(Audio News 05/17/13) Wholesale beef prices are at historically high levels. This may affect summer cookouts as consumers can expect to see higher prices at the grocery store. LSU AgCenter livestock economist Ross Pruitt said drought in the Midwest led to a shortage in hay and higher corn prices. This in turn is affecting beef prices. (Runtime: 1:25)

(Audio 05/07/13) Consumers looking to decrease their intake of sugar have several non-nutritive sweeteners to choose from. Non-nutritive sweeteners include saccharine, aspartame, stevia and sucralose. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Audio 05/06/13) Louisiana will likely have the lowest number of cotton acres in recorded history this year. LSU AgCenter cotton specialist and entomologist David Kerns is expecting farmers to plant no more than 150,000 acres. A decade ago the state’s farmers were planting as much as 800,000 acres of cotton. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Audio 05/02/13) On an unseasonably cold day in late April, a group of high school students from Washington, D.C., got into Lake Pontchartrain to help save the wetlands that border it. The 10th-graders were on a service-learning field trip from Washington International School to learn about and help restore Louisiana’s wetlands. (Runtime: 1:50)

(Audio News 04/30/13) Louisiana’s agriculture economy reached a record of $11.4 billion in 2012. LSU AgCenter economist John Westra said this was almost a seven percent increase over last year’s total of $10.7 billion. (Runtime: 2:00)

(Audio 04/18/13) Louisiana farmers are trying to get their soybeans planted. Prices are good, and LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Ronnie Levy expects farmers to plant around 1.2 million acres of soybeans – that is if they can get them in the ground. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Audio News 04/17/13) Bombs that exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon sent scores of people to the hospital, with more than a dozen critically injured. An LSU AgCenter scientist, Daniel Hayes, is working on several projects aimed at improving healing of catastrophic injuries. (Runtime: 2:00)

(Audio 04/09/13) Technology can keep youngsters from being active, but the LSU AgCenter has employed iPads to encourage third-graders to move more and eat better. Body Quest: Food the Warrior uses animated characters to challenge elementary youth to develop healthful behaviors. LSU AgCenter family and consumer science agent Beth Gambel is conducting the program at Chalmette Elementary School. (Runtime: 2:05)

(Audio 04/08/13) New Orleans is famous for its food. Fried seafood, rich gumbos and spicy etouffees are some of the city’s staples. But healthier fare is making its mark on the city’s landscape in the form of urban farms. Arugula, beets, basil and parsley are popping up in small plots and even on rooftops – like one above a Rouse’s grocery store just blocks from the French Quarter. (Runtime: 2:10)

(Audio News 04/01/13) It’s been a cold start for rice. About half of the state’s crop has been planted, but freezes and frost in late March slowed planting and seed germination. Also the weather has been dry since planting began. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/25/13) Store shelves and children’s baskets overflow with candy at Easter time. Parents may be mindful of not going overboard with candy, but inevitably children will get candy. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Denise Holston-West said some of the sweet treats could be replaced with toys.

(Audio 03/25/13) Lots of eggs will get boiled, dyed, hid and hunted this Easter. Denise Holston-West says we must remember that hard cooked eggs are perishable, and eggs should not be allowed to sit out all day. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio News 03/14/13) Farmers are sowing the first seeds of spring. Corn is going into the ground, but wet weather has delayed planting, according to LSU AgCenter corn specialist Ronnie Levy.

