(Radio News 08/28/06) While recent rains have offered relief to the dry start of summer, the effects of the dry weather persist in the insect populations. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says the dry weather definitely affected honey production. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/28/06) Large populations of a threatening-looking insects are alarming some area residents. But LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says you really don't have much reason to worry. These wasp-looking insects get their name because they prey on cicadas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 8/28/06) Homeowners may notice thin webbing forming on the trunks of their trees. This webbing and the tiny insects causing it are appearing a little earlier than normal this year, according to LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet, who says these signs of bark lice usually aren't seen until later in September. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio New 08/28/06) Lately varieties are a top concern of sugarcane growers. For a decade growers relied on one variety to perform well for them and the variety called LCP 85-384 did. But in recent years it has become vulnerable to the serious disease sugarcane rust. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/28/06) The sugarcane variety development program is the primary research at the LSU AgCenter’s St. Gabriel Research Station. Even though breeders have developed outstanding varieties in the past, their pursuit continues. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio New 08/21/06) The weather has played a significant role in crop prices this year. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry says dry weather early in the season hurt corn and soybean production but helped prices. Then favorable weather moved into parts of the Midwest and improved the outlook for the crops but lowered prices. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/21/06) The start of a new school year can cause anxiety in youngsters, but this year it can be especially hard on students who were displaced following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/21/06) Students are returning to classrooms, and LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe says parents can help youngsters get excited about the new school year. She says following a routine will help children adjust to their new school schedules and staying organized will help ease the transition. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/21/06) Weather conditions are leading to spikes and declines in crop prices. Dry, hot weather has persisted in some areas of the country, and LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry says the cotton crop is suffering. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/21/06) Bright yellow school buses have returned to our streets, and everyone can do their part to make sure students get to and from school safely, says LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe. She points out that school bus transportation is safe, but motorists need to be extra vigilant when school is in session. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/14/06) After what was hopefully a relaxing summer, high school athletes have to get back in shape for competition. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames say proper nutrition can help them get back into the swing of things. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radion News 08/14/06) Student athletes are be hitting the practice and playing fields. But before they do, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says they must make sure they are properly hydrated. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/14/06) Breakfast can get lost in the back-to-school morning rush. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says breakfast is necessary for students to succeed and do well in school. Students who eat breakfast are more creative and energetic. Those who don’t can be irritable, fidgety and tired. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/14/06) Having bullies around can take the fun out of school, and bullying is a problem that affects many children, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser. Parents can help children understand what makes another child a bully and let the children know it is not their fault they are being bullied. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/14/06) Teachers are returning to the classrooms, but parents did not stop teaching over the summer break. In fact, parents are a child’s first teachers. LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser says parents should answer a child’s questions and encourage the child’s curiosity. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) LSU AgCenter rice breeder Dr. Steve Linscombe and his team are working on both conventional and hybrid rice lines. One experimental variety, named 2097, is a semi-dwarf, long-grain variety. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) Rice breeders at the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station are working with a Clearfield variety called CL 171. The Clearfield line allows growers to use Newpath herbicide to control weeds in their fields without harming the rice. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) For sugarcane growers in areas hit by Hurricane Rita’s storm surge last year, the recent rains likely are too late to help their crops. Many fields were inundated with salt water. Growers took a chance on the stubble crop of the cane that was standing at the time of the flood, but LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre says those fields probably should have been plowed out. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) Two varieties make up a large portion of the rice acreage planted in Louisiana. But as more Clearfield varieties are released, this line that helps growers control the red rice weed is increasing in acreage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/07/06) Sugarcane fields in some ares of the state are crowded with tall, lush stalks of cane. In others, the stands are relativcely short. The difference is whether the areas received sufficient rainfall over the past few months. Fortunately, though, recent rainfalls have quenched the state, and that's helping the cane to grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 08/28/06) Cotton likes dry, hot weather, but the weather Louisiana saw in July was so hot and so dry that even the cotton started to suffer. Experts say timely rains have helped the state's crop rebound, but drought conditions persist elsewhere, and the crop in those parts of the country still is suffering. (Runtime: 1 minute, 21 seconds)

(TV News 08/21/06) Sugarcane growers have two new options when planting cane. Two varieties were released this year, allowing growers to diversify their fields. (Runtime: 1 minute 34 seconds)

(TV News 08/14/06) Rice breeding is the backbone of the LSU AgCenter's rice research. The scientists continuously strive to improve upon existing varieties, and they currently are working on conventional and Clearfield lines. (Runtime: 1 minute, 40 seconds)

(TV News 08/07/06) You can tell how much rainfall an area of the sugarcane belt has received so far by how tall the cane is. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Ben Legendre says the crop is mixed right now, but if rain continues to fal like it has been lately, the shorter sugarcane could catch up. (Runtime 1 minute, 24 seconds)