A quarterly newsletter from the Horticulture Division of the LSU AgCenter's School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences.

These publications are designed to help Louisiana residents recover from floods, storms, extended power outages and other stressful, dangerous events.

The LSU AgCenter’s Red River Research Station in Bossier City focuses on agronomic and horticultural crops. Among the commodities and disciplines involved are greenhouse tomatoes, cotton, entomological and plant pathology, soybean variety performance trials, soybean and southern pea breeding, beef cattle and environmental research including a constructed wetland project.

(Distributed 08/19/08) Businesses and local governments have an opportunity to join together to market their rural communities as a destination for regional tourism, experts told those attending a tourism conference Aug. 12-14.

(TV News 08/18/08) If you are looking for ways to save money on your home energy bill, a visit to a demonstration home on LSU’s campus may help you cut costs. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports the energy-efficient and hurricane-resistant LaHouse is open to the public. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Distributed 08/18/08) A new horticulture lecture series titled Reflections in the Garden will be presented at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center the first Monday of each month starting in September.

(Distributed 08/18/08) Louisiana’s oldest living 4-H’er, Elaine Marchand Edmonston, and the Louisiana 4-H organization have some notable things in common.

(Distributed 08/15/08) Trends in the sweet potato industry are showing a shift toward more processed products, LSU AgCenter experts said at a field day at the AgCenter’s Sweet Potato Research Station Aug. 14.

The LSU AgCenter’s “LaHouse” is designed to hold up against strong winds and flooding and serve as a model for how to build homes with these hurricane-resistant features in Louisiana.

Improving the lives of Louisiana families and children has long been a goal of the LSU AgCenter. The “Be Child Care Aware!” educational campaign is one example of that work.

(Distributed 08/14/08) Why is my neighbor’s yard greener? That’s the most common phone call LSU AgCenter agent Troy Menard receives about lawn care.

(Distributed 08/14/08) Participating in Marsh Maneuvers was like “boot camp” for 16-year-old Austin Mouton, a 4-H student from Erath High School, who said the activities meshed with his career plans in wildlife management.

From cotton and corn to soybeans and sugarcane, just about every major crop grown in Louisiana grows in Central Louisiana. The LSU AgCenter’s Dean Lee Research Station is in the heart of it to serve the needs of this region.

(Distributed 08/12/08) A fire ant treatment being touted on radio and on the Internet is a sham, LSU AgCenter experts say. The treatment – pouring two cups of club soda directly in the center of a fire ant mound – won’t control the insects.

Audio segments featuring gardening advice and tips from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill.

(Distributed 08/12/08) A U.S. Department of Agriculture-sponsored youth literacy program is being presented in three Louisiana parishes by the LSU AgCenter and the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

(Radio News 08/11/08) Back-to-school shopping is a great opportunity to teach your youngsters about budgeting and money management, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/04/08) Food costs are on the rise, and they will likely continue to climb in the next year.(Runtime:60 seconds)

(Radio news 08/04/08) Commodities such as corn, soybean and wheat have seen record prices during the past year, but that has not translated into record profits for growers, according to LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Kurt Guidry. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio news 08/04/08) A disease called "rust" caused the downfall of the long-dominant sugarcane variety LCP 85-384. This year, growers released a variety, L 01-283, that has high yields like 384, but offers other positive characteristics. (Runtime:60 seconds)

