(Video) Louisiana farmers have enjoyed high commodity prices coupled with high yields over the past few years, but 2014 was different. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard looks back over the year in agriculture.

(Video 12/29/14) Holly plants have always been synonymous with the Christmas season — because of their deep green foliage and bright red fruits. But even though Christmas and New Year’s Day have passed, you can still plant these festive trees and shrubs in your landscape. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains some of the best holly plants available at your local nurseries right now.

(Video 12/24/14) While we don't have brutal winters here in Louisiana typically, livestock such as horses do require special care. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux tells us how to keep horses healthy during the winter.

(Distributed 12/23/14) HAMMOND, La. – 2014 is winding down, and 2015 is near. When we think of resolutions for the coming year, most of us include losing weight, being more organized or simply an overall "being better." Resolutions are good goals to have.

(Distributed 12/22/14) BOSSIER CITY, La. – The "perfect" soybean would have great disease and herbicide resistance, excellent drought and salt tolerance, be able to withstand insect pests and be high-yielding. And LSU AgCenter plant breeder Blair Buckley is on a quest to find it.

(Distributed 12/22/14) CROWLEY, La. – Louisiana rice farmers will get a chance to hear the latest recommendations by LSU AgCenter experts at a series of meetings in January and February.

(Audio 12/29/14) For your New Year’s resolution, consider trying to grow a new plant. You may also want to resolve to keep better records or keep up with weeding. Encourage friends or family members to try gardening. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 12/19/14) Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla) frequently accent our homes during the Christmas season. Make sure you keep them watered while it is on display.

(Distributed 12/19/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Master Gardeners in northeast Louisiana will hold their 5th annual gardening seminar at the West Monroe Convention Center from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Jan. 17.

(Distributed 12/19/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – John Gaspard doesn’t think he is following in his parents’ footsteps. Although the path he is taking is similar to theirs. On Friday, Dec. 19, Gaspard, a science teacher at Rougon Elementary School in Point Coupee Parish, received a doctorate from LSU in human resource education and workforce development.

(Distributed 12/19/14) HAMMOND, La. – Amaryllis is a popular holiday plant. Bulbs are commonly available from November to late December. Forcing them to bloom during winter is not difficult, and the results are beautiful.

(Distributed 12/18/14) WINNSBORO, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold a workshop on cover crops and soil health on Jan. 21 at the Macon Ridge Research Station. Registration and refreshments will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Tom H. Scott Extension and Education Center, which is at the station. The workshop will start at 9 a.m.

(Distributed 12/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Thirty-six Louisiana 4-H Club members attended the 93rd annual National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Nov. 28-Dec. 2. The delegation earned the trip by winning contests at 4-H University, which took place in June 2014.

(Audio 12/29/14) Purchase and plant amaryllis bulbs all through the winter season. First, plant the bulbs in a pot next to a sunny window and allow them to bloom. In April, move the pot outside and plant the bulb into the ground. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/29/14) Many gardening catalogs will arrive this time of the year. Be sure to check out the new plants for next year, but don’t get carried away if you’re not sure what will grow well here. Do some research or reach out to your LSU AgCenter extension office if you have questions about a new variety. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/29/14) Most gardeners have more indoor plants in the wintertime. Take care of them by placing them next to a window to receive light. Do not place them where warm air from the vents can hit them, and remember to water appropriately. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/29/14) Most Christmas cactuses have probably finished blooming by now, but don’t throw them away. Christmas cactuses can become long-lived house plants that will bloom year after year. Move them next to a sunny window or place them on your porch or patio throughout the summer and into fall (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/22/14) December is a really great time to get hardy shrubs into the ground. Hardy shrubs will not be bothered by the colder temperatures in Louisiana. These include Indian hawthorns, azaleas, camellias and roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/22/14) Harvest bunching onions in the green stage when they have green tops and white bases. You can dig up the entire bunch, separate out the amount you want, and replant the remainder so they may continue to grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/22/14) Once the weather gets chilly, the foliage on evergreens may change color. Some foliage may take on a scarlet, gold or bronze pigment but will change back to green in the spring. Listen to learn which evergreen plants provide winter color. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/22/14) Prune tropical plants that may be damaged from freezing temperatures. Cut back herbaceous tropicals right away, usually 3-5 days after the freeze. Protect woody tropicals throughout the winter and prune them in the spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/22/14) Plant pre-chilled tulip and hyacinth bulbs in late December or early January. Bulbs should be refrigerated 6-8 weeks before planting them. Make sure to plant the bulbs 5 inches into the ground in a sunny, well-drained location. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 12/17/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The annual forestry forum held in conjunction with the AgExpo at the West Monroe Convention Center is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon on Jan. 16.

(Distributed 12/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Twenty-one members of the LSU AgCenter faculty and staff were recognized for their outstanding effort and career contributions at an awards ceremony held Dec. 15 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden.

(Distributed 12/15/14) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Forage producers discussed the benefits of different forage systems and human nutrition at the Louisiana Forage and Grass Council’s annual conference on Dec. 5.

(Distributed 12/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter and the Prevention Research Center at Tulane University have been working with local stakeholders to identify behavioral health needs of Orleans Parish residents and are sharing best practices for improving community behavioral health.

(Distributed 12/12/14) Although plentiful in the appalachian Mountains, rhododendrons don’t show up much in Louisiana. Our heat and humidity usually lead to poor landscape performance. But a new series of heat-tolerant rhododendrons for the Lower South have been developed in Louisiana by Dr. John Thornton of Franklinton.

(Distributed 12/12/14) HAMMOND, La. – It’s late fall in Louisiana, and this is the time when people think about pruning plants in the landscape. One of the most commonly pruned plants in Southern landscapes is the crape myrtle. It is also the main plant in Southern landscapes that is pruned incorrectly.

(Video 12/15/14) Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to have a dreary yard. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill gives you some tips for adding late-season color to your landscape.

(Video 12/22/14) Now is a good time to get cool-season plants into your flower beds. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the importance of determining proper placement and spacing before you put them in the ground.

(Video 12/15/14) Students at University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge left their classrooms but didn’t travel far to find a little bit of wetland. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story.

(Distributed 12/11/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana farmers who want to become Master Farmers can begin the process by attending Phase I training on Jan. 12 at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe.

(Distributed 12/10/14) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Fred Zaunbrecher, a rice farmer in Acadia Parish and a member of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, was honored on Dec. 8 as Farmer of the Year at the USA Rice Federation Outlook Conference.

(Distributed 12/10/14) CROWLEY, La. – LSU AgCenter rice specialist Johnny Saichuk said this year’s second rice crop in south Louisiana was outstanding.

(Audio 12/15/14) Shade trees dump a lot of leaves on our lawns during this time of year. Instead of putting them out with the trash, use fallen leaves for mulch or compost. If you prefer the look of a particular mulch, place a layer of leaves under a thin layer of the mulch to save money. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 12/10/14) OAK GROVE, La. – The 59th annual Tri-State Soybean Forum has been scheduled for Jan. 9, 2015, at the Thomas Jason Lingo Center in Oak Grove.

(Audio 12/15/14) Find camellias already in bloom at your local nursery and plant them now. Be sure to plant the camellia at the same depth it was growing in the container. Camellias should be planted in a well-drained location with afternoon shade. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/15/14) Chemicals used in gardening include a wide variety of pesticides and fertilizers. Pesticides may by toxic, so make sure to store them where they are out of reach of children. Store fertilizers in an air-tight container to keep them fresh. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/15/14) Few gardeners still grow plants from seeds. When buying packages of seeds, we often do not use them all. Store excess seeds in the refrigerator to plant in your garden next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video: 07/23/14) A new grain sorghum variety coupled with a new herbicide will help farmers control grassy weeds in their fields, but an insect could damage this year's sorghum crop. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has this report. (Runtime: 1:26 seconds)

(Audio 07/28/14) A new non-genetically modified grain sorghum variety contains a trait that will allow farmers to control johnsongrass in their sorghum fields. Weed scientist Daniel Stephenson said this is a first. Grasses are hard to control in sorghum because they are so closely related to the crop.

(Video 07/23/14) Tall stalks of sugarcane are a common sight around south Louisiana in midsummer, but this year stalks are shorter than normal. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that cool weather we enjoy doesn't have much benefit to sugarcane. (Runtime: 1:43 seconds)

(Video: 07/10/14) Louisiana’s rice crop is midway through its growing season, but weather has caused delays. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has an update on the crop and a look at new technology that can improve the way farmers grow rice. (Runtime: 1:30 seconds)

(Video News 08/21/14) Louisiana sweet potato farmers will begin harvesting their crop in about a month. Acres are up, and growers have more viable options when planting varieties. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has this report.

(Video: 8/06/14) A coastal camp has been showing students the value of Louisiana’s marshland for a quarter of a century. During Marsh Maneuvers, 4-H’ers get into the marsh to learn how to preserve it. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the story. (Runtime: 2:05 seconds)

(Video 09/17/14 )Soybean harvest is underway in Louisiana. Rain has slowed the harvest, but farmers are seeing outstanding yields for the third year in a row. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has this report.

(Video 09/03/14) Louisiana farmers are harvesting their rice crop … when they get a break from the frequent rain. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited a rice field still wet from the previous day’s downpour.

(Video 09/03/14) Louisiana’s corn crop is coming in. Good weather during the growing season has translated into good yields. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has this report.

(Video 10/29/14) Sweet potatoes are a holiday staple, and Louisiana sweet potato producers are busy with their harvest. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux explains how this year’s weather is contributing to a successful harvest.

(Video 10/19/14) Beef cattle producers learned about research that can benefit them at an LSU AgCenter cattle and forage field day. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports on two studies, one that aims to improve water quality and another that can affect cattle reproduction.

(Video 10/15/14) While 4-H is widely known for its agricultural roots, the youth organization is making a concerted effort in science and engineering. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux explains how one group of 4-H’ers is building rockets to help solve a problem.

(Video 10/15/14) Louisiana farmers have another excellent cotton crop this year, but low prices persist and continue to keep acreage down. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story.

(Video 10/3/14) An urban forest in the heart of Baton Rouge is helping students understand the natural world around them. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard toured Trees and Trails with a group of third-graders and has this report.

(Video 10/3/14) Cooler weather means fatter and tastier oysters for cooking seafood gumbos or oyster dressing. A researcher with the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant is working on getting oysters to maintain their size and flavor all year round. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux has the story.

(Video 11/12/14) Pecan producers and processing facilities are bustling, getting their crop ready for the holidays. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux gives an update on how Louisiana’s pecan crop has fared this year.

(Video News 02/10/14) A new gelatin- like bait using shrimp waste could improve the way blue crabs are caught and add value to Louisiana’s shrimp processing industry. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has this report. (Runtime: 1:46)

(Video: 08/06/14) 4-H’er are used to entering cooking competitions, but the Great American Seafood Cook-off is a grand stage for 4-H’ers trying out their culinary skills. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard was there. (Runtime: 1:55 seconds)

(Video 03/19/14) The cold winter hasn’t done much damage to the state’s wheat crop. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that the crop is in good shape heading into spring. (Runtime: 1:20 seconds)

(Video 03/19/14) The cold, wet winter is hampering spring planting. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that corn planting is behind schedule and fewer acres than expected may be planted if the state doesn’t soon see warmer, drier weather. (Runtime 1:20 seconds)

(Video 03/05/14) Rare and endangered birds are making a comeback in Louisiana with the help of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the LSU AgCenter. AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has this report on the effort to bring back the whooping crane.(Runtime: 2:20 seconds)

(Video 04/30/14) With a cool and wet spring, farmers were slow getting in their fields. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that soybeans are finally going into the ground. (Runtime: 1:55 seconds)

(Video 04/16/14) Rice planting is behind schedule in Louisiana because of the cold and damp spring. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard talked with a farmer in Vermilion Parish where weather and birds are affecting his crop. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Video 04/02/14) Crawfish is part of Louisiana’s culture, and the crawfish boil is a springtime tradition, but LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that this Cajun crustacean may be hard to come by this season. (Runtime: 1:25 seconds)

(Video: 06/27/14) A demonstration of a drone highlighted research on display at the LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station Field Day. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard attended the field day and has this report. (Runtime: 1:51 seconds)

(Video 05/28/14) Hemline, an LSU student organization promoting fashion design and merchandising, hosted its annual runway show, sending an array of garments down the catwalk. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard attended the show and has this report. (Runtime: 1:45 seconds)

(Video 05/28/14) This year’s cotton acres are up slightly from last year’s historical low. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard explains why cotton acreage has been trending downward across the Southeast. (Runtime: 1:45 seconds)

(Video 06/11/14) LSU College of Agriculture students were spending the first part of their summer in the woods. The students were part of a wildlife habitat field study class and learning about plant identification. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard tagged along for a trek through the forest. (Runtime: 1:40 seconds)

(Video 06/11/14) Louisiana farmers are harvesting the state’s wheat crop. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that despite winter freezes during the growing season, wheat yields are promising. (Runtime: 1:22 seconds)

(Video 11/12/14) Sugarcane producers are a month into their harvest, and the early returns have been encouraging. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux explains why this year’s crop may set a record.

