(Distributed 05/17/12) East Feliciana 4-H clubs hope their school-community garden project will help decrease the incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure in elementary and junior high students in the parish.

(Distributed 05/03/12) The LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station has scheduled a pest management and crop production field day for June 14 at the research station in St. Joseph.

(Distributed 05/30/12) Many Louisiana residents who have been outside during the day recently have probably noticed a fast-flying gnat buzzing their heads. People who have been bitten may have noticed a red swelling reaction.

(Distributed 05/30/12) CROWLEY, La. – The LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station will hold its annual field day June 28 with a variety of speakers and presentations.

(Distributed 05/25/12) Sheep and goat producers heard the latest in research-based information for raising their livestock at a field day held at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine on May 19.

(Distributed 05/25/12) MAMOU, La. – Experts from the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station will tell farmers about their latest work Thursday (May 31) at the Evangeline Parish Rice Field Day.

CROWLEY, La. – Rice growers heard details Thursday (May 24) of using a new fungicide that could help them with an untreatable form of the disease sheath blight.

(Distributed 05/25/12) The LSU AgCenter recognized the volunteer efforts of the Louisiana Master Gardener program with an appreciation day at the Hammond Research Station on May 18.

(Distributed 05/25/12) Alligator gar are declining in numbers across much of the country. Researchers at the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station have successfully spawned gar in tanks to be used in studies to better understand this ancient fish.

(Distributed 05/22/12) MANSURA, La. – A dozen individuals recognized for their dedication to youth were inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame here Saturday (May 19).

(Distributed 05/21/12) CROWLEY, La. – Representatives of a company selling new fungicides for rice and soybeans will hold a meeting at the Acadia Parish Extension Office at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 24.

(Distributed 05/18/12) MONROE, La. – The LSU AgCenter and the University of Louisiana at Monroe signed a memorandum of understanding on May 18 that will establish cooperative research projects between the two institutions.

(Distributed 05/17/12) White-tailed deer researchers at the LSU AgCenter Bob R. Jones Idlewild Research Station in Clinton are using sperm from dead bucks to keep their favorable genes alive.

(Distributed 05/16/12) CROWLEY, La. – Louisiana rice farmers who plan to harvest crawfish from their fields next year should consider restocking crawfish once their rice crops have been flooded.

(Distributed 05/15/12) CROWLEY, La. – Louisiana farmers let out a collective sigh of relief as word spread recently that federal officials had approved release of a new fungicide for rice.

(Distributed 05/11/12) Although Formosan subterranean termites can cause problems anytime during the year, Mother's Day is a major time when alates, or winged termites, are most active.

(Distributed 05/01/12) This year’s Louisiana soybean crop could exceed 1 million acres, boosted by low prices for other crops and high fertilizer prices, said Ron Levy, LSU AgCenter soybean specialist.

(Distributed 05/09/12) Alligator farmers could grow bigger alligators faster and with less cost based on feeding studies conducted at the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station.

(Distributed 05/09/12) Five teams and two individuals have been awarded a total of $33,852 to develop innovative extension programs over the next year, according to Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.

(Distributed 05/08/12) JEANERETTE, La. – Cattle producers attending a field day at the LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station on May 5 heard about the advantages and challenges of raising forage-fed cattle.

(Distributed 05/08/12) FENTON, La. – Rice farmers will have the chance to hear from LSU AgCenter scientists and to tour the new railroad loading facility at Lacassine during the Southwest Rice Field Day on May 30. The day begins with registration and coffee at 9 a.m. at the Fenton Rice Cooperative at 1311 U.S. Highway 165.

(Distributed 05/08/12) The LSU AgCenter School of Animal Sciences will present a beef field day at the Crossbred Beef Unit on Ben Hur Drive in Baton Rouge on June 9.

(Distributed 05/04/12) Plant producers, representatives from government agencies and private companies attended a unique field day to discuss the certification of wetland grasses during a field day at the LSU AgCenter Burden Center in Baton Rouge on April 24.

(Distributed 05/04/12) NEW IBERIA, La. – The LSU AgCenter hosted almost 1,200 third-grade students from across Iberia Parish May 2-3 to show them products from Louisiana agriculture and the state’s natural resources.

(DIstributed 05/04/12) Developing an appreciation for reading in young children is the goal of a literacy team at the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 05/03/12) The LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station has scheduled a crop production field day for June 6 at the station in Bossier City.

(Distributed 05/03/12) In addition to celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, LSU AgCenter scientists and specialists will present ways to improve pasture at a forage field day at the Southeast Research Station in Franklinton on May 31.

(Distributed 05/03/12) A privately funded ecotourism project administered by the LSU AgCenter has led to development of three canoeing trails in northeast Louisiana to lure adventurers to experience its bayous lined with majestic cypress trees.

(Distributed 05/02/12) Fourth-grade students from Amite Elementary School were among dozens of school children who toured the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station as part of Aquaculture Education Day for Louisiana science teachers and students May 2.

(Distributed 05/01/12) Cotton acreage is expected to decrease in Louisiana this year, mirroring a downward trend nationwide. John Kruse, LSU AgCenter cotton specialist, said the decline can be partly explained by the sudden jump up in fertilizer prices, lower cotton prices and high soybean prices.

(Distributed 05/01/12) Fourteen 4-H members were winners in Louisiana State 4-H Commodity Ambassador contests April 24 on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. In all, 75 4-H’ers from across the state competed in the chicken, egg, seafood, sugar and turkey contests.