(Distributed 05/31/11) COUSHATTA, La. – A $10,000 donation toward funding a community garden is a welcome addition for local residents through a donation given to the LSU AgCenter from Encana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc.

(Distributed 05/31/11) LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Mexican rice borer continues its eastward migration from Texas, with monitoring traps detecting adults near Lake Charles, according to LSU AgCenter entomologists.

(Distributed 05/31/11) SHREVEPORT, La. – You’ve heard of horse whisperers. But what about horse dentists? Members of the Caddo Parish 4-H Livestock Club met at the LSU AgCenter office May 24 to learn about caring for horses’ teeth.

(Distributed 05/30/11) BATON ROUGE, La. – On Ella King’s hand sat a monarch butterfly that had recently emerged from its chrysalis. The first-grader stood perfectly still while other students looked on in awe.

Radio News 05/30/11) Speculation on the amount of wild crawfish in the Atchafalaya Basin has increased with the water levels, but LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Greg Lutz says we shouldn’t rush to conclusions. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Radio News 05/30/11) Soil compaction can be a problem in pastures. Mike McCormick is the coordinator of the LSU AgCenter's Southeast Research Station, where research focuses on dairy production. He says producers are noticing compacted soil in their pastures. (Runtime: 1:05)

(Distributed 05/27/11) Temple-Inland’s Bogalusa Paper Mill recently donated $5,000 to the Washington Parish office of the LSU AgCenter to help fund its programs.

(Distributed 05/27/11) June is National Dairy Month, a time to promote and enjoy milk and other dairy products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans increase their intake of fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese.

(Distributed 05/27/11) The end of May means summer is here, even though summer does not “officially” begin for a few more weeks. Summer in the Louisiana landscape usually begins in May and can run through October. We have many activities to keep in mind during this four- to five-month busy time in the home landscape. Keep all of the following items in mind to be more successful in your landscaping efforts.

(Distributed 05/27/11) MAMOU, La. – New Clearfield lines of rice are being tested that show promising results, LSU AgCenter rice breeders told Evangeline Parish farmers at a field day Tuesday (May 24).