Agriculture

Feral hogs run through a field at the LSU AgCenter Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station near Clinton. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Feral hogs run through a field at the LSU AgCenter Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station near Clinton. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

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Feral hogs costly to Lousiana farmers

Olivia McClure / omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, October 28, 2022
From rooting up crops to destroying farm infrastructure, Louisiana’s growing population of feral hogs causes $91.1 million in damage to agricultural and timber lands each year, according to a newly released LSU AgCenter estimate.
Swamp sunflower is in full bloom in fall and dots Louisiana natural landscapes. (Photo by Anna Ribbeck/LSU AgCenter)

Swamp sunflower is in full bloom in fall and dots Louisiana natural landscapes. (Photo by Anna Ribbeck/LSU AgCenter)

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Cheer up with the swamp sunflower

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 21, 2022
Bright and cheery yellow sunflowers are popping up everywhere — in ditches along roadways, in open fields, along fence lines and from woodlands to swampy areas. Spread among other native species such as goldenrod (Solidago spp.
A soybean field being harvested. (Photo by Craig Gautreaux/LSU AgCenter)

A soybean field being harvested. (Photo by Craig Gautreaux/LSU AgCenter)

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Louisiana farmers now face disappointment at harvest

Olivia McClure / omcclure@agcenter.lsu.edu
Friday, October 21, 2022
To say 2022 has been a challenging year for Louisiana farmers would be an understatement. Back in the spring, as farmers prepared to plant their fields, they knew they would be facing hefty input costs.
Goldenrod produces an abundance of gorgeous golden flowers. Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter

Goldenrod produces an abundance of gorgeous golden flowers. Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter

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‘Tis the season for sneezing

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 14, 2022
If you are like me, you suffer from seasonal allergies — sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes and coughing, all due to pollen from local, native plants that bloom in autumn. Among many culprits, two of the most common are goldenrod and ragweed.
The native persimmon has small fruit with lots of seeds, making them difficult to eat, even when ripe. They are known to attract deer and other wildlife. (Photo by Bob Mirabello/LSU AgCenter)

The native persimmon has small fruit with lots of seeds, making them difficult to eat, even when ripe. They are known to attract deer and other wildlife. (Photo by Bob Mirabello/LSU AgCenter)

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The persimmon: A bitter, then sweet autumn treat

V. Todd Miller / atvtmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
If you happen to be taking a walk in the all-too-brief temperate weather of October in Louisiana and stumble upon a tree with wide leaves and beautiful, yellow-orange fruit, don’t think about picking one and taking a bite. You will be in for a bitter disappointment.
Fallen leaves can be raked and used as mulch in landscape beds and gardens or composted. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

Fallen leaves can be raked and used as mulch in landscape beds and gardens or composted. (LSU AgCenter file photo)

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Leave the leaves and join the festivities

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, October 7, 2022
By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist I say it each fall: This is an excellent time of year to work in the landscape. The weather is cooling, and the days are getting shorter.
Southern magnolia is a native beauty resistant to strong winds. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter )

Southern magnolia is a native beauty resistant to strong winds. (Photo by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter )

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Plant more trees, please

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, September 16, 2022
Let’s talk about the weather. Even if you’re a climate change skeptic, you cannot deny that weather patterns have affected your life in some way in the past five to 10 years. Here in Louisiana, for example, many experienced unprecedented flooding in 2016.
Rutted fields are seen throughout the Louisiana rice belt. (Photo by Craig Gautreaux/LSU AgCenter)

Rutted fields are seen throughout the Louisiana rice belt. (Photo by Craig Gautreaux/LSU AgCenter)

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Rain slowed rice harvest

Derek Albert / LSU AgCenter
Friday, September 16, 2022
Louisiana rice farmers are certainly having a sense of deja vu as this year’s harvest comes to a close, as they’ve seen consistent, near-daily rainfall that has hampered their operations.

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Rice season described as ‘frustrating’ and ‘tough’

Steve Bandy / Crowley Post-Signal
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
“Frustrating” and “tough” are the two words most used to describe the 2022 rice season. “We started out good — a little wet — at planting, then we had a drought,” said Kane Webb, director of field services, USA Rice Federation. “And you see what we’ve been getting here lately.
Ornamental pepper plants are the perfect way to both spruce up the late summer landscape and celebrate the transition into fall. (LSU AgCenter file photos)

Ornamental pepper plants are the perfect way to both spruce up the late summer landscape and celebrate the transition into fall. (LSU AgCenter file photos)

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Plant ornamental peppers for spicy fall flair

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, September 9, 2022
The South has no reason for fall foliage envy. The traditional colors of autumn can be found in ornamental peppers — which can be planted into any sunny landscape to add spice and fall flair.