Insects of the month. Bugs covered include: spiders, Cigarette/drugstore beetles, Indian meal moths,thrips, roaches, plants indoors, slugs and snails, Silverfish/firebrats, mosquitoes, brown recluse, bed bugs.

(Distributed 10/28/09) Today’s lifestyles might be causing people to miss out on the unique love and belonging that come from family bonds, according to LSU AgCenter family and child expert Diane Sasser.

Rules and regulations for 4-H Project Day.

Want to know what's going on in St. Charles Parish 4-H? Check out the monthly newsletter. The newsletter will be issued at the regular monthly 4-H Club meetings throughout the school year, but you can also see them by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.

The big issue in the agricultural sector over the lastseveral weeks has been the persistent rainfall thathas fallen throughout most of the state. FromSeptember through the end of October, the state hasseen rainfall totals that ranged from roughly 15inches to over 30 inches depending on the location.

Louisiana Wildlife News is a bi-monthly publication intended to serve as an outlet for wildlife issues relevant to Louisiana and the Southeast. In addition to current news events, profiles on specific plant, wildlife and nuisance wildlife species are included in each issue.

(Distributed 11/06/09) Thanksgiving is a perfect time to enjoy Louisiana yams. The Louisiana yam is an exceptional type of sweet potato – sweet and flavorful, with a soft, moist flesh, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames .

(Distributed 10/29/09) Every November during American Diabetes Month, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames reminds people healthful eating is important for managing diabetes.

The holidays are time to enjoy special desserts you may only make once a year. To prevent getting foodborne illness, refrigerate pies containing eggs and milk, such as pumpkin, custard and cream pies.

When frying a turkey, it is imperative that the bird be completely thawed, or the oil will "boil" when the bird touches it – possibly causing injury or fire. To thaw a turkey in the refrigerator safely, leave it in the original wrapping, place it on a tray and refrigerate. Allow five hours thawing time per pound.

When Louisiana cooks shop for their Thanksgiving meal, they’ll find the cost of the basic dinner items will average $36.31 for 10 people, according to an LSU AgCenter survey of Baton Rouge-area prices. That’s down by $3.50 from last year’s average of $39.81 – a 9 percent drop.

If you’ve been confused in the past about the temperature you needed to cook your holiday turkey, you now need to remember only one temperature, 165 degrees.

The annual meeting of the St. Charles Parish Advisory Leadership Council was held at the St. Charles Parish Extension Office, located at 1313 Paul Maillard Road in Luling, Louisiana, on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The minutes follow.

(Distributed 11/12/09) Turkey is the traditional choice for most Thanksgiving celebrations. There is no quality difference between a fresh or frozen turkey although fresh turkeys have shorter shelf lives, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

The bugs of August 2009 include: Ensign wasps, Armyworms, Red-headed azalea caterpillars, Lantana lace bug, Asian hackberry aphid, Rose borer, Grape leaf skeletonizer.

This newsletter features topics on the purchase, care and training of horses, and includes news and upcoming events.

Producers continue to be busy with harvest. For some crops, producers are putting the finishing touches on the 2009 year while for others harvest has just started or is in the heart of the harvest season. Producers also have begun to make preparations for planting fall-planted crops such as winter wheat and ryegrass. Read more by opening the attached file.

This chart indicates which pesticide to spray, when to spray the pesticide, and which insects are controlled by the pesticide.

Want to know what's going on in St. Charles Parish 4-H? Check out the monthly newsletter. The newsletter will be issued at the regular monthly 4-H Club meetings throughout the school year, but you can also see them by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.

Community Education programs being conducted by LSU AgCenter agents and River Region Master Gardeners for the Fall of 2009.

Newsletter provides information on horse care and maintenance. Topics covered in this issue include: Master Horseman video, Ryegrass planting for horses, La. Stockhorse Association, preparing for hurricane season, and horse tips.

During the early part of the growing season, the major concern for agriculture in the state centered on a lack a rainfall. While rains in July and August have returned crop moisture to ample levels, the effects of the early-season drought are being seen as harvest continues to progress.

Minutes from the 09/02/09 meeting of the River Region Master Gardeners.

Bugs of the month for September 2009 include: slugs, yellow jackets, stinging caterpillars, fire ants, love bugs, Green June beetles, loopers, Elongated Tree ants, armyworms, Diaprepes weevil.

This issue highlights celebrating back to school with 4-H, broiler chicks project, livestock project, October caledar of events, 4-H pizza night with Papa John's Pizza, regional Challenge Camp, Legislative Day, 4-H University, State Records, State Fashion & Citizenship Board, Jr. Leader Awards trip, Lost Camp, Citizenship Washington Focus, 4-H Camp, Jr. Leader Club, and National 4-H Week.

Crop moisture across most of the state continues to improve as summer showers have prevailed over the past several weeks. See this newsletter for more details. Topics covered include: current production situation; current price situation; current input pricesituation; forestry situation.

