Agriculture

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.

Soybean demand is strong

Worldwide demand for U.S. soybeans remains strong in the midst of a trade war, and China still needs America’s soybeans, according to an LSU AgCenter report on trade tensions with China. “There are, as yet, no signs of slowing global demand for U.S. soybeans, which is positive,” the report says.

High tariffs cause soybean price to plummet

American farmers receive billions of dollars in federal aid every year to protect them when prices fall due to weather or market fluctuations.

Furrow irrigation noted at rice field day

Farmers heard about the benefits and challenges of growing furrow-irrigated rice at an LSU AgCenter row rice field day on July 18.

LSU AgCenter sets rice field days

The LSU AgCenter will hold a series of field days to help rice farmers learn about the latest recommended practices to improve their crop production. Experts will make presentations on variety development, fertility, growing soybeans and controlling problems of diseases, insects and weeds.

Burglaries in northern area of parish focus of Acadia Crime Stoppers

Deputies with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office are investigating three separate home burglaries which occurred on April 17 in the northern portion of Acadia Parish.

Louisiana rice planting on schedule thanks to recent dry weather

Recent stretches of dry weather have allowed Louisiana rice farmers to get in the field and plant their 2018 crop on schedule. “In the last two weeks, we’ve made tremendous progress,” said Don Groth, resident coordinator of the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station in Crowley.

Project to fight citrus disease

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the LSU AgCenter are joining efforts on a project to fight citrus canker disease. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said the goal is to identify citrus canker tolerant satsuma cultivars.