(Radio News 02/16/12) Louisiana has had an unseasonably warm winter. Warm weather coupled with a steady amount of rain could lead to more disease problems on crops earlier in the season. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Radio News 02/14/12) A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the greatest percentage of sodium in our diets doesn’t come from salty snacks but rather from bread. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames explains why. (Runtime: 1:20 seconds)

(Video News 02/13/12) In southwest Louisiana, salt water is contaminating surface water, which is making rice farming difficult. Winter rainfall is helping alleviate the problem, but as LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports, regular rains must continue if the problem is going to be solved. (Runtime: 1:48)

(Radio News 02/10/12) The heart is in focus in February during American Heart Month. Women are encouraged to take steps to prevent heart disease, which kills more women than any other disease says Beth Reames, an LSU AgCenter nutritionist. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Radio News 02/09/12) LSU AgCenter researchers are working on ways to make crawfish production less expensive and more efficient. Bait is a major expense of crawfish production and harvesting. While crawfish harvesting can start as early as November or December, attracting crawfish is more difficult in colder waters, says LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Robert Romaire. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 02/08/12) It’s been a poor start to Louisiana’s crawfish harvest. Drought in the summer and fall led to low survival and reproduction of crawfish. Those that did survive were slow to emerge from their burrows. But as demand picks up this month, there is optimism that so will the catch. (Runtime: 1:50)

(Video News 02/07/12) Safer, fresher, more healthful food is the focus of much of the research of LSU AgCenter food scientists. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that researchers are working on ways to up the nutritional content of popular foods while improving quality. (Runtime: 1:48)

(Radio News 02/06/12) Durel Romaine farms rice and crawfish around Kaplan. Saltwater intrusion has been a problem for him and other farmers who rely on fresh water from the Mermentau Basin for their crops. Recent rainfall that drenched the southwestern part of the state was badly needed, but farmers say they still could use more. (Runtime: 1:55)