Photos and contact information of LSU AgCenter Extension agents working in Richland Parish.

The history of the LSU Extension in Richland Parish began in 1909, going through a pioneer stage of development. The changes and programs made in all phases of the Agricultural Extension Service could never have been accomplished by the staff members alone without the contributions of men, women and youth leaders throughout the years and without the continued support of the governing bodies, Richland Parish School Board, and the Police Jury.

Annual 4-H enrollment is conducted throughout the months of September and October.

Louisiana Sweet Potato News aims to update and inform all those associated with or interested in Louisiana sweet potatoes. Among the topics featured in this newsletter are such items as crop profiles, information related to various aspects of sweet potato production, the latest details on insect, weed and disease management, and current industry news and events.

All Louisiana 4-H members are invited to participate in the upcoming 4-H Honey Bee Essay Contest sponsored by the Louisiana Beekeepers Association and the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc.

Useful links to State Fair of Louisiana, LSU AgCenter Livestock page , Louisiana Junior Show circuit and other related sites.

Information about common problems for trees in north Louisiana yards. Issues covered include: Oak Leaf Blister; Wildlife Damage; Galls; Oak Decline/Root Rot; Eastern Tent Caterpillar and Fall Webworm; Fireblight;; Species/Site Selection; Yard Care; Bad Pruning; Grafting Compatibility; Bacterial Leaf Scorch; Construction Damage/ Landscaping.

In recent years homeowners have lost the use of several pesticides in and around the home, yard and garden. The information provided by Dr. Dale Pollet, Professor and Specialist in the LSU Department of Entomology is a discussion of the materials available to homeowners for use on ornamentals and turf.

The Cow/Heifer Investment Decision Tool was developed as a farm planning decision aid for Louisiana cow/calf producers. This decision aid is an Excel spreadsheet that allows cow/calf producers to project if investing in a heifer is a profitable investment and the maximum dollar amount that can be paid for the animal. Producers are able to adjust prices, calf sale weights and cash cow costs to determine the amount that could potentially be paid for a cow/heifer.

This report presents estimates of projected production costs for the production of cotton, soybeans, corn, grain sorghum and wheat in Northeast Louisiana for the 2009 crop year.

Spreadsheets allow users to estimate expected costs and returns for cropping enterprises.

This report contains estimates of production costs and returns and direct expenses for 20 vegetable crops and 35 production situations.

(Distributed 03/27/09) The Louisiana Delta Initiative is inviting community and governmental leaders to “One Voice: Communities Moving from Poverty to Prosperity” from 1 to 3:30 p.m. April 2 at the Rayville Civic Center in Rayville.

Submitting information on JoAnn Smith winning EFNEP certification of appreciation.

77th Edition authored by Dr. Dale K. Pollet, professor in the Department of Entomology at LSU.

Information on growing fruits for the home gardener.

The LSU AgCenter is joining with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to develop a livestock show ethics and animal welfare task force. The task force is being formed to educate youth and adults around the state about the traditions, values and ethics involved with raising and exhibiting livestock. See the attached file for more details.

(Distributed 11/3/08) Increased input costs, tight profit margins and two major hurricanes created a difficult year for many of Louisiana’s agricultural producers. To help the state’s farmers, the LSU AgCenter has established a farm financial hotline to help them make financial decisions, according to Dr. Kurt Guidry, an economist in the AgCenter’s Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness.

Upcoming Livestock Events; Competitors in the 2008 Louisiana State Fair

Providing educational experiences relative to leadership that result in participants becoming eligible for certification as Lead Louisiana graduates.

(Distributed 12/18/08) Knowing what nutrients are in your soil and what nutrients are needed is a basic step towards good plant health. Soil nutrient balance must be managed for best plant growth, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

Flyer and Entry Forms for 69th Annual Northeast Louisiana District Livestock Show Horse Event.

With an ever-changing production and marketing environment, agricultural producers frequently face difficult decisions. This publication provides Louisiana’s producers with a view of the potential marketing and production environments they are likely to face, so they can use that information while making farm management and production plans.

This guide includes helpful information on identifying weeds in Louisiana rice. The publication contains a schematic guide for the user for proper identification of weeds based on specific characteristics of each plant. The document also contains photos of each weed listed in the schematic as well as photo examples of key characteristics.

Downy mildew is a potentially devastating disease of all cucurbits. Disease symptoms, development, control measures and color photographs of symptoms on pumpkin, cucumber and watermelon are included.

This guide for 2009 contains suggestions for management of the most important or more prevalent diseases of Louisiana plants. It includes information on fungicides, bactericides and nematicides, as well as safety precautions for using them.

Keeping bees can be a fascinating and profitable hobby in Louisiana. Start with one or two colonies and as you learn the mechanics of beekeeping, establish additional colonies.