(Audio News 03/12/13) Weeds that grow wild on the edges of fields are not an issue from a weed management standpoint. But in those weeds lurk insects, and if farmers don’t control those weeds, the insects will make their way onto their crops. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Audio News 03/11/13) During March’s National Nutrition Month, LSU AgCenter nutritionists emphasize the importance of serving children a nutrient-dense diet. Quincy Cheek, a family and consumer science agent with the LSU AgCenter, says children can consume plenty of empty calories often in the form of soft drinks, energy drinks and fruit-flavored beverages. (Runtime: 1:33)

(Audio News 03/07/13) Louisiana’s wet winter has caused problems for farmers preparing to plant. Ridding fields of weeds is usually a task farmers do a month or so before planting, but wet weather has hampered those efforts, according to LSU AgCenter weed scientist Jim Griffin. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Audio News 03/05/13) Louisiana’s winter has been warmer and wetter than normal. This has been hard on the state’s wheat crop, which is midway through its growing season. Wheat doesn’t like wet conditions, but LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Ed Twidwell says wheat that was planted properly seems to surviving the rain. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Audio News 03/01/13) LSU AgCenter nutritionists are encouraging people to eat right, your way, every day as a part of March’s National Nutrition Month. Quincy Cheek, an LSU AgCenter family and consumer science agent, says eating right doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite foods. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Audio News 02/20/13) Signs of spring are sprouting across the state, and with fairer weather comes crawfish. LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Greg Lutz says some crawfish-producing areas are having a normal to better-than-normal harvest, while other areas are seeing fewer crawfish. But overall, he expects a decent crop. (Runtime: 1:35)

(Audio News 02/15/13) Miley, Zoe, Bailey and Chloe sound like they could be Emma King’s classmates. But these are the names the Iberville Parish teen has given to a few of her prize-winning pygmy goats. King started raising and showing pygmy goats simply because they were cute. But she has helped that category grow at the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show and has grown closer to her dad, Jason, in the process. (Runtime: 1:25)

(Audio News 02/05/13) Under ominous skies, workers pulled row covers over Kevin Liuzza’s strawberry fields. Rain is typical in January, but his fields were battered by 18 inches in the early part of the month leading to a lot of lost berries. Row covers are used to protect the crop from cold weather but can also shield against showers. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Audio News 01/31/12) A new pilot plant at the LSU AgCenter’s Audubon Sugar Institute functions much like a sugar mill, but this facility will produce syrup that can be turned into biofuels and biochemicals. The recently commissioned plant will be a centerpiece for research, education and outreach for the emerging biorefining industry in the Southeast. (Runtime: 1:55)

(Audio 01/18/13) New Year’s resolutions often revolve around weight loss. Many people dust off their sneakers and hit the road or the gym, and more people are incorporating technology into their get-fit goals. High-tech pedometers and smart phone apps can provide motivation to get moving. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Heli Roy says adding 2,000 extra steps can help individuals maintain weight. (Runtime: 1:50)

(Audio News 01/15/13) This winter’s flu outbreak has been widespread, and children are particularly vulnerable to flu, colds and other illnesses this time of the year. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Denise Holston-West says parents can help their youngsters fight off infections by providing them with a healthful diet. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Audio 01/08/13) Farmers are disappointed that Congress couldn’t pass a new farm bill in 2012 and instead extended the 2008 Farm Bill, which technically expired in September. LSU AgCenter economist Mike Salassi says this puts farmers in a difficult position as they make planting decisions for this year. (Runtime: 1:50)

(Audio 12/20/12) Drought conditions and a hurricane didn’t keep Louisiana farmers from having a really good year. Many of the state’s major commodities saw record yields and historically high prices. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry said good production practices and a lot of luck with the weather helped. (Runtime: 1:50)

(Audio News 12/21/12) Farmers have harvested approximately 80 percent of the state’s sugarcane crop. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois says it’s been an ideal harvest. (Runtime: 1:10 seconds)

(Audio 12/19/12) Rock 'n' roll music from the 60s plays from an iPhone as women – most of them retired – gather in a circle for their morning workout. This is a Strong Women class, part of a national program that promotes strength training for midlife and older woman. LSU AgCenter nutrition agent Debbie Melvin started the class five years ago in Lafourche Parish to help women in her community improve muscle mass, bone density and overall function as they age. (Runtime: 2:00)

