(Distributed 02/09/07) More than 200 4-H and FFA members participated in the Northeast Louisiana District Livestock Show held recently (Feb. 1-3) in Delhi. Those young people were similar to hundreds more across the state who participated in district livestock shows and a variety of educational activities as they prepared for the state championship competition beginning Saturday and running through the week (Feb. 10-17) at the 72nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show in Gonzales.

(Distributed 02/07/07) Building energy efficiency into new or renovated homes can pay back the investment, according to Audrey Evans, an energy efficiency expert with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 02/01/07) Louisiana rice producers have approved five-year renewals of check-off fees on their crops to fund research and promotion.

(Distributed 02/02/07) Sisters Michele and Jennifer Hullum spend their afternoons caring for their animals. Both girls are in 4-H and show livestock. And both girls have had to overcome physical challenges. Michele has cystic fibrosis, and Jennifer has Down syndrome.

(Distributed 02/07/07) More than 135 private landowners, loggers and forest industry leaders recently attended the LSU AgCenter’s Central Louisiana Forestry Forum to learn about the challenges still facing the industry more than a year after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

(Distributed 02/08/07) Greenhouse tomato growers can expect hands-on experience during the LSU AgCenter’s 11th Annual Greenhouse Tomato Seminar slated for Feb. 23 at the AgCenter’s Red River Research Station near Bossier City.

(Distributed 02/08/07) Farmers who are considering crops of cotton, corn or soybeans this year will have the chance to get updated information at two LSU AgCenter forums in February. The first session, focused on corn and soybeans, will be held Feb. 13 in the Rayville Civic Center. It will kick off at 8:30 a.m.

(Distributed 02/08/07) An independent lab has determined that rice seed to be sold this year by the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station is free of Liberty Link, according to Dr. Steve Linscombe, the station director.

(Distributed 02/09/07) Southwest Louisiana farmers who are looking for an alternative crop should consider growing sugarcane to meet the increasing demand created by the syrup mill at Lacassine. That was the message Thursday (Feb. 8) at a sugarcane and ethanol forum held in Lake Charles by the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 02/12/07) LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says following food safety practices can help to ensure you don’t suffer the consequences of foodborne illnesses this Mardi Gras season. Reames says many people often think they have the flu or a 24-hour virus when they actually are suffering from food poisoning.

(Distributed 02/15/07) Students at Arlington Preparatory Academy in Baton Rouge are learning both responsibility and life skills through the school’s unique part of the Louisiana 4-H program. In the past two weeks, goats have been born, bulbs have been planted and livestock has been shown at livestock events on the parish and district levels.

(Distributed 02/15/07) Farmers Dan Bedgood and Erick Cherene of Madison Parish have a quick answer when asked to describe the upcoming growing season in North Louisiana. "A lot of corn," they said in unison. The farming partners were among more than 200 people who attended the LSU AgCenter Corn and Soybean Forum Tuesday (Feb. 13) at the Rayville Civic Center.

(Distributed 02/17/07) The LSU AgCenter honored an outstanding volunteer leader and six 4-H and FFA members Saturday (Feb. 17) for their work with youth livestock projects.

(Distributed 02/23/07) Gov. Kathleen Blanco and several area officials joined a Massachusetts company in a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony recently (Feb. 16) for two facilities that will use agricultural wastes to make ethanol.

(Distributed 02/27/07) Farmers aired their concerns last week at a Farm Day Forum called by U.S. Reps. Charles Boustany of Lafayette and Charles Melancon of Napoleonville in preparation for the upcoming debate on the 2007 farm bill.

(Distributed 02/27/07) Gardeners eager to get their hands in the soil should plan to attend the Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival March 24-25 in Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles.

(Distributed 02/28/07) Forestlands in Southeast and Southwest Louisiana were heavily damaged during hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the industry wants to be better prepared in the event of another disaster.

(Distributed 02/28/07) An acreage increase for the medium-grain rice variety Jupiter is likely this year now that it has obtained acceptance by the cereal company Kellogg’s. Those comments about the rice variety developed by the LSU AgCenter came during the North Louisiana Rice Forum Tuesday (Feb. 27) in Delhi.

(Distributed 02/09/07) Photographers still have a few more days to submit photos for possible use in the LSU AgCenter’s 2008 Get It Growing lawn and garden calendar. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28.

Photos from 2007 LSU AgCenter Livestock Show, including grand champion winners in these categories: Steers, Lambs, Goats, Hogs and Broilers.

Thousands of 4-H and FFA youth from across the state had participated in the 72nd Annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show. AgCenter photographers capture the excitement and activity at the show.