(Radio news 08/04/08) Louisiana’s sugarcane industry is moving toward earlier start-up dates. Growers are always looking for earlier maturing varieties, and they rely on sugarcane ripeners. (Runtime:60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/11/08) Louisiana’s cotton crop is at the end of bloom cycle. LSU AgCenter cotton specialist Dr. Sandy Stewart says the crop has had unusually early fruit retention on the bottom third of the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/11/08) Federal dollars help fund agricultural research in Louisiana, and a Louisiana Congressman saw first-hand how those dollars are working. U.S. Representative Rodney Alexander sits on the House Agriculture Subcommittee and the Appropriations Committee. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/11/08) Louisiana farmers, livestock producers and the state’s fishing industry all benefit from LSU AgCenter research. Federal research allocations help the LSU AgCenter bring research-based information to the people of Louisiana. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/11/08) Many children do not eat breakfast everyday. And in the back-to-school rush, breakfast often is sacrificed. But LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says it is important to eat a healthy breakfast. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/11/08) Most of us utilize container plants both inside our homes and outside on our patios and decks. Eventually these plants will outgrow their container, and it becomes necessary to repot them.(Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/11/08) Many Louisiana gardeners plant milkweed in their gardens. Milkweed provides both nectar and a larval food source for the monarch butterfly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/11/08) The Louisiana iris is a popular native perennial. The provide beautiful flowers for for our spring gardens. Now is a good time to trim off any unattractive foliage as the plant is dormant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/11/08) Pear trees are one of the easier and more reliable fruit trees that you can grow in your Louisiana landscape. In August pears begin to ripen and we know when to harvest by a color change. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/11/08) Ferns are a valuable plant when it comes to planting in shaded areas. This is a great time to care for your ferns because it is much nicer to work in these shaded areas instead of in full sun.(Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 04/11/08) Interest in growing herbs has been rising over the years as Louisiana gardeners increasingly have planted herbs in herb gardens or containers or in beds among existing plants.

(For Release On Or After 04/04/08) It’s amazing how many times I’ve gotten questions about growing grass in shady areas. This is a common issue because shade trees in a landscape grow larger over time.

(For Release On Or After 04/18/08) When you think about adding color to your landscape, flowering bedding plants are usually the first thing that comes to mind. Many plants with colorful foliage, however, can serve the same purpose.

(For Release On Or After 04/25/08) Nature never created a houseplant. The plants we call houseplants are native to various, generally tropical, areas of the world, and in all cases their natural habitat is outdoors.

(Distributed 04/14/08) Even if you are not otherwise required to file a tax return, you may still be eligible for an economic stimulus payment from the federal government, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Gloria Nye. Filing a return, however, is required to receive the money.

(Distributed 04/14/08) The 2008 All-American Daylily winner is Sweet Summer Valentine, chosen by the All-American Daylily Selection Council. The plant has light, buff-pink flowers with a vivid burgundy maroon eyezone and a matching edge.

(Distributed 04/14/08) April 27–May 3 is Louisiana Volunteers for Family and Community week, as proclaimed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. The volunteer program, whose members used to be called extension homemakers, is a project of the LSU AgCenter.

(Audio 08/04/08) Young trees need extra care to grow well their first few years. It is crititcal to water them in the summer, especially the first year that the tree is in the ground. (Runtime:60 seconds)

(Distributed 08/08/08) If your child slips into the blahs, take him or her to an online activity called VERB, recommends an LSU AgCenter nutritionist. The site contains fun games and interesting facts that help kids become active.

We all have days when we feel anxious or “stressed out.” On days like that, it’s good for you to take some time out for yourself. Use these suggestions to de-stress.

How do I decide if I want shared parenting? What is Included in a shared parenting arrangement? Find these answers and more.

When parents divorce, they experience money changes that affect them emotionally, socially and financially. Use these tips to make the best of your financial situation and avoid costly errors as you move forward after divorce.

When a marriage or a long-term relationship ends, many different feelings surface. While each person is unique, many people say they go through four stages.

(Distributed 04/02/08) Consumers may learn how to avoid scams, fraud and identity theft through a program offered across the state by the LSU AgCenter and other organizations.

(Distributed 04/02/08) Enjoy a guilt-free celebration in April by observing national pecan month with one of Louisiana’s locally grown commodities. You’ll be helping the state’s economy and treating yourself to a nutrient-rich food.

Harvest has begun in Louisiana for one of our most popular crops – the sweet potato. Louisiana farmers produce about 5 million bushels a year. The total value to the Louisiana economy in 2007 was more than $110 million. Louisiana boasts the only sweet potato research station in the country – a 307-acre facility in Chase. The Sweet Potato Research Station will host a field day Aug. 14.

A monthly fisheries newsletter from the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant.