(Audio News 12/14/12) Oysters and prunes may not have a lot in common, but in Subramaniam Sathivel’s lab, these are two of the products chefs are working with to develop new foods for consumers. The LSU AgCenter researcher specializes in cryopreservation and shelf stabilization of foods. He is partnering with Motivatit Seafoods to help them produce oyster and spinach ravioli. (Runtime: 1:40)

(Audio News 12/13/12) The LSU AgCenter is starting food business incubator – a shared facility where food companies can come to develop food products for the wholesale market. Gaye Sandoz will coordinate it. The incubator will be housed on campus. The location will allow faculty from the LSU AgCenter’s food science department and LSU’s business department to consult with incubator’s tenants. Sandoz also will offer marketing support. (Runtime: 1:10)

(Audio News 12/12/12) The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time, but for many, this time of the year can bring stress and anxiety. LSU AgCenter family life specialist Diane Sasser says trying to achieve the perfect holiday can bring about worry and tension. (Runtime: 1:25)

(Audio 12/12/12) Many individuals are limited to their homes, hospital rooms or nursing homes, and this can be particularly tough during the holidays says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Diane Sasser. Those who are homebound may feel a loss of control over their environment, and that loss is compounded this time of the year. If you know someone in this situation, make time to visit them if possible. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Audio News 12/10/12) Technology may be blamed for contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic, but LSU AgCenter agents are using it to help combat the problem. Nutrition agents in 10 parishes will use iPads to teach third-graders health and nutrition lessons with a program called Body Quest, Food for the Warrior. LSU AgCenter family life specialist Diane Sasser explains. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Audio News 11/30/12) Farmers have planted most of Louisiana’s wheat crop. Planting started at the beginning of November, and with good weather, it went quickly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio News 11/16/12) The cost of a typical Thanksgiving meal is up 13 percent this year. An LSU AgCenter survey shows the 2012 Thanksgiving market basket will average $44.35 for 10 people. (Runtime: 1:50)

(Audio News 11/15/12) Along the midway at any typical fair you can find games, rides and various foods sold on a stick. But the State Fair of Louisiana offers something more – an interactive journey through Louisiana agriculture. LSU AgCenter’s AgMagic at the State Fair in Shreveport links the food and fiber products used every day to the farmers, ranchers and foresters who help produce them. LSU AgCenter 4-H Regional Coordinator Karen Martin explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio News 11/14/12) Farmers are wrapping up Louisiana’s sweet potato harvest. The vegetable is especially popular this time of the year. LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Tara Smith says despite some concerns late in the growing season, farmers brought in a good crop.

(Audio 11/06/12) Cattle producers may benefit from including dry distillers grain, a byproduct of ethanol production, into their cows' diet. LSU AgCenter animal scientist Ryon Walker conducted research on feeding supplements and found fertility in mature cows increases with distillers grain when compared with a liquid supplement.

(Audio News 10/31/12) Michael Blazier’s timber work is taking him into research on biofuels. The LSU AgCenter forester is working with switchgrass planted around trees. The plant is showing promise as a biofuel that can grow on marginal land with few resources. (Runtime: 1:35)

(Audio News 10/26/12) Students at Glasgow Middle School in Baton Rouge learned about the importance of healthful eating and food security during the school's Food Day celebration. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Kiki Fontenot was in the first booth students came to, handing out the tools to help them start a salad. (Runtime: 1:10)

(Audio News 10/19/12) LSU AgCenter researchers are using the poultry demonstration houses at the Hill Farm Research Station to test a new type of poultry bedding product made of recycled cardboard. LSU AgCenter animal scientist Bill Owens says the makers of the product claim it does a better job of absorbing ammonia than conventional litter. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Audio News 10/18/12) Timber is highest grossing agricultural commodity in Louisiana, but that doesn’t stop forestry researchers at the LSU AgCenter Hill Farm Research Station from looking at new ways to increase its value. Michael Blazier is studying pine trees mixed with hardwood trees such as red oak. (Runtime: 1:10)

