railroad track maintenance credit for short line railroads.
"Short line railroads are first- and last-mile carriers that connect... read more

Discard flooded fruits, vegetables, experts say

Discard flooded fruits, vegetables, experts say Writer: Tobie Blanchard at 225-578-5649 or tblanchard@agcenter.lsu.edu
(03/22/16) BATON ROUGE – Floodwaters have inundated homes, businesses and agricultural fields in many areas of Louisiana, and people need to be cautious.
Floodwaters can carry a high... read more

AgCenter wheat, oat field day set for April 20 in Winnsboro

AgCenter wheat, oat field day set for April 20 in Winnsboro Writer: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu
(03/23/16) WINNSBORO, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold its annual wheat and oat field day on April 20 at the Macon Ridge Research Station south of Winnsboro.
The program will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. followed by presentations... read more

Food scientist urges people to eat more raw food, less fried food, no burned foo

Food scientist urges people to eat more raw food, less fried food, no burned food Writer: Linda Foster Benedict at 225-578-2937 or lbenedict@agcenter.lsu.edu
(03/09/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter food scientist Jack Losso wants to help people eat better so they can be healthier.
Losso has so much to say about the topic that he’s written a 425-page book entitled “The Maillard Reaction Reconsidered: Cooking and Eating for Health.” It’s available in hardback... read more

Spring Fest 2016 scheduled for West Monroe

Spring Fest 2016 scheduled for West Monroe Writer: Johnny Morgan at 225-578-8484 or jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu
(03/14/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners will present Spring Fest 2016 and the eighth annual spring plant sale at the West Monroe Farmers Market from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 16.
LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Kerry Heafner said the sale will feature Louisiana Super Plants, vegetables, herbs, houseplants, tropical plants, flowing vines, flowering trees, butterfly garden... read more

Foresters hear updates on industry, state budget

Foresters hear updates on industry, state budget Writer: Bruce Schultz at 337-788-8821 or bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu
(03/17/16) ALEXANDRIA, La. – More than 125 foresters and landowners attended the LSU AgCenter Cenla Forestry Forum Tuesday (March 15) to learn about new industry developments.
Among the issues were possible state budget cuts to the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Buck Vandersteen, executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association,... read more

AgCenter releases home vegetable gardening guides

AgCenter releases home vegetable gardening guides Writer: Olivia McClure at 225-578-3262 or omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
As spring approaches and home gardeners get in full swing, the LSU AgCenter is offering a series of guides with tips on growing better vegetables.
The free guides, which are available on the AgCenter website, provide information on selecting varieties that grow well in Louisiana and in the amount of space and soil type in individual gardens. Tips on when and how to plant... read more

Beef, forage field day set for April 26 in Homer

Beef, forage field day set for April 26 in Homer Writer: Tammi Arender at 225-578-4524 or tarender@agcenter.lsu.edu
The LSU AgCenter Hill Farm Research Station will host a Northwest Beef and Forage Day on April 26.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the program will start at 9.
Stan Bevers, of Texas A&M AgriLife, will talk about today’s beef market outlook and what’s next for cattle producers.
“The volatility of the market is on the minds of all producers,” said... read more

Agritourism workshop set for May 10 in DeSoto Parish

Agritourism workshop set for May 10 in DeSoto Parish Writer: Tammi Arender at 225-578-4524 or tarender@agcenter.lsu.edu
Landowners who would like to explore the possibility of starting an agritourism destination can learn more at a workshop on May 10 in Keachi, Louisiana.
Agritourism is a blossoming business in Louisiana, said LSU AgCenter agritourism coordinator Dora Ann Hatch. According... read more

The Best Pecan Pie

The Best Pecan Pie (From the Cotton Country Collection) 1 Stick Butter 1 cup light Karo 1 cup sugar 3 large eggs, beaten 1/2 t lemon juice 1 t vanilla 1 dash salt 1 cup chopped pecans

Brown butter in saucepan until it is golden brown, do not burn; let cool. In separate bowl add ingredients in order listed; stir. Blend browned butter in well. Pour in a 8 or 9 inch unbaked pie shell and bake at 425... read more

Just Rambling April 2016

Just Rambling:
Early last month Donnette and I traveled to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, flying out of Monroe, LA on a Delta flight. Going through security was rather easy having only to take off my boots and jacket along with putting my ipad, cell phone, pen, car keys, bill fold and toiletries in a container to be scanned. My carry on bag and briefcase were also scanned. No big deal. Everything went real smooth until our return trip home which was coming out of Savannah, Georgia, back to Atlanta and then to Monroe. Before boarding in... read more