(Radio news 08/04/08) While many commodities are seeing record high prices, sugar prices have remained low. LSU AgCenter sugarcane breeder Dr. Kenneth Gravois says the situation is picking up slightly for Louisiana sugarcane growers. (Runtime:60 seconds)

(Audio 08/04/08) Coleus is grown for its attractive and colorful foliage. Many of the varieties are adapted to full sun, but one popular variety must be grown in the shade. (Runtime:60 seconds)

(Audio 08/04/08) Louisiana gardeners often focus on growing tomatoes in the spring and early summer. Gardeners also can grow a fall tomato crop from transplants. (Runtime:60 seconds)

(Audio 08/04/08) Container plants require extra care during the summer. They can dry out quicker than our plants in the ground. The frequent watering also leeches nutrients out of the container. (Runtime:60 seconds)

Louisiana has stepped out ahead of all other states in the nation in helping farmers learn to voluntarily comply with stricter environmental regulations governing water quality. This has happened because of the LSU AgCenter’s Master Farmer Program.

(Audio 08/04/08) Three of the most popular vegetables for home gardeners to grow are tomatoes, bell peppers and eggplants. Eggplants and bell peppers will often survive the summer in pretty good shape. (Runtime:60 seconds)

(Distributed 05/22/08) Now that food costs more and fuel prices are higher than ever, cost-cutting strategies are important to households across most income levels. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy offers ways to save money when heading to the grocery store.

An LSU AgCenter and Southern University AgCenter Community Nutrition Programs newsletter.

(Distributed 05/22/08) What do rising food and fuel costs and volunteerism have in common? “Maybe more than you think,” says LSU AgCenter volunteer expert Dr. Karen Overstreet.

(Distributed 05/22/08) The weak economy and food inflation have hit struggling households hard. The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Stamp program is designed to help such households, but, nationally, the program misses one in three eligible people, according LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Annrose Guarino.

(Distributed 05/22/08) Whether you’re a senior taking care of yourself or caring for another, every senior can save money when buying food, an LSU AgCenter nutritionist says.

(Distributed 08/04/08) The 4-H team representing Louisiana at the national Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program walked away from the event with two pieces of good news – they placed second out of 18 state teams, and their state will host the event in 2009.

(Distributed 08/01/08) The LSU AgCenter will hold a field day Aug. 14 at its Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase.

(Distributed 08/01/08) Fourteen Bienville Parish 4-H’ers learned about the world of work in professional jobs this summer in a new program that’s a joint venture between the LSU AgCenter and the Bienville Parish Police Jury. Called Jurors Empowering Teens, or JET, the six-week program was an experiment to see if investing in young people would pay off.

(Distributed 08/01/08) Squire Creek Country Club, a private course nestled in the rolling Louisiana hills near Ruston, will be the site of a 4-H benefit golf tournament Sept. 29.

(Distributed 06/25/08) It's time to enjoy Louisiana blueberries. Luckily, blueberries are nature's No. 1 source of antioxidants among more than 50 fresh fruits and vegetables tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.

(Distributed 06/25/08) The peak of the Louisiana peach season runs from mid-June until mid-July. Don’t miss out on this healthful window of opportunity, advises LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Video 08/11/08) Many plants have unusual qualities that set them apart from others. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to hidden lily ginger, which hides a lovely secret. (Runtime:1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Video 08/04/08): It’s not Easter season, but you might have spotted what looks like Easter lilies growing in landscapes. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Dan Gill clarifies whether or not Easter lilies are really growing in Louisiana during the summertime. (Runtime:1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Distributed 05/28/08) You can find interesting stories almost anywhere you look, but Louisiana 4-H has produced some gems since its inception in 1908.

(Distributed 05/26/08) BIENVILLE – Tevin Champion, a sophomore at Bienville High School, is the winner in the ninth through 12th grades division of a statewide poster contest on financial responsibility.

(TV News 08/11/08) Louisiana farmers and livestock producers and the state’s fishing industry all benefit from LSU AgCenter research. LSU AgCenter officials met with a U.S. Representative to show how federal funding helps the AgCenter provide research-based information to the people of Louisiana. (Runtime:1 minute, 30 seconds)

(TV News 08/04/08) Sugarcane breeders are giving growers more options when it comes time to plant this fall. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Distributed 05/23/08) More than 1,500 young people from across the state will gather on the LSU campus June 17-20 for the 94th annual 4-H University. There will be an array of educational activities including competition for scholarships, educational trips, saving bonds and other prizes.