(Distributed 12/09/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Fourth-grade students at the LSU University Lab School learned about wetlands and their importance in an LSU AgCenter program that gets kids out of the classroom with a hands-on learning experience.

(Video 12/8/14) The Food Safety Modernization Act was passed to update food safety regulations with the hope of improving public health. LSU AgCenter correspondent Craig Gautreaux explains how the act will influence both producers and consumers.

(Distributed 12/08/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Scores of visitors prowled through a greenhouse at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens on Dec. 5, selecting poinsettias to purchase and voting for their favorites among 18 varieties on display.

(Distributed 12/05/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Rebecca Stephens has always loved dressing in costumes. The LSU College of Agriculture junior felt stifled as a child by regular children’s clothes. Now she is pursuing her passion for costumes by majoring in apparel design.

(Audio 12/8/14) Cabbages won’t be bothered by below-freezing temperatures. Transplants come in multiple varieties according to head size or color and can be found at your local nursery. Plant transplants about two feet apart. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 12/05/14) The Chinese pistache (Pistachio chinensis) is a medium-sized ornamental shade tree known for spectacular orange, red and crimson fall foliage colors. The fall color is great in Louisiana from early November through mid December most years.

(Distributed 12/05/14) HAMMOND, La. – Most of us relax during late fall and winter. Our minds turn more toward the holiday seasons and less toward our landscaping and gardening efforts. Many activities, however, should be included in a “to-do list” of gardening tasks for December, January and February.

(Distributed 12/04/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The sixth annual Arbor Day at Burden in the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

(Video 12/1/14) Tomatoes and peppers are being replaced with satsumas and navel oranges at roadside fruit and vegetable stands. Consumers can find Louisiana citrus this time of the year. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited a grower.

(Distributed 12/04/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter is once again offering photographers an opportunity to contribute to its popular Get It Growing calendar.

(Distributed 12/04/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – New plants are heading for the marketplace to grace home gardens and commercial landscapes.

(Distributed 12/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The deadline for nominations for induction into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction is Monday, Dec. 15. The inductees will be recognized at a reception and dinner at White Oak Plantation in Baton Rouge on March 5, 2015.

(Audio 12/8/14) Winter is a great time to plant hardy fruit trees in the landscape, such as apples. Choose warm varieties that like mild winters. Remember to plant two apple varieties for cross pollination. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/8/14) Because Louisiana has mild winters, this allows cool-season weeds to grow all through the winter season. Keep flower beds and vegetables gardens well mulched to protect them from weeds. If needed, apply a weed killer to your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/8/14) The wind chill factor really applies to warm-blooded mammals, such as humans. Because plants do not produce any heat, they are not affected by the wind chill factor. When it comes to your garden, only worry about the normal temperature. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/8/14) Tropical plants do not have the cold hardiness to deal with freezes. Protect them this winter season by bringing them inside your house or garage. If planted outside, cover them with layers of plastic or fabric. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 12/02/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A horse in Port Allen, Louisiana, has been diagnosed by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine with equine enteric coronavirus. This highly infectious RNA virus can cause intestinal distress and is more common during the colder months of the year, said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.

(Distributed 12/02/14) HOUMA, La. – An oyster industry update for boat captains and deckhands will be held Dec. 5 at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum.

(Distributed 11/21/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – With the recent seasonal temperatures, it’s truly beginning to feel like the holiday season. And the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store has the items to make it feel that much more special.

(Distributed 12/01/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Winners of the Louisiana 4-H educational awards look forward each year to the tour of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, said LSU AgCenter youth development instructor Tanya Giroir.

(Video 12/1/14) ’Tis the season for decorating, and one of the top decorations is a traditional Christmas tree. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to choose a good Christmas tree and keep it looking nice through the season.

(Distributed 12/01/14) A superior camellia for the Louisiana landscape, the Louisiana Super Plant ShiShi Gashira variety is the most widely planted camellia in the South. It is frequently referred to as a Camellia sasanqua but actually is a Camellia hiemalis.

(For Release On Or After 12/26/14) The oaks have become a part of American culture more than many other type of tree. Oaks are a symbol of strength and durability. Strong as an oak is a common comparison.

(Distributed 12/01/14) HOUMA, La. – Citrus fruit are becoming sweeter and juicier with cooler temperatures, according to LSU AgCenter agent Barton Joffrion in Terrebonne Parish.

(For Release On Or After 12/19/14) As the earth travels around the sun in its orbit, the length of our days and nights varies from season to season. This is because the earth’s axis of rotation is tilted in respect to its plane of orbit around the sun.

(For Release On Or After 12/12/14) Winter vegetable gardening is tremendously rewarding. Many of the vegetables we planted earlier in the fall are ready to harvest, and it is important to harvest vegetables at their right stage for best results.

(For Release On Or After 12/05/14) When it comes to Christmas trees, there are two basic choices – living or artificial. Although artificial trees have their place, and manufactures are producing some startlingly realistic versions, I’m going to focus on the living types, as you would expect in a gardening column.

(Video 12/8/14) If you thought holly berry or mistletoe were the most popular Christmas plants, you would be wrong. That distinction belongs to the lovely poinsettia. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to select good poinsettias and care for them through the season.

(Distributed 11/26/14) CROWLEY, La. – Disease in rice was not as big of a problem in 2014 for most growers as in previous years, according to LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Don Groth.

(Distributed 11/26/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Students decked out in festive “ugly” Christmas sweaters gathered in the lobby of the Renewable Natural Resources building on LSU’s campus on Sunday, Nov. 23. The space was transformed into a cheerful holiday setting, with a tree lighting a dark corner, a digital fireplace roaring on a big screen and stockings hung from an aquarium with care.

(Distributed 11/26/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has released a wheat and oat field guide that can be used to identify weeds, insect pests and diseases that affect those crops.

(Distributed 11/25/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A group of 43 Louisiana 4-H members competed at the North American International Livestock Exposition Nov. 8-21 in Louisville, Kentucky. The students were selected at the State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport, where they won the LSU AgCenter’s Beef and Sheep Educational Award Trip.

(Audio 12/1/14) Add cool-season bedding plants to your landscape in early December. This will allow the plants to settle in before the intense cold of late December, January and February. Listen to learn which cool-season bedding plants will do well this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/1/14) Use poinsettias to decorate your home for the holidays. Keep poinsettias well watered and locate them close to a window. Another holiday plant is the Christmas cactus, which will bloom year after year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/1/14) Make sure your Christmas tree is fresh for the holiday season. Shake the tree to look for fallen needles, touch the needles to see if they are still soft, and pick out a tree that has a fresh green look and a nice smell. Consider cutting your own tree on a Louisiana Christmas tree farm. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/1/14) Louisiana’s mild winters allow gardeners to grow vegetables year round. Promptly harvest vegetables to receive the best quality possible. Listen to learn which vegetables to plant in December. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/1/14) Gardening chores typically slow down during this time of year. Make sure to drain the gasoline from power equipment before storing them. Clean and sharpen all your tools, then coat them with oil so they do not rust. Store pesticides in a location where they won’t freeze. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/24/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana 4-H’ers from across the state brought home awards from the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky on November 19-20, said LSU AgCenter poultry specialist Theresia Lavergne.

(Distributed 11/24/14) HAMMOND, La. – The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season means it’s time for poinsettias.

(Distributed 11/21/14) Over the past couple years, companies have released new pansies with trailing growth habits, and fall in Louisiana is the best time to add pansies to the landscape.

(Distributed 11/28/14) HAMMOND, La. – Your landscape can include many trees and shrubs that will provide significant color in fall and winter year after year. Although decidedly less-than-spectacular this far south, early to mid-November until early December are when the leaves of some deciduous trees turn various colors as they get ready to drop.

(Distributed 11/21/14) HAMMOND, La. – It’s hard to believe, but the LSU AgCenter Louisiana Super Plants program is now 5 years old.

(Distributed 11/21/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Winter is quickly approaching in Louisiana. In most other parts of the country, that means increased stable time, decreased riding time and significantly different nutrient requirements for our horses, said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.

(Distributed 11/21/14) WINNSBORO, La. – The U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act will make sweeping changes to the way food safety is handled in the United States. Congress passed the law in 2010, but the Food and Drug Administration is still writing the rules that will enforce it.

(Distributed 11/20/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Giving your Thanksgiving turkey a good rinse before cooking is something many cooks were taught to do, but LSU AgCenter nutritionist and food safety experts say washing poultry or meat can promote cross contamination.

(Distributed 11/20/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana consumers may need to pay close attention to sales and promotions on food items needed for Thanksgiving dinner this year.

(Distributed 11/20/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Just about any time of year is a good time to plant vegetable seeds in Louisiana.

(Audio 11/24/14) Nearly everything in your landscape is going dormant for the winter and no longer needs to be fertilized. This includes your lawn, trees, shrubs and most herbaceous perennials. Only fertilize those plants that will grow during the wintertime. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/24/14) Because of Louisiana’s mild winters, expect to see insects throughout the winter season. Common insects found on bedding plants and vegetables in the winter include aphids, caterpillars, snails and slugs. Listen to learn how to treat winter insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/19/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Children between the ages of 3 and 8 can get in the spirit of the holidays and increase their reading skills as they enjoy a book reading and related crafts at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden.

(Audio 11/24/14) Gardeners often grow paperwhite bulbs in containers for their first year. Plant the bulbs in potting soil with proper drainage. The bulbs should not be touching each other, and the tops of the bulbs should be exposed at the surface. Place in a shady location until they begin to sprout. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/24/14) It is almost time to move house plants back inside the house. Before moving them inside, place the plants in a shaded location for a couple of weeks and allow them to adjust to lower light conditions. Check for insects before moving them into your home. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/24/14) Fall and winter are the perfect time to plant hardy fruit trees into your landscape. Planting these trees while they are dormant will lessen the transplant shock. Listen to learn which hardy plants will not be bothered by the cold. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/19/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter and the American Brahman Breeders Association started the national carcass evaluation project in 2001 as a way to evaluate marbling, tenderness and yield in the Brahman breed.

(Distributed 11/18/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – As the sun was setting on Nov. 17 and temperatures were beginning their steady decline on their way to freezing, Anna McEvers set out from the warm confines of a coffee shop with a group of runners. The Varsity Sports running club meets regularly throughout the week in different locations to train together and motivate each other.

(Distributed 11//18/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host a poinsettia show and sale from 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 5 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at 4560 Essen Lane near the junction of I-10 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 11/18/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Sugarcane is one of Louisiana’s most valuable agricultural commodities, contributing about $771 million to the economy in 2013. However, the state’s sugar industry would be about $120 million less profitable without the use of one age-old tool – fire – according to LSU AgCenter researchers.

(Distributed 11/06/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A plant materials conference for Louisiana nursery, landscape and garden center professionals has been set for Dec. 3 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden in Baton Rouge.

(Video 11/24/14) Growing multiple plants in large containers continues to be popular for patios and porches. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to select – or create – combination container plants that will survive and provide beauty for several seasons.

(Video 11/17/14) Most cool-season bedding plants like full sun. But on this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill points out some beautiful shade-loving plants that work great during the cooler months of fall.

BATON ROUGE, La. – A certain dress code comes to mind at the mention of a rodeo: cowboy hats, blue jeans and western boots. But by the time Block and Bridle rodeo contestants were fastening newly-won buckles to their belts on Friday, Nov. 14, goats were wearing clothes, too. It’s called the goat dress — one of several nontraditional events that took place alongside bull riding and barrel racing at the 77th annual student rodeo sponsored by the LSU College of Agriculture’s Block and Bridle Club.

