(Distributed 06/30/06) Four field days for farmers will be held in July in several Southwest Louisiana parishes.

(Distributed 06/30/06) The LSU AgCenter recently conducted an Urban Stormwater Academy to help engineers, architects and municipal officials learn about practices that will both reduce stormwater runoff and its contaminant load at construction sites.

(Distributed 06/29/06) In Washington Parish, you generally don’t need a calendar to tell when July 4 is near. All you’d have to do is drive around and count the number of people selling watermelons on the roadside or at produce stands. The same is true in many other areas across Louisiana where watermelons are grown and sold this time of year.

(Distributed 06/29/06) Two new sugarcane varieties released earlier this year will be featured at the LSU AgCenter’s Annual Sugarcane Field Day July 19 at the St. Gabriel Research Station.

(Distributed 06/28/06) The LSU AgCenter and others are offering programs this summer designed to help consumers learn how to avoid scams, fraud and identity theft.

(Distributed 06/28/06) Drinking enough fluids is important during our hot summer weather – especially for senior citizens, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 06/26/06) One part of a safe and happy 4th of July celebration is ensuring your food is safe to eat, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(TV News 06/26/06) There is one good thing about the drier than normal weather conditions around the state -- and that’s fewer mosquitoes. There is a direct relationship between the amount of water in the environment and the overall mosquito population, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any mosquitoes out there. (Runtime: 1 minute, 38 seconds)

(Radio News 06/26/06) Dry conditions in 2005 suppressed the development of Asian soybean rust. LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Dr. Boyd Padgett says if the weather remains hot and dry throughout this summer, growers may see another rust-free year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 06/26/06) Sentinel plots are an important strategy in monitoring and tracking the presence of Asian soybean rust in the state. There are 15 sentinel plots across the state. They were planted before the crop and are designed to act as a trap for the disease. (Runtime: 60 seconds)