(Radio News 04/03/06) The flood waters from Hurricane Katrina altered fire ant populations in New Orleans. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Linda Bui says many areas are fire-ant free, but populations exist in areas that received little or no water. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(TV News 03/27/06) A hulking piece of equipment is a blessing to the commercial fishermen in Plaquemines Parish and the people of Valdez, Alaska, are their guardian angels. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports on a boat lift that will put a community back in business. (Runtime: 1 minute 44 seconds)

(TV News 03/20/06) The mild winter did not do soybean growers any favors in terms of Asian soybean rust. It is still too early to tell, but the disease may have overwintered in the state. Growers aren’t planting soybeans yet, but the state’s corn farmers are busy getting their crops in the ground. Growers will likely plant fewer acres of corn this year than they did in recent years. (Runtime: 1 minute 22 seconds)

(Radio News 03/27/06) In many areas fire ants are making their spring debut. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet talks about effective treatments for this vicious pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 03/27/06) White grubs have made an early appearance this year because of warm weather. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says they usually don’t show up until late April, but some homeowners in the lower part of the state already are seeing problems. The white grub is the larvae of the June bug. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 03/27/06) Many trees suffered damage from the storms in 2005, and even with a minimal amount of damage a tree can become prey to insects such as bark beetles and shot-hole borers. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says recent weather conditions have put additional stress on trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 03/27/06) Insects don’t watch the calendar. Instead, weather is a big factor in their life cycles. This year’s mild winter and the rising temperatures we’ve seen lately have set up a perfect scenario for early emergence of spring pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 03/27/06) Soybean growers have not started planting yet – or at least they shouldn’t be planting. The recommendation from LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Dr. David Lanclos is to wait until April to plant, but he says date of planting is a highly contested issue. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 3/20/06) People have become concerned about the spread of Formosan subterranean termites in mulch. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry put quarantines on moving wood and paper products out of hurricane-affected areas shortly after the storms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 3/20/06) Corn planting has started in Louisiana. Growers likely will plant less corn this year than they have in recent years. One factor discouraging growers from planting corn is the high input costs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)