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   January
 Home>News Archive>2014>January>
Freeze delays state's strawberry crop
(Audio News 02/03/14) A winter storm that blanketed most of Louisiana in snow and ice, shutting down roads, schools and businesses, took a toll on the state’s strawberry crop. As temperatures rose following the freeze, Ponchatoula strawberry farmer Eric Morrow pulled back the row covers that protect his crop to survey the damage. (Runtime: 1:30)

Freeze effects to state's agriculture are minimal
(Distributed 01/31/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – A winter storm that blanketed most of Louisiana in snow and ice, shutting down schools and businesses, didn’t cause much damage to the state’s agriculture. Kurt Guidry, an LSU AgCenter economist, conducted a survey of major commodities.

Arbor Day brings throngs to Botanic Gardens at Burden
tree planting

(Distributed 01/30/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – More than 700 visitors enjoyed balmy temperatures and bright skies at the Arbor Day celebration at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden on Jan. 18.

Fringe Trees – Ornamental plant of the week for February 3, 2014
Chinese fringe tree

(Distributed 01/30/14) The American fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) produces clusters of flowers with long, narrow, greenish-white petals that are produced in masses all along the branches.

Echinacea named perennial of the year
PowWow white coneflower
(Distributed 01/30/14) HAMMOND, La. – The National Garden Bureau has selected echinacea, commonly known as coneflower, as its 2014 perennial of the year because of the vast assortment of flower colors and shapes available to today’s gardener. It’s also an American staple.
Winter Honeysuckle – Ornamental Plant of the Week for January 27, 2014
winter honeysuckle
(Distributed 01/27/14) Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) is a great plant for late-winter interest in the landscape. It is problem-free and produces small winter flowers and naturally cascading branches in February.
Adding resistant starch to diet could aid weight loss
(Distributed 01/27/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Fiber is an essential part of any healthy diet, and it may be the key to success for people looking to lose weight. A fermentable fiber known as resistant starch, which is found in peas, beans, lentils and some grain products, could help lower body fat, according to Michael Keenan, an associate professor in the LSU AgCenter's School of Nutrition and Food Sciences.
Aphid causes problems for Louisiana grain sorghum
(Distributed 01/27/14) OPELOUSAS, La. – LSU AgCenter experts urged farmers who experienced harvest problems caused by the white sugarcane aphid in grain sorghum to report their difficulties to state agriculture officials to help obtain approval for a pesticide to control the insect.
Urban leadership forum set for New Orleans Feb. 11
(Distributed 01/27/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – Producers, processors and distributors who provide agricultural products to the New Orleans area are invited to a leadership forum to discuss ways to improve the current system.
Federal food safety law poses problems for agricultural producers
(Distributed 01/27/14) BATON ROUGE, La. – The U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act is the first major overhaul of American food safety laws in decades. It strives to make the food supply safer, but growers and manufacturers could face a number of challenges.
LaBonte receives national sweet potato award
Don LaBonte
*Distributed 01/27/14) NEW ORLEANS La. – Don LaBonte, a sweet potato breeder and director of the LSU AgCenter School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, was presented the 2014 Distinguished Service Award by the U.S. Sweet Potato Council on Jan. 21 at its annual convention.
Research, technology featured at national sweet potato meeting
(Distributed 01/27/14) NEW ORLEANS, La. – The latest in Louisiana sweet potato research was highlighted recently as more than 375 producers, processors and industry representatives met at the 2014 U.S. Sweet Potato Council Convention.
Ground covers thrive in shady areas
(Audio 01/27/14) Ground covers are low-growing, evergreen plants that work nicely in shady areas of lawns where grass won't grow. They can also lower the maintenance of lawns. Ground covers are hardy and can be planted this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Prepare beds for spring planting
(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)