(Distributed 07/31/08) As rebuilding efforts continue to ramp up in the hurricane-affected areas of Louisiana, the LSU AgCenter has joined with other agencies to help make the job a little easier.

The information in this booklet will help you have safe food products that are attractive and of high quality. It includes information about canning jars and lids, how to fill your jars and what to look for in general appearance. It includes what we call "standards" for rating home-canned foods. These standards, or guides, tell you what your products should look like if they are of the highest quality.

(Distributed 07/30/08) Trans fats are in the news. And like saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, they raise low-density lipoprotein – LDL or “bad” – cholesterol levels in our bodies, which increase the risk of coronary heart disease, says Beth Reames, LSU AgCenter nutritionist. “Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States today,” Reames said.

Citrus greening is one of the most serious citrus diseases, and a pest responsible for spreading it has now been found in Louisiana. Information on what to look for and where to look, what plants are preferred by the disease and where to report suspected disease symptoms or insect sightings.

Identification of citrus greening and the Asian citrus psyllid.

This field guide represents an update of work by Amacher et al. (1989), the original idea of which started with Dr. Bob Miller. The guide provides researchers and others interested in soils with a concise key to the classification of soils throughout Louisiana along with information on geology, climate, vegetation, etc.

(Distributed 05/23/08) MAMOU – A recent decline in rice prices probably will not continue, and the market is likely to resume its upward trend, an LSU AgCenter AgCenter economist said at the Evangeline Parish Rice Field Tour held Tuesday (May 20).

(Distributed 05/23/08) The LSU AgCenter’s annual field day and open house at the Pecan Research-Extension Station will be Friday, June 13.

(Distributed 05/21/08) Heavy rains recently triggered the swarming season for Formosan subterranean termites in Louisiana.

(Distributed 05/21/08) As prices for gasoline and diesel fuel have climbed to record levels, Louisiana farmers have had to face the increased cost of irrigating their crops.

Any home repair or remodeling work you do presents an opportunity to help your home fare better in the next storm. Whether you are just replacing siding or you have damage that's requiring you to completely remove all the wall coverings – inside or outside – you can work to minimize future storm damage at every stage of the project.

Whether you are just replacing a few shingles or have damage that requires you to strip your roof down to the rafters, you can take steps at every stage of work to minimize future storm damage. In addition, for new construction and substantial remodeling or repair, you’ll have to meet residential building codes designed to reduce potential roof damage from storms.

Yards and gardens generally look a little frayed by this time of the year. The final really hot days that usually come at the end of a long, hot summer are especially hard on plants, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill.

(Distributed 05/20/08) The LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station will hold its second annual landscape horticulture field day for green industry professionals on June 11. The event was rained out earlier in May.

One of the most important decisions a forage producer must make is which variety or varieties to plant. To help farmers make logical choices among crops and varieties, the LSU AgCenter conducts variety trials and makes recommendations each year. Suggested varieties, seeding rates, planting depths and seeding dates are included. (PDF Format Only)

(Distributed 07/30/08) The sixth annual LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research Station field day has been scheduled for Aug. 21 at the AgCenter’s C. DeWitt Livestock Facility.

(Distributed 07/30/08) Even in our summer of financial discontent, many teenagers are still concerned with concerts, cosmetics and who’s kissing whom, but things were different when 70 students from the University of New Orleans’ Classic Upward Bound program recently participated in LSU AgCenter’s “Welcome to the Real World” program.

(distributed 07/30/08) Three Louisiana 4-H members were among competitors from 14 states who participated in the 29th Annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational July 20-24 at West Virginia University’s Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center.

(Distributed 07/29/08) The 2008 Miss-Lou Regional Tourism Summit will be held Aug. 12-14 at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center in Vicksburg, Miss.

(Distributed 07/29/08) Farmers in North Louisiana heard the latest information about cotton variety trials, insects and weeds from LSU AgCenter faculty at a field tour July 22.

(Distributed 07/29/08) Now that the Asian citrus psyllid has been discovered in Louisiana, LSU AgCenter agents are learning what to look for to help stop it.

(Distributed 07/28/08) NEW IBERIA – Sugarcane farmers heard about alternative crops and new cane varieties under development during field days July 24 and 25 in Iberia Parish. On July 24, farmers met at the Iberia Research Station to see test plots of new cane varieties and sweet sorghum.

