February 2020 Articles

Archives by Months

Just Rambling February 2020 Issue:

Just Rambling February 2020: Things have been moving rather fast during the past week since my daughter, Dana, gave birth to a little boy— Hayden Rebel Alexander. He was born on January 29th at 2:17 a.m., which was my father’s birthday. Dana has written about this in her regular article which also has a picture of her, Randy and little Hayden Rebel. Randy has been by Dana’s side continuously... read more

Scripture To Live By: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Scripture To Live By: 1 Peter 1:13-16 ¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children not conforming yourselves to the former lust, as... read more

Spiritual Corner February 2020

Instead of my normal Spiritual Corner, I’d like to update you on why I didn’t write a February Spiritual Corner: It’s been a long (almost) 7 days. I went to Northern Louisiana Medical Center last Tuesday at about 1:00 pm and discovered my water had broken. After complications with my epidural, then my epidural not working, and just an overall long and difficult labor, I finally had a... read more

New technology offers farmers benefits

New technology offers farmers benefits Writer: Bruce Schultz at 337-788-8821 or bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu (01/24/20) ALEXANDRIA, La. — Farmers can benefit from using emerging technology on their farms by reducing expenses and increasing crop yields, LSU AgCenter experts advised at a digital agriculture conference held on Jan. 23. Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture, said the LSU College of... read more

Enhance meals with homegrown herbs

Enhance meals with homegrown herbs Editor: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Nothing completes a great recipe better than fresh herbs straight from your garden. Have you ever pulled out a recipe that calls for a specific fresh herb, gone... read more

Native grasses highlight Master Gardener seminar

Native grasses highlight Master Gardener seminar Writer: Johnny Morgan at 225-578-8484 or jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu (01/23/19) WEST MONROE, La. — Restoring native plants and landscapes was a highlight at this year’s Ag Expo gardening seminar in West Monroe on Jan. 17.... read more

AgCenter forestry researcher studying ways to lessen drought

AgCenter forestry researcher studying ways to lessen drought effects Writer: Olivia McClure at 225-578-3262 or omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu (01/14/20) HOMER, La. — Pine trees are an important natural resource in Louisiana. They fuel the state’s multibillion-dollar timber industry, provide habitat for wildlife and are a defining element of the landscape.... read more

Recordkeeping for Ranchers

Recordkeeping for Ranchers Dr. Shane Gadberry, Professor - Ruminant Nutrition, University of Arkansas The recently completed Arkansas Beef Industry Assessment indicated ranch recordkeeping as a limitation in production. Ranch records are not only important when it comes tax time but also for benchmarking and tracking progress toward ranch goals. With many transactions being electronic, financial records may be... read more

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Availa

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available ALEXANDRIA, La, Jan. 21, 2020 — Mississippi agricultural producers who lost property due to recent natural disasters may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) physical loss loans. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers these low-interest loans to agricultural producers in Amite, Clarke, Franklin, Jasper,... read more

Japanese magnolia flowers spring to life

Japanese magnolia flowers spring to life Editor: Rick Bogren at 225-578-5839 or rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Japanese magnolias are in bloom everywhere right now, possibly signifying an early spring. It’s one of the most strikingly beautiful blooming trees this time of year.... read more

CDC study shows physical inactivity high among La. adults; LSU AgCenter program

CDC study shows physical inactivity high among La. adults; LSU AgCenter program addressing problem Writer: Tobie Blanchard at 225-578-5649 or tblanchard@agcenter.lsu.edu
(01/16/20) BATON ROUGE, La. — Maps released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that Louisiana is one of seven states with the highest prevalence of physical inactivity among adults. The findings indicate that more than 15% of adults in every state are inactive. That that number jumps... read more

Kidding and Difficult Births (Dystocia)

Kidding and Difficult Births (Dystocia) Rodney Johnson, LSU AgCenter Associate Agent Dystocia, or difficult birth, is common in sheep or goats and causes the death of many lambs/kids and ewes/ does. Yearling mothers are much more susceptible to problems than mature animals that have given birth previously. Obesity and lack of exercise... read more

February Garden Tips

February Garden Tips Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard, Consumer Horticulture Specialist ● Add color to your landscape with cool-season bedding plants, such as alyssum, calendula, cabbage, dianthus, gerbera daisy, hollyhock, lobelia, pansy, petunias, snapdragons and violas.... read more

Horse Trivia:

Horse Trivia: Horses on barrier islands have been observed to drink saltwater. (One famous example of barrier islands is Chincoteague and Assateague, off the Virginia and Maryland coast, original home of Marguerite Henry’s famous Misty.)
Horses on barrier islands have been observed to drink saltwater. (One famous example of barrier islands is Chincoteague and Assateague, off the Virginia and Maryland coast, original home of Marguerite Henry’s famous Misty.)

NCBA on New Water Rule: "Some Power Has Been Put Back in Hands of Landowners

NCBA on New Water Rule: "Some Power Has Been Put Back in Hands of Landowners" WASHINGTON (Jan. 23, 2020) - NCBA President Jennifer Houston today released the following statement in response to the finalization of a new water rule:
“This is the last regulatory step in a long-fought battle to repeal the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule and replace it with common-sense... read more

NCBA: USMCA Ratification Latest Victory for U.S. Cattle Producers

NCBA: USMCA Ratification Latest Victory for U.S. Cattle Producers WASHINGTON – (Jan. 29, 2020) – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jennifer Houston, who attended today’s White House signing ceremony for the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), today released the following statement:
“This is a great day for America’s cattle producers and we were... read more

LSU AgCenter leadership program welcomes new cohort

LSU AgCenter leadership program welcomes new cohort Editor: Tobie Blanchard at 225-578-5649 or tblanchard@agcenter.lsu.edu (01/15/20) BATON ROUGE, La. — A new LSU AgCenter Agricultural Leadership Development Program class started the week of Jan. 6 in Baton Rouge. This is the 17th... read more

New Clean Water Rule Provides Clarity, Certainty to Farmers and Ranchers

New Clean Water Rule Provides Clarity, Certainty to Farmers and Ranchers The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers and ranchers care about clean water and preserving the land, which are essential to producing healthy food and fiber and ensuring future generations can... read more

USMCA Signing Increases Optimism

USMCA Signing Increases Optimism Today’s signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by President Trump increases hopes that 2020 will begin a stronger decade for America’s farmers and ranchers.
“There is definitely increased optimism on farms and ranches across America and we’re grateful for the advances, but we’re also realists eager to see results – especially for our dairy and wheat producers,” said American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall.... read more

USDA-NRCS IN LOUISIANA ANNOUNCES SIGN-UP PERIOD FOR CONSERVATION FINANCIAL ASSIS

USDA-NRCS IN LOUISIANA ANNOUNCES SIGN-UP PERIOD FOR CONSERVATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana, February 3, 2020 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Louisiana announced the 1st signup period for applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP-EQIP) in fiscal year (FY) 2020 ends on March 6, 2020.... read more

FSA Encourages Producers to Enroll Soon in Agriculture Risk Loss and Price Loss

FSA Encourages Producers to Enroll Soon in Agriculture Risk Loss and Price Loss Coverage Programs Producers, Beat the Rush – Call Today to Make an Appointment WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 15, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers to enroll now in the Agriculture Risk Loss (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage... read more