(Distributed 03/29/11) The LSU AgCenter has scheduled a meeting for backyard citrus growers on April 12 from 7-9 p.m. in Belle Chasse.

(Distributed 03/28/11) Louisiana agriculture contributed $9.9 billion to the state’s economy in 2010 – up 20 percent from the year before, according to the latest figures compiled by the LSU AgCenter in its annual Ag Summary. The biggest gainers in 2010 were the same sectors that declined the most in 2009 – poultry and forestry – according to John Westra, LSU AgCenter economist.

(Distributed 03/25/11) Increases in feed and fuel prices and the influx of fish from Asia are causing a steep reduction in American and Louisiana catfish production.

(Distributed 03/24/11) Two LSU AgCenter nutrition educators received top honors at the 2011 Community Nutrition Programs Awards Banquet on March 17. The award for Outstanding Paraprofessional in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education went to Judy Broussard from Vermilion Parish. The Outstanding Paraprofessional in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program was Rina Castillo of Lafayette Parish.

(Distributed 03/24/11) Managing white-tailed deer will be the featured topic at the wildlife field day April 30 at the LSU AgCenter’s Bob R. Jones Idlewild Research Station in Clinton.

(Distributed 03/24/11) Students from the Southdowns Preschool Center in Baton Rouge now understand what a cow sounds like and what a pig feels like since attending Dairy Day at the LSU AgCenter Dairy Farm on March 16.

(Distributed 03/22/11) The LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center will hold its spring garden day on Friday, April 8, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

(Distributed 03/21/11) SHREVEPORT, La. –Home sales, Japan, mills and helpful forest products websites were among the topics presented at the 27th annual Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum March 17.

(Distributed 03/18/11) JEANERETTE, La. – South Louisiana cattle producers will have a chance to learn about a wide variety of topics at the Acadiana Cattle Producers Field Day at the LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station on April 9. The event begins at 8 a.m. and ends with a lunch.

(Distributed 03/18/11) ROSEPINE, La. – Cattle producers can get the latest information for providing forage for their herds at the Beef and Forage Field Day on May 5 at the LSU AgCenter’s Rosepine Research Station. The event begins at 8:30 a.m., and ends with lunch.