Poultry litter and soil testing are the foundation of a sound nutrient management program. Poultry litter testing and soil testing are important best management practices (BMPs), and they are essential components of a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP). This publication includes information on the correct procedures of poultry sampling.

Mosquitoes are most often thought of as blood-thirsty pests that spread disease and ruin our outdoor activities. The majority of the mosquito’s life cycle, however, is spent in the water, and it is only the adult stage that adversely affects human and animal health.

With the threat of emerging insect-borne infectious diseases in the United States (West Nile virus, malaria, Dengue), the clamor for novel personal protection/vector control devices has increased significantly over recent years. This publication includes color images and covers mosquito control as well as beneficial insects you can find around your home.

(Distributed 05/01/08) The 2008 State Fair of Louisiana, Oct. 23-Nov. 9 in Shreveport, will be dedicated to Louisiana 4-H to help celebrate the centennial of the youth organization. The fair theme is “Celebrate and Educate.”

(Distributed 07/28/08) People who want to learn more about biodiesel are invited to a workshop at the Rayville Civic Center on Aug. 27. Hosted by the LSU AgCenter, the workshop starts at 8 a.m. and will end at noon. Dr. Bill Carney, LSU AgCenter environmental educator, will give an illustrated talk on biodiesel production.

Experience has shown that pesticides alone rarely produce complete or lasting control of pests -- whether cockroaches in kitchens or mosquitoes in marshes. Mosquitoes are controlled most efficiently with an approach that blends the use of both chemical and nonchemical control measures. This is the essence of integrated mosquito management.

When mosquitoes become resistant to pesticides, controlling them and the diseases they carry can be a challenge. This publication covers what you need to know about insecticide resistance in mosquitoes.

(For Release On Or After 08/29/08) Plants under heat stress are weakened, and we generally see an increase in disease and insect problems at the end of the summer. Keep your eye out for pests.

(For Release On Or After 08/22/08) You must be careful with several things you may do in your yard or garden to avoid damaging your plants. Here are a few things to be aware of.

(For Release On Or After 08/15/08) Growing plants outdoors in containers is popular for a variety of reasons. In-ground beds are not always available where you would like to grow plants.

(For Release On Or After 08/08/08) There is something particularly satisfying about putting quality, nutritious food on the table as a direct result of your gardening efforts. August is a transitional time in the vegetable garden.

(For Release On Or After 08/01/08) Months of hot, humid weather make summers in Louisiana a challenge to many of the plants in our gardens. As other plants languish in the heat, a wonderful group of plants called gingers thrive and delight us with bold foliage and attractive flowers.

A TMDL is a pollution budget for a specific waterbody (river, lake, stream, etc.). It is the maximum amount of a pollutant that can be released into a waterbody without causing the waterbody to become impaired and/or violate state water quality standards. Information on point and nonpoint sources and the history of TMDLs are included.

(Audio 07/28/08) August is so hot that you may not want to go out and plant anything in your vegetable garden, but if you do, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says there are some great options you can pursue. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/28/08) Insect pests have a lot of time to develop their populations over the summer due to the lengthy period where it is very hot. In addition, disease organisms actually do the same thing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/28/08) Two pests that are destructive and cause a lot of problems this time of year are spider mites and whiteflies. These insects build in numbers through the summer growing season. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/25/08) ST. MARTINVILLE – New sugarcane varieties are increasing yields, but diseases pose a constant threat, farmers were told by LSU AgCenter researchers at a recent sugarcane field day here. The July 18 session was held for farmers in St. Martin, Lafayette and St. Landry parishes. Researchers told farmers that developing new varieties is an ongoing effort.

