(Video 05/28/14) This year’s cotton acres are up slightly from last year’s historical low. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard explains why cotton acreage has been trending downward across the Southeast. (Runtime: 1:45 seconds)

(Video 05/28/14) Hemline, an LSU student organization promoting fashion design and merchandising, hosted its annual runway show, sending an array of garments down the catwalk. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard attended the show and has this report. (Runtime: 1:45 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 05/30/14) A wide variety of pests can damage plants or cause problems in Louisiana landscapes. They include insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, nematodes and a whole host of weeds.

(Distributed 05/30/14) You can find many durantas (golden dewdrop, blue sky flower) around, but the Cuban Gold variety continues to receive extensive use and attention around the Southeast.

(Distributed 05/30/14) CROWLEY, La. – The challenge of providing viable varieties of rice for Louisiana growers is one of the main missions of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station. “Variety development is an ongoing endeavor that started over 100 years ago,” said Steve Linscombe, station director.

(Distributed 05/30/14) HAMMOND, La. – Looking for some great summer color for your landscape beds from now through the first killing frost this fall? Of course! Who isn’t? Butterfly series pentas will give you that – and maybe even more.

(Distributed 05/30/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The winners of the first Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and 4-H Youth Wetlands Program poetry contest were recently announced. Students wrote and entered more than 400 poems focusing on the theme “Louisiana’s Coast: What Does It Mean to You?”

(Distributed 05/30/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Recent rains have caused flooding in many areas of Louisiana. To help people with flood recovery, the LSU AgCenter has numerous fact sheets available online or in hard copy form at local parish extension offices.

(Distributed 05/29/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – When fall weather is dry, and winter is as cold and as long as it was this year, the combination spells problems for the crawfish industry.

(Distributed 05/29/14) CROWLEY, La. – Rice farmers can learn about research projects being conducted to help them produce better crops more efficiently at three upcoming field days in June hosted by the LSU AgCenter, including the Rice Research Station’s annual Field Day on the morning of June 25.

(Distributed 05/27/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The Universidad de Ciencias Forestales, a forestry university in Honduras, is looking to the LSU AgCenter for guidance as it revamps its academic and research programs.

(Distributed 05/27/14) ST. JOSEPH, La. – The LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station has scheduled a pest management and crop production field day for June 17 at the research station in St. Joseph.

(Distributed 05/23/14) MAMOU, La. – Rice farmers should be prepared to deal with their worst insect pest, the rice water weevil, according to Mike Stout, LSU AgCenter entomologist, speaking at the Evangeline Parish Rice Tour on May 22.

(Distributed 05/23/14) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Nearly all of this year's cotton has been planted in Louisiana. While the outlook for the crop is good, cotton prices remain low.

(Distributed 05/23/14) BATON ROUGE, La. –More than 100 interested growers and members of the Louisiana Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association learned about current LSU AgCenter research, upcoming guidelines and regulations, and where they can market their produce at the association’s spring field day on May 21 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden.

(Distributed 05/23/14) Althea goes by the scientific name of Hibiscus syriacus. When most gardeners view the plants, they are reminded of the hibiscus family, to which this popular, Southern heritage plant belongs. These plants are also referred to as rose of Sharon.

(Distributed 05/23/14) HAMMOND, La. – Although roses continue to be one of the leading ornamental plants for commercial and residential landscapes, many home gardeners still have the perception that roses are high-maintenance and disease-susceptible. If they select the correct varieties, however, roses can be great garden performers with minimum care.

(Distributed 05/23/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – As hurricane season approaches, people can turn to the LSU AgCenter website (www.LSUAgCenter.com) for information on how to prepare for storm damage and recovery.

(Distributed 05/22/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU and Southern University AgCenters showed appreciation to the East Baton Rouge Parish mayor-president and Metro Council at their annual program review luncheon on May 14.

(Distributed 05//22/14) BOSSIER CITY, La. – Stacia Davis has been hired as an assistant professor of irrigation engineering at the LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station in Bossier City. She is part of a recently formed team that helps Louisiana producers manage irrigation systems and maintain good water quality.

(Distributed 05/21/14) HAMMOND, La. – More than 180 Louisiana Master Gardeners braved showers and cloudy skies to attend their annual appreciation day at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station on May 9.

(Video 05/19/14) Typical hibiscus plants survive well in normal Louisiana winter weather, but these tropicals don’t fare well in frozen conditions. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a new hibiscus that can survive the cold. The Luna hibiscus is a Louisiana Super Plant selection for 2014. (Runtime: 1:57 seconds)

(Distributed 05/21/14) POLLOCK, La. – LSU AgCenter officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 20 for the new multipurpose pavilion at 4-H Camp Grant Walker. The project is expected to be completed by early 2015.

