(Distributed 04/12/12) High commodity prices benefit farmers, but they could be driving up rents farmers pay for land. Farmers in some areas of Louisiana are seeing land rents increase dramatically, according to Kurt Guidry, LSU AgCenter economist, and this could hurt their bottom line and affect production decisions.

(Distributed 04/16/12) MANSURA, La. – A dozen supporters of 4-H will be honored May 19 when they are inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be from 1-3 p.m. at the 4-H Museum at 8592 La. Highway 1, also the LSU AgCenter Extension Office for Avoyelles Parish.

(Distributed 04/24/12) VIDALIA, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold a workshop for landowners to start or extend an outdoor recreational business on their property held June 6 at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center at 112 Front St. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with the program running from 9 a.m. until 3:15 p.m.

(Distributed 04/20/12) CROWLEY, La. – Officials with the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry met on April 18 with representatives of the Kellogg Co. to work on details for a Master Rice Grower program that will encourage sustainable farming practices.

(Distributed 04/20/12) Many students have seen cows, but not many had touched one until they attended Farm Day at the LSU AgCenter campus dairy on April 18-20.

(Distributed 04/20/12) East Baton Rouge Master Gardeners will hold their annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale May 12 at LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(Distributed 04/18/12) The LSU AgCenter will spotlight Louisiana agriculture in a fun, interactive educational setting during its annual AgMagic event April 23-29 at the Parker Coliseum on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. AgMagic is designed to give children and adults an enjoyable way to learn how food, clothing, lumber and other products are all part of a complex agricultural system. It also shows them the important connections among agriculture, the environment and their lives.

(Distrubuted 04/18/12) The LSU AgCenter recognized 17 new members of its Patent and PVP Club at a reception April 17 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 04/17/12) WINNSBORO, La. – Despite a dry planting season this past fall and a relatively wet and warm winter growing season, Louisiana wheat farmers can expect to harvest a good crop, according to LSU AgCenter experts.

(Distributed 04/17/12) A new sports drink is hitting the market, and its origins are in Louisiana. It’s called EX5. The “5” refers to the drink’s five benefits – quicker recovery, less sodium, lower calories, more electrolytes and less sugar, says inventor Brian Brothers, of Covington, La.

(Distributed 04/17/12) Louisiana rice farmers are wrapping up their planting season, marked by heavy rainfall in some areas and warm temperatures.

(Distributed 04/17/12) JEANERETTE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station will hold a field day for beef cattle producers on May 5.

(Distributed 04/17/12) The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will host an open house for nursery, landscape, retail garden center, irrigation and related industry professionals.

(Distributed 04/13/12) The LSU AgCenter will conduct a small ruminant field day at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine on May 19. The Southern University Ag Center is cosponsoring the event.

(Distributed 04/13/12) From now until early May, a tiny black fly known as the turkey gnat can cause problems for birds, especially caged or cooped poultry. The swarming of these gnats can disturb poultry and cause them to injure themselves or pile up on each other, which can lead to suffocation and death, said LSU AgCenter poultry specialist Theresia Lavergne.

(Distributed 04/13/12) The LSU AgCenter Burden Center is moving forward with its plans to become more of a Baton Rouge destination than just a research station through the help of private donations.

(Distributed 04/09/12) CROWLEY, La. – The LSU AgCenter web log that follows the progression of a rice field at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station is again allowing internet visitors to see the management of a rice crop.

(Distributed 04/05/12) LAFAYETTE, La. – Aquaculture specialists with the LSU AgCenter will present an educational program for crawfish producers at the Lafayette South Regional Library at 6:30 p.m., April 10. They will give an assessment of the current season and explain how drought conditions last summer and fall played a part in the slow start to the season.

(Distributed 04/04/12) Students across Louisiana will be engaged in wetlands-related activities during Youth Wetlands Week, which runs April 22-27. Activities will revolve around learning the vital role wetlands play in offering recreational and economic opportunities along with their ecological value such as protection from hurricanes and their ability to improve water quality.

(Distributed 04/04/12) Little children will have big fun finding and eating Easter eggs. But LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames said if you’re planning to peel and eat, stuff or make egg salad from leftover dyed Easter eggs, be sure to follow food safety guidelines.

(Distributed 04/04/12) The LSU AgCenter is making its fourth Louisiana Super Plants release. The three flowers for spring 2012 are Senorita Rosalita cleome, BabyWing begonia and Penny Mac hydrangea. This program highlights tough and beautiful plants that perform well in Louisiana gardens and is good for the nursery and landscape business.

(Distributed 04/03/12) Finishing touches are being made to the 30-acre expansion of LSU AgCenter’s Camp Grant Walker that will give 4-H campers the chance this summer to study wetlands ecosystems, to learn about boating and ATV safety, and to challenge their abilities at fishing, shooting sports and gardening.