(Audio 07/28/08) Chinch bugs are a leading lawn insect pest in Louisiana, particularly for St. Augustine lawns. Be on the lookout for signs of the pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/28/08) Louisiana gardens experience a very long summer growing season. From April through October we can expect our warm-season bedding plants to provide color for our landscape. But they can get leggy and need to be cut back this time of year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Washwater is a necessary part of alligator production, but so is the management of the water. (PDF Format Only)

This publication gives several tips on how to pump less water and to make sure your pumping plant is being used as efficiently as possible. (PDF Format Only)

(Radio News 07/28/08) Dr. Zhimin Xu is taking what was a relatively useless product and making it a healthful preservative. Defatted soy flour is a byproduct of producing vegetable oil from soybeans, but working with other LSU AgCenter scientists, Xu is extracting healthful isoflavones from soy flour -- thus adding more value to soybean production. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/28/08) Dr. Cristina Sabliov has been testing continuous microwave extraction systems to extract isoflavones from soybeans. She compared her system with conventional extraction methods. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/28/08) Cultural practices such as depth of flooding and when flooding is done can affect the insect population in a rice field. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Michael Stout is conducting research on this topic. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/28/08) The rice stink bug is the most important late-season insect pest of rice in Louisiana. The rice stink bug probably is present in nearly all rice fields in Louisiana every year, and one or more applications of insecticides often are required to control this insect in fields. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 07/25/08) Shreveport teens are getting a taste of gardening in an LSU AgCenter summer activity – and learning a whole host of science and math concepts in the process. Grace Peterson, LSU AgCenter Family Nutrition Program coordinator, conducts classes for participants in a Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR) summer program.

(Radio News 07/28/08) LSU AgCenter entomologists are studying five insecticides that could be alternatives to pyrethroids currently registered to control insects in rice fields. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Michael Stout explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Distributed 06/04/08) RUSTON – The red flags of predatory loans were explained to the public at a Dollar Defense workshop presented by the LSU AgCenter May 29.

(Distributed 06/10/08) Young people from across Louisiana will compete in the 39th annual Louisiana 4-H and FFA State Horse Show July 8-12 in West Monroe.

From pre-K through college, LSU AgCenter experts offer advice about preparation and survival skills for a successful school year. Getting ready involves more than students. It’s important to the family, the community and the nation.

(Distributed 06/09/08) The Louisiana Forest Products Development Center, a unit of the LSU AgCenter, will conduct a comprehensive three-day lumber drying workshop on July 23-25 on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

(Distributed 06/09/08) As more than 3 billion quart-size, high-density polyethylene motor-oil containers head for U.S. landfills each year, LSU AgCenter researchers are looking for ways to keep them out.

Plant-parasitic nematodes can damage plants in many ways and are considered to be a serious threat to sweet potato production in Louisiana. This publication describes problematic nematode species and management strategies available for these pests.

(Distributed 06/05/08) More than 200 people who wanted to learn how to make biodiesel in small batches packed the meeting room at the LSU AgCenter’s W.A. Callegari Environmental Center in Baton Rouge on June 3-5.

(Distributed 06/05/08) Louisiana high school teachers who want to learn how to teach their students about money management will have opportunities from the LSU AgCenter. The free workshops are open to the public as well.

(Distributed 06/04/08) The LSU AgCenter’s annual field day and open house at its Red River Research Station will be held June 18 at the station in Bossier City.

(Distributed 06/04/08) The Louisiana Forest Products Development Center, a unit of the LSU AgCenter, will present a workshop on practical wood identification on July 9 on the campus of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La.

(Distributed 07/25/08) Hot summer weather signals the importance of getting enough fluids to stay hydrated and prevent heat-related illnesses – especially for senior citizens. Older people are at high risk for developing heat-related illness at this time, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 06/02/08) Using sweet sorghum and sugarcane as biofuels has generated significant interest among members of the Louisiana sugarcane industry.

This publication includes information on soil preparation, fertilization, training, pruning, nutrient solutions, pollination, harvesting, marketing, and insect and disease control for greenhouse tomatoes.

(Video 07/28/08) Want a flowering plant that’s hardy, colorful and, as a bonus, attractive to butterflies? In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to that plant -- the butterfly bush. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(TV News 07/28/08) Commercial and backyard citrus growers should be on the lookout for a small mottled brown insect that could harm their citrus trees. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that the Asian citrus psyllid can transmit a disease deadly to citrus plants. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Distributed 07/24/08) RAYVILLE – Work continues on development of a Clearfield medium-grain rice variety, but an unexpected challenge has delayed the process, an LSU AgCenter rice breeder said at the Northeast Louisiana Rice Field Day here on July 21.

