Just Rambling: I hope and pray that this writing of my “Just Rambling” finds everyone healthy and avoiding being infected by the Corona Virus. This pandemic is truly a situation that I have never been involved in or could have imagined. They say that this virus began in China and was... read more
Spiritual Corner: Transformative Trials
The world’s a scary place right now. I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t had anxious or fearful thoughts recently. It’s scary to think that you’re doing what you can to protect your family, but that it might not be enough. It’s scary not knowing what might happen. The unknown is always a little scary, though, isn’t it? Trials of life are always a little scary, and sometimes, they’re... read more
AgCenter agents still distributing vital information Writer: Craig Gautreaux at cgautreaux@agcenter.lsu.edu Having to work from home comes with challenges. But farmers are still busy in their workplace: fields, pastures and ponds. To help farmers produce a successful crop, LSU AgCenter agents are using many delivery methods to disseminate needed information.... read more
AgCenter agents still distributing vital information Writer: Craig Gautreaux at cgautreaux@agcenter.lsu.edu Having to work from home comes with challenges. But farmers are still busy in their workplace: fields, pastures and ponds. To help farmers produce a successful crop, LSU AgCenter agents are using many delivery methods to disseminate needed information.... read more
AgCenter experts urge cattle health programs Writer: Karol Osborne at kosborne@agcenter.lsu.edu (03/30/20) FARMERVILLE, La. — While most of the nation is sheltering in place to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, farmers and ranchers are working in the fields and pastures to keep the food supply chain going. As with human health, prevention is the key to... read more
Gardening is good for you Editor:Rick Bogren at rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter Horticulturist All things seem to revolve around the coronavirus outbreak of... read more
Cattle producers face price declines amid coronavirus pandemic Writer: Bruce Schultz at bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu (03/25/20) CROWLEY, La. — Cattle producers are facing significant price declines because of the coronavirus pandemic. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry said prices have fallen about 7% in two months for fed cattle, or animals that are ready for slaughter. The average... read more
Roman 8:31—What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Farmers begin planting amid uncertain prices Writer: Bruce Schultz at 337-788-8821 or bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu (03/23/20) BATON ROUGE, La. — Planting is underway or about to start for most crops, and farmers are watching the markets closely as the world economy reels from the fallout created by the novel coronavirus.... read more
Crossing the Border: Property Lines By Whitney Wallace A major but sometimes overlooked aspect of owning property is finding, marking and maintaining boundary lines. We all have heard the saying “good fences make good neighbors,” but physical fences may not be feasible when it comes to timber, road access and more. Whether it’s for your protection or for the safety of others, properly marked boundary lines are important. We will discuss some of the different... read more
AgCenter forestry forums support industry Writers: Karol Osborne at kosborne@agcenter.lsu.edu and Johnny Morgan at jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu (03/20/20) BATON ROUGE, La. — Challenges faced by timber landowners, loggers and other forestry industry groups were the focus of a series of forums held across the state... read more
Pets cannot spread coronavirus, but they can bring joy during stressful times Writer: Randy LaBauve at rlabauve@agcenter.lsu.edu (03/23/20) BATON ROUGE, La. — Some people are concerned that pets can catch or spread the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. To this point, research has shown no evidence that pets can spread the disease to other animals or to humans, according to... read more
As other states begin to impose restrictions on travel into their states (as has been reported by Texas and Oklahoma), the question has been how does that impact movement related to agricultural operations. While this specifically speaks about livestock movement, I would assume it applies to all agricultural related travel. The attached letter from LDAF provides approval for interstate travel as agriculture has been designated by the President as a critical or essential industry. It is being suggested... read more
NCBA Applauds Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging COVID-19 Relief for Cattle Producers WASHINGTON (April 1, 2020) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauded a congressional letter that was sent today to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging swift relief for American cattle producers who have been adversely impacted by the ongoing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The letter... read more
NCBA Sends Letter to Ag Secretary Perdue Urging Aid for American Cattle Producers WASHINGTON (March 27, 2020) – Following final passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by the U.S. House of Representatives, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today sent a letter urging United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to “take immediate action to... read more
Coronavirus Aid Package Critical for Farmers The coronavirus aid package negotiated by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and agreed to by Senate leaders and the White House will help ensure farmers and ranchers are able to continue feeding America in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall: “Thanks to Leader McConnell and all the... read more
Agriculture Must Be Included in Disaster Loan Program Thirty-one agriculture organizations and businesses are calling on the U.S. Small Business Administration to include agricultural businesses in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, as intended by Congress in the CARES Act. The notice on the SBA website... read more
Stretching your food dollars in times of a public health emergency Editor: Olivia McClure at omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu The COVID-19 public health emergency can be a tough time for those with limited food dollars. Some are now in situation where their income has been drastically reduced. Sandra May, LSU AgCenter registered dietitian, said many people may be concerned about making multiple trips to the... read more
Create a healthy home food environment Editor: Rick Bogren at rbogren@agcenter.lsu.edu (03/26/20) BATON ROUGE, La. — As the coronavirus pandemic causes changing routines and people spend more time at home, it is now more important than ever to maintain or create a healthy home food environment, said LSU AgCenter nutrition specialist Elizabeth Gollub.... read more
FSA Makes Changes to Farm Loan, Disaster, Conservation and Safety Net Programs to Make it Easier for Customers to Conduct Business FSA Services Available by Phone Appointment Only ALEXANDRIA, LA, March 27, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are open in Louisiana by phone appointment only until further notice, and FSA staff are available to continue helping... read more
Those of you with Private Pesticide Applicator’s License, if you were due to recertify by March 31, 2020 but were not able to attend a recertification meeting, please see the information below. Update from the LSU AgCenter Pesticide Safety Education Program The LSU AgCenter PSEP has been working with the LSU AgCenter Administration and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Pesticide Division to make a decision on the applicators that need recertification between now and March 31, 2020.... read more
USDA Announces More Than 3.4 Million Acres Selected for General Signup Conservation Reserve Program ALEXANDRIA, LA, March 26, 2020 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup recently completed, the first general signup enrollments since 2016. County offices will begin notifying producers with accepted offers no later than April 3.... read more
USDA Continues Conservation Planning and Programs for America’s Farmers and Ranchers
NRCS Services Available by Phone Appointment Only
ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana, March 26, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field offices in Louisiana are open by phone appointment only until further notice, and NRCS staff are available to continue to provide one-on-one, customer-specific advice to producers to help them meet their unique conservation and business goals.
All... read more
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is concerned about your safety and well-being. That is why during this time of concern over transmission of COVID-19, the 2020 LFBF YF&R Youth Livestock Show scheduled for April 17-18 is cancelled. Any pre-paid registrations will be refunded in as timely a manner as possible. We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but, again, your safety and well-being are paramount. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to getting back together with our Farm... read more