(Audio 10/12/12) Rain slowed the state’s cotton harvest. Cotton needs ample time to dry out before farmers can pick it, and it seems once the cotton dries out, rain falls again. LSU AgCenter cotton specialist John Kruse says even with frequent rain, the weather hasn’t been too hard on the crop. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Audio News 10/04/12) Having healthy turf on a football field is about more than just good looks. It also helps the athletes play stronger and safer. Weeds or holes in the field can trip players. Compacted ground can lead to injuries. The LSU AgCenter is working with high school coaches through their Field of Excellence program to improve their playing surface. (Runtime: 145)

(Audio News 10/3/12) Dearl Sanders calls himself a bug chauffeur. The LSU AgCenter scientist is trying to move as many salvinia weevils as he can. He was near Houma working with crews from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to harvest and distribute weevils to combat the invasive aquatic plant giant salvinia which is clogging waterways across the state.(Runtime: 2:00)

(Audio News 09/21/12) Family schedules may be a bit more hectic with youngsters in school. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames says after-school activities can get in the way of preparing and serving a healthful dinner. She suggests planning meals for the week. (Runtime: 1:05)

(Audio News 09/18/12) Farmers have harvested most of the soybeans in north Louisiana, and the yields have been outstanding, according to LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Ronnie Levy.

(Audio 09/13/12) Ben Becnel has survived his share of storms, but the Plaquemines Parish citrus grower says no hurricane he has lived through caused more damage to his crop than Isaac. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/11/12) More than 30 percent of children in Louisiana are obese. The LSU AgCenter is working to combat this problem with programs like Smart Bodies, which is presented in schools and focuses on healthful eating and exercise, says program director Denise Holston-West. (Runtime: 1:10)

(Radio News 09/07/12) Homeowners looking to restore their flood-damaged houses should consider flood-hardy materials that can withstand potential future flooding. (Runtime: 1:10)

(Radio News 09/06/12) Homes and businesses may have experienced roof damage from Hurricane Isaac. Claudette Reichel, LSU AgCenter housing specialist, says if replacing a roof, invest in one that will hold up to the next storm. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Radio News 09/06/12) After a flood, mold colonies can start to grow within two to three days. LSU AgCenter housing specialist Claudette Reichel says the solution to mold is cleaning and drying. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Radio News 09/05/12) Packing a lunch for school can be nutritious and economical. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames says parents should look to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate when deciding what to put in a lunch bag. It should include a lean protein, fruits and vegetables and a serving from the grain group. (Runtime: 1:05)

(Audio 09/04/12) Hurricane Isaac caused $92 million in damage to Louisiana agriculture based on early estimates of yield losses from LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Radio News 08/23/12) The LSU AgCenter’s research on energy cane and sweet sorghum will be on display at a biofuels field day Oct. 2 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Station Sugarcane Research Farm near Houma. LSU AgCenter crop specialist John Kruse said these crops will be displayed under different production scenerios. (Runtime: 1:05)

(Radio News 08/21/12) Sweet potato growers will have new options when planting. The LSU AgCenter is releasing two varieties that will rival the long-time grower and consumer favorite, Beauregard. LSU AgCenter sweet potato breeder Don LaBonte explains. (Runtime: 1:25)

(Audio 08/20/12) Breakfast is your body’s morning refueling stop, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames. The morning meal also helps students succeed in school. As youngsters return to the classroom, Reames says, parents need to make sure they start off with a healthful breakfast. (Runtime: 1:05)

(Radio News 08/21/12) Louisiana’s sweet potato harvest is still a few months away. LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Tara Smith says the state has fewer acres this year than in recent years, but what’s in the field looks good. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Audio 08/17/12) Drought is lowering the yield potential for the nation’s corn and soybean harvests. Stocks of corn were already low, and LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says the outlook for a dismal harvest is driving up prices. (Runtime: 150)