LSU AgCenter research has demonstrated that conventional, whole-field soil-sampling schemes and field-averaged yields do not satisfactorily describe the variations of yield and soil attributes present in several sugarcane fields. Research suggests a precision management approach.

Environmentally conscientious sugarcane growers voluntarily use best management practices (BMPs) to control runoff from production areas. Post-harvest residue management in sugarcane is one area in need of research-based information to determine the best management approach.

In recent years purple nutsedge has become more problematic in Louisiana sugarcane fields. Purple nutsedge is considered among the world’s worst weeds because of its perennial nature and ability to produce abundant and viable underground tubers.

In Louisiana sugarcane, row shoulders and middles are intensively cultivated to promote crop growth, eliminate ruts, incorporate fertilizer and control weeds. Sugarcane growers have been slow to adopt reduced tillage practices because of concerns over reduced yields and weed control.

In Louisiana, four to six harvests are made from a single planting of sugarcane. After that, the sugarcane must be replanted because of disease and weed pressure. During the fallow period, weeds must be managed to maximize yields for the next few years.

For more than 50 years, entomology programs at both the LSU AgCenter and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sugarcane Research Laboratory at Houma have conducted research addressing the development of new varieties resistant to the larval stages of the sugarcane borer moth. In addition, the two research partners evaluate resistance to aphids and a potential invasive insect pest of Louisiana sugarcane, the Mexican rice borer.

Sugarcane breeding, leading to the release of genetically improved varieties, has played a vital role in sustaining Louisiana’s sugar industry. Past sugarcane breeding efforts have relied solely on traditional breeding approaches.

For many sugarcane varieties, the rescuer can oftentimes be in need of rescue. Such is the case with LCP 85-384. The release of LCP 85-384 in 1993 was truly a hallmark of sugarcane breeding efforts in Louisiana. By 2003, it was apparent that LCP 85-384 was in need of replacement.

The United States is the world’s largest producer of ethanol, followed closely by Brazil. We produce about 13 million gallons of ethanol a day. To close the gap between fuel use and available ethanol would require a 50-fold increase in ethanol production. Currently, America’s primary agricultural source of simple sugars used for ethanol production is the starch in corn. But an expansion of this magnitude is well beyond our available corn supplies.

There are likely to be many solutions for achieving energy alternatives, and agriculture is being looked upon for several sources – including sugarcane.

The No. 1 goal of the Audubon Sugar Institute is to keep Louisiana sugar factories profitable.

Of all the U.S. sugar-producing areas,Louisiana is the oldest and most historic. Sugarcane arrived in Louisiana in1751 with the Jesuit priests who planted it near where their church now stands on Baronne Street in New Orleans. The Louisiana sugarcane industry is in its third century of uninterrupted sugar production.

As Louisiana begins its third century of sugar production, research continues to play a vital role that sustains both growers and processors. Many facets of the industry continue to change.

The following news articles appeared in the spring 2008 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.

Rice is one of Louisiana’s leading agricultural commodities, with nearly 532,000 acres planted in 2002, producing an average yield of 5,772 pounds per acre. The 2002 gross farm income reached $122.8 million, and value added in marketing, processing and transportation increased that amount to $159.6 million.

The Biomass Research and Development Initiative in the 2002 farm bill sets a goal of a 12 percent increase in production of chemicals and materials from biomass by 2010.

(Distributed 07/23/08) The LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station will host a garden stroll August 2 from 8:00 a.m. – noon.

(Distributed 07/22/08) Kenneth McMillin, professor in the LSU AgCenter’s School of Animal Sciences, has been selected for a Fulbright Senior Specialist project in South Africa at the University of Stellenbosch for five weeks in July and August.

Varieties, nutritional value, fig facts and simple methods of food preservation so you can enjoy Louisiana figs all year long. (PDF Format Only)

(Distributed 07/22/08) A 13-year-old Jackson Parish 4-H’er has his own line of daylilies, has already won sweepstakes awards in flower shows, written an article for an international publication and won the best in agriculture award in the state science fair junior division. Nick Walker, an honor roll student and Student of the Year at Quitman High School, also hopes his daylily experimentation may make him a million dollars some day.

Louisiana Wildlife News is a bi-monthly publication intended to serve as an outlet for wildlife issues relevant to Louisiana and the So