(Radio News For 12/12/05) Hurricane season is over, but the hardships from it are lingering into the holidays. Many Louisiana residents endured financial hardships this year, and LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says holiday budgets may be tight for many.

(Radio News 12/26/05) Salt water flooded many sugarcane fields during Hurricane Rita. While many growers are reporting better-than-expected recoverable sugar, recoverable sugar is off by as much as 30 percent in flooded areas.

(Radio News 12/26/05) Sugarcane growers were preparing for a rough harvest after two hurricanes hit much of the growing area in Louisiana this year, but the harvest is better than expected, says LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre.

(Radio News 12/26/05) There are different strains of avian influenza, which also is known as bird flu. The strains manifest themselves differently in poultry, says LSU AgCenter poultry specialist Dr. Theresia Lavergne.

(Radio News 12/5/05) Picking a tree at a choose-and-cut farm can be a fun outing for the family. But there is another advantage to getting a tree at a farm rather than a tree lot. LSU AgCenter forestry expert Dr. Don Reed explains.

(Radio News 12/26/05) The start of a new year encourages people to make positive changes. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says people resolving to live healthier should get moving.

(Radio News 12/26/05) Avian Influenza is not a direct threat to Louisiana's poultry industry at this time. But the industry does have a plan of action in place in case an outbreak does occur.

(Radio News 12/26/05) People are reporting seeing tremendous populations of buck moths around the state. The adult moths come out this time of the year. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says these adult populations are difficult to control.

(Radio News 12/5/05) Sweet potatoes are a staple of Louisiana holiday feasts. Farmers in central and northeastern Louisiana produce sweet potatoes that find their way to local tables and tables as far away as England. LSU AgCenter sweet potato breeder Dr. Don Labonte says there were some problems early in the season but that the state's growers wound up witn an average year.

(TV News 12/12/05) Hurricanes Rita and Katrina were not good for the already struggling Louisiana sugarcane industry, but the storms did not do as much damage as growers first anticipated. (Runtime: 1 minute 25 seconds)

(Radio News 12/5/05) Central and Northeast Louisiana are the preferred areas for growing sweet potatoes. The soils in those areas are silt loam. LSU AgCenter sweet potato researcher Dr. Don Labonte says such soils are conducive for growing sweet potatoes.

(TV News 12/26/05) Avian influenza, or bird flu, is not in the United States, but it has raised concerns about biosecurity in the poultry industry. While it has been more than 20 years since a highly contagious strain of avian flu was found in the United States, poultry producers have not let their guard down. (Runtime: 1 minute 26 seconds)

(Radio News 12/12/05) The salt water that washed over coastal areas in Southwestern Louisiana during Hurricane Rita could greatly affect next year’s rice crop. LSU AgCenter agronomist Dr. Gary Breitenbeck says the high salinity levels in rice fields could lead to decreased yields.

(Radio News 12/26/05) The sugarcane harvest is under way across Louisiana. This year the harvest shows a mixture of good and bad aspects. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre explains.

(Radio News 12/26/05) Your Christmas tree can still have life after the holidays. LSU AgCenter forestry specialist Dr. Don Reed says there are several ways to recycle your Christmas tree

(Radio News For 12/12/05) Holiday expenses can add up, and before you know it you could blow your budget. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker advises making a plan before heading to the shops.

(Radio News For 12/12/05) Holiday expenses can add up and before you know it you could blow your budget. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker advises making a plan before heading to the shops.

(Radio News 12/5/05) Picking a tree at a choose-and-cut farm can be a fun outing for the family. But there is another advantage to getting a tree at a farm rather than at a tree lot. LSU AgCenter forestry expert Dr. Don Reed explains.

(Radio News 12/26/05) Avian influenza, or bird flu, is not in the United States, but it has raised concerns about biosecurity in the poultry industry. While it has been more than 20 years since a highly pathogenic strain of avian flu was in this country., LSU AgCenter poultry specialist Dr. Theresia Lavergne says poultry producers have not let their guard down.

(Radio 12/26/05) It has been a long haul for sugarcane growers in the southwestern part of the state. Without a mill in the area, their crop was shipped a good distance for processing. A new mill in Lacassine is not operating yet, and a driver shortage is complicating the harvest.