Agriculture: Backbone of Louisiana’s Economy
This publication tabulates the value of Louisiana agriculture in 2010. Agents and
specialists of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, as well as other agencies–
both private and public – compiled the data. Their analysis focuses on the animal,
forestry, fisheries, plant and wildlife commodities that comprise our vital agricultural
industry. Agricultural and natural resource industries contribute significantly
to our state’s economy with the potential for increased economic benefits and job
creation through value-added processing in urban and rural communities throughout
Louisiana.
The 2010 production year was much improved over the previous two years for most
in the state’s food and fiber sector. After struggling with hurricanes in 2008 and
excessive rains in 2009, the 2010 production year and, more specifically, the 2010
harvest season were vastly improved. The production and harvest year were not, however,
uneventful. After a fairly good planting season, weather conditions turned dry and
remained dry across the state for much of the growing season. Dry conditions and
hot temperatures affected yields of crops harvested early and had an effect on forage
availability and hay production in the livestock sector. Late-season rains provided
some relief for later-harvested crops, and the nearly ideal conditions that were
experienced helped many producers harvest quickly and efficiently.
Improved growing and harvest conditions resulted in increased year-to-year production
levels for many row crops. Virtually ideal harvest conditions helped bring yields
for commodities such as cotton, sweet potatoes and soybeans back to and above trend-line
levels. In addition, improving domestic and international economies created significant
optimism for demand prospects over the last half of 2010 and resulted in sharply
higher commodity prices for most row crop and livestock commodities. The increases
of commodity prices to record or near-record levels certainly helped to improve
the profitability outlook for producers heading into the end of the year and helped
to offset rising fuel and fertilizer prices experienced at the end of 2010.
While relatively dry conditions during the winter of 2010-2011 have created some
issues for livestock producers with winter forage production and have increased
the need for ample rains during the spring of 2011 to replenish soil moisture, the
general condition of the food and fiber sector is much improved when compared to
the previous year. Stronger commodity prices have generally created a very optimistic
outlook for the sector, despite rising input costs.
Although Louisiana’s agriculture and natural resource industries certainly encountered
many challenges in 2010, the state’s producers were able to generate farm-gate sales
totaling $5.5 billion during the year. When those commodities were cleaned, processed
and packaged, the value added brought in another $4.4 billion, for a total contribution
to our state’s economy of $9.9 billion. While farm-gate values and levels for value
added for specific commodities may vary from year to year because of changes in
output caused by weather problems, lower or higher commodity prices or significant
changes in acreages, the food and fiber sector continues to be vital to the state’s
economy. Cutting-edge research programs and extension education and outreach efforts
remain critical to sustaining these significant economic benefits.
Many Louisiana communities depend on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and wildlife
for local jobs and their economic well-being. The heart of agronomic agriculture
is found in northeastern, southwestern and south central Louisiana. Forestry production
occurs mostly in the state’s hill parishes, and fisheries production takes place
mostly along the coast, although the aquacultural production of catfish is located
mainly in the northeast Louisiana delta area.
For those who work in it day in and day out, agriculture, forestry and fisheries
are far more than a business, a major job contributor and an economic engine. It
truly is a way of life. Families have lived on many of these farms, forest lands
or fishing villages for generations following a preferred way of life even though
it means hard work, many hours, high risks and sometimes low incomes.
Each new production season has risks associated with commodity prices, trade agreements
and higher input costs as well as uncertainty related to the weather. These conditions
make the discovery and adoption of new agricultural technology developed by the
LSU AgCenter more important than ever to our state’s producers.
Agriculture is a highly sophisticated segment of the national and world economy;
becoming increasingly more so every year. That is the reason we at the LSU AgCenter
continue to support agriculture and consumers with factual information provided
by a well-trained faculty of extension agents, specialists and research scientists.
Those of us in the LSU AgCenter (with its major branches of the Louisiana Cooperative
Extension Service and the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station) are proud to
be part of Louisiana’s agricultural industry, and we are committed to serving that
industry and the citizens across the state of Louisiana in the years ahead.
Sincerely,
Paul D. Coreil
Vice Chancellor, LSU Agricultural Center, and
Director, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service