(Distributed 11/14/14) This is a great time to add new trees to our landscapes. Oak trees are very popular in Louisiana landscapes, and we are familiar with the popular Southern live oak. Deciduous oaks – those that lose foliage in winter – common in Louisiana are water oak, shumard oak, southern red oak and willow oak. The one, however, with the best potential for landscape use is the nuttall oak.

(Distributed 11/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – As cool November temperatures arrive in Louisiana, horse owners need to make preparations to keep their horses healthy through the winter.

(Distributed 11/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Proper record keeping is essential for vegetable producers to verify their compliance with new Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Handling Practices (GHPs), LSU AgCenter food safety specialist Achyut Adhikari told a recent meeting of Louisiana fruit and vegetable growers.

(Distributed 11/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – When bovine brucellosis was eradicated in the United States, it was a triumph for animal and veterinary scientists nationwide. LSU AgCenter scientist Phil Elzer was one of the researchers who had worked for years to create a vaccine for the bacterial disease, which devastates livestock and wildlife.

(Distributed 11/14/14) HAMMOND, La. – Since the debut of a landscape horticulture research and extension program at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station eight years ago, we have continued to expand the gardens supporting research. One of the largest efforts each year is evaluating new annual warm-season bedding plants and perennial flowers in the sun garden and shade garden.

(Distributed 11/13/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Early freezing temperatures this year are causing concern among Louisiana homeowners and gardeners.

(Distributed 11/13/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A conference to address a statewide farm-to-school initiative has recently been funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant Program.

(Distributed 11/12/14) OPELOUSAS, La. -- It’s not too early to start preparing spring pastures by attacking weeds and addressing fertility issues, LSU AgCenter experts advised Thursday (Nov. 6) at a beef cattle producer program.

(Distributed 11/12/14) SHREVEPORT, La. – As the weather cools off and the holidays get closer, “we buy pecans” signs are cropping up at gas stations and small stores along Louisiana highways. Pecan harvest started about three weeks ago and will run through late December.

(Audio 11/17/14) Do not waste leaves that fall from shade trees this time of year. Save money by putting down two inches of leaves, and then putting your favorite mulch on top of the leaves. Create a compost bin to store leaves through the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/17/14) A wide variety of herbs are cold-hardy and may be planted during this time of the year. Herbs planted in the fall will be far more productive than herbs planted in the spring. Listen to learn which herbs enjoy being planted in fall and winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/17/14) Do not harvest broccoli according to the size of the head. Instead, look at the flower buds in the head. When the largest flower buds are the size of a kitchen match, it is time to harvest the broccoli. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/17/14) Amaryllis bulbs are easy to grow inside, but are also beautiful garden plants. Grow the bulbs in containers on a sunny window sill and water regularly. Around April, you may move the plant into a sunny location in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/17/14) Ornamental cabbage and ornamental kale can brighten your garden during fall and winter. These vegetable plants will produce a variety of colorful leaves in the heart of the plant. Buy young plants from your local nursery and fertilize generously. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/12/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – There are probably few places in the world where purple and gold ice cream is a perfectly normal thing. LSU, of course, is one of them. Tiger Bite, which is made of golden vanilla ice cream and blueberries, is just one of about 30 flavors of ice cream made by students at the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 11/11/14) CROWLEY, La. – Hybrid development at the Rice Research Station continues to make progress under hybrid rice breeders Jim Oard and Weike Li.

(Distributed 11/07/14) Oaks are one of our most popular landscape trees. Almost everyone is familiar with the Southern live oak, but we have an abundance of other oak trees – largely deciduous – that are recommended for Louisiana. The willow oak (Quercus phellos) has been named a Louisiana Super Plant.

(Distributed 11/07/14) HAMMOND, La. – Whether renovating an existing landscape or starting from scratch, we need to remember that soil pH and proper bed preparation will be essential in assuring top performance of our ornamental plants.

(Distributed 11/06/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Sharing our Southern Roots was the theme of the regional Master Gardener meeting Oct. 21-24 in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 11/06/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – An interdisciplinary and inter-institutional program to develop novel plant traits and new varieties will provide opportunities for scientists to meet future needs in crop production, said Rogers Leonard, LSU AgCenter associate vice chancellor and program leader for plant and soil sciences.

(Audio 11/10/14) Camellias come from the tea family. The leading insect pest of camellias is known as the tea scale. Symptoms include a white fuzzy material on the back of the leaf and yellow blotches on the upper surface of the leaf. Listen to learn how to treat the tea scale. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/10/14) Louisiana gardeners tend to focus on spring flower beds, but cool-season bedding plants can be just as colorful throughout the winter. Replace warm-season bedding plants with cool-season plants such as pansies, violas, and snapdragons. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/10/14) Warm-season shade plants in flower beds should be replaced with cool-season plants during this time of the year. When choosing bedding plants for fall, be aware of the amount of sunlight the area will receive. Listen to learn which shade plants will do best in a full shade, partial shade or no-shade location. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/10/14) Now is the time to purchase and plant spring bulbs. In order to have blooming bulbs in the spring, they have to have the winter growing season to do well. Make sure to plant bulbs in a sunny, well-drained location. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/10/14) Homegrown lettuce is easy to grow. The quality of lettuce you receive from your own vegetable garden is superior to lettuce found in any supermarket. Harvest lettuce by simply taking the largest leaves off each plant or by cutting the entire plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 11/04/14) FRANKLINTON, La. – On 832 acres that stretch over softly sloped hills, black and white dairy cows graze in the sunshine and rest in the shade beneath huge trees. Picturesque as it sounds, this isn’t a painting or a postcard.

(Distributed 11/04/14) BATON ROUGE, La – Louis Fournet was thinking of moving. He suffers from allergies and has a hard time finding relief in Louisiana’s humid climate. A visit to the LSU AgCenter LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center’s seasonal open house may have changed his mind.

(For Release On Or After 11/28/14) A variety of spring-flowering bulbs can be grown in containers for indoor display. Two bulbs, paperwhites and amaryllis, do not need much special treatment and are very easy to grow in pots.

(For Release On Or After 11/21/14) I wish more gardeners understood that fall is a primary planting season in Louisiana. For years horticulturists have tried to get the word out that November through February is the ideal time to plant hardy trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers in the landscape.

(For Release On Or After 11/07/14) Many plants seem to save up all summer for the spectacular display of flowers, fruit and foliage showing up in our gardens now. If you want to punch up the color level in your garden from October through December, here are some trees, shrubs and perennials you might consider including in your landscape.

(For Release On Or After 11/14/14) November is a great time to remove summer bedding plants and add cool-season bedding plants to your flower beds.

(Distributed 11/03/14) ARNAUDVILLE, La – Louisiana sugarcane farmers in the midst of the 2014 harvest are benefitting from good weather that has made conditions easier to get their crop out of the fields, according to LSU AgCenter experts.

(Distributed 11/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Laurel wilt, a devastating disease of a number of Louisiana trees in the Lauraceae family, has recently been confirmed in sassafras trees in Union Parish.

(Distributed 11/03/14) The Camelot series foxglove (Digitalis) is seed-propagated and includes four colors – Camelot Cream, Camelot White, Camelot Rose and Camelot Lavender.

(Distributed 11/03/14) HAMMOND, La. – Japanese maples have the potential to be one of the most outstanding small trees for specimen plantings and focal-point use in residential landscapes in the Southeast. And fall and winter are the best time of the year to add Japanese maples to the landscape.

(Audio 11/3/14) Although the cold weather is moving in, you can still plant vegetables in your garden during November. Focus on leafy greens, root crops, and onions. Listen to learn which vegetables will do well during the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/3/14) As we move into early winter, you may notice that your evergreen shrubs have leaves that are turning yellow and are falling off of the plant. A whole generation of leaves may die at one time and be shed. Evergreens will continue to shed leaves into the spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/3/14) Perennials come back every year and provide color in our gardens. Perennials may turn brown and looked tired during this time of the year. Feel free to cut back the plants that have new growth around the bottom. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/3/14) Deciduous trees will begin to drop most of their leaves in November. A heavy coating of leaves on your lawn is not healthy for your grass. Remove leaves from your lawn and use them to mulch your flower beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 11/3/14) Cooler weather will cause your chrysanthemums to last longer. Make sure to buy domed-shaped mums, or garden mums, that have a lot of unopened buds. Garden mums will live in your garden and bloom for years to come. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/28/14) OAK GROVE, La. – West Carroll Parish is made up of quiet little Southern towns — the kinds that cannot be located on maps, that exist unknown to the outside world in a region where change occurs almost as slowly as the pace of life. These are places that seem charming to some and backwards to others.

(Video 11/10/14) The Louisiana Super Plants program highlights plants shown to be reliable through research. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to rabbiteye blueberries. These deciduous plants turn beautiful orange during the fall and produce delicious fruit in the spring and early summer.

(Video 11/3/14) Fall brings the diverse colors of chrysanthemums or mums into full display. But did you know there are three different types of mums? On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the differences – so you can pick the ones that work best for you.

(Distributed 10/29/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – At 7 a.m., many LSU students are probably still in bed. Others are trekking from far-away commuter parking lots to their early morning classes. But animal science junior Morgan Richard’s Thursdays begin quite differently – with 20 hungry calves mooing at her.

(Distributed 10/29/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana Volunteers for Family and Community members used their 2014 Mini College fall training program on the LSU campus as an opportunity to celebrate the 100 years of the Cooperative Extension Service on October 15-16.

(Distributed 10/28/14) CHASE, La. – Sweet potatoes are a staple of many holiday meals, and Louisiana sweet potato producers are nearing the completion of a successful harvest, according to an expert with the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 10/27/14) SHREVEPORT, La. – Thanks to the LSU AgCenter’s AgMagic, Doyline students Jamaria Clark and Jordan Fuller went on a magical tour harvesting cotton during the 2014 State Fair of Louisiana on Oct. 23.

(Distributed 10/27/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Faculty from one of the LSU AgCenter’s newest international partners, Mendel University in the Czech Republic, visited Baton Rouge Oct. 20-24.

(Distributed 10/27/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana gardeners and others have a chance to “Get It Growing” next year with the publication of the 2015 calendar from the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 10/27/14) Want to add color to your fall, winter and early spring garden? Plant some colorful Sorbet series violas.

(Distributed 10/24/14) VILLE PLATTE, La. – Most Louisiana farmers harvesting this year’s soybean crop are reporting one of their best years, according to the LSU AgCenter soybean specialist.

(Distributed 10/24/14) HAMMOND, La. – November is prime time for cool-season bedding plants, and dianthus have been among the plants in this group gaining considerable popularity the past 10 years.

(Distributed 10/23/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will present Cocktails in the Garden, an evening of entertainment and dancing, from 7:30-10:30 p.m. on Nov. 14.

(Distributed 10/22/14)BATON ROUGE, La. – “Welcome to 4-H Camp. Unpack a positive attitude, and you will see the endless possibilities.”

(Distributed 10/22/14) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Injectable trace minerals may improve reproductive rates in cattle. This was one of several research projects cattle producers heard about at the LSU AgCenter beef cattle and forage field day on Oct. 16 at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center.

(Audio 10/27/14) Various types of blueberries can be found in the United States, but the rabbiteye blueberry is most common in Louisiana. These blueberries have been named a Louisiana Super Plant for 2014. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/27/14) During the month of October, Louisiana provides a beautiful fall wildflower season. Look for narrow-leaf sunflowers, asters and goldenrods along the roadsides. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/27/14) Help lawns get through the winter by fertilizing. Some lawns with low potassium content in the soil may need to be winterized more than others. Check the potassium level of your fertilizer and use appropriately. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/27/14) Add fall color to the landscape with cool-season bedding plants. Prepare the bed properly by turning the soil and adding compost and fertilizer. Prepare a color scheme when picking out plants for each bed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/21/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Nominations for induction into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction are being accepted now through Dec. 15. Inductees will be recognized at a banquet at White Oak Plantation in Baton Rouge on March 5, 2015.

(Distributed 10/21/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – An LSU College of Agriculture nutrition and food science team placed first in the national DuPont Knowledge Award, winning $10,000 for a new food product the team developed.

(Distributed 10/17/14) HAMMOND, La. – Landscape professionals who attended the landscape horticulture industry field day on Oct. 9 got a two-for-one deal. In addition to the LSU AgCenter’s annual field day, where the latest research is presented, the Southeast Louisiana Nursery Association Trade Show was an added attraction this year.