(Distributed 05/21/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – An LSU AgCenter researcher is working with a group of LSU students to identify the best materials to use for constructing scaffolds, or synthetic grafts, for use in human bone and musculoskeletal tissue repair.

(Audio 05/25/14) Landscape roses are a new type of rose that many Louisiana gardeners have moved to. Older types of roses are more susceptible to a disease called blackspot. Blackspot cannot be controlled by spraying occasionally; roses have to be sprayed every 7-10 days. Listen to learn more about how to control blackspot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 05/15/14) Shoppers may have noticed they are paying much higher meat prices. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux explains that consumers shouldn’t expect relief any time soon. (Runtime: 1:42 seconds)

(Distributed 05/20/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Each year around Mother’s Day, Formosan subterranean termites begin swarming in many areas of south Louisiana and in some central and one northern parish.

(Distributed 05/20/14) WINNSBORO, La. – Corn has seen abundant growth in the past several weeks, but with the increasing temperatures, the number and severity of thunderstorms could cause some damage, according to LSU AgCenter scientists.

(Audio 05/26/14) Crape myrtles are one of Louisiana’s most popular trees. Crape myrtle aphids leave honeydew on the leaves and branches, which then leads to a black mold growth. Listen to find out how to stop aphids from making an appearance in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/26/14) Traditional greens that Louisianans like to eat don’t produce well during summer. Some leafy greens can be good substitutes. Listen to find out more about these summer leafy greens. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/26/14) Different types of pots need to be cleaned in different ways. The best time to do this is in between plantings. Clean pots will make your plants look better. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/26/14) Spanish moss is not a parasite and does not harm your trees. It creates its own photosynthesis, and it gets the water that it needs from rainfall. The Spanish moss is only using the tree to hang on to. Removing it, however, can be quite a task. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/19/14) NEW ORLEANS – For the first time ever, the LSU AgCenter brought AgMagic to the New Orleans area to help children learn about the importance of agriculture.

(Distributed 05/16/14) LAKE CHARLES, La. – An LSU AgCenter financial expert conducted a financial resilience seminar May 13 to help local governments plan for disasters.

(Distributed 05/16/14) May is the month to plant pentas. Butterfly pentas are great butterfly gardening plants.

(Distributed 05/16/14) DELCAMBRE, La. – The latest practices and technology to help coastal residents stormproof their homes will be demonstrated by LSU AgCenter experts at the Delcambre Seafood and Farmers Market on June 7.

(Distributed 05/16/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Researchers from the LSU AgCenter and students from Nicholls State University recently collected alligator gar at the LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Research Station in Baton Rouge in an effort to improve the fish populations in areas where they are no longer found.

(Distributed 05/16/14) FRANKLINTON, La. – The Washington Parish Dairy Advisory Council and the LSU AgCenter will hold the 55th Annual Washington Parish Dairy Day June 4 at the Duncan Acres Dairy Farm near Hackley, Louisiana.

(Distributed 05/16/14) HAMMOND, La. – Louisiana is ideally located to be able to grow many plants that are adapted to more tropical and semi-tropical climates. This is especially true south of Interstate 10. Even those of us who cannot use tropical plants as perennials can still select among many plants for colorful foliage and tropical flowers.

(Distributed 05/16/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter equine specialist is advising horse owners to protect their animals against diseases spread by mosquitoes that are becoming more active with the warmer weather.

(Distributed 05/16/14) BATON ROUGE, La – Contrasts were evident at Hemline@LSU’s Catalyst Fashion Show May 14 at Lyceum Ballroom.

(Distributed 05/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Demand for food and fiber is booming as world population grows at an exponential rate. Ironically, the United States – the No. 1 exporter of agriculture products – is facing critical shortages of agriculture workers.

(Video 05/26/14) If you’ve noticed funny trailing patterns on leaves of your vegetables, it could mean you have a pest called the leaf miner. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains what can be done to stop this destructive little fly. (Runtime: 1:57 seconds)

(Distributed 05/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – About 1,600 4-H’ers from parishes across Louisiana are expected to participate in the annual 4-H Day at the Capitol on May 28. The students will have a chance to visit their senators and representatives, learn about the legislative process and tour the State Capitol.

(Distributed 05/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La – Four graduating seniors in the LSU College of Agriculture earned LSU’s top undergraduate academic honor, the University Medal. The students received their medals at a ceremony honoring the university’s 53 medalists at the LSU Union Theater on May 15.