Rains over the past few weeks have helped most of the crops recover; however, the prior four to six weeks without rain have had an effect on yields. Early corn yields have been reported from 50 to 200+ bushels per acre with most yields in the 80 to 150 range. Grain sorghum harvest is just getting under way and should be in full swing by the end of the week.

St. Charles 4-H member Terry LeCompte won the 14 years old and over reining class at the Southeast District Horse Show in Baton Rouge and also at the 4-H State Horse Show in West Monroe.

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

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

There are always a lot of questions about how the weather affects the insect populations. Does it increase the populations? Does it kill them out? A good example of this action can be seen now that we are hot and extremely dry.

The two most common water pests are the backswimmer and the water boatman.

A monthly fisheries newsletter from the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant. Topics covered in this issue include: Chandeleur Lighthouse Remembered in New Web Films; NOAA Seeks Public Comment on the Fishery Management Plan for Offshore Marine Aquaculture; Louisiana Boating Laws; Tips for Safe Skiing/Tubing/Boarding; Yellow Crawfish; Louisiana Shrimp Watch

A monthly fisheries newsletter from the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant. Topics covered in this issue include: Gustav/Ike Fisheries Assistance; Louisiana Shrimp Watch; New Fisheries Lab Opens on Grand Isle; Deepwater Grouper Commercial Fishery Closed; Texas Brown Shrimp Opening July 15.

The USA Rice Federation is sponsoring a scholarship contest for high school juniors and seniors from the rice-growing states of Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. Three scholarship prizes totaling $8,500 will be awarded.

(Distributed 07/14/09) Move over, summer – a new school year is upon us! LSU AgCenter Certified Family Life Educator Dr. Diane D. Sasser shares her joy of anticipation with six steps on preparing for the event.

(Distributed 07/14/09) Decades ago, hectic lives were the trademark of business people. Today, that condition applies to almost every family in America where your family is your business, according to LSU AgCenter Certified Family Life Educator Dr. Diane D. Sasser.

(Distributed 06/22/09) The LSU AgCenter is offering a series of educational programs across the state, beginning July 21, to help people get into the agritourism business. Agritourism is a business venture on a working farm, ranch or agricultural enterprise that offers educational and fun experiences for visitors while generating supplemental income for the owner, according to Dora Ann Hatch, LSU AgCenter community rural development agent.

(Distributed 06/03/09) A regional conference focusing on enhancing current tourism resources and creating new ones in rural areas will be held Aug. 11-13 at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, La.

(Distributed 06/02/09) A review of new sugarcane varieties and field tours on weed control, insect management and disease management will be featured at the annual sugarcane field day July 15 at the LSU AgCenter’s Sugar Research Station in St. Gabriel.

(Distributed 06/25/09) BOSSIER CITY, La. – Normally, people think of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) as a problem for humans, but there’s one that’s emerged in the past few years as a problem for cattle in Louisiana. It’s called trichomoniasis, or trich, for short. LSU AgCenter scientists offered ideas for managing this disease among cattle as well as more productive and efficient ways to raise forage for cattle at the Red River Research Station field day on June 18.

Wind is the most common and most costly cause of damage to homes and other “light frame structures” in the United States. The 75-mile-per-hour-plus winds experienced in hurricanes put tremendous pressure on the roof, walls and foundation, and windblown debris can significantly increase the damage.

Newsletter provides information on horse care and maintenance. Topics covered in this issue include: State Horse Specialist Retires; 4-H, FFA State Horse Show Set for July 6-11 in West Monroe, Cutting the Cost of Horse Ownership; Horse Pasture Establishment and Management; Horse Insects in Summer; Ranch Horse Clinic in New Iberia; LaSH Will Move Three Competitions; Horse Tips, Calendar of Events.

The cactus moth is an invasive species that has both beneficial and pest qualities. Used in Africa and Australia to remove pest cactus, it is now in the United States removing native and ornamental cactus. In the United States, this pest has moved from Florida to Alabama to Mississippi and now Louisiana.

This document includes driving directions to the Louisiana 4-H Museum Grand Opening and 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony July 18, 2009.

(Distributed 06/02/09) Twelve new members of the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame will be inducted at the grand opening of the Louisiana 4-H Museum in Mansura from 2-4 p.m. on July 18.

Here are some bugs being reported around the state.

Families across Louisiana are now making their grocery lists in preparation for those summer outdoor meals. Food safety should be high on the list while those preparations are being made. Great ingredients and recipes are some of the concerns in planning for your BBQ menus, but food safety should be equally important. Some of the biggest concerns are keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold, avoiding "cross contamination" of raw and cooked foods and storing food appropriately.

Enjoy Louisiana blueberries. They can help protect against diseases, including certain cancers and heart disease.

Now that food costs more and fuel prices are higher than ever, cost-cutting strategies are important to households across most income levels. Here are ways to save money when heading to the grocery store.

The 2009 hurricane season is approaching very quickly here are some relatively easy steps you can take to protect your home from hurricane damage.

