(Distributed 01/25/07) With last year’s state yield record and good prices, Louisiana soybean farmers seem eager to get their 2007 crop planted. During a recent meeting of the Louisiana Soybean Association at the LSU AgCenter’s Dean Lee Research, Extension and Livestock Facility near Alexandria, AgCenter soybean specialist Dr. David Lanclos recalled that the approach to the 2006 crop was not as optimistic.

(Distributed 01/02/07) A variety of insecticides being tested by LSU AgCenter researchers show promise for helping Louisiana rice growers get rid of their No. 1 insect pest – the rice water weevil.

(Distributed 01/05/07) This year’s group of Louisiana Master Cattle Producers will be among those recognized next week when producers from across the state gather in Alexandria.

(Distributed 01/05/07) Louisiana residents have another source of information on the Louisiana Road Home program – their parish LSU AgCenter Extension offices. LSU AgCenter Extension agents around the state participated in an orientation meeting with representatives of the Road Home Thursday (Jan. 4).

(Distributed 01/05/07) Even with freezes and rain in early and mid-December, Louisiana’s sugarcane harvest was shaping up to be one of the best in years. Then more rain came, and what could have been an excellent year quickly turned into just an average one.

(Distributed 01/04/07) A continuous supply of new rice varieties is crucial to the survival of the industry in Louisiana as old varieties become susceptible to disease or just plain lose their production spunk with age. To keep new varieties on the market is a major priority of the LSU AgCenter’s rice breeding program.

(Distributed 01/11/07) Nutrition researchers in the LSU AgCenter believe a form of starch may have a greater effect on metabolism and fat deposition than other types of dietary fiber. The LSU AgCenter research team has shown that fermentation of natural resistant starch in the large intestine is an important and previously underestimated mechanism in weight management.

(Distributed 01/17/07) Will Southwest Louisiana farmers benefit from a shift of rice acreage in other farm regions to corn, sorghum, wheat and soybeans? The possibilities of such a scenario were detailed by LSU AgCenter experts in a series of meetings for rice farmers held in Southwest Louisiana during early January.

(Distributed 01/22/07) Louisiana consumers begin looking forward to crawfish almost as soon as the holidays end. Some producers already are harvesting, and it looks like 2007 will be a good year for crawfish, according to an LSU AgCenter expert.

(Distributed 01/17/07) The LSU AgCenter will offer forestry forums in the coming weeks to help those in the industry keep up with the latest technological advances, forestry issues and other vital information. The forums will be held Jan. 30 at Woodworth, March 8 in Shreveport and March 23 in Hammond.

(Distributed 01/23/07) The Louisiana Equine Council is planning its first Equine Expo for March 9-11 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The event will include lectures, riding and training demonstrations, several competitions, a trade show, a parade of breeds and many other activities, according to LSU AgCenter specialist Dr. Clint Depew.

(Distributed 01/23/07) With the 2007 farm bill on the horizon, speakers at the 2007 AgOutlook conference in Baton Rouge talked about issues the new bill may involve as it makes its way through Congress this year. About 200 members of the Louisiana agricultural community met in the Lod Cook Conference Center on the LSU campus Tuesday (Jan. 23) to hear experts provide their views on what might happen.

(Distributed 01/25/07) The new 13-member Louisiana Rice Research Board took the oath of office in mid-January. The board oversees the use of check-off funds from rice farmers, which are used for research and have funded approximately $1 million in work annually through the LSU AgCenter the past several years.

(Distributed 01/25/07) Two LSU AgCenter faculty members recently were named to short-term, part-time administrative positions in the AgCenter. Dr. Jim Griffin is assistant to the director for plant sciences in the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, and Dr. Bobby Fletcher is assistant to the director for special programs in the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.

(Distributed 01/26/07) Thousands of Louisiana youngsters will gather in South Louisiana Feb. 10-17 as they compete in the 72nd annual LSU AgCenter Spring Livestock. Approximately 1,500 4-H and FFA members are expected to bring about 4,500 animals to the state show, which will be held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 01/26/07) Cattle producers are nervous about the upcoming year because the possibility of corn prices exceeding $5 a bushel could mean higher prices for livestock feed. An LSU AgCenter economist recently advised, however, that those fears could be based on some assumptions that may not develop into realities.

(Distributed 01/26/07) The LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station will host the 2007 Spring Garden Day March 10. Sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and its Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardener Association, the event will feature a variety of gardening and educational exhibits, plant sales and seminars, as well as information on some of the research being conducted at the station.

(Distributed 01/31/07) The LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station is inviting the public to stroll through its camellia gardens. The annual Camellia Garden Stroll at the Hammond Station is set for 1 p.m. through 4 p.m. Feb. 11.

(Distributed 01/31/07) The LSU AgCenter and its St. Tammany Master Gardener Association will present the Northshore Garden Show March 17-18 at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington.