Cattle at the Iberia Research Station. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

Wayne Wyatt is one of the cattle researchers at the Iberia Research Station. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

A field day at the Iberia Research Station. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

The LSU AgCenter’s Iberia Research Station conducts research on sugarcane, cattle, row crops and energy cane. A field day for Acadiana cattle producers will be held April 9 to highlight the facility’s key areas of research. Read more on the field day.

South Louisiana cattle producers will have a chance to learn about a wide variety of topics at the Acadiana Cattle Producers Field Day at the Iberia Research Station on April 9. The event begins at 8 a.m. and ends with a lunch. The field tour will include talks on early season management of hay meadows, forage-fed beef research, beef genetics and visual appraisal of herd bulls.

An indoor program will include presentations on health issues of bulls, bull management and nutrition and using genetic tools for selecting bulls. There will also be an update on the MarketMaker program and information about an upcoming Master Farmer tour.

The 1,137-acre station has 900 acres of summer perennial pasture and hay meadows, a 200-head feedlot, and 150 acres devoted to research with agronomic crops.

The cattle research conducted by Wayne Wyatt and Guillermo Scaglia includes studies of crossbreeding cattle to evaluate the suitability of tropically adapted breeds to Louisiana, resistance to internal parasites and efficient use of nutrients by affecting grazing behavior.

They also are conducting studies on forage-fed beef, which is becoming more popular. “It is in vogue because of the real or perceived health benefits and is environmentally friendly,” said Sonny Viator, the research coordinator at the station.

Louisiana is suited for grass-fed operations because the sub-tropical climate allows cattle producers to grow grass year round, he said. “The studies are looking at producing 1,000-pound steers within 17-19 months.”

The crossbreeding project under way is studying use of a South African breed, Bonsmara, with Brahman-influenced cattle, with an emphasis on calf production potential and carcass quality. “This breed would not be a replacement for the Brahma, but something that might complement it,” Viator said.

Sugarcane research aids farmers in Iberia and St. Mary parishes because the soil, old Mississippi River sediment, differs from soil east of the Atchafalaya Basin, Viator said.

Nitrogen management for sugarcane is another research topic, along with the study of the long-term effects of sugarcane residue management.

Energy cane also is being studied at the station for use as biofuels production, and different varieties of cane are being evaluated for adaptation to south Louisiana.

Soybeans and wheat, both rotational crops for sugarcane, are evaluated at the station with variety trials and agronomic testing.

Collaborative efforts are ongoing with personnel in other academic units within the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, other state experiment stations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.

The Iberia Research Station is located on the Bayou Teche, off La. Highway 87, and the address is 603 LSU Bridge Road, Jeanerette.

Read "Influence of sugarcane post-harvest residue management on yield, water quality."

The LSU AgCenter is one of 11 institutions of higher education in the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.