Agriculture

Louisiana Farm Bureau elects leadership

The voting delegates of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation elected Jim Harper, a rice, crawfish, sugarcane and soybean farmer in Rapides Parish, to a second term as president of the state’s largest general farm organization.

Take advantage of trial garden evaluations

I recently visited a few trial gardens across the South to see what’s new in the ornamental plant world. I saw some wonderful plants and got excited about some of the up-and-coming cultivars being tested for use in the landscape.

Protect, promote pollinators

June 21 to 27 is National Pollinator Week, and the focus is “Pollinators, Plants, People, Planet,” according to www.pollinator.org. Protecting pollinators should be popular year-round, but in June, we aim our focus on how these beneficial creatures help our ecosystems and bring food to our tables.

Pearls of wisdom: Unhinging oysters facts

“He was a bold man that first ate an oyster,” said 18th-century Irish satirist Jonathan Swift. Whether enjoyed fried, grilled, in a seafood gumbo or, perhaps most opinion dividing, raw, there is no denying the oyster’s impact on both Louisiana’s culture and seafood industry.

Southern bacterial wilt causing problem in Louisiana vegetables

Weeks of wet weather in Louisiana has led to damage from one of the most serious diseases of crops such as tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers. LSU AgCenter plant doctor Raj Singh said the disease is called southern bacterial wilt and is caused by the soil-borne bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum.

Daylilies are carefree

Daylilies are delightful, carefree plants By Heather Kirk-Ballard LSU AgCenter horticulturist Daylilies are impressive this time of year. Why aren’t they in every landscape? These herbaceous perennials are one of the most carefree flowering plants you can plant in your garden.

Grow your own cut flower garden

Nothing brightens a room like a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Many gardeners incorporate flowers into their landscapes to bring color to their outdoor areas, but have you ever considered dedicating a spot in your garden just for cut flowers?

Rain, rain go away

The rain has been pouring for nearly a week, causing flooding in parts of the state. One day brought 13 inches as the weather systems stalled over some cities. Many areas have been under water for days. One thing this weather has definitely shown us is where the problem spots are in our yards.

Mother’s Day is over, but termites missed the message

In Louisiana, termites tend to begin swarming the closer it gets to Mother’s Day. LSU AgCenter urban entomologist Qian “Karen” Sun says beginning in late April and going through June, termite alates, or swarmers, will be congregating around lights after dark.

Rain, rain go away

The rain has been pouring for nearly a week, causing flooding in parts of the state. One day brought 13 inches as the weather systems stalled over some cities. Many areas have been under water for days. One thing this weather has definitely shown us is where the problem spots are in our yards.