(Distributed 02/27/09) Gene Reagan, LSU AgCenter entomologist, has been doggedly studying the Mexican rice borer’s spread northward from the Rio Grande Valley for almost 30 years. The insect, which damages rice and sugarcane, has been migrating through Texas at the rate of 15 miles a year. In 2006, it was found in east Texas just one county away from Louisiana, and, sure enough, two weeks before the end of 2008, borers showed up in two traps on the Louisiana-Texas line north of Vinton.

(Distributed 02/20/09) Louisianians can work in their yards almost every day of the year, but spring is prime time for gardening. The LSU AgCenter has announced a lineup of garden shows that kick off in March and continue into May in Hammond, Covington, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, New Orleans and Houma.

(Distributed 02/27/09) JEANERETTE, La. – Hay production and beef cattle management will be topics covered in a field day at the LSU AgCenter’s Iberia Research Station March 21.

(Distributed 02/02/09) North Louisiana farmers got advice from LSU AgCenter experts at two different producer meetings Jan. 29.

(Distributed 02/02/09) CROWLEY – The Obama administration could restore full trade with Cuba, the president of the USA Rice Federation said at the annual joint meeting of the Louisiana Rice Council and the Louisiana Rice Growers Association Jan. 29.

(Distributed 02/05/2009) The LSU AgCenter’s Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Unit and the Vermilion Parish Police Jury will present a free Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 at Abbeville High School.

(Distributed 02/05/09) MONROE, La. – Dr. William Richardson, LSU AgCenter chancellor, updated the Louisiana Cotton Producers Association on the status of budget cuts he recently presented to the LSU System.

(Distributed 02/09/09) VIDALIA, La. – The creation of a virtual e-business incubator was among announcements at a meeting of the Louisiana Delta Initiative Jan. 29.

(Distributed 02/09/09) An LSU AgCenter faculty member was named Cotton Researcher of the Year at the 12th annual National Conservation Tillage Cotton and Rice Conference in Marksville, La., in January.

(Distributed 02/09/09) The fifth annual Louisiana Food Processors Conference will be held March 18-19, 2009, at the Lod Cook Conference Center and Hotel on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 02/10/09) PERRY, La. – High school and junior high students did their part to aid the coastline Feb. 6 by planting trees on coastal land in Vermilion Parish that was devastated by hurricanes Rita and Ike.

(Distributed 02/04/09) LAKE CHARLES, La. – The first Ag Adventure held during the LSU AgCenter Regional Livestock Show here was a perfect fit for kindergarten teacher Gloria Watson of Brentwood Elementary School. “Some of the stories we read in class are about animals. We thought it would be a good thing to see some real animals. Most of them have not seen any animals.”

(Distributed 02/12/09) Price LeBlanc, a Baton Rouge automobile dealer, has established a $40,000 endowment to support the LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA state livestock show for 2009 and 2010 and fund the Price LeBlanc Champion Livestock Award.

(Distributed 02/13/09) CALHOUN, La. – A kit of educational and fun activities that address the issue of childhood obesity proved to be a big hit at its inaugural use during Family Nutrition Night Feb. 10 at Central Elementary School here. LSU AgCenter extension agents developed the kit and are promoting its use across northeast Louisiana.

(Distributed 02/16/09) DELHI, La. – Elementary school students from seven parishes had their questions answered about everything from horses to germs at the LSU AgCenter’s Ag Adventures Feb. 10-11.

(Distributed 02/16/09) The LSU AgCenter’s Audubon Sugar Institute is presenting a two-day practical short course for specialists involved in the areas of sugars, sweeteners, renewable energy, foods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and water treatment June 1-2 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 02/17/09) Asian soybean rust has been found in Louisiana kudzu in Washington, East Baton Rouge, Tangipahoa, Iberia and St. Mary parishes, but weather conditions will be the telling factor for the disease outlook in 2009, according to LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Dr. Boyd Padgett.

(Distributed 02/17/09) JENNINGS, La. – LSU AgCenter crawfish researchers urged producers to wait patiently for this year’s crawfish crop, which has been later than usual.

(Distributed 02/18/09) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association honored two LSU AgCenter employees at the LACA convention held here Feb. 11-13.

(Distributed 02/18/09) ABBEVILLE, La. – Farmers at a hearing here Wednesday (Feb. 18) told U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain that large areas of cropland may not be planted this year along the coast because of salt water remaining from Hurricane Ike. More than 100 people attended.

(Distributed 02/22/09) GONZALES, La. – Seven Louisiana 4-H and FFA members and two adult volunteers were recognized honored Saturday (Feb. 21) for their outstanding work with youth livestock projects.

(Distributed 02/23/09) GONZALES, La. – Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 74th Annual LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA Livestock Show Presented by Price LeBlanc Feb. 14-21 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center here.

(Distributed 02/20/09) Camellia enthusiasts are invited to “Camellia Morning at Burden” on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon at LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center in Baton Rouge. The three-hour event will include presentations on camellia culture, a tour through the camellia gardens and a pruning and propagation demonstration.

(Distributed 02/06/09) Dr. David Boethel, vice chancellor of the LSU AgCenter, received the Distinguished Service Award at the Tri-State Soybean Forum held last month in Oak Grove.

(Distributed 02/25/09) GONZALES, La. – Six exceptional Louisiana youths were recognized Saturday (Feb. 21) for their knowledge, skills and communication abilities as they were named winners of the Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor Awards at the 74th annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show Presented by Price LeBlanc at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center here.

(Distributed 02/25/09) LAFAYETTE, La. – The 4-H Junior Leader Club in Lafayette Parish has been chosen for the Governor’s Conservation Award by Louisiana Wildlife Federation for helping Cameron Parish after hurricanes Rita and Ike.

(Distributed 02/27/09) BATON ROUGE, La. – One of the challenges facing Louisiana agriculture in 2009 is the loss of income caused by the 2008 hurricanes, Dr. Mike Strain, commissioner of agriculture and forestry, said at the 2009 Ag Outlook conference held here Thursday (Feb. 26).