(Radio News 08/14/12) Beware of the Rasberry crazy ant, says LSU AgCenter entomologist Dennis Ring. This invasive ant is found in some areas of Louisiana and can be a serious nuisance. (Runtime: 1:25)

(Radio News 08/10/12) Louisiana corn growers couldn’t ask for a much better year. Weather conditions have been ideal for growing corn with timely rains and temperatures that haven’t been too high. Farmers have harvested about half of their crop, and John Kruse, LSU AgCenter’s corn specialist, says yields have been outstanding.(Runtime: 1:30)

(Radio News 08/07/12) Louisiana’s rice harvest started early this year, but rain has slowed it down. About 20 percent of the crop has been harvested in the southern part of the state, and yields have been mixed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 08/03/12) The LSU AgCenter’s rice verification program takes AgCenter recommendations and applies them to a farmer’s field under the supervision of LSU AgCenter rice specialist Johnny Saichuk. St. Landry Parish rice farmer Anthony Plattsmier is participating in the program this year. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Radio News 07/13/12) The Louisiana’s Children’s Trust Fund is funding four LSU AgCenter grants that will set up programs to help youngster feel safer, eat more healthfully and allow parents to develop good parenting skills. Becky White with the LSU AgCenter says the first grant was awarded $15,000. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Radio News 07/12/12) The LSU AgCenter’s wheat and oat breeding programs will release several varieties this year, according to LSU AgCenter wheat breeder Steve Harrison. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/09/12) Louisiana’s rice crop is maturing ahead of schedule. Growers were able to take advantage of mild conditions and plant early. The disease blast has caused problems this year, but LSU AgCenter rice specialist Johnny Saichuk says farmers haven’t had too many other issues. (Runtime: 1:10)

(Audio 07/06/12) Rice farmers always have to contend with diseases, but the disease rice blast typically isn’t a big problem for them. This year is different, and farmers are seeing an unusual amount of blast in their fields. LSU AgCenter rice breeder and rice station director Steve Linscombe explains. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/02/12) Picture-perfect triangles of watermelon entice Adam and Andrew Manuel. The brothers were trying different varieties with names like Sangria, Tiger Gold and Dessert King, and Adam’s preference wasn’t the obvious choice. The Manuels were attending the Garden Fest at LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center with their grandmother. (Runtime: 1:55)

(Radio News 07/02/12) Louisiana’s cotton crop is off to a good start. Farmers were able to plant early, and June rains helped growth, says LSU AgCenter cotton specialist John Kruse. (Runtime: 1:10)

(Radio News 06/26/12) The outlook is optimistic for Louisiana’s corn crop. The mild winter allowed for early planting, which has benefited the crop, says LSU AgCenter corn specialist John Kruse. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Radio News 06/25/12) The Senate passed its version of the farm bill, and it includes only one commodity subsidy program. The crop insurance program in the Senate’s version of the bill offers agriculture risk coverage. This protects farmers who may have crop failures, but lacks adequate support for growers of certain crops that are important to Louisiana’s economy. (Runtime: 1:35)

(Radio News 02/28/11) Dry conditions affected Louisiana agriculture last summer, and cattle operations in the state were hit hard. Dennis Kieffer felt the effects. He raises cattle in Winn Parish, and the lack of rain affected his forage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 02/14/11) The heart is in focus during February, not only because of Valentine’s Day but also because this month the American Heart Association calls attention to the threat of heart disease. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames says a healthful diet can guard against a heart attack. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 02/14/11) It can be tough for youngsters in military families to make and keep friends. Operation Military Kids helps these youngsters meet children in similar situations. The program is supported by the Department of Defense and administered through 4-H. Caleb Persick is a graduate assistant with the program. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Radio News 02/14/11) Louisiana’s strawberry farmers started picking their crop as early as the first week in November. Regina Bracy, research coordinator at the LSU AgCenter's Hammond Research Station, says the way farmers plant and care for their crops is helping them get earlier berries. (Runtime: 1:05)

