LSU AgCenter News

Louisiana Ag Officials: Hurricane Barry Farm Damage Fairly Local

Louisiana farmers say they’ve never seen storm damage worse than Hurricane Barry left behind, but the LSU AgCenter says that statewide crop damage was minimal. AgCenter and federal Farm Service Agency workers are checking crop damage, and it could be …

After Delay, Louisiana OKs Planting of Medical Marijuana

Louisiana’s first legal crop of medical marijuana can be planted this week. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, whose agency regulates the burgeoning industry, loosened a regulatory logjam that created a months-long delay. The Monroe News-Star reports that Strain’s team met with …

Ag Disaster Declared in 24 Louisiana Parishes, 2 Texas Counties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has named 24 Louisiana parishes and two Texas counties agricultural disaster areas because of last month’s storms and flooding. Eleven parishes are primary disaster areas, and the others are adjacent to them, the Louisiana Department …

Louisiana Ag Losses from March Flooding Could Top $15M

The agricultural loss from the March flooding across Louisiana could top $15 million, according to an economist with the LSU AgCenter. Kurt Guidry said the loss figures are preliminary, because reports are coming in daily from farmers and producers. Guidry …

Ag Losses in Louisiana from Feral Hogs Estimated at $74M

Feral hogs cost Louisiana farmers more than $74 million in crop losses and other damage in 2013, according to a new study by the LSU AgCenter. AgCenter economist Shaun Tanger, who’s been gathering data from farmers about feral hog activity …

Surveys Aim to Find Out Extent of Feral Hog Damage in Louisiana

Feral hogs are rooting up levees and snarfing down crops all around Louisiana, but nobody’s sure just how much damage they’re doing. The LSU AgCenter is working to get a handle on that with a pair of surveys. Forestry economist …