(Distributed 05/10/10) ABBEVILLE, La. – This spring has the LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist scratching his head, but he is sure the cold, wet winter has slowed the beginning stages of this year’s crop.

(Distributed 05/17/10) As part of its Healthy Homes educational program, the LSU AgCenter will conduct a Lead Certified Renovator training class June 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock, La. The center is 15 miles north of Alexandria on U.S. 165.

(Distributed 05/03/10) The LSU AgCenter is implementing an online quality assurance and ethics training program for 4-H and FFA members and their families who are interested in participating in its youth livestock projects. The complete certification program will be available for 4-H and FFA members and their families later this summer and will be required for the 2011 show season.

(Distributed 05/25/10) BOSSIER CITY, La. – A virtual Louisiana farm tour for families looking for summer activities was featured at a Lunch and Ag Discovery session held May 25 at the LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station here.

(Distributed 05/06/10) Teachers and students in the LSU College of Agriculture received awards from the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society at a recent annual ceremony and banquet (May 4). The top award went to Witoon Prinyawiwatkul, food science professor, who was named the Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture Award winner. He conducts research on seafood technology and byproduct use at the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 05/06/10) Louisiana sugarcane farmers will have a new sugarcane variety this fall with the release of L 03-371 from the LSU AgCenter and others on May 5.

(Distributed 05/19/10) The third annual short course for landscape management professionals will be June 18-19 at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 05/31/10) A new program promoting Louisiana landscape materials was one of the highlights at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station annual landscape horticulture field day May 13.

(Distributed 05/19/10) Whether wild or farmed, Louisiana crawfish are harvested from freshwater habitats, well away from coastal areas. As a result, the potential for problems related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is nonexistent for this popular seafood product, and no spill-related effects are anticipated, said Greg Lutz, an aquaculture specialist with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 05/28/10) DELCAMBRE, La. – A new program to link consumers with commercial fishers is under way at the Port of Delcambre. Buyers can find out on the website, www.portofdelcambre.com, when a boat is headed to the dock with seafood.

(Distributed 05/24/10) The LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Home and Landscape Resource Center (LaHouse) will hold a sustainable vegetable and landscape field day Friday, June 11, in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 05/17/10) GRAND CANE, La. – Approximately 600 4-H’ers tested their skills, decision making and endurance on the shooting range May 7-9 at the state shooting sports competition.

(Distributed 05/21/10) The LSU AgCenter recently recognized the Lake Forest Elementary Charter School in New Orleans as the state’s first School of Character.

(Distributed 05/31/10) Louisiana Master Farmer Program participants can attend any of a series of field days throughout Louisiana this year to meet one of three requirements to be certified.

(Distributed 05/04/10) WEST MONROE, La. – Perennials are flowers and shrubs that live for two years or longer and are hardy enough to survive winter, non-woody and able to tolerate heat, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill told the Louisiana Master Gardeners at their state conference April 30.

(Distributed 05/21/10) SHREVEPORT, La. – Controlling insects is essential for profitable pecan production, Mike Hall, an LSU AgCenter entomologist, told pecan growers at the LSU AgCenter’s Pecan Research and Extension Station field day May 20.

(Distributed 05/27/10) Rice farmers who see their crop starting to show bronzing on the leaves should consider a dose of zinc, an LSU AgCenter agronomist advised. Dustin Harrell made his remarks at a field day in Evangeline Parish on Tuesday (May 25) and on Wednesday (May 26) in Jefferson Davis Parish.

(Distributed 05/10/10) ROSEPINE, La. – LSU AgCenter researchers at a recent Rosepine Research Station field day (May 5) gave cattle producers several ideas for using forages to feed their herds.

(Distributed 05/04/10) WEST MONROE, La. – Louisiana Master Gardeners were encouraged to photograph their work to share with future generations by the keynote speaker at the organization’s state conference here April 29-May 1.

(Distributed 05/04/10) Scientists at the LSU AgCenter recently confirmed the presence of late blight on tomatoes in home gardens in Terrebonne, Lafayette, Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes. Symptoms include black lesions on stems and petioles, blackening of the fruit, and dark, dead areas on the foliage.

(Distributed 05/05/10) WEST MONROE, La. – Gardeners can save seeds to cut costs and maintain heirloom varieties, Denyse Cummins, LSU AgCenter horticulturist, told the Louisiana Master Gardener Convention here April 30.

(Distributed 05/10/10) The LSU AgCenter will conduct rice field days in Evangeline and Jefferson Davis parishes in May.