(Distributed 03/05/12) The LSU AgCenter’s Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station near Clinton will hold a wildlife field day on March 17.

(Distributed 03/06/12) Identifying insects as native or invasive species just got easier with help from the LSU AgCenter entomology department.

(Distributed 03/30/12) A field day for wetland plant producers, agencies and private companies that specify smooth cordgrass in restoration projects throughout Louisiana is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24 at the LSU AgCenter Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 03/29/12) LSU AgCenter Macon Ridge Research Station will conduct a wheat and oat field day on April 11 at the station south of Winnsboro, La.

(Distributed 03/26/12) A one-day comprehensive workshop on how to make biodiesel from used vegetable oil will be offered in Baton Rouge on April 25 at the W. A. Callegari Environmental Center, a unit of the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 03/26/12) Gregg Henderson, the Paul K. Adams Professor of Urban Entomology at the LSU AgCenter, recently received the 2012 Recognition Award in Urban Entomology from the Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America.

(Distributed 03/23/12) The faculty from both the LSU and SU AgCenters met recently in the East Baton Rouge Metro Council Chambers to give their progress report for the year’s activities along with reports from their clientele.

(Distributed 03/21/12) The LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse-Home and Landscape Resource Center is sponsoring a Spring Garden Day on Friday, April 20, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

(Distributed 03/21/12) Farmers in Louisiana took advantage of warm weather to get an early start to their corn planting. Planting began back in February, and LSU AgCenter corn specialist John Kruse says about 35 percent of the crop has been planted.

(Distributed 03/21/12) Mindy McCallum Brooks does not mind doing the dirty work or any heavy lifting. Because she helps restore wetlands through native vegetation plantings, it is simply part of her job, and she does it very well. For her efforts, Brooks will be one of five recipients of the 2012 Coastal Stewardship Awards presented by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.

(Distributed 03/20/12) Recent LSU AgCenter Forestry Forums provided landowners with information that will help with future plans for their operations.

(Distributed 03/20/12) A joint field day for forest landowners in East Baton Rouge and the Feliciana parishes is scheduled for Friday, March 30 in Zachary.

(Distributed 03/20/12) Food safety and value-added food processing and its potential for economic growth in Louisiana were featured at the 10th Louisiana Food Processors Conference March 14-15 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 03/20/12) Parents could find it easier to convince their children to eat vegetables, and coaches could find it easier to rehydrate their athletes if a new discovery from the LSU AgCenter Department of Food Science makes it way into the marketplace.

(Distributed 03/19/12) CLINTON, La. – New research that may lead to combating the disease bluetongue in deer was featured at the LSU AgCenter’s wildlife field day at the Bob R. Jones – Idlewild Research Station in Clinton on March 17.

(Distributed 03/15/12) LSU AgCenter experts say the mild winter may or may not cause increased pest problems for the 2012 rice crop.

(Distributed 03/14/12) The New Orleans 2012 Spring Garden Show will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden on April 14-15 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

(Distributed 03/13/12) The LSU AgCenter will present the “magic” of agriculture again this spring as its annual “AgMagic” event unfolds April 23-29 in the Parker Coliseum on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. The successful event is in its ninth year and is designed to help children and adults understand that food, clothing, lumber and other products all are part of the complex agricultural system. It will be open for scheduled tours by school groups April 23-27 and to the public April 28-29.

(Distributed 03/12/12) Springtime losses in fish ponds are common throughout the southeast, and especially in Louisiana, according to an LSU AgCenter scientist.

(Distributed 03/12/12) CROWLEY, La. – The Louisiana Rice Growers Board of Directors chose John Owen, of Rayville, president and Jeffrey Sylvester, of Whiteville, vice president at its March 6 meeting.

(Distributed 03/07/12) The LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Chapter of the Azalea Society of America will be hosting an azalea symposium on Wednesday, April 4, at the Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed 03/02/12) HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Dustin Harrell and Brenda Tubaña, LSU AgCenter agronomists, were among seven scientists honored on Feb. 29 by the Rice Technical Working Group (RTWG) with a team award for their collaborative work on a nitrogen soil test for rice. The RTWG held its 34th gathering Feb. 27-March 1 with rice experts from across the United States and world.

(Distributed 03/05/12) “It’s been a long time coming,” said dairy science professor Chuck Boeneke concerning the sale of bottled milk in the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store.

(Distributed 03/05/12) The 12th class of the LSU AgCenter’s Agricultural Leadership Development program completed its two-year course of study with graduation February 25 at the LSU Union in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 03/02/12) With all of the negative messages about recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in dairy cattle, some consumers are concerned about the safety of the hormone for animals and humans, but LSU AgCenter dairy scientists say there is no safety issue.

(Distributed 03/01/12) As we get more warm, sunny days across south Louisiana, gardeners will start looking for outdoor chores to complete. The LSU AgCenter has announced a lineup of garden shows that will provide the tools, plants and information needed to bring spring in beautifully.

(Distributed 03/01/12) The Southwest Louisiana Forestry Association will hold its annual meeting at the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Longleaf on Sat., March 17, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.