(Distributed 09/17/07) Dr. Greg Lutz, LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist, will present a seminar on crawfish production Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Northwestern State University’s Aquaculture Research Facility near Marco. The meeting is for current and potential producers.

(Distributed 09/05/07) Recognizing 41 years of dedication, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s National Weather Service has named William David Caldwell, professor at the LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station in Bossier City, as a 2007 recipient of the agency’s John Campanius Holm Award.

(Distributed 09/07/07) A tiny pest called the “panicle rice mite” has been found in the southern United States, including the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station at Crowley. The mite has recently been detected in rice plants this summer at research facilities in Texas and Puerto Rico. Before 2007, it was found in a greenhouse in Ohio and has been a major problem in rice fields in Central and South America, the Caribbean and Asia.

(Distributed 09/11/07) The Town of Dubach will celebrate the Louisiana Chicken Festival Sept. 28-29 with a proclamation from Gov. Kathleen Blanco declaring September Poultry and Egg Month.

(Distributed 09/10/07) A new nonprofit organization has been formed called the Burden Horticulture Society to provide assistance and fundraising for the enhancement and use of LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center, according to Dr. Pat Hegwood, the Burden Center resident director.

(Distributed 09/07/07) The LSU AgCenter’s annual field day and open house at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City on Sept. 6 highlighted research accomplishments with greenhouse tomatoes, agronomic crops and cotton pest management.

(Distributed 09/07/07) More than 125 people gathered for a ceremony at the LSU AgCenter’s Dean Lee Research and Extension Station on Sept. 5 to dedicate the new livestock show facility there to the late C. Woodrow DeWitt Sr.

(Distributed 09/12/07) Lovebug populations have been low over the past two years. These pests typically make appearances around May and September.

(Distributed 09/14/07) Nonprofit organizations can learn how to prepare for a hurricane, fire, flood or other disaster and how to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers and supporters at a workshop on Sept. 21.

(Distributed 09/18/07) The LSU AgCenter’s Dean Lee Research and Extension Station in Alexandria has been awarded the 2007 Soil and Water Conservation Society of Louisiana "Good Land Use Award."

(Distributed 09/17/07) Deer food plot management is the topic of a seminar on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Natchitoches Art Center, 716 2nd St., according to Hubert Wilkerson, LSU AgCenter extension educator in Natchitoches and Sabine parishes.

(Distributed 09/17/07)Dr. Greg Lutz, LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist, will present a seminar on crawfish production Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Northwestern State University’s Aquaculture Research Facility near Marco. The meeting is for current and potential producers.

(Distributed 09/14/07) Nonprofit organizations can learn how to prepare for a hurricane, fire, flood or other disaster and how to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers and supporters at a workshop on Sept. 21.

(Distributed 09/17/07) Louisiana rice farmers are reporting a fair-to-good crop for the 2007 season, with most fields already harvested in South Louisiana and more than half cut in the northern parishes. Overall, the harvest has been good, and milling quality has been stable, according to Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station in Crowley.

(Distributed 09/19/07) “Good plants gone bad” is how an LSU AgCenter urban forester describes plants that have invaded the Louisiana landscape and created problems for farmers, forest owners and homeowners. Hallie Dozier, an assistant professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, says the introduction of foreign plants often causes problems because they don’t have natural enemies to control their spread.

(Distributed 09/20/07) The LSU AgCenter will conduct an ornamental horticulture and turfgrass field day for lawn and garden professionals on Oct. 9 at Burden Center Station in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 09/21/07) An additional 14 square blocks of the historic French Quarter have been added to a federal program to combat Formosan subterranean termites in this city, officials announced here on Sept. 20.

(Distributed 09/21/07) Many questions remain unanswered about a new pest that has been found in rice in Louisiana called the panicle rice mite. But work is ongoing to learn more about it. This is what officials with the LSU AgCenter, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry told more than 50 county agents and crop consultants gathered in a Vermilion Parish rice field on Sept. 19.

(Distributed 09/24/07) With this year’s dove season in full swing, LSU AgCenter faculty hope past wildlife field days and workshops will decrease the number of citations written this year.

(Distributed 09/25/07) A rainy weather pattern has soaked fields, wet down cotton fiber and slowed the cotton harvest in the central and northeast parts of Louisiana. Only 7 percent of the cotton has been harvested in Louisiana as of Sept. 24.

(Distributed 09/26/07) It has been the scene of fun-filled summer days for many generations of Louisiana youth. And on Oct. 27, the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Camp Grant Walker will celebrate its 85th birthday with an open house.

(Distributed 09/27/07) The LSU AgCenter continues to encourage Louisiana gardeners and others to “Get It Growing” in 2008 with the publication of this year’s edition of its calendar. The Get It Growing 2008 Lawn & Garden Calendar, like the previous three annual versions, provides gardening enthusiasts with opportunities to learn more about their craft and to enjoy beautiful garden photos.

(Distributed 09/27/07) Rebuild on piers or a pad? That question was a priority for Pamelia Villa of Moss Bluff who came to a recent LSU AgCenter Tour of Homes in Cameron Parish. Villa’s home had been smashed by two trees blown down during Hurricane Rita.

(Distributed 09/28/07) An alternative energy company met with about 20 farmers Wednesday (Sept. 26) at the LSU AgCenter extension office to discuss growing crops to be converted into ethanol.

(Distributed 09/17/07) Deer food plot management is the topic of a seminar on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Natchitoches Art Center, 716 2nd St., according to Hubert Wilkerson, LSU AgCenter extension educator in Natchitoches and Sabine parishes.