(Distributed 10/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will hold four meetings in November to inform agricultural producers about proposed Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules. The meetings will be conducted by AgCenter extension food safety specialist Achyut Adhikari, pecan specialist Charlie Graham and horticulture specialist Kiki Fontenot.

(Distributed 10/17/14) Louisiana gardeners are always looking for attractive trees for the landscape. The sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is an excellent native tree that is not nearly as well known as it should be.

(Distributed 10/17/14) HAMMOND, La. – The ideal planting time for cool-season bedding plants in Louisiana runs from late September through early December. Some of our common cool-season flowers prefer the earlier planting dates, and some do better with the later planting dates.

(Distributed 10/16/14) CROWLEY, La. – Farmers soon will have to make several choices that will stand for the life of the new farm bill, which will expire in 2018.

(Audio 10/20/14) Spring-flowering balls can be planted in October, November and early December. Generally, these bulbs will only bloom for one spring then will be discarded. Bulbs to plant now include narcissus, daffodils, crocus and scillas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/20/14) Hydrangeas have already set their flower buds for next year. Do not cut hydrangeas back until they have finished flowering. Apply aluminum sulfate to turn pink hydrangeas blue, and scatter lime around the plant to turn blue flowers pink. (Runtime 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/20/14) Louisiana’s mild winters allow a year-round blooming season. Replace warm-season bedding plants with cool-season bedding plants in October. Listen to learn which plants are cool-season bedding plants appropriate for Louisiana. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/20/14) Caladiums provide color in shady areas throughout the summe, but have come to the end of their season. Dig up tubers to store them over the winter and replant them next year. Listen to learn the proper method for digging up and storing caladium tubers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/20/14) Wisteria vines are common in the Louisiana landscape. The vine grows rapidly, but can take years to bloom. Severing the roots will slow the growth of the plant and may cause it to bloom. (Runtime 60 seconds)

(Video 10/27/14) Fall means some nice colors on trees and plants in Louisiana. If you’re one who complains there’s not enough color, you can do something about it. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill shows you some plants that can make your landscape burst with those warm fall shades of orange, red and gold.

(Distributed 10/16/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Members of Louisiana 4-H Clubs are recognizing the week of Oct. 26 as Bullying Prevention Week. 4-H’ers voted for bullying prevention as the theme of their yearly statewide service-learning project at 4-H University this summer.

(Video: 10/20/14) Now is a great time to plant cool-season herbs. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to chives – an herb with beautiful flowers and tasty foliage.

(Distributed 10/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Horse owners should take precautions against rain rot, a skin disease that can flourish in Louisiana’s wet and humid weather, according to LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.

(Distributed 10/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Sodium alginate in LSU purple and gold attracted youngsters to the LSU Food Science Club’s booth at Super Science Saturday on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the LSU Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

(Distributed 10/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host two timber tax workshops to provide those in the industry with the latest information.

(Distributed 10/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – For the past two years, LSU AgCenter scientists have monitored the movement of the kudzu bug since it was discovered in northeast Louisiana.

(Distributed 10/10/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – With roots in Central America and a good grasp of the Spanish language, Maria Moore felt comfortable being one of the first students from LSU to do an exchange with Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

(Distributed 10/10/14) Looking for some of the best of the multi-seasonal flowering azaleas? Look no further than the Encore azaleas – the “azalea that knows no season.”

(Distributed 10/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter housing specialist Claudette Reichel recently appeared in a national disaster campaign that includes a region-specific publication and three disaster-recovery videos for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(Distributed 10/10/14) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Super Plant program is now on its fifth year of educating, promoting, recommending and marketing truly great landscape plants that have performed well in test gardens at the Hammond Research Station and elsewhere around the state. Plant selections are announced each spring and fall.

(Distributed 10/10/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Beginning on October 15, all forages tested by the LSU AgCenter will have results coming from new, high-tech equipment on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Audio 10/3/14) The Mesa gaillardia has been named a Louisiana Super Plant for fall 2014. The plant will bloom through the fall season, take a break in winter, and continue to bloom throughout spring and summer. Mesa gaillardia is available in three colors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/08/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – While the United States and Slovakia are different in many ways, the two countries’ agriculture industries share similar challenges.

(Audio 10/3/14) Home gardeners have great success with backyard persimmons. Fall is a great time to plant the trees, which can be found at your local nursery. Be aware that there are two distinctive types of persimmons, astringent and non-astringent. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/3/14) It is almost time to move tropical container plants inside for the winter. Move the plants into a very shady area for a couple weeks. Once they are used to the lower light conditions, move them inside of the home sometime during late October. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/3/14) Many herbs provide a bountiful harvest in the month of October. Choose herbs that you really intend to use such as herbs that you commonly cook or garnish with. Listen to learn which herbs are best to plant during fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/3/14) Plant young strawberry plants now for a spring harvest. Prepare beds in a sunny, well-drained location and place plants about a 12 inches apart. Consider covering the beds with netting to protect the berries from birds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 10/02/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Sweet sorghum is not currently grown as a commercial crop in Louisiana, but in the future, producers may consider growing it for use as a biofuel feedstock.

(Distributed 10/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Thirteen LSU students were awarded undergraduate research grants with funding coming from the LSU College of Agriculture and the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 10/06/14) CALHOUN, La. – The LSU AgCenter is returning 329 acres of land that housed the former Calhoun Research Station to the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. The AgCenter will retain a 57-acre forest stand for research, according to Dale Frederick, director of AgCenter Facilities Planning.

(Distributed 10/06/14) ABBEVILLE, La. – Cattle owners considering an increase in their herds should be mindful of paying too much for heifers, LSU AgCenter beef cattle experts advised Thursday (Oct. 2).

(Distributed 10/06/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – In a game called habitat scramble, third-graders visiting the LSU AgCenter’s Trees and Trails at Burden Museum and Gardens learned what happens when an animal’s habitat is destroyed.

(Distributed 10/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A biofuels company will receive a $91 million loan guarantee to build a processing plant in Alexandria, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday (Oct. 3) in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 10/03/14) CROWLEY, La. – The 2014 Louisiana rice crop is better than we expected “but not as good as last year,” said Johnny Saichuk, LSU AgCenter rice specialist.

(Distributed 10/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter and U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency will host 13 educational meetings in October and November to help Louisiana farmers prepare for changes in the new farm bill. The meetings will be conducted by Louisiana FSA personnel along with AgCenter economists Mike Salassi, Kurt Guidry and Michael Deliberto.

(Distributed 10/03/14) Fall is the time of the year for ornamental peppers. These are a unique, specialty plant for home landscapes.

(Distributed 10/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Gina E. Eubanks, an administrator with the LSU AgCenter and the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, received the Leadership Award at the Booker T. Washington Economic Summit at Tuskegee University, in Alabama.

(Distributed 10/03/14) HAMMOND, La. – It’s getting to the time of year when multiseason-blooming azaleas will begin their fall floral displays. Popular fall-flowering azaleas include the Robin Hill and Encore types.

(Audio 10/6/14) Enjoy the mild weather while working in your vegetable garden. Vegetables you should plant in October include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Listen to learn which root crops and transplants will do well this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/6/14) Sweet peas are a vining, cool-season annual. Plant the seeds in October so they can develop properly before spring. Find a sunny, well-drained location near a fence or trellis. The flowers will begin to appear in March. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/6/14) One of the most common diseases found in the fall is a fungal disease called brown patch. The disease will start in a small area and then rapidly get worse. Contact your local nursery for treatment and make two applications. Do not apply nitrogen-containing fertilizer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/6/14) Roses bloom heavily during this time of year. If the roses have faded and become unattractive, deadhead them by trimming the old flowers off. Make the pruning cut just above the fifth leaflet. This will encourage more flowers to form. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/6/14) Louisiana residents love to decorate their porches for fall. Use natural decorations such as pumpkins, gourds, ornamental peppers and corn. Keep an eye out for seed pods, dried flower heads and plumes that may also be used for fall decorating. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 09/15/14) Native Louisiana plants can be excellent choices for landscapes. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests the American beautyberry as a great native selection. It’s a shrub that produces beautiful berry clusters – great for cut-flower arrangements.

(Video 10/13/14) The Louisiana Super Plants program recommends beautiful plants shown to be reliable through research. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a 2014 fall Super Plant called Mesa gaillardia. It’s a perennial plant that blooms in beautiful colors from the cool season through the summer – and it attracts butterflies.

(Video 10/6/14) Have you noticed brown spots at the end of some of your plant leaves? On this edition of Get It Growing, horticulturist Dan Gill explains what those brown leaf tips might be indicating and what you can do to solve those issues.

(Video 9/29/14) Some vines can grow out of control, taking over everything. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the Rose of the Montana or antiginon – a beautiful flowering vine that attracts wildlife and is easy to manage.

(Distributed 09/26/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in the process of changing rules and regulations regarding the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), which are also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones. These changes are of concern to the agricultural interests in Louisiana, including the LSU AgCenter, because the agriculture community has embraced this new technology and found many valuable uses for it.

(Distributed 09/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Cheers erupted as a remote-controlled door on a cage closed. A small ruby-throated hummingbird was inside at a feeder. Students in the LSU College of Agriculture’s School of Renewable Natural Resources were trapping hummingbirds at a residence in Baton Rouge on Sept. 12 to help with banding them and to gather information about each bird

(Distributed 09/30/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A group of about 20 food industry professionals from Kazakhstan visited the LSU AgCenter’s Food Incubator and Aquaculture Research Station on Sept. 30.

(For Release On Or After 10/31/14) The ghouls and goblins will be out tonight, and the candles in the jack-o'-lanterns will be burning brightly. The Halloween season has put me in mind to look at scary traditions and relate them to some common gardening ideas and misconceptions.

(For Release On Or After 10/24/14) As the weather cools down and nights get nippy over the next few weeks, gardeners need to decide what to do with their container-grown outdoor tropical plants.

(For Release On Or After 10/17/14) Blueberries are one of the easiest-to-grow fruiting plants for home landscapes, and research indicates that they have all kinds of health benefits. Here in Louisiana we plant the native rabbiteye blueberry, Vaccinium ashei. A number of rabbiteye blueberry varieties are available, and all are Louisiana Super Plant selections for fall 2014.

(For Release On Or After 10/10/14) October is a transitional month in Louisiana flower gardens. Many warm-season annuals finish up this month, and gardeners’ thoughts begin to turn to cool-season bedding plants for fall, winter and spring color.

(For Release On Or After 10/03/14) As the days shorten and temperatures gradually become cooler, it’s apparent that summer is finally ending. Lawn care definitely begins to change this time of year.

(Distributed 09/19/14) HAMMOND, La. – Fall is starting, and this time of year is great for gardening and planting. Some outstanding plants you can add to your landscape for this fall and future years are Louisiana Super Plants.

(Distributed 09/19/14) Garden mums are among the most-popular landscape plants in the fall. These plants are also known as chrysanthemums, and some folks in north Louisiana and other parts of the state refer to them as “pinks.”

(Distributed 09/29/14) Mesa gaillardia has been named a Louisiana Super Plant for this fall. Also called blanket flowers, it is a native perennial that can be grown as an annual or a short-lived perennial in Louisiana.

(Distributed 09/26/14) HAMMOND, La. – As we enter fall, many home gardeners consider adding new plants to dress up the landscape. Two great plants for fall are celosia, which some of us also call cockscomb, and ornamental peppers.

(Distributed 09/26/14) EVERGREEN, La. – The Louisiana sweet potato harvest has gotten underway, and early indications are this year’s crop will be good for growers.

(Audio 9/29/14) The tropical hibiscus can survive a mild winter in Louisiana if it is well mulched and covered. Make sure the shrub is planted in a sunny location. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/29/14) The Monarch Butterfly migrates from Southern Canada through Louisiana and into Mexico. Plant nectar plants such as lantana and zinnias for them to feed on as they move through. Also plant milkweed to encourage new generations of the butterfly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/29/14) If you need to repair your lawn, try to lay sod within the next few weeks. When repairing a lawn you should remove the dead grass completely, rake the soil to loosen it, and then lay sod that fits perfectly into the area. Listen to learn how to plant a new lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/29/14) Don’t let the cooler weather fool you; October is one of the driest months. Remember to water plants thoroughly and occasionally as needed. Pay careful attention to anything that’s been newly planted. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/29/14) NASA discovered that houseplants have the ability to remove a wide variety of toxins from the air. Indoor plants that can keep the air inside your home pure include the spider plant, the peace lily, and the Chinese evergreen. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/24/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The traditional stereotype for cattle with high Brahman influence has been that the meat is too tough. But with improved genetics, that seems to be changing.

