(Distributed 9/29/08) ABBEVILLE – The LSU AgCenter is working closely with the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, state Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the Louisiana Farm Bureau to get affected cattle producers back on their feet along coastal Louisiana following hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

(Audio 09/29/08) We plant caladiums because of the colorful leaves they produce, and they make shaded areas more attractive. These plants grow from tubers much like potatoes. You can use that tuber to grow your caladiums in the following years, but you may need to dig it up and store it this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/30/08) Many cattle producers and their herds in Southwest Louisiana were affected by Hurricane Ike. LSU AgCenter agent Andrew Granger of Vermilion Parish is working with the cattle relief effort. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 9/30/08) Hurricane Ike tipped the losses in the Louisiana sweet potato crop to 50 percent. Farmer Ken Thornhill in Franklin Parish has started harvesting his fields, but he said he is seeing some encouraging results. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 9/30/08) Hurricane Ike’s slow-moving storm surge crept into areas of Vermilion Parish that had already seen devastating floods three years earlier from Hurricane Rita. Crop land damaged by salt water in 2005 was just returning to normal production. LSU AgCenter county agent Stuart Gauthier says many sugarcane fields that went under water could feel the effects for several years. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/29/08) Hurricane Gustav dumped 18 inches of rain on Ken Thornhill’s sweet potato fields. Hurricane Ike didn’t hit his fields in Franklin Parish as hard, but growers across the state are reeling from the two storms. According to early estimates, the state will lose 50 percent of its crop. The excessive water is causing the potatoes to rot in the field, says LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Dr. Tara Smith. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/29/08) Louisiana 4-H’ers will join others across the country in the celebration of National 4-H Week Oct. 5-11. The main focus of the week is to celebrate the accomplishments of the young people, volunteer leaders and parents involved in 4-H Clubs – as well as to encourage others to become involved in the unique youth development program.

(Audio 09/29/08) Louisiana gardeners use transplants to establish many vegetables and bedding plants. Transplants normally are young plants grown from seeds in a container and then added to your garden. It is very important that you get these transplants off to a good start. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) Many summer-flowering bulbs will continue to bloom well into the fall. Even though they are still growing and blooming, they are reaching the end of their season. October is not a good time to fertilize these plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/29/08) Gardeners often purchase the seeds they need to grow flowers or vegetables from seed racks at a local nursery. They may also mail-order seeds. And there are occasions when it's possible to save seeds from plants in your garden and use them for new plantings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)