(Distributed 09/13/07) Construction techniques used by Cameron Parish residents rebuilding their homes will be featured during a tour of homes on Sept. 23 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The tour’s theme is “Rita Recovery: Rebuilding Safer, Stronger and Smarter,” according to Cynthia Richard, an LSU AgCenter housing agent who organized the event.

(Distributed 09/10/07) A continuation of current strong soybean prices depends on next year’s production, farmers were told at a soybean and energy crop tour held Sept. 6 in Jefferson Davis Parish. Dr. Kurt Guidry, LSU AgCenter economist, said a decrease in soybean acreage and increased demand this year helped boost prices.

(Distributed 09/28/07) An alternative energy company met with about 20 farmers Wednesday (Sept. 26) at the LSU AgCenter extension office to discuss growing crops to be converted into ethanol.

(Distributed 09/27/07) Rebuild on piers or a pad? That question was a priority for Pamelia Villa of Moss Bluff who came to a recent LSU AgCenter Tour of Homes in Cameron Parish. Villa’s home had been smashed by two trees blown down during Hurricane Rita.

(Distributed 09/27/07) The LSU AgCenter continues to encourage Louisiana gardeners and others to “Get It Growing” in 2008 with the publication of this year’s edition of its calendar. The Get It Growing 2008 Lawn & Garden Calendar, like the previous three annual versions, provides gardening enthusiasts with opportunities to learn more about their craft and to enjoy beautiful garden photos.

(Distributed 09/26/07) It has been the scene of fun-filled summer days for many generations of Louisiana youth. And on Oct. 27, the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Camp Grant Walker will celebrate its 85th birthday with an open house.

(Distributed 09/25/07) A rainy weather pattern has soaked fields, wet down cotton fiber and slowed the cotton harvest in the central and northeast parts of Louisiana. Only 7 percent of the cotton has been harvested in Louisiana as of Sept. 24.

(Distributed 09/24/07) With this year’s dove season in full swing, LSU AgCenter faculty hope past wildlife field days and workshops will decrease the number of citations written this year.

(Distributed 09/21/07) An additional 14 square blocks of the historic French Quarter have been added to a federal program to combat Formosan subterranean termites in this city, officials announced here on Sept. 20.

(Distributed 09/21/07) Many questions remain unanswered about a new pest that has been found in rice in Louisiana called the panicle rice mite. But work is ongoing to learn more about it. This is what officials with the LSU AgCenter, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry told more than 50 county agents and crop consultants gathered in a Vermilion Parish rice field on Sept. 19.

(Distributed 09/20/07) The LSU AgCenter will conduct an ornamental horticulture and turfgrass field day for lawn and garden professionals on Oct. 9 at the Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 09/19/07) “Good plants gone bad” is how an LSU AgCenter urban forester describes plants that have invaded the Louisiana landscape and created problems for farmers, forest owners and homeowners. Hallie Dozier, an assistant professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, says the introduction of foreign plants often causes problems because they don’t have natural enemies to control their spread.

(Distributed 09/17/07) Louisiana rice farmers are reporting a fair-to-good crop for the 2007 season, with most fields already harvested in South Louisiana and more than half cut in the northern parishes. Overall, the harvest has been good, and milling quality has been stable, according to Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station in Crowley.

(Distributed 09/14/07) Nonprofit organizations can learn how to prepare for a hurricane, fire, flood or other disaster and how to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers and supporters at a workshop on Sept. 21.

(Distributed 09/13/07) Construction techniques used by Cameron Parish residents rebuilding their homes will be featured during a tour of homes on Sept. 23 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The tour’s theme is “Rita Recovery: Rebuilding Safer, Stronger and Smarter,” according to Cynthia Richard, an LSU AgCenter housing agent who organized the event.

(Distributed 09/12/07) Lovebug populations have been low over the past two years. These pests typically make appearances around May and September.

(Distributed 09/11/07) The Town of Dubach will celebrate the Louisiana Chicken Festival Sept. 28-29 with a proclamation from Gov. Kathleen Blanco declaring September Poultry and Egg Month.

(Distributed 09/10/07) A continuation of current strong soybean prices depends on next year’s production, farmers were told at a soybean and energy crop tour held Sept. 6 in Jefferson Davis Parish. Dr. Kurt Guidry, LSU AgCenter economist, said a decrease in soybean acreage and increased demand this year helped boost prices.

(Distributed 09/10/07) A new nonprofit organization has been formed called the Burden Horticulture Society to provide assistance and fundraising for the enhancement and use of LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center, according to Dr. Pat Hegwood, the Burden Center resident director.

(Distributed 09/07/07) More than 125 people gathered for a ceremony at the LSU AgCenter’s Dean Lee Research and Extension Station on Sept. 5 to dedicate the new livestock show facility there to the late C. Woodrow DeWitt Sr.

(Distributed 09/07/07) The LSU AgCenter’s annual field day and open house at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City on Sept. 6 highlighted research accomplishments with greenhouse tomatoes, agronomic crops and cotton pest management.

(Distributed 09/07/07) A tiny pest called the “panicle rice mite” has been found in the southern United States, including the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station at Crowley. The mite has recently been detected in rice plants this summer at research facilities in Texas and Puerto Rico. Before 2007, it was found in a greenhouse in Ohio and has been a major problem in rice fields in Central and South America, the Caribbean and Asia.

(Distributed 09/05/07) Recognizing 41 years of dedication, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s National Weather Service has named William David Caldwell, professor at the LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station in Bossier City, as a 2007 recipient of the agency’s John Campanius Holm Award.