Agriculture

Weather slows promising La. corn harvest

Louisiana corn farmers are harvesting what could be a record corn crop — when the weather allows them to run their combines through the fields. Rain showers, particularly in the afternoon, have been plaguing farmers recently.

New rice lines featured at AgCenter field day

More than 400 people attended the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station field day on June 28 to hear about the latest work being done to help rice farmers.

LSU AgCenter selects vendor for medical marijuana program

The LSU AgCenter has notified the Board of Supervisors of their intent to contract with GB Sciences, Inc., to produce a medical marijuana product for qualifying patients. GB Sciences will work under the LSU AgCenter license in compliance with state law and rules established by regulatory agencies.

Louisiana rice acreage down 8%

This year’s Louisiana rice planting, estimated at 400,000 acres, is 8 percent less than last year, according to LSU AgCenter rice extension specialist Dustin Harrell. AgCenter estimates for the 2016 crop were 432,168 acres.

Wheat acreage affected by diseases, weather

Poor prices, weather and diseases have caused Louisiana wheat production to drop to 16,000 acres, LSU AgCenter experts said at a field day held April 19 at the Macon Ridge Research Station. Statewide wheat acreage was about 150,000 just three years ago, according to the 2014 AgCenter Ag Summary.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office arrests

The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. March 27 Randy James Faul, 37, 1100 block of Praire Ronde Highway, Opelousas. Issuing worthless checks. Dylan James Roberie, 28, 200 block of Herbert Ortego Road, Washington. Possession of stolen things, simple burglary.

Workshop features drones in agriculture

Drones can provide an aerial view of a crop’s progress and health, but they won’t replace scouting fields on foot, LSU AgCenter researchers advised on March 16 at a drone workshop held at the AgCenter Dean Lee Research Station.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office arrests

The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. March 14 Carl J. Batiste, 45, 700 block of South West Railroad, Ville Platte. Bench warrant, simple burglary. Arrested by Opelousas Police. Eugene Boxie, Jr., 31, 400 block of Vatican Road, Carencro.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office arrests

The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. March 10 Bryant K. Edwards, 46, 2100 block of Hwy. 167, Opelousas. Obstruction of justice, distribution-harmful material/publications-minors, possession of schedule II drugs, six counts of drug paraphernalia.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office arrests

The following are arrests reported by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. March 3 Ernest Polotzola, 24, 200 block of Division Road, Krotz Springs. Simple burglary, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Joseph Leon Adams Johnson, 29, 100 block of Third Street, Melville. Home invasion.