(Distributed 09/23/14) MANGHAM, La. – Cattle producers drove as far as 100 miles to get the latest research-based information that included pharmaceutical best management practices, buying and retaining replacement heifers and pasture weed control at the second annual northeast Louisiana beef and forage field day at the Goldmine Plantation.

(Distributed 09/19/14) NEW ORLEANS – Jolie Bensen Hamilton and Sarah Elizabeth Dewey teamed up four years ago to start their own wholesale apparel design company, Jolie and Elizabeth. Yesterday evening (Sept. 18) the two marked the occasion of manufacturing their 10,000th dress, each one designed and made in New Orleans.

(Video 9/22/14) Cole crops like cabbage and cauliflower are great vegetables to grow during the fall. On this edition of Get It Growing, horticulturist Dan Gill explains the proper way to get them into the ground so they produce well for you.

(Distributed 09/18/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Enrollment in Louisiana 4-H Clubs continues to grow, with a total of 46,232 youth participating in state 4-H Clubs this year. Club membership included more than 45,100 students last year and 42,960 in 2012.

(Distributed 09/17/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Changing people’s perceptions of how foods taste – or even how foods feel in the mouth – can help direct them to more healthful food choices, said Witoon Prinyawiwatkul, a researcher in the LSU AgCenter School of Nutrition and Food Sciences.

(Distributed 09/16/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Most cases of foodborne illness can be prevented if foods are carefully cooked and stored. Still, it is relatively easy to spread bacteria like salmonella that can cause food poisoning.

(Audio 9/22/14) Garlic is indispensable to the Louisiana vegetable garden because it brings a lot of flavor to food. Types of garlic that may be planted now include Italian garlic, creole garlic, and elephant garlic. This garlic will be harvested next May. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/22/14) Divide, or separate, plants to create more copies and to control the size of the plant. This should be done when the plant is most dormant. Plants that are dormant during this time of the year include Louisiana irises, daylilies, Easter lilies, and calla lilies. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/22/14) Although it is still too hot to plant shade trees, evaluate your home and decide if you would like to plant some later. Shade trees next to the home can really help with utility bills. Take this time to think about where you would like the tree and what size the tree needs to be. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/22/14) Take notes on how well each bedding plant performed throughout the summer. Keep track of which plants survived the heat, rain, insects, and diseases. Your notes will help when deciding which plants to plant next spring and summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/22/14) After a long summer, potted plants may become pot-bound and begin to stress. Check to see if the roots have completely filled the container. If so, repot the plant in a container about 4 inches larger than the previous pot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter's ties with other countries could be instrumental as LSU seeks to increase international involvement and better prepare students for a global workforce, according to LSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Stuart Bell. He was among the featured speakers at the AgCenter's Sept. 9 Global Agriculture Hour, which is a new monthly event that highlights the significance of international activities to Louisiana agriculture.

(Distributed 09/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Dairy Store is now open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Gary Hay, director of the School of Animal Sciences, said the store extended its hours to better serve its customers.

(Distributed 09/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Growing interest in making fresher, more healthful food available in Louisiana communities has led the LSU AgCenter to implement the Louisiana Harvest of the Month pilot program in three Louisiana schools – Dufrocq Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Andrew H. Wilson Charter School in New Orleans and North Bayou Rapides Elementary School in Alexandria.

(Distributed 09/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center will host its seasonal Saturday open house on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(Distributed 09/12/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Agricultural producers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators are working together in an effort to minimize the damage chemicals may have on honeybee populations in Louisiana.

(Distributed 09/12/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU Board of Supervisors authorized creation of the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education and Evaluation at its Sept. 12 meeting in Baton Rouge. The new unit will merge the LSU AgCenter’s Organization Development and Evaluation office and the College of Agriculture’s agricultural and extension education program

(Distributed 09/12/14) Of all the perennial verbenas on the market today, the outstanding variety continues to be Homestead Purple. And this Verbena canadensis is truly perennial.

(Distributed 09/04/14) LAKE ARTHUR, La. – With good moisture and light pest pressure, this year’s Louisiana soybean crop has the potential for another record-breaking year, according to LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Ron Levy.

(Distributed 09/12/14) HAMMOND, La. – American beautyberry is a great Louisiana native shrub that deserves o increased use. Plants have abundant fruit production in the fall, and with their wildlife benefit, they fit well into a woodland garden setting.

(Distributed 09/11/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – 4-H, the nation’s largest youth organization, will celebrate National 4-H Week Oct. 5-11 by sponsoring in a variety of activities focusing on science, community enhancement and a healthy lifestyle.

(Distributed 09/11/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 35 may be eligible to participate in the Louisiana Moms and Babies Study (LAMBS), which is examining nutrition and infant growth.

(Distributed 09/11/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Preparing 300 farm workers to do their job safely in two days requires planning and patience, but when those workers don’t speak English, it takes much more.

(Distributed 09/10/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Four years ago, as nearly 5 million barrels of oil flowed into the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, desperate cleanup crews applied dispersants to break up the oil that people worried would have profoundly negative effects on coastal wetlands and wildlife.

(Distributed 09/10/14) DELCAMBRE, La. – A new boat dock, fishing pier, boat launch and farmer’s market pavilion, which was dedicated on Sept. 6, was the culmination of a project begun after hurricanes Ike and Rita devastated this coastal town. The dedication was during the first Seafood and Farmer’s Market of the shrimp season, and attendance hit 4,000 people.

(Audio News 09/10/14) School is back in session, and student athletes are returning to the playing fields. While temperatures are likely to begin dropping this month, it is still very hot outside. Denise Holston-West, a registered dietitian with the LSU AgCenter, said staying properly hydrated is important for student athletes. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Audio 9/15/14) A Louisiana Super Plant, gaillardia Mesa is an outstanding bedding plant for fall, but will continue to flower throughout spring and early summer. The series has three flower colors, Mesa Bi-color, Mesa Yellow and Mesa Peach. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 9/15/14) Peppers are great vegetables. But you can also grow ornamental peppers that produce colorful, decorative little fruits. On this edition of Get It Growing, horticulturist Dan Gill explores some different types of ornamental peppers and how to care for them.

(Audio 9/15/14) Fall azaleas have been common in Louisiana for years. Most fall-blooming azaleas produce a nice display in the fall and another display in the spring. Listen to learn which types of azaleas are most popular during this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/15/14) Caladiums provide color to flower beds throughout the summer, but they go dormant in the fall. Before the foliage disappears, dig up the tubers and store them through the winter. This will allow you to replant them year after year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/15/14) Everybody who gardens should have a compost pile. If you have enough space in your yard, create a compost pile before the leaves begin to fall. Listen to hear instructions on how to easily construct a compost bin for your home. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 9/15/14) There are two generations of azalea lace bugs, and the second generation appears in early fall. Azalea lace bugs can be identified by tiny white spots on the upper surface on the leaf and brown spots underneath the leaf. Treat with an insecticide. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/09/14) HAMMOND, La. – Louisiana homeowners should be on the alert for a small insect called chilli thrips that feeds on the young, tender parts of many plants, according to Yan Chen, an entomologist at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed 09/08/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – School is back in session, and student athletes are returning to the playing fields. While temperatures are likely to begin dropping this month, it is still very hot outside. Denise Holston-West, a registered dietitian with the LSU AgCenter, said staying properly hydrated is important for student athletes.

(Audio 09/08/14) Mulches are used in flower beds and around shrubs. They bring a great look to your landscape and also enrich the soil. Their most important job, however, is to prevent weeds from growing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/05/14) Cassia, now more commonly called by the scientific name of Senna, is a great fall-flowering large shrub-like plant for Louisiana.

(Distributed 09/05/14) OAK GROVE, La. – Landowners in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi can learn how to earn additional income from their agricultural lands, recreational property or timberland during an outdoor business workshop on Oct. 16

(Distributed 09/05/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – With annual damage estimates at nearly $1.5 billion nationally, and with a population of over 400,000 in Louisiana, wild hogs drew wide interest at a natural resource symposium on Aug. 29.

(Distributed 09/05/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana horse owners need to inspect alfalfa hay bales for blister beetles, which are tiny, toxic and potentially fatal, said LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker. As few as 25 ingested beetles can be toxic to an average-sized horse, and poisoned animals can die within 72 hours.

(Distributed 09/05/14) HAMMOND, La. – Perennials are plants that live for three or more years and often require two or more years from seed to flower. Gardeners are showing renewed interest in non-woody, herbaceous perennials because they often need less maintenance, less water and fewer pesticides than annual bedding plants.

(Audio 09/08/14) Lawns still need to be mowed often this time of year. Make sure to weed, water and mow regularly so the lawn stays healthy for those cold winter months. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/14) Fall-, winter- and spring-flowering trees and shrubs have already set their flower buds for next year. Pruning these plants now will cause the flowers to be less abundant during blooming seasons. Listen to learn more about when and how to prune. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/14) A lot of gardening is done during September and October. During this time, summer plants are coming to an end, and it's time to plant those fall vegetables and flowers. Gardens need to be prepared for the new plants to produce abundantly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/08/14) Fall is right around the corner, and fertilization in preparation for fall is important. Fertilizer is important in spring and summer, but not as much in fall and winter. Listen to learn more about how to fertilize for fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 09/04/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter is offering Master Horseman classes in three locations across the state starting Sept. 8 and 22, according to Neely Walker, extension equine specialist.

(Distributed 09/04/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Beginning in the fall of 2011, Raj Singh, the LSU AgCenter’s “plant doctor,” began seeing an increase in the number of calls about damage to boxwoods.

(Distributed 09/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – An exhibit commemorating 100 years of the Cooperative Extension Service in Louisiana will open at the LSU Hill Memorial Library on Sept. 22.

(Distributed 09/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – When people notice lichens on their trees, shrubs and other plants, they become concerned that they have problems. But they shouldn’t worry, said LSU AgCenter plant scientist Raj Singh.

(Distributed 09/13/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Food Incubator has received a $25,000 grant from the Louisiana Economic Development Business Incubation Support Program. The funds were awarded through the Louisiana Business Incubator Association in August and will be used to purchase faster, more efficient processing equipment.

(Distributed 09/03/14) HAMMOND, La. – The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will hold its annual landscape horticulture field day for nursery, landscape and garden center professionals on Oct. 9.

(Distributed 09/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center will conduct a mold control and remediation training course on Oct. 21-23 at LaHouse in Baton Rouge. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day.

(Distributed 09/02/14) Princess flowers include several species. One of the lesser known species is glory flower (Tibouchina grandifolia), also known as big leaf tibouchina. It has much larger foliage and larger flowers than the other commonly grown princess flowers.

(Distributed 08/29/14) HAMMOND, La. – A research and extension program at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station this year and next year – along with some work the past two years – is the evaluation of tropical and tropical-like landscape plants.

(For Release On Or After 09/26/14) November through February is the prime season for planting hardy trees, shrubs and ground covers in Louisiana. So now is an excellent time to assess your landscape situation and begin to make plans.

(For Release On Or After 09/19/14) Plantings of caladiums generally begin to look tired and less attractive in late September or early October. When they do, it’s time to decide what you want to do with them.

(For Release On Or After 09/12/14) Each spring and fall LSU AgCenter horticulturists unveil Louisiana Super Plants selections for that season, and gaillardia Mesa series has been named a Louisiana Super Plants selection for fall 2014.

(For Release On Or After 09/05/14) Although September weather is often still hot, vegetable gardeners begin to anticipate the cooler weather to come. It is now that we begin to focus on planting cool-season vegetables that will grow and produce during the fall, winter and spring.

(Distributed 08/28/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will offer an agritourism workshop from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Hammond Research Station.

(Distributed 08/28/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Terril Faul did not get the opportunity to participate in 4-H as a child. But as an adult he had the opportunity to shape the minds and character of countless 4-H students through a distinguished career as a parish 4-H agent and later as the state leader for Louisiana 4-H.

(Distributed 08/27/14) CROWLEY, La. – LSU AgCenter scientists held a field tour at the Rice Research Station here on Aug. 26 to discuss their work on controlling the major diseases that afflict rice. Clayton Hollier, AgCenter plant pathologist, said even varieties with the best resistance can be affected by disease.

