farming

Federal Regulations Could Change How La. Pecan Growers Do Business

Kate Archer Kent — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:04:00 +0000

Dozens of pecan growers across Louisiana met at the LSU AgCenter Pecan Research Station in Shreveport earlier this month to discuss how proposed federal regulations could impact their operations. State pecan specialist Charlie Graham said the Food Safety Modernization Act will bring about more stringent guidelines that will be harder for small farmers to implement and adhere to.

Red River Diversion to Quench Farmers' Fields

The Associated Press — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:47:14 +0000

A $4 million freshwater diversion project will pump water from the Red River into depleted Red Bayou, offering farmers along the nine-mile-long waterway in northwest Louisiana summertime relief for their fields.

Sugar Cane League to Meet in Lafayette

The Associated Press — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:03:57 +0000

The American Sugar Cane League will hold its annual meeting Feb. 5-6 in Lafayette.

The Daily Comet reports the Thibodaux-based group lobbies on cane growers and the sugar industry.

Market Outlook Bright for Rice, Soybeans

The Associated Press — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Despite uncertainty surrounding federal farm legislation, agricultural economists are optimistic about the market outlook for rice and soybeans with higher prices and more varieties expected.

Rainfall Hampering La. Farmers

The Associated Press — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Heavy rains in southwest Louisiana are flooding land and keeping some farmers out of the fields.

With Too Much Rain, Crawfish Swim Out of Ponds

The Associated Press — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:36:07 +0000

As rain followed rain in south Louisiana, the president of the Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association saw a good chunk of his crop swim over the levees around his ponds while fish swam in to feast on those remaining.

La. Farms and Timber Still Recovering from Drought

The Associated Press — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

North Louisiana farmers and timber growers say they're beginning to recover from drought in 2010 and 2011. But The Times of Shreveport reports it will take time to rebuild cattle herds and that trees stressed by the drought could continue to die for another two years.

USDA: La. Crop Yields Set Records

The Associated Press — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 03:28:45 +0000

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Louisiana's harvests this year include record yields for at least five crops — corn, soybeans, cotton, grain sorghum and rice. Sugarcane is still being harvested, but could be near a record.

Hurricane Isaac Aftermath Raises Questions About Louisiana Citrus Farming Future

Eve Abrams — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 21:54:18 +0000

When Hurricane Isaac blew through Louisiana, it caused an estimated $100 million worth of losses in agriculture. About 40% of the state’s citrus crop was destroyed, and in Plaquemines Parish, where most of our citrus comes from, nearly half the citrus acres were flooded.

Farmers in the worst hit areas are cleaning up. Meanwhile, the luckier farmers worry about the next time. All of them told Eve Abrams the future of Louisiana’s commercial citrus industry does not look good.

Sugar cane farmers: Outlook optimistic

The Associated Press — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:00:49 +0000

Hurricane Isaac's winds paired with recent rains made a rough start for this year's sugar-cane grinding season. But industry officials are optimistic that weather will improve this month, helping the process along.