Agriculture

La. rice industry gives $1M for research

The Louisiana Rice Research Board has given $1 million to fund an academic chair dedicated for rice research in the LSU AgCenter. The presentation was made on Jan. 9 at the annual joint meeting of the Louisiana Rice Council and the Louisiana Rice Growers Association.

Louisiana cotton crop is harvested with mixed reactions

Louisiana’s 2018 cotton crop is being harvested with mixed reactions. “A lot of people were happy; a lot of people were sad,” said LSU AgCenter cotton specialist Dan Fromme. Northwest Louisiana was hit with drought during the growing season, while the northeast corner had good rainfall.

Frequent rain is hampering sugar cane harvest

Consistently rainy weather during recent weeks and months has hampered sugar cane farmers from harvesting this year’s crop and planting for next year. Sugar cane harvest season started around the beginning of October.

Frequent rain tough on sugar cane farmers

Consistently rainy weather during recent weeks and months has hampered sugar cane farmers from harvesting this year’s crop and planting for next year. Sugar cane harvest season started around the beginning of October.

‘Big data’ presents new opportunities, challenges in agriculture

Every summer, scientists at agriculture research stations spend hours with clipboards in hand walking down row after row of plants, going about a tedious chore known as rating plots.

Eunice Police dispatch radio logs

The following are excerpts from the Eunice Police Department radio dispatch logs. Oct. 8 05:15 Caller from 100 block of Prairie asked for extra patrol after verbal altercation with friends. 06:23 Caller from the Chevron on La. 13 said the car broke down and needs assistance with an autistic child.

Food bank donations highlight National Rice Month

The Louisiana rice industry donated more than 100,000 pounds of rice this week to feed the state’s hungry as part of National Rice Month.

Louisiana soybean farmers harvesting good crop

With more than half the Louisiana soybean crop harvested, many farmers are looking at a good year, according to LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Todd Spivey. “About 60 percent of the crop is out of the field,” he said.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office arrests

The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sept. 19 Sherry Michelle Laughlin, 44, 100 block of Nicole Lane, Opelousas. Possession with intent to distribute schedule IV. Arrested by Opelousas Police. Tylor Mundy, 24, 600 block of South Maple Street, Bunkie.

Farmers busy harvesting corn

Corn producers are working quickly to get this year’s corn harvest complete. Spotty afternoon rain showers slowed the harvest for some, but more favorable weather recently has allowed farmers the opportunity to try to catch up. “Average” seems the word to best describe this year’s corn yields.