(Distributed 08/27/14) FRANKLINTON, La. – The four-year Connect My Louisiana broadband Internet initiative of the LSU AgCenter is providing touchscreen computers, 3-D printers and other high-tech equipment to local offices for public use.

(Distributed 08/27/14) ALEXANDRIA, La. – A Beef Cattle and Forage Field Day will be held Oct. 16 at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center here. Registration starts at 2:30 p.m. at the State Emergency Evacuation Shelter south of the LSU-Alexandria campus along U.S. Highway 71.

(Distributed 08/27/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Demand for food and fiber is growing faster than ever, but the agriculture workforce responsible for meeting that demand is shrinking.

(Distributed 08/26/14) ST. GABRIEL, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s Sustainable Bioproducts Initiative (SUBI) will hold two bioproduct short courses in September. Both are free and are open to everyone.

(Audio 09/01/14) During this time of year pecan trees are getting ready to drop their nuts. Pecan trees alternately have large crops one year and small crops the next. The brittle wood on pecan trees during those large-crop years becomes very fragile, and branches often fall. The bigger your yard, the safer it is to have a pecan tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/14) Fungi that live in your lawn help deteriorate the grass clippings. The rainy weather causes the fungi to sprout and create mushrooms. The mushrooms aren’t usually dangerous, but some may be poisonous. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/14) Great fall vegetables can still be grown to produce vegetables before the first big freeze of the winter. Transplanting these vegetables now is the easiest and smartest way to get a fall crop. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/01/14) Bunching onions should be planted now so they can grow throughout the winter. You can buy them from your local nursery and plant them within the next few months. Listen to learn more about bunching onions. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/25/14) WINNSBORO, La. – Louisiana cotton farmers need to be on the lookout for target spot, a fungal disease that can quickly defoliate plants. Trey Price, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist at the Macon Ridge Research Station, said target spot is present in all cotton-producing areas of the state, with the most severe cases in Franklin, Madison and Tensas parishes.

(Audio 09/01/14) Tree roots can be a lot shallower than you think. Shallow roots call for special care because certain tasks around the tree, like sidewalk construction or digging, can easily harm the roots. Listen to learn more about how to prevent root damage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/25/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter Food Incubator tenant Richard Hanley of Hanley’s Foods has upgraded to a co-packer in Louisiana that will manufacture his Sensation salad dressing. Hanley, who has been with the incubator since its opening in July 2013, will now be able to produce 650 gallons a day, which will help meet increasing demand for his product.

(Distributed 08/25/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will roll out the fall welcome mat with a corn maze and pumpkin patch festival Sept. 27-28 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in conjunction with the LSU Rural Life Museum’s Harvest Days.

(Distributed 08/25/14) CADE, La. – This has been a good year for weeds to flourish, but that also means killing the unwanted plants in pastures has been easier than usual, said LSU AgCenter weed scientist Ron Strahan.

(Distributed 08/22/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Most homeowners are aware that dead limbs and branches, as well as weak trees themselves, pose a threat to roofs during hurricanes and other storms. But even low-hanging branches can cause problems.

(Distributed 08/22/14) The Celebration series of purple fountain grass includes the well-known red-foliaged variety Fireworks and the lesser-know green and white variegated form called Sky Rocket, along with the white, green and pink variegated Cherry Sparkler.

(Distributed 08/22/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Casey Stannard stepped behind a curtain into a device that at first glance looks like a mix between an airport body scanner and a voting booth. Stannard, an assistant professor in the LSU College of Agriculture’s Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising Department, volunteered to have her measurements taken in the department’s new state-of-the-art 3-D and 4-D Size Stream body scanner.

(Distributed 08/22/14) HAMMOND, La. – Since the debut of a landscape horticulture research and extension program at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station eight years ago, we’ve continually expanded the gardens that support research. One of the largest programs evaluates new annual warm-season bedding plants and perennial flowers in the sun garden and shade garden.

(Video 08/20/14) Bees are an important part of the ecosystem, pollinating plants and making honey. A new LSU AgCenter program is helping potential beekeepers learn the business of bees. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard visited one of the training sessions.

(Video: 08/25/14) Porterweed is a summer plant that is not too well known. But as horticulturist Dan Gill explains on this edition of Get It Growing, porterweed can enhance your landscape in multiple ways. (Runtime: 1:45 seconds)

(Video: 09/01/14) Tropical cannas produce beautiful flowers in some of the hottest conditions. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to promote better blooming on these plants and how to control persistent insect problems. (Runtime: 1:39 seconds)

(Distributed 08/20/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall this spring and summer have led to a major increase of Cercospora leaf spot disease on crape myrtle trees in Louisiana.

(Distributed 08/20/14) BATON ROUGE, LA. – LSU AgCenter entomologists are advising Louisiana residents to avoid moving firewood in an effort to slow the movement of the emerald ash borer.

(Distributed 08/20/14) CROWLEY, La. – An LSU AgCenter scientist now has the capability for year-round testing of fertilizer and fertilizer additives on different soils.

(Distributed 08/20/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – As part of its Healthy Homes educational initiative, the LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center in Baton Rouge will host a daylong Lead Certified Renovator Training course on Sept. 16 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

(Distributed 08/18/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Kayanush Aryana, an LSU AgCenter researcher and professor of dairy foods technology in the LSU College of Agriculture, received the International Dairy Foods Association Award in Dairy Food Processing at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, in July.

(Distributed 08/19/14) DERIDDER, La. – A group of novice and would-be beekeepers suited up in protective gear to check hive boxes at Richard Hebert’s bee yard here. The group is part of the first basic beekeeper training class offered by the LSU AgCenter. Keith Hawkins, the Beauregard Parish county agent, organized the class, which met in July and August.

(Distributed 08/19/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Of all the issues farmers must contend with, aflatoxin-contaminated grain can be one of the most costly at harvest. Several strains of Aspergillus fungi produce aflatoxins, which are complex, harmful pathogens that attack several crops, including field corn. LSU AgCenter researchers are working to develop biological controls for these aflatoxin-producing fungi.

(Distributed 08/18/14) OAK GROVE, La. – With a 35 percent prevalence of obesity, Louisiana is the heaviest state in the nation. The side effects of that statistic are serious: many residents also suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other health problems.

(Audio 08/25/14) Mosquitoes are abundant the summer and can be a nuisance when you garden in early morning or late afternoon and evening. Make sure to take proper precautions such as wearing long clothing and using repellant. Listen to learn more about how to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/14) Gingers and cannas both can be pruned around this time of the year. Each stalk or shoot only produces one group of flowers, so once the stalk has bloomed, you can prune it down to the ground. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/14) Depending on how your lawn is growing determines if it needs to be fertilized. If you fertilized your lawn earlier in the summer and the grass looks to be growing properly, then you don’t need to fertilize again before winter. Listen to learn more about fertilizing your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/14) Roses need to be pruned twice a year so they can produce flowers properly. The timing of pruning is crucial because it comes right before the plants produce flower buds. Pruning allows roses to grow properly and provide you with beautiful flowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/25/14) Summer showers and heat cause grass to grow rapidly, which in turn calls for your lawn to be cut more often. Grass clippings from mowing your lawn should be properly used. Listen to learn more about how to use those clippings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/15/14) Firebush, also called firecracker plant, goes by the scientific name Hamelia patens.

(Distributed 08/15/14) LAFAYETTE, La. – The LSU AgCenter has scheduled two field days for Acadiana area cattle producers.

(Distributed 08/15/14) HAMMOND, La. – Since the debut of a landscape horticulture research and extension program at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station eight years ago, gardens supporting the research continue to expand.

(Distributed 08/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Fall armyworms and corn borers have long been a concern for Louisiana corn growers. While farmers in the U.S. have planted transgenic Bt corn varieties since the 1990s to biologically control pests, staying ahead of their ability to develop resistance is a constant battle.

(Distributed 08/15/14) BATON ROUGE, LA. – It has been about 12 years since West Nile virus, the mosquito-borne disease was, first identified in Louisiana, but this year the chikungunya fever has made its presence known.

(Distributed 08/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter researchers are in the process of conducting two surveys of landowners in Louisiana in an effort to put a dollar figure on the amount of damage being done by feral hogs.

(Distributed 08/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter entomologist Jeff Davis is working with redbanded stink bugs to see which soybean varieties have resistance to what has become the crop’s worst insect pest.

(Distributed 08/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A new exchange program will allow students and faculty from the LSU College of Agriculture and two universities in Slovakia and the Czech Republic to learn about agriculture in each other’s countries. The cooperation is the result of a recent trip by a delegation of five from the LSU AgCenter and the college to these two countries.

(Audio: 08/18/14) Palms are tropical, so they should be planted during summer. Palms can’t handle freezing temperatures and sometimes die from cold. If you have palms in your landscape that look dead, last winter’s frost probably killed them, and now is the time to replant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/14) Louisiana farmers planted more than 9,000 acres of sweet potatoes, up from last year’s 7,000. Most of the acres are in the variety Beauregard. But LSU AgCenter sweet potato breeder Don LaBonte said a new variety, Orleans, is gaining popularity. He said it looks and tastes like Beauregard, but has one advantage. (Runtime: 1:35)

(Distributed 08/13/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The members of two Louisiana 4-H shooting sports teams will have plenty to talk about when asked what they did during their summer vacations. The Louisiana 4-H shotgun and recurve archery teams won first place at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational Tournament in Grand Island, Nebraska. It was the first time a Louisiana 4-H shotgun or recurve archery team had won the tournament.

(Distributed 08/13/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – 4-H’ers from Naval bases in New Jersey and Florida spent almost two weeks in south Louisiana as part of the 4-H Navy Military Partnership Specialty Camp.

(Distributed 08/13/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Many wheat varieties developed by seed companies aren’t suited for Louisiana because the warm, humid Gulf South conditions encourage disease development. But LSU AgCenter wheat breeder Steve Harrison and his team are working to ensure that Southern farmers have varieties well-adapted to this region.

(Audio: 08/18/14) In the heat of the summer, it’s nice to work in the shade. Ferns are best grown in shade, so tending to them is easy to do in the heat of the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 08/18/14) Pears are ready to be picked around this time of the year, but they aren’t quite ready to be eaten yet. The best method to ripening the pears is to wrap them in newspaper and let them sit for at least a week. Listen to learn more about what signs to look for when the pears are ready to be picked. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 08/18/14) Because most irises grow mainly in the winter, now is the time to transplant them to different parts of your landscape. Clumps of irises can become very large and need to be spread apart. Make sure to transplant them carefully and you’ll have beautiful arrangements of irises in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 08/18/14) Butterfly weeds are grown in many Louisiana gardens. All butterflies come to feed on the nectar of the weeds, but the monarch butterflies lay their eggs on these plants. Monarch populations have fallen over the past couple of years, and by planting these plants, the butterflies will have a safe place to lay their eggs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video: 07/23/14) Louisiana's corn and cotton crops have benefited from good weather and few disease or insect problems during their growing season. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has an update. (Runtime: 1:28 seconds)

(Distributed 07/29/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Kathy Conerly has been named executive secretary of Louisiana FFA. In her new position, she hopes to expand programs and use FFA to promote agriculture to Louisiana's next generation. Conerly succeeds Ronald Mayeux, who passed away in April and was the executive secretary for seven years. FFA is affiliated with both the LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture.

(Distributed 08/11/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development is offering a SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) Camp for military kids on September 5-7, 2014, at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock, Louisiana.

(Distributed 08/11/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A group of youth from Louisiana and neighboring states recently completed Teen Leadership Camp on the LSU campus.

(Distributed 08/08/14) The pawpaw is a popular native fruit tree that’s sometimes hard to find at garden centers.

(Distributed 08/08/14) HAMMOND, La. – Late summer is the time to begin preparing for spectacular fall blooms on your roses. Roses need proper disease management and fertilization in August through early September for best fall performance.

(Distributed 08/08/14) CHASE, La. – Sweet potato farmers got updates on varieties, diseases, weeds and other topics at a field day on Aug. 7 at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station. The event attracted about 140 participants from Louisiana and seven other states.

(Distributed 08/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Russia’s announced one-year ban on most food imports from the West should have minimal effects on Louisiana agriculture, according to an LSU AgCenter economist. The embargo covers all imports of meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, milk and milk products from the U.S. Canada, all 28 EU countries plus Norway, and Australia

(Distributed 08/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Soybean growers in Louisiana are seeing soybean damage this year that LSU AgCenter scientists believe has been in cotton for many years.

