(For Release On Or After 09/01/06) Labor Day often is touted as the traditional "end of summer," and according to the calendar, fall officially will begin with the fall equinox at 10:03 p.m. Sept. 22. In Louisiana, however, we know good and well that our summer season extends a good bit longer.

(For Release On Or After 09/08/06) Some of the most beautiful irises we can grow in our gardens are the hybrids of several species that grow right here in Louisiana. Called Louisiana irises, they are becoming increasingly popular in gardens all over the world.

(For Release On Or After 09/15/06) Anyone cleaning out overgrown areas or even just weeding should beware. Poison ivy may be growing among the plants you are handling.

(For Release On Or After 09/22/06) Many summer-blooming annuals, perennials and vegetables are setting seeds now, and you can harvest the seeds, store them and then grow a new crop of plants for your garden next year. This can be fun, save a little money and allow you to share seeds with gardening friends.

(For Release On Or After 09/29/06) Lawn care definitely changes as the weather begins to cool, and by October the growth of warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, centipede, bermuda and zoysia begins to slow down.

(Distributed 09/23/06) On the eve of the first anniversary of Hurricane Rita, fishermen in Cameron Parish were celebrating the dedication of a new ice plant that will aid in the recovery effort under way in South Louisiana.

(Distributed 09/20/06) Louisiana gardeners and others have another chance to "Get It Growing" in 2007 with the publication of this year’s calendar from the LSU AgCenter. The 2007 Get It Growing calendar, like the previous two versions, provides gardening enthusiasts with opportunities to learn more about their craft and to enjoy beautiful garden photos.

(Distributed 09/27/06) The recent outbreak of foodborne illnesses traced to spinach should serve as a reminder of the need for taking food safety measures every day, an LSU AgCenter expert says.

(Distributed 09/26/06) Students at South Cameron Elementary School recently learned about beach erosion control by using an LSU AgCenter lesson plan about hurricanes. The educational material, which is being made available to schools throughout the area, includes details on how storms are formed, Hurricane Rita’s effects on agriculture in the area, hurricane terms, hurricane preparation measures and more.

(Distributed 09/26/06) Southwest Louisiana 4-H Club members gave Gov. Kathleen Blanco a check for more than $50,000 at Saturday’s (Sept. 23) commemoration of Hurricane Rita’s first anniversary. The check represents cash raised by the 4-H’ers and the value of their volunteer work in hurricane recovery efforts. In other activities, officials also rode in a ceremonial cattle drive designed to remember Rita’s devastation of that industry in the area.

(Distributed 09/22/06) The move toward sustainable energy is the future for Louisiana, Dr. Charles Reith told an audience of about 150 people who attended an alternative energy workshop in Alexandria Sept. 14-15.

(Distributed 09/22/06) Management techniques for white-tailed deer were the main topics discussed at the LSU AgCenter’s Wildlife Field Day Sept. 16 at the Idlewild Research Station near Clinton. This annual field day brought interested landowners from as far away as Houma to receive the latest information on ways to improve the quality of deer herds on their property.

(Distributed 09/22/06) Louisiana farmers will plant a lot more wheat this year than last. At least that’s what LSU AgCenter experts predict – provided the weather cooperates in October and November. The reason for increased interest in growing wheat is the higher prices it’s drawing, which is in sharp contrast to the below-average prices for just about every other crop grown in the state.

(Distributed 09/19/06) LSU AgCenter scientists are studying whether an influx of fire ants may have caused a decline in northern bobwhite quail numbers in Louisiana and other southern states.

(Distributed 09/18/06) LSU AgCenter scientists confirmed Monday (Sept. 18) that Asian soybean rust has been detected in a commercial field in Assumption Parish – the 13th Louisiana parish where the disease has been found this year.

(Distributed 09/15/06) A Texas A&M cattle specialist told Louisiana beef producers who are rebuilding their herds that it’s a good time to restock with heifers from the Lone Star State, but he cautioned them to consider whether now is the time to get back into the business.

(Distributed 09/11/06) Three more scientists, including the first woman, have been inducted into the LSU AgCenter’s Patent Club, an elite group that now includes 46 researchers who have received patents or plant variety protection certificates.

(Distributed 09/11/06) Louisiana 4-H’ers will join others across the country in observing National 4-H Week Oct. 1-7. The main focus of the week is to celebrate the accomplishments of the young people, volunteer leaders and parents involved in 4-H – as well as to encourage others to become involved in the unique youth development program.

(Distributed 09/08/06) Cattle producers can find out the latest strategies for improving their herds at the 10th annual Acadiana Cattle Producers’ Fall Field Day Sept. 14. Registration starts at 4 p.m. at Dominique’s Stockyard in Opelousas.

(Distributed 09/08/06) A second round of independent laboratory testing shows that five varieties grown by the LSU AgCenter foundation seed program contain none of the genetically modified material from LL601, a Liberty Link line.

(Distributed 09/06/06) Four members of the LSU AgCenter faculty were named to positions of distinction – an endowed chair and endowed professorships in their areas of expertise.

(Distributed 09/01/06) A statewide stock horse association that was formed in June already has a season of shows and a clinic under way. Competitions began in mid-August and run to mid-November.

(Distributed 09/29/06) The month of October signals the opening of hunting season for many game animals in Louisiana, and an LSU AgCenter expert says hunters should keep safety foremost in their minds.

(Radio News 09/04/06) A new ice facility in St. Bernard Parish promises a big boost to Louisiana’s fishing industry. The Chalmette ice hub is one of three machines funded by a donation from Shell Oil. It will triple the amount of ice available in St. Bernard Parish, where recovery from last year's hurricane damage has been slow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/04/06) Hurricane Katrina ravaged Southeast Louisiana and gravely crippled the state’s fishing industry. LSU AgCenter fisheries agent Rusty Gaude says the industry is still reeling a year later. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/04/06) Asian soybean rust has been confirmed in eight parishes in Louisiana. LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Dr. David Lanclos says growers need to treat the disease preventatively to keep it from spreading. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio 09/04/06) Louisiana soybean growers have harvested about 60 percent of this year's crop. The dry weather early in the season delayed planting for some growers and had others worried about the condition of the crops, but LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Dr. David Lanclos says the harvest so far is turning out better than expected. (Runtime: 60 seconds)