(Audio 05/19/14) Newly planted trees and shrubs are more prone to drought stress during the summer. You have to pay close attention to watering them regularly. Different types of plants need certain amounts of watering. Listen to learn more about watering your newly planted plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/14/14) VIDALIA, La. – Louisiana Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences members presented awards and introduced the 2014-2015 officers during their annual meeting in Vidalia on May 7-9.

(Audio 05/19/14) Your cool-season plants that provided you with bright colors during the spring are beginning to look faded and tired during the early summer. These plants can’t handle the high temperatures that summer brings. It is time to throw those plants into your compost pile and visit your local nursery to get warm-season plants that will suit your landscape and last through summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/19/14) Even though your potato plants have been in your garden for a long time, they aren’t usually ready until the end of May. You can harvest some now if you want little early potatoes, but if you want those big potatoes, leave them in the ground until the plant starts to look yellow. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/19/15) May is the month when hydrangeas and gardenias come into bloom. They are both suited for shady areas and bring a beautiful color to your landscape. Many varieties of each plant allow you to be creative with your flowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/19/15) Wild blackberries are one of the easiest fruit crops to grow. This time of the year, however, is not an ideal time to plant them. But if you are looking for some, now is the time to harvest. Visit your local nursery to see if they have any plants already growing. Those plants will provide berries for you next spring when they are in production. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/13/14) MANSURA, La. – A dozen individuals were honored on May 10 for their work with youth as the newest inductees into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame.

(Distributed 05/12/14) ST. GABRIEL, La. – By using byproducts of the sugar industry, an LSU engineering science graduate student is working to provide biodegradable scaffolds for use in tissue engineering.

(Distributed 05/12/14) CROWLEY, La. – Warm weather has perked up the 2014 Louisiana rice crop after a cold, wet spring that delayed planting for many farmers.

(Distributed 05/08/14) Sunflowers are among the easiest flowers to grow, and they thrive in the heat of our summers.

(Distributed 05/09/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The television documentary “Agents of Change: The Story of Louisiana Cooperative Extension” will be broadcast on Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) and its statewide PBS affiliates on May 21 at 8:30 p.m. The LSU AgCenter produced the 30-minute historical program.

(Audio 05/12/14) Lawn weeds can be a big problem in yards. For those with a fair amount of weeds, it is best to spray the entire lawn. Treat lawns soon, because many lawn herbicides cannot be used once it gets hot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/09/14) HAMMOND, La. – Hibiscus is a large family of plants. It includes okra, cotton, tropical hibiscus, althea (rose of Sharon), rose mallow and many more. Among this large group, several have ornamental potential in the landscape.

(Audio 05/12/14) Tomatoes are popular homegrown vegetables. Disease and insects are common on tomatoes. The disease buckeye rot is active this time of the year. Remove infected tomatoes and spray plants with a fungicide. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/12/14) Moving houseplants outdoors for the summer can rejuvenate them. Light conditions are low inside, so move them to a shady spot first, gradually putting them in more light. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/12/14) The Lunar hibiscus is a Louisiana Super Plant selection for spring 2014. This hibiscus comes in four colors and produces large flowers. The Lunar hibiscus can be planted in sunny areas and are tolerant of poor drainage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/12/14) Laying sod is a great way to create a lawn or repair damage to an existing lawn. Watering new sod properly will ensure that the grass takes root and a nice lawn is established. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/07/14) CLINTON, La. – A new research project designed to control feral hogs was discussed at the LSU AgCenter wildlife field day at the Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station near Clinton on May 3.

(Audio 05/07/14) Louisiana’s ethnic make-up has shifted over the years, not only in terms of who lives in Louisiana,but also in how individuals identify themselves. LSU AgCenter sociologist Mark Schafer has been studying eight of Louisiana’s ethnic or racial groups. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Distributed 05/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – After an unusually cold winter that damaged landscapes across Louisiana, the state's nursery industry is booming as home gardeners and nursery owners replace plants.

(Distributed 05/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La – Dairymen and students were recognized for their contribution to Louisiana’s dairy industry and the LSU College of Agriculture’s dairy science program at the LSU Dairy Science Club and Dairy Alumni Banquet on May 3 at the Lod Cook Alumni Center.

(Distributed 05/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Voting is open from now until the end of September for garden enthusiasts to vote for their favorite flower at the All-America Selections Display Garden at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden.

(Distributed 05/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – David Picha, professor of horticulture in the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, has been named director of LSU AgCenter International Programs. In his new role, Picha plans to broaden the footprint of the AgCenter's international activities by expanding program efforts and engaging more faculty, staff and students.

(Distributed 05/06/14) ST. GABRIEL, La. – Researchers at the LSU AgCenter Audubon Sugar Institute are studying ways to make syrup from energycane and sweet sorghum bagasse to be used as feedstock for the generation of green biofuels and chemicals.

