July 2018 Articles

Archives by Months

NCBA Applauds House Passage of Farm Bill WASHINGTON

NCBA Applauds House Passage of Farm Bill WASHINGTON

Source: www.beefusa.org (June 21, 2018) – Today National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Kevin Kester issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representative's 213-211 vote to approve H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition... read more

Teen Giving Back to Kids After Brain Injury

Teen Giving Back to Kids After Brain Injury By Ted Harbin, owner of Rodeo Media Relations
MARION, La. - Hanna Conley has no recollection of the barrel racing wreck that changed her life. On Dec. 9, 2016, as her horse tried to round the second barrel, it stumbled then fell, and Hanna, then 13 years old, landed face first in the arena dirt. The result was a traumatic brain injury... read more

Diseases, insects, weeds are concerns as rice season progresses

Diseases, insects, weeds are concerns as rice season progresses Writer: Bruce Schultz at 337-788-8821 or bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu As the 2018 rice crop progresses into the heading stage, farmers should be looking out for diseases and insects, but weed control should also remain a concern, LSU AgCenter scientists advised at the Acadia rice field day on June 12.... read more

Check your trees; summer storms and hurricanes are coming

Check your trees; summer storms and hurricanes are coming Editor: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Violent thunderstorms can occur around the state during summer, and in south Louisiana high winds from hurricanes are a real concern. Now is an excellent time to take... read more

Broadband Connects Farmers to Greater Opportunities

Broadband Connects Farmers to Greater Opportunities By Dr. Carrie Castille, Louisiana Director, USDA Rural Development June 15, 2018 Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are critical to creating rural prosperity throughout Louisiana. However,... read more

Farm Bureau Hails District Court WOTUS Decision

Farm Bureau Hails District Court WOTUS Decision The following statement about a recent federal district court ruling regarding the 2015 “Waters of the United States” rule may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “A federal... read more

USDA Designates natural disaster areas

USDA Designates natural disaster areas
Baton Rouge, La. (June 20, 2018) –Agricultural producers in Natchitoches and Red River parishes who lost property caused by tornadoes and high winds from April 6 through April 7, 2018 are eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) physical loss loans, said Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M.
According to a news release, FSA... read more

Bill Would Help Protect Farmers and Ranchers From High Health Care Costs

Bill Would Help Protect Farmers and Ranchers From High Health Care Costs Source: www.fb.org Recently introduced House legislation addresses one of farmers and ranchers’ major concerns related to health insurance—cost. The Health Insurance Premium Reduction Act (H.R. 5963) would protect farmers, ranchers and other... read more

Inland Waterways Infrastructure Bill Ready for House Floor

Inland Waterways Infrastructure Bill Ready for House Floor Source: www.fb.org The House is expected to begin debate as early as today on the Farm Bureau-backed Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (H.R. 8). The bipartisan bill authorizes improvements to the nation’s ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration and other water resources infrastructure.... read more

Grassroots Involvement is a Real Game-Changer

Grassroots Involvement is a Real Game-Changer By Sine Kerr It only took one unpleasant experience speaking with individuals at a casual dinner party to realize I needed to make a change in the way I approached socially and emotionally charged topics related to agriculture. Initially, the conversation was amicable, with thoughts and ideas... read more

Farm Bureau-supported Bills Will Ensure Accurate Product Labeling

Farm Bureau-supported Bills Will Ensure Accurate Product Labeling Newly introduced labeling legislation will ensure that consumers continue to benefit from nutritional and allergy information on packaging, while guaranteeing that any additional product information required by states or cities is clear, accurate, meaningful and science-based. The Accurate Labels Act (H.R. 6022, S. 3019) is backed by the Coalition for Accurate Product... read more

Farm Bureau Files Brief Supporting Water Rule Opponents

Farm Bureau Files Brief Supporting Water Rule Opponents The American Farm Bureau Federation, together with a broad coalition of other farm and business groups, today filed a brief in support of 13 states challenging the EPA’s 2015 “Waters of the United States” rule before a federal district court in North Dakota. The brief explains how EPA repeatedly broke the law... read more

Water appropriately during dry weather

Water Appropriately during dry weather Editor: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu By Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Dry weather has been common around the state during May, and most of us have received less than... read more

Research Highlight: Beef Cattle Production

Research Highlight: Beef Cattle Production Effects of dam age on growth performance and carcass measurements of crossbred steers Source: U of A - Famous Yang, Fred Pohlman, Jeremy Powell, Karen Anschutz, Elizabeth Backes, John Richeson, James Hornsby, Jana Reynolds, and Bill Lindsey Past... read more

NCBA "Looks Forward" to Public Meeting on Fake Meat

NCBA "Looks Forward" to Public Meeting on Fake Meat Source: www.beefusa.org WASHINGTON (June 15, 2018) – Today National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Director of Government Affairs Danielle Beck issued the following statement in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement that they will hold a public meeting on foods produced using animal cell culture technology:... read more

A Visit to Berlin

A Visit to Berlin
My wife, Jenny, and I recently visited Berlin, Germany, on our honeymoon. We were married in March, but the summer is the best time for us to travel because we are both teachers. Jenny had never visited Germany before, so she was very excited. We arrived during the afternoon on Tuesday, June 5, after spending more than 24 hours in airports and on planes flying over from New Orleans. The only difficulties we had were in Stockholm: we had only 45 minutes to change... read more

UA Ranch Horse Team Wins National Title Second Year in a Row

UA Ranch Horse Team Wins National Title Second Year in a Row Source: U of A Animal Science Dept The U of A Ranch Horse Team defended its title as the American Stock Horse Association Division II National Champions on April 22 in Sweetwater, Texas. The competition was remarkably high this year and the battle for the championship came down to the final event. “This year was exciting because we won the... read more

Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casserole

Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casserole Ground Beef—Diced onions—Seasoned Italian bread crumbs—Brown sugar —Worcestershire sauce—1 egg—Instant garlic mashed potatoes —Grated marble cheese—real bacon bits
Start by mixing ground beef and diced onions with seasoned Italian bread crumbs, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce, then add... read more

Just Rambling July 2018:

Just Rambling:... read more

Spiritual Corner: Got God?

Spiritual Corner: Got God?

There’s at least one thing that I’m sure everyone can agree on and that is the sheer fact that LIFE IS HARD. I don’t care who you are, I know that you have a struggle (or struggles) of some kind. You may be struggling financially, you may have a family member or friend who is sick, you may be struggling with your teenage child, you may be struggling at your job, or you may be struggling with a character trait such as jealousy, selfishness, laziness, etc. Regardless... read more

AgCenter field day expo offers new forum for agriculture information

AgCenter field day expo offers new forum for agriculture information Writer: Olivia McClure at 225-578-3262 or omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu (06/21/18) WINNSBORO, La. — The LSU AgCenter hosted its first-ever field day expo on June 19 in Winnsboro, expanding the concept of a traditional row crop field day to include information... read more

Are You Growing The Best Tasting Watermelons?

Are You Growing The Best Tasting Watermelons?
The 55rd Annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival set for July 27th – 28th is fast approaching. One of the annual events held during the festival is the Interior Quality contest sponsored by the Farmerville Jaycees and conducted by the Union Parish office of the LSU AgCenter. When it comes to proving who has the best overall watermelon interior quality in the state, they have to travel to the Louisiana Watermelon Festival held only here in Union Parish. Watermelons... read more