(Distributed 08/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Agriculture representatives from three countries spent time in Louisiana this summer to learn about the different areas of American agriculture, according to Susan Karimiha, LSU AgCenter International Programs coordinator.

(Distributed 08/07/14) NEW ORLEANS, La. – A team of young chefs from Vermilion Parish earned second place in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off 4-H Edition on Sunday, Aug. 3.

(Distributed 08/06/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The new home of LSU AgCenter food, animal and veterinary science faculty and students officially opened on Aug. 6. The state-of-the-art, $14 million Animal and Food Sciences Laboratories Building is a centralized research and teaching facility that provides the space and technologies needed to advance these disciplines.

(Audio: 08/11/14) The heat of the summer causes landscapes to dry out. Even though there is an abundance of rainstorms, certain areas get little water. Rain gauges are the easiest tool gardeners use to know how much their plants need to be watered. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 08/11/14) There are many ways to introduce color into the landscape, but the coleus is a plant that carries its color in the foliage. Coleus comes in many color variations that will bring a beautiful look to the landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 08/11/14) Mulching around the younger trees in the landscape is important for their growth. Listen to learn more about how to properly mulch a young tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 08/11/14) The end of summer means it’s time to repot those potted plants you planted earlier in the year. It’s likely they have become root-bound and need more room to grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio News 08/06/14) 4-H chefs from four states gathered in New Orleans for the Great American Seafood Cook-off 4-H edition. Teams from Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas each had an hour to prepare a dish using U.S. seafood. At competition time, Louisiana’s team, made up of 4-H’ers from Vermilion Parish, was ready to prepare their dish, seafood triathlon. (Runtime: 2:00)

(Distributed 08/06/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – As students prepare to board school buses and head back to the classroom, Louisiana 4-H is gearing up for a new year of projects and events that offer one-of-a-kind experiences for young people.

(Audio: 08/11/14) Eggplants and bell pepper plants, if in good condition, can produce again in the fall. Pay close attention to how the plants looks to determine whether it can last until at least late September early October. If so, then they will produce another healthy batch of vegetables for you to enjoy in the fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/05/14) NEW ORLEANS, La. – A team of young chefs from Oklahoma captured top honors in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off 4-H Edition on Sunday, Aug. 3.

(Distributed 08/04/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – After 35 years of work with sweet potato growers in northeast Louisiana, former LSU AgCenter agent Myrl Sistrunk has decided to come out of a two-year retirement.

(Distributed 08/04/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Nine faculty and staff from the LSU AgCenter Communications and Information Technology departments received awards at the 2014 International Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) annual conference in Portland, Ore, in June.

(Audio 08/04/14) Chinch bug populations build up over the summer. The damage will start in one particular area of your lawn, often along concrete and can spread rapidly. If your grass seems straw-like and brown, use an insecticide that controls lawn insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/04/14) Because Louisiana has a long growing season, bedding plants can become tall and leggy by August. Now is the perfect time to trim back bedding plants that are overgrown and unattractive. Listen to learn which plants should be trimmed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/04/14) Pests in our landscape include insects, diseases and weeds. In late summer, we see a rise in these problems; this is usually because of an increase in rain. Your local LSU AgCenter office and county agent can help you identify and treat the problem. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/04/14) Louisiana’s long growing season allows us to plant a second crop of tomatoes this time of year. Plant tomatoes a little deeper in the soil to keep them cool. Listen to learn when to plant your transplants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video: 08/11/14) Crape myrtles are grown throughout Louisiana because they are reliable and beautiful, but you may have noticed the appearance of black spots and some yellow, orange and red leaves on your trees. As horticulturist Dan Gill explains on this edition of Get It Growing, it’s not a sign of an early fall, but a disease. (Runtime: 1:45 seconds)

(Video: 08/18/14) If you’ve noticed a crusty grey or green growth on the branches of your plants, there’s no need to be alarmed. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains that these are lichens (lie-kins) and they are harmless. (Runtime: 1:45 seconds)

(Audio 08/04/14) Although it is brutally hot in August, you can plant all kinds of vegetables during this month. This includes a mix of both cool-season and warm-season vegetables. Listen to learn which vegetables to grow this month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/27/14) Even with all the cold weather we've had, gardeners can still find mild days to do bed preparation. This is very helpful for vegetable gardens. Listen to learn how to do proper bed preparation. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/01/14) The burgundy-foliaged crape myrtle Delta Jazz would make a great landscape addition.

(Distributed 08/01/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A new invasive scale insect continues to infest crape myrtles in Texas, Louisiana and other south-central states.

(Audio News 08/01/14) Marsh Maneuvers, a week-long camp for 4-H’ers started 25 years ago, before there were iPhones or Facebook. Today students attending Marsh Maneuvers can unplug from the wired world and connect to the coast. The camp, which started in Vermilion Bay and now takes place at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Cameron Parish, teaches high school students about the value of Louisiana’s coastline. (Runtime 2:00)

(Distributed 08/01/14) HAMMOND, La. – Marigolds and zinnias for fall flowers? Yes! Zinnias and marigolds are two excellent examples of warm-season bedding plants to try from August through the first killing frost.

(Distributed 08/01/14) BATON ROUGE, La. The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden will break ground on August 28 at 7 p.m. on the first phase of construction of the new teaching and demonstration herb garden.

(Distributed 07/31/14) WINNSBORO, La. – Farmers are worried their operations may come under increased federal scrutiny as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers seek to clarify which waters are subject to Clean Water Act regulations.

(Distributed 07/30/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host a dedication ceremony for its new Animal and Food Sciences Laboratories Building at 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 6. Gov. Bobby Jindal and East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden will attend the dedication, along with LSU and AgCenter officials.

(Distributed 07/29/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Summer abounds with horse shows, competitions, sales and trail rides. However, hauling horses in Louisiana’s hot, humid summers can put them at risk for dehydration, heatstroke and exhaustion.

(Distributed 07/29/14) ST. MARTINVILLE, La. – With planting season around the corner, sugarcane farmers learned about new varieties and an automated planting machine demonstrated at the St. Martin, Lafayette and St. Landry parishes sugarcane field day held July 25.

(Distributed 07/29/14) BATON ROUGE, LA. – With more than 60 species of mosquitoes in Louisiana and mild temperatures most of the year anytime is a good time to be bitten, said LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey. But right now is an especially important time to be on the lookout for these pesky predators.

(Distributed 07/28/14) AVERY ISLAND, La. – The Marsh Maneuvers 4-H summer camp is in its 25th year of teaching students about the ecology, anthropology, geology and hydrology of coastal Louisiana. For four weeks, 4-H students from different parishes attend a five-day camp at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge to learn about the coastal environment and its precarious future.

(For Release On Or After 08/29/14) Late summer is time to think about pruning roses. Roses respond best to regular pruning each year.

(For Release On Or After 08/22/14) Bromeliads are a wonderful group of tropical or semi-tropical plants that are widely popular container plants. Because they are easy to grow, colorful and stay in bloom for a long time, they are commonly used by florists as gift plants.

(For Release On Or After 08/15/14) I once saw a refrigerator magnet that said, “When Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Substitute “root” for “Momma,” and you will have an essential message when it comes to plants.

(For Release On Or After 08/08/14) Right about now is a good time to look over your landscape and evaluate how things are growing. Our long growing season, combined with adequate soil fertility and water, can produce abundant and even rampant growth in landscape plantings.

(For Release On Or After 08/01/14) If you want to boost the color in your landscape now, don’t let the heat stop you. Nurseries have excellent selections of colorful bedding plants that will thrive in whatever heat summer throws at them.

(Distributed 07/28/14) CROWLEY, La. – Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter agronomist, has been selected to become the next Louisiana rice extension specialist. He will start the new job in January with the retirement of the existing rice specialist, Johnny Saichuk.

(Audio News 07/28/14) Despite a late start to Louisiana’s corn crop, harvest could begin in a couple of weeks. LSU AgCenter corn and cotton specialist Dan Fromme said he is anticipating excellent yields. The state has approximately 450,000 acres of corn – 250,000 fewer acres than last year. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Distributed 07/25/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – When a group of LSU and LSU AgCenter professors visited Brazil universities last spring, it was more of a fact-finding mission. But recent developments have proven the trip was well worth the effort, according to Lawrence Datnoff, head of the AgCenter Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology.

(Audio News: 07/25/14) While residents of Louisiana enjoyed the cool spring and a relatively mild summer so far, it hasn't been the best situation for the state’s sugarcane crop. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois said the crop is short for this time of the year. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Video: 08/04/14) Zinnias (pronounced Zen-Yuhs) are beautiful flowers for Louisiana landscapes. But some of the typical varieties are prone to disease. On this edition of Get It Growing, horticulturist Dan Gill explains how hybrid zinnias are both disease resistant and beautiful. (Runtime: 1:48)

(Distributed 07/25/14) It’s not too late in the warm season to add coleus to the Louisiana landscape.

(Distributed 07/25/14) HAMMOND, La. What’s the most popular summer-blooming tree in Louisiana? Crape myrtles. Pretty easy question. Louisianians plant many crape myrtles in their landscapes every year. The lovely, long-lasting blooms make them attractive.

(Video: 07/28/14) Many people have peppers in their garden, and they’re now producing, but high moisture can lead to disease problems. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to take care of these pepper problems. (Runtime: 1:53 seconds)

(Distributed 07/24/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Members of the Louisiana 4-H Food and Fitness Board from throughout the state held their summer meeting in Baton Rouge July 15-17, where they were able to get some hands-on experience and career information from food industry representatives, said LSU AgCenter 4-H regional coordinator Lanette Hebert.

(Distributed 07/23/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter researchers are beginning to look at baits containing sodium nitrite as a way to control the feral hog populations in the state.

(Distributed 07/24/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Two high school agricultural science teachers spent a week at LSU preparing to teach a college-level course. Kelly Becnel and Danielle Newsom will teach Renewable Natural Resources 1001, which is the first course to be offered as part of the LSU College of Agriculture’s dual enrollment program.

(Audio 07/28/14) Don’t forget about those herbs that were planted at the beginning of the summer. Now is the time to harvest them and either use them in your cooking or freeze them for later use. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/28/14) Gardeners can fill their flower beds with heat-tolerant plants that will last throughout the summer. Listen to learn more about which plants will beat the heat and bring color to their landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/28/14) Crape myrtles make two to three flushes of flowers every summer. This makes them popular in the landscape. For the crape myrtle to produce properly, pruning has to be done. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/28/14 ) Because flower beds are so colorful, they really draw people’s attention. By grooming your flower bed you keep it healthy and appealing. Listen to hear more tips on what to do when grooming your flower bed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/28/14) Hydrangeas have finished blooming for this season. Pruning them should be now so that you don’t prune off the new buds that the plant has set. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/24/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Satellites in space may be far away, but two Japanese engineers are developing ways to use them to improve their country's rice crop.

(Distributed 07/23/14) PALMETTO, La. – Rice farmers and crop consultants heard from a wide variety of LSU AgCenter experts at the St. Landry Parish rice and soybean field tour.

(Distributed 07/23/14) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Testing soybean varieties or studying cotton fertility in the heat of the Louisiana summer might not appeal to some LSU students. But three visiting scholars from Honduras have been doing just that at the LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center in Alexandria, and they say it has been the experience of a lifetime.

(Distributed 07/23/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – July means hot, humid weather in Louisiana. Horse owners need to take steps to ensure their horses stay cool and comfortable, according to LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.

(Distributed 07/08/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Citrus harvest is still months away, but this year’s crop in Louisiana faces two growing threats – citrus canker and citrus greening.

(Distributed 07/22/14) COLLINSTON, La. – Members of the Morehouse Parish Black Farmers Association and the National Black Growers’ Council, along with others interested in agriculture, braved torrential rains to learn new information at the 13th annual Black Farmers Field Day at Harper Armstrong’s farm on July 18.

(Distributed 07/22/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Prices for long-grain rice, which makes up 85 percent of Louisiana's rice crop, are projected to drop this year, said LSU AgCenter economist Mike Salassi.

(Distributed 07/21/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The path to a healthier lifestyle sometimes begins with small steps. But for low-income people whose budgets and food options are often limited, taking those first steps can be difficult.

(Distributed 07/21/14) CHASE. La. – The LSU AgCenter sweet potato field day will be held August 7 at the Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, beginning with registration at 7:45 a.m.

(Distributed 07/18/14) ALEXANDRIA, La. – Louisiana farmers got an update on a variety of research projects at the LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center's 13th annual row crop field day. The event, held on July 17, attracted about 200 attendees.