(Distributed 05/06/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A Lead Certified Renovator Training course will be held at the LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center on the LSU campus on May 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

(Audio 05/05/14) The best way to plant lawns is by using sod. There are several different types of grass for you to choose from, but you want to make sure you pick the right one for your area. Now is the time to lay sod for best results. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 5/5/14) A herb garden is wonderful to have when cooking. Herbs planted in early fall should be growing profusely now and are ready to be harvested. Harvest them generously before the temperature gets too hot. You can add basil to your herb garden now. It can handle the heat. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 5/5/14) As we move into May, the temperature starts to rise. It may be too late to put in certain vegetables such as tomatoes and bell peppers, but there are plenty of heat-tolerant vegetables you can plant this month. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/05/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host an e-commerce seminar in Oak Grove, La., from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on June 2. The event, which is sponsored by the Connect My Louisiana initiative, will feature information on 3D printing, building online businesses and social media.

(Distributed 05/05/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Food, music and hayride tours will be featured at the annual Garden Fest at LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on June 21.

(Distributed 05/05/14) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will host an open house for nursery, landscape, retail garden center and related industry professionals from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 5.

(Distributed 05/05/14) CHASE, La. – Nearly 200 students from 12 parishes in northeast Louisiana watched drones fly, saw soybeans and sweet potatoes planted, and learned about soils, crops and careers in agriculture. It was all part of the LSU AgCenter’s first youth field day at the AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station on April 29.

(Distributed 05/02/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Before attending Farm Day on April 28-29 at the LSU AgCenter campus dairy, some area youngsters had only seen a cow on television or in a book.

(Distributed 05/02/14) Vinca is the most popular, most sold and most planted warm-season bedding plant in Louisiana. We sometimes call this plant periwinkle.

(Distributed 05/02/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – With food provided by 18 local chefs and drink from four Louisiana beverage companies, more than 350 individuals enjoyed perfect weather at Gourmet in the Garden in the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on April 25.

(Distributed 05/02/14) HOMER, La. – Cattle producers are benefitting from a market that could continue for the next two to three years, according to LSU AgCenter livestock economist Ross Pruitt who spoke at the northwest beef and forage field day held April 29 at the LSU AgCenter Hill Farm Research Station.

(Distributed 05/02/14) HAMMOND, La. – May is here, and summer vacations and the end of the school year are approaching. But there is still much that can be done to improve your landscape plantings for summer.

(Distributed 05/02/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Goat and sheep producers gathered at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine on April 26 for a small ruminant field day.

(Audio 5/5/14) Eggplants grow well in warm conditions. They come in all shapes and sizes. The key to getting a good eggplant is harvesting it at the right time. Listen to learn more about when to pick your eggplants.(Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 5/5/14) Caladiums mostly do well in shady areas, but there are some types that can tolerate some sun. Planting caladiums isn't hard. It just has to be done correctly. Listen to learn more about planting caladiums. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/01/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – It's not often that sheep, cows and chickens can be found in the middle of a busy city. But at the LSU AgCenter's annual AgMagic, those animals and much more are within reach of thousands of kids, offering a journey through agriculture and the ways it touches people's lives.

(Distributed 05/01/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Gardeners looking to brighten their landscapes can turn to the LSU AgCenter's Louisiana Super Plants program to learn about "university tested and industry approved" plants.

(Video 05/05/14) Louisiana Super Plants are selected by the LSU AgCenter for their outstanding beauty and performance in Louisiana landscapes. The latest spring selection is the Tutti Fruitti Pink buddleia – a perennial butterfly bush that comes back year after year. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why the beautiful Tutti Fruitti Pink is an innovative selection for your landscape. (Runtime: 1:50 seconds)

(Video (05/12/14) Summer will be here before you know it, and you can prepare for the heat now by planting beautiful drought-tolerant plants in sunny spots of your landscape. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests some plants that are tough in hot, drought-like conditions and superb at producing beautiful flowers. (Runtime: 1:47 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 05/16/14) You may sometimes read or hear information about planting certain plants around other types of plants to prevent insect problems. This is commonly called companion planting.

(For Release On Or After 05/23/14) We are generally interested in something to eat when we grow vegetables. In some cases, however, certain vegetable varieties have been bred and selected for their ornamental characteristics rather than food quality.

(For Release On Or After 05/09/14) Yes, some hibiscuses are hardy in Louisiana. One of them, the Luna series hibiscus, has been named a Louisiana Super Plant selection for spring 2014.

(For Release On Or After 05/02/14) Many gardeners suffer from pollen allergies and are prone to sneezing, runny noses, watering eyes and sinus pressure headaches while working outside when pollen counts are high.