(Radio News 12/20/10) Citrus is a popular backyard fruit tree in Louisiana. Homeowners can avoid damage this winter if hard freezes occur by protecting their trees, says LSU AgCenter county agent Alan Vaughn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 12/13/10) Americans will spend a projected $23 billion on gift cards this holiday season. Consumers gained new gift card protection from the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, but the ECO-gift card act delayed the effective date of the on-the-card disclosures, says LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Radio News 12/06/10) The LSU AgCenter’s Smart Portions program offers eight weekly classes designed to help individuals learn good lifestyle habits to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The program uses no fads and no gimmicks and instead relies on research-based information. But can this research-based information stand up to a buffet table loaded with holiday desserts? Past participants in the program are planning their strategies for handling holiday eating healthfully. (Runtine: 1:35)

(Radio News 10/04/10) Food and football go hand in hand. Just as players take precautions on the field, tailgaters should take precautions with their food. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/27/10) LSU AgCenter weed scientists recently confirmed glyphosate resistance in the pigweed, palmer amaranth. Weed scientists have long been concerned about weeds in Louisiana developing resistance to the herbicide. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Radio News 11/22/10) After two dismal years where Louisiana sweet potato farmers watched their crops rot in the field from too much rain, they finally got the harvest they’ve been hoping for this year. The dry fall allowed for a smooth harvest and a good crop, says LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Tara Smith. (Runtime: 1:15)

(Radio News 09/20/10) Beauregard is the predominant sweet potato variety grown in Louisiana and in some other parts of the country. But growers are trying the new variety Evangeline. LSU AgCenter sweet potato breeder Don LaBonte says this variety has some advantages over Beauregard. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/13/10) Crates of crabs sit on the bustling dock of Pontchartrain Blues, a crab processing facility on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Last month, crabs were just trickling in, but owner Gary Bauer was determined to stay open to keep his customers supplied and his labor working. (Runtime: 1:30)

(Radio News 09/13/10) The LSU AgCenter is working with food scientists and seafood safety experts from other universities to help train seafood processors on sensory testing of seafood. LSU AgCenter food scientist Jon Bell says the experts are providing processors with the scientific background of how sensory evaluation of seafood works while letting them test samples of seafood spiked with petroleum. (1:25)

(Radio News 08/30/10) Sugarcane farmers are out this time of the year, getting a portion of next year’s crop planted. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Dr. Kenneth Gravois says recent rains have slowed planting. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 12/14/09) Some holiday foods and drinks such as cream pies and eggnog traditionally call for raw eggs. LSU AgCenter nutritionist and food safety expert Dr. Beth Reames says recipes can be adapted to use cooked eggs instead of raw eggs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/21/09) Yellow jackets are aggressive scavengers, and they can be particularly bothersome this time of year, says LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/21/09) Early autumn remains an active time for insects in Louisiana, and September usually brings a resurgence in the love bug population. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says this fall we could see plenty of these amorous insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 09/21/09) Fire ants can be a terrible nuisance for homeowners and landowners. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet recommends large-scale treatment during the spring and fall. Late September or early October is a good time to organize a treatment campaign in your neighborhood. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 07/06/09) Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse is better for the environment, says LSU AgCenter researcher Dr. H.Y. Hanna. He says growers don’t have to use pesticides because they can control the environment in the greenhouse. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 9/30/08) Hurricane Ike tipped the losses in the Louisiana sweet potato crop to 50 percent. Farmer Ken Thornhill in Franklin Parish has started harvesting his fields, but he said he is seeing some encouraging results. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio News 11/02/12) Yields are showing that Hurricane Isaac’s winds and rain didn’t have a lasting effect on the state’s sugarcane crop. With dry weather throughout most of October, farmers have had ideal harvesting conditions. Growing conditions were good as well. Farmers have harvested about 30 percent of the crop, and LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois says what they are getting so far is really promising. (Runtime: 60 seconds)