(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) 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 08/27/14) 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 08/26/14) 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.

(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.

(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.