(Distributed 08/27/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s sweet potato Foundation Seed Program is now part of the National Clean Plant Network, a group that strives to keep specialty crops free of diseases.

(Distributed 08/26/15) CHASE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host the second annual Northeast Region Youth Field Day at the Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase on Sept. 23.

(Distributed 08/25/15) POLLOCK, La. – A movement in Europe from coal to wood-fired electric generation has created a worldwide market for wood pellets, according to experts at a recent symposium.

(Distributed 08/25/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – Avian flu virus has led to a number of poultry flocks being destroyed. LSU AgCenter poultry specialist Theresia Lavergne says this has tightened supplies, but poultry meat and eggs are still available for consumers.

(Distributed 08/24/15) MANGHAM, La. – Beef producers will hear ways for improving their bottom line at the annual Northeast Louisiana Beef and Forage Field Day, which is being held September 17 at Goldmine Plantation, 188 Cummins Road.

(Distributed 08/24/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter is moving its facility for growing weevils to eradicate the aquatic weed called salvinia. A location in Terrebonne Parish on the property of Michael St. Martin had been used for the past four years.

(Distributed 08/21/15) DELHI, La. – Despite a rainy spring that delayed sweet potato planting, the 2015 season is shaping up well, growers learned at a field day on Aug. 20 at Black Gold Farms in Delhi.

(Distributed 08/21/15) A great ornamental pepper for fall is Purple Flash.

(Distributed 08/20/15) DELCAMBRE, La. – The first week of shrimp season is providing the chance for consumers to buy shrimp off the boats here.

(Distributed 08/20/15) HAMMOND, La. – As we enter fall, many home gardeners are considering adding new plants to dress up the landscape. Two great plants for fall are celosia, which some of us also call cockscomb, and ornamental peppers.