With the start of rice planting only two months away, the LSU AgCenter has prepared a series of video presentations by its experts to help farmers prepare for the 2021 crop. These are in place of the normal in-person winter grower meetings, which have been put on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The videos can be viewed at https://lsuagcenter.com/topics/crops/rice/virtual-presentations. In ... Read More »
SW Louisiana farm family continues and expands the conservation practices that previous generations started. • By Amy Robertson Fuselier • Located in Louisiana’s Acadia and Vermilion parishes is Simon Farms, a multi-generational family farm known far and wide for their dedication to conservation. This close-knit family has a passion for soil health and a thirst for knowledge about ways to ... Read More »
• Richard Bogren • Widespread flooding from Hurricane Laura could affect crawfish production for the upcoming season, but the extent of any damage will depend on whether crawfish producers are able to get the unwanted water off their fields in a timely manner. When storm-related flood waters cover pond levees in July, August or September, crawfish have no choice but ... Read More »
If you are planning on planting rice for crawfish forage, the best time to plant is in late July or the first week of August, says Mark Shirley, Louisiana State University AgCenter crawfish aquaculture and coastal resources specialist. Last summer, researchers conducted a planting date trial to determine the optimal time to plant rice for crawfish. The objectives were to ... Read More »
Jim Harper, a rice, crawfish, sugarcane and soybean farmer in Rapides Parish, has been elected as the 12th president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau. Harper now leads the state’s largest general farm organization at a pivotal moment where farmers face a number of issues in the state and nation. He succeeds Ronnie Anderson of Ethel, Louisiana, who served for 31 ... Read More »
• By Bruce Schultz • With crawfish season winding down, a Louisiana State University AgCenter crawfish specialist has written guidelines for stocking new ponds. “Now and the next few weeks would be a good time to stock ponds,” said Mark Shirley, also a Louisiana Sea Grant agent. “Most of the rice crop is tall and dense enough for crawfish to ... Read More »
• By Blake Wilson, Julian Lucero and Mark Shirley • Invasive apple snails — sometimes called giant, golden or channeled apple snails — are native to South America but have been introduced into many regions. Several species of apple snails are invasive pests in many parts of Europe, Asia, and North and South America. But the species that has been ... Read More »
• By Bruce Schultz • Results from a survey of crawfish producers show that decreased demand for their product is resulting in lost income of about $500 per acre and a season that could end about 40 days sooner than usual in some cases. “When you look at all those things, it’s a pretty impactful scenario for producers,” said Louisiana ... Read More »
• By Bruce Schultz • Crawfish producer Allen McLain’s business has dropped dramatically because of the coronavirus’ impact on the restaurant business. “We’re struggling. It’s not looking good,” said McLain of Abbeville, Lousiana. A big portion of his business is selling his product to area restaurants, but he said that has been sharply reduced. Crawfish are plentiful and have grown ... Read More »
With a glut of crawfish on the market, prices are dropping, and consumers might be interested in boiling and freezing crawfish at home. Many restaurants have closed or switched to takeout- and drive-through-only operations amid concerns about spreading the novel coronavirus. That means restaurants aren’t buying nearly as much crawfish as they usually do. Evelyn Watts, Louisiana State University AgCenter ... Read More »
Rice Farming A One Grower Publication