This is the latest issue of the “Animal Industry News Update” from the LSU AgCenter's Animal Science faculty.

Sulfur compounds, including sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide, can form and be released into the air from some imported wallboard installed across the humid south between 2004 and 2008, causing corrosion of copper, silver and other metals in home components such as air conditioners, exposed wiring, plumbing and electronics, thus raising serious safety, economic and health issues.

LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says we are getting to the hot and wet part of the year, and we are beginning to see some serious insect problems.

This issue has information on purchasing hay, blister beetle toxicity in horses, horsemen's responsibilities, the Louisiana Stock Horse Association and other horse tips.

Well, the weather cannot make up its mind as to rainfall or temperature, but the insect population has been awakened and is already moving everywhere. Looks like it will be a big bug year, so be aware.

Provides meeting minutes for the Jefferson/St. Charles Parish FCS Advisory Council meeting.

(Distributed 04/02/09) Although dyed Easter eggs may look like decorations, they are a food, and they are perishable. In fact, hard-cooked eggs spoil faster than fresh eggs because their protective coating is washed away in the cooking process, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

This publication provides a glimpse into the potential production and marketing environments for most of our major commodities for 2007. In addition, the publication also has an outlook for the general economies of both the United States and Louisiana.

Success in the growing of ornamentals, flowering annuals or vegetables organically is a long-term process and results from a number of garden practices rather than a single production practice.

A sudden reduction in family income can be traumatic. Many Louisiana citizens are experiencing this strain due to displacement caused by Hurricane Katrina. Reduce this hardship by taking positive action.

With the hot and cold variations we’re having, it’s hard to tell what all will show up this spring. Several pests have already begun, and several other show potential to be problems. Here is what we are seeing already.

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

This newsletter highlights upcoming events and meetings, St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day.

Every June hundreds of 4-H members gather in Baton Rouge at the Louisiana State University campus to participate in the annual LSU AgCenter’s 4-H University, formerly known as 4-H Short Course. 4-H members look forward to attending the annual three-day event where they reside on the LSU campus, compete in over 40 different project-related statewide contests, participate in interactive educational programs, and establish friendships that last a lifetime with people throughout Louisiana.

This issue highlights the PAC meeting, sewing workshops, foods and archery day, records books, 4-H University and the "go green" service learning project. You'll also find pictures from past 4-H events.

This document describes the rules and regulations for the foods contest, pet show and archery workshop which will be held on March 21, 2009 at the St. Charles Parish 4-H office in Luling.

Although we have had some crazy weather, we are still seeing some insects flying around and creating a nuisance of themselves. Even honeybee swarms are starting with the hot, sunny weather we had last week, and those in trees are coming out and getting ready for spring, which seems just around the corner.

This issue highlights PAC meetings, sewing workshops, record books, junior wildlife tour, shooting sports instructors and livestock shows and introduces the new AWCC member Jonas Augustine.

Well, the year is starting mixed up as usual – warm-to-hot wet weather when it should be cool. And we are beginning to see some of the results of the weather conditions.

This is the 2009 projected production costs for sugarcane in Louisiana.

More than 1000 seedling species of Louisiana oak, pine and cypress trees will be offered free to the public from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 17th, during the Saturday morning German Coast Farmers Market located and operated at Ormond Plantation on River Road in Destrehan, Louisiana.

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

This issue highlights 4-H sewing workshops, 4-H Hornets night, information on honey bee essays, and the Project Day results.

This newsletter highlights freeze branding of horses, Louisiana Stock Horse Association, keeping your horse healthy, saddle selection, how to ride a horse, and leather care.

For the past couple of months, the primary concern was getting bees out of downed trees and removing swarms that formed from trees downed by the hurricanes. With the onset of cool to cold weather, we have a series of insects that need addressing.

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

This is the allocated sugarcane planting cost report for 2009.

Grilled cauliflower recipe, history and nutritional value information.

Food, decorations and rituals that make the holidays festive for people can be hazardous to pets. This is what pet owners need to do to keep the season safe for their animals.

(Distributed 09/07/08) You probably can’t avoid the stress coming in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, but you can manage it, says LSU AgCenter family and consumer sciences specialist Becky White.

Volume 3, Issue 3

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.

This report presents projected cost estimates for sugacane production in Louisiana for the 2008 crop year. Cost estimates are included for all phases of sugarcane production, including seedbed preparation, planting, plant-cane and stubble crop operations and harvest. Whole-farm projected income and expense statements are also included for harvest of sugarcane through second, third and fourth stubble (ratoon) crops.

A quarterly newsletter from the LSU AgCenter's Family and Consumer Sciences Division.

A lawn that’s properly cared for and healthy will resist weeds and other pest problems. Following the best management practices (BMPs) in this publication should help keep your lawn in good condition. 32-page, full-color guide. Cost: $5 plus tax (free shipping). To order this book, use the Order Publication link below.

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.