(Distributed 07/18/14) Scarlet sage is scientifically known as Salvia coccinea. This is a species of salvia that looks like a perennial but is generally not cold-hardy in Louisiana. It is a re-seeding annual in the majority of the state but can be an “in-ground” perennial in warmer summer locations.

(Distributed 07/18/14) HAMMOND, La. – July is Smart Irrigation Month across the country. It’s a program of the Irrigation Association to inform industry professionals and homeowners about proper irrigation in the landscape.

(Distributed 07/18/14) CHASE, La. – Following several years with decreased acres and growers getting out of the industry, this year looks a lot better for the Louisiana sweet potato industry, said Tara Smith, research coordinator of the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station.

(Distributed 07/17/14) RAYVILLE, La. – Rice farmers heard from LSU AgCenter experts on July 17 talking about their research and the 2014 rice crop. Johnny Saichuk, LSU AgCenter rice specialist, said the crop is doing well, but he doubts it will be as good as last year’s.

(Distributed 07/17/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development is hosting a teen leadership camp on the LSU campus July 28-30.

(Distributed 07/15/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Teachers interested in starting gardens at their schools this year attended a daylong workshop at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on July 9 to gain a basic knowledge and the equipment needed for success.

(Distributed 07/17/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Although signup is months away, agricultural landowners and producers need to begin planning for decisions they will have to make because of the new farm bill, according to LSU AgCenter economist Mike Salassi.

(Distributed 07/17/14) LAKE CHARLES, La. – Results from the 45th annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show held July 8-12, 2014, have been released.

(Distributed 07/16/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana rice farmers should be on the lookout for Mexican rice borers and stinkbugs, according to LSU AgCenter entomologist Mike Stout.

(Distributed 07/16/14) ST. GABRIEL, La. – Louisiana sugarcane farmers are finding a new weed in their fields, LSU AgCenter weed scientist Jim Griffin said at the annual AgCenter sugar field day on July 16.

(Distributed 07/15/14) WINNSBORO, La. – Growers in northeast Louisiana toured fellow growers’ fields and research plots at the LSU AgCenter Macon Ridge Research Station on July 10 to get a better feel for this year’s crop.

(Audio: 07/21/14) The mushrooms that grow on you lawns and in your gardens are not to eat. If the mushrooms in your landscape bother you, just gather them up and throw them away. There isn’t much else you can do. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 07/21/14) Mums, glads, caladiums and coleus may need attention in July. Listen to learn more about how to treat these plants in summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 07/21/14) Semi-hardwood cuttings taken during this time of year will root easily. Listen to learn more about how to properly cut and root cuttings so they produce shrubs for you next season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 07/21/14) During summer flowers in your flower beds are ready to pick. Go out one evening and bring some into your home and enjoy the color and fragrance of flowers from your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 07/21/14) Basil is one of the few plants that you can plant now and have it survive through the summer heat. Go to your local nursery and get a basil transplant to plant in your garden or in a little pot to use in your cooking. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/14/14) Blackberry harvest is over, but in order to have good berries next year, some pruning has to be done. Remove the fruiting vines that produced this year because they will not produce again. Leave the new canes; they will be the ones that produce next year's fruit. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/14/14) Bark lice are common during midsummer. They create a fine, silvery webbing on the trunks of trees. This webbing is not harmful to the tree and is common in Louisiana. The lice are just eating organic bits off of the tree and cleaning them as they go. The webbing is simply a form of protection. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/14/14) To have big healthy pumpkins for Halloween now is the time to plant them. They are heat-tolerant and need a large area to properly grow. It is a fun plant to have in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/14/14) In order to not interfere with the buds on your spring-flowering plants, pruning needs to be done now. This will allow enough time for those buds to grow after pruning. If you wait too late, you may cut off some of the buds that will bloom in the spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/14/14) When you have an abundance of shade trees in your landscape, the grass under those shade trees tend to die. There are ways to fix this, such as making a mulch area. Ground covers also make suitable fixes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/14/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Sugarcane aphids have launched an earlier, more severe attack on this year's grain sorghum crop in Louisiana. LSU AgCenter entomologist David Kerns said the aphids have been a sugarcane pest in Louisiana since 1999, but last year became a grain sorghum pest for the first time in the United States.

(Distributed 07/14/14) WINNSBORO, La. – Corn farmers should be looking for a damaging fungal disease, Southern rust, which has been found recently in Louisiana. “Some years we see it. Some years we don’t,” said Trey Price, plant pathologist at the LSU AgCenter Macon Ridge Research Station.

(Distributed 07/11/14) CROWLEY, La. – Farmers voiced concerns about a proposed revision to the Clean Water Act in a meeting on July 9 with representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More than 130 people turned out for the session with some traveling from north Louisiana and Texas.

(Distributed 07/11/14) LAKE ARTHUR, La. – Rice prices have fallen because of a big jump in Arkansas rice acreage, an LSU AgCenter agricultural economist said at the Vermilion Parish Rice Field Day on July 8.

(Distributed 07/11/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – When people get sick, they usually call their doctor. Louisiana residents and extension personnel can do the same thing when their plants get sick, thanks to the LSU AgCenter's Plant Diagnostic Center. There, director of the center and "plant doctor" Raj Singh can examine samples and help with just about any plant health problem.

(Video: 07/21/14) One of the most popular plants for beautiful, rich pastel colors and full flowers is the hydrangea. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a new type of hydrangea – one with cone-shaped flowers. (Runtime: 1:52)

(Video: 07/14/14) The summer heat is difficult on plants, so when you find one that’s tough and beautiful and that can last through the entire summer, you’ve found a real winner. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a plant with unique foliage, beautiful flowers, and the ability to survive the heat. (Runtime: 1:40)

(Distributed 07/09/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – With a number of its tenants now selling products to major stores and distributors, the LSU AgCenter Food Incubator continues to draw interest among people looking to launch their own food enterprises. The incubator provides tenants kitchen space, processing equipment and assistance from AgCenter marketing and food science experts.

(Distributed 07/09/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A group of north Baton Rouge students recently took advantage of an opportunity to pick their dinner at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden while getting paid in the process, thanks to East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden and the LSU AgCenter.

(Distributed 07/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. — The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center will offer two Lead Certified Renovator Training courses in July. The course will first be held on July 22 at LaHouse in Baton Rouge and then on July 28 at the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training in Natchitoches.

(Distributed 07/07/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter LaHouse Resource Center will conduct a mold control and remediation training course July 29-31 at the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training in Natchitoches. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day.

(Audio News 07/07/14) A cold spring delayed rice planting and a wet June stalled growth, causing this year’s crop to be behind schedule. LSU AgCenter rice specialist Johnny Saichuk said drier conditions could improve the crop’s outlook. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Distributed 07/11/14) The Bandana series of lantanas from Syngenta Flowers have been out for a few years now. These are attractive plants and offer new options in lantana selection for commercial and residential landscapes.

(Distributed 07/03/14) The industry standard in rudbeckia is the Goldsturm variety, which is widely available in Louisiana. Normally, this variety flowers twice during the year. A good bloom occurs in late spring through midsummer, and you can get some fall flowers, too.

(Distributed 07/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Tighter supplies of cattle and hogs combined with improved domestic demand are keeping prices high, said LSU AgCenter economist Ross Pruitt.

(Distributed 07/11/14) HAMMOND, La. – Lantanas continue to be one of the most popular herbaceous perennials for Louisiana landscapes. Many varieties – some old and some new – offer a multitude of growth forms and flower colors.

(Distributed 07/03/14) HAMMOND, La. – More varieties and sizes of crape myrtles are available than many people realize. You can choose from well over 100 varieties with more being added each year. Unfortunately, due to demand, only about 10-15 varieties are readily available at garden centers around Louisiana.

(Distributed 07/03/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter will host an e-commerce seminar in Mansura from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 24. The event, which is sponsored by the Connect My Louisiana initiative, will feature information on 3D printing, building online businesses and social media.

(Distributed 07/02/14) GRAMERCY, La. – Growing soybeans in rotation with sugarcane is not new to south Louisiana, but doing so at a profit is causing interest to increase with some growers, according to Al Orgeron, LSU AgCenter agent in St. James Parish.

(Audio: 07/07/14) Leaf miners are tiny insects that feed on the inside of a plant's leaves. Keeping a layer of insecticide on the outside of the leaf prevents insects from burrowing into leaves when they hatch from eggs. There are many different types of insecticides that can be used for this. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 07/07/14) We like to decorate our outside decks with plants in many different kinds of pots. Using pot feet keeps the area under the pot from rotting and staining. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 07/07/14) If the plants in your flower beds are heat-tolerant, they should be looking pretty good. Watering, however, requires special attention. They'll need water if they begin to wilt between rains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/01/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Because of the increasing number of confirmed cases of vesicular stomatitis, animal health officials with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry are requiring additional documentation on horses entering Louisiana from any state that has confirmed cases of the disease, according to LSU AgCenter equine specialist Neely Walker.

(Distributed 07/01/14) ST. GABRIEL, La. – The LSU AgCenter’s 32nd annual sugarcane field day will be held on July 16 at the Sugar Research Station near St. Gabriel, beginning with registration at 8 a.m.

(Audio: 07/07/14) Because we plant tomato plants so early to give them time to grow and bloom in our gardens, by late June most have finished producing for the year. If you have tomato plants that are looking brown and not producing anymore, it’s probably time to pull the and plant something else that will grow throughout the rest of the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio: 07/07/14) Summer is a great time to asses if your home could use a shady tree to help lower cooling costs. The shade that large trees can provide helps keep it cool, but mostly helps keep your home from direct sunlight. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distribute 06/30/14) The LSU AgCenter will hold three field days for rice farmers in July.

(Distributed 06/30/14) WINNSBORO, La. – Crop varieties change frequently, which sometimes causes farmers to adjust how they apply fertilizers. To ensure its recommendations are up to date, the LSU AgCenter has formed a task force to study the effectiveness of fertilizers on major row crops and forages grown in Louisiana.

(Distributed 06/30/14) ALEXANDRIA, La. – The LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center in Alexandria will host a field day on July 17. Attendees will hear about AgCenter scientists' research on various row crops and management of insects, weeds and diseases.

(Distributed 06/27/14) Copper plants are great foliage plants for the summer and fall landscape. When planted in the spring, these beautiful tropical-looking small shrubs turn into fabulous accent plants in color beds as we get later in the growing season.

(For Release On Or After 07/25/14) Oppressive heat and humidity are part of late summer in Louisiana as much as good food and music are part of our local culture. Despite the heat, garden activities continue for those who can stand it.

(For Release On Or After 07/18/14) If you haven’t paid a lot of attention to sunflowers for your garden lately, you may think only of the gigantic sunflowers that reach for their namesake in the sky – towering to heights of 8 feet or more. And you may think that they only come in yellow.

(For Release On Or After 07/11/14) Some of the most beautiful flowers of the summer garden are produced by vines. Because vines climb, the flowers are often produced at eye-level or overhead, allowing the gardener the chance to easily smell the fragrance or closely examine the details of the blooms.

(Video: 06/29/14) It’s a nice perk to have beautiful flowers that keep blooming year after year at the same time, without having to replant. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to one of those — a native perennial called Stoke’s aster. (Runtime: 1:50 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 07/04/14) For the summer season, no flowering tree or shrub out-blooms the crape myrtle. This small tree packs a powerful punch of color over an amazingly long season. But other summer blooming large shrubs and small trees can do a lot to contribute to the summer display. Here are a few.

(Video: 07/07/14) Begonias are perennial plants that come in dramatically different sizes and shapes. On this edition of Get It Growing, horticulturist Dan Gill explains the ever-expanding selections of begonias and which ones to be wary of in our hot, humid summer climate. (Runtime: 1:45 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 05/30/14) A wide variety of pests can damage plants or cause problems in Louisiana landscapes. They include insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, nematodes and a whole host of weeds.

(Distributed 06/27/14) HAMMOND, La. –Many people think attracting hummingbirds is as easy as hanging a feeder. But that is not always successful because many hummingbirds are not accustomed to using feeders. It can be frustrating to put out a feeder and never see a hummingbird.

(Distributed 06/27/14) CROWLEY, La. – The threat of rain kept activities indoors at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station’s 105th annual field day, but that didn’t dampen enthusiasm for the event Thursday (June 25) with roughly 400 people in attendance.