(Distributed 02/29/08) As competition between food and bioenergy drives up prices of corn, soybeans and other farm commodities, Louisiana has untapped land that could be put into production for alternative crops, according to agricultural industry observers.

(Distributed 02/29/08) HAMBURG – Most crawfish producers don’t check oxygen levels of their water, but that step can help improve production, according to Dr. Robert Romaire, an LSU AgCenter aquaculture expert. “If you’re in the crawfish business, you really ought to be checking it on a regular basis,” he told producers at a meeting here on Feb. 29.

(Distributed 02/29/08) The LSU AgCenter invites you to stroll through the azaleas at Windrush Gardens in its Burden Center in Baton Rouge March 9.

(Distributed 02/29/08) Mayhaw growers can learn the latest research about producing their crops during the 12th annual mayhaw conference and field day slated for March 7 at the Wesley Center in Woodworth.

(Distributed 02/13/08) A series of crawfish production meetings sponsored by the LSU AgCenter will provide information to help farmers. Topics will include economical and efficient pumping, production economics and pond management. There will be an update on the white spot syndrome virus found in some ponds during 2007.

(Distributed 02/12/2008) The Northshore Spring Garden Show will be held March 15-16, 2008 in the Bobby Fletcher Agriculture Center at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington.

(Distributed 02/12/2008) The 2008 Hammond Spring Garden Day will be held on Saturday, March 8, at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station at 21549 Old Covington Hwy. (Hwy. 1067 just off Hwy. 190) from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

(Distributed 02/14/08) A half-hour TV documentary, “Louisiana’s Lucky Clover: A Century of 4-H” will be broadcast for the first time on Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) and its affiliate stations on March 12 at 7:40 p.m. Produced by the LSU AgCenter, the documentary tracks the history of 4-H from the first “corn club” in Avoyelles Parish in 1908 to today’s vast network of clubs and projects across that state that involved about 225,000 young people in 2007.

(Distributed 02/27/08) Learn the basics of athletic field maintenance at an LSU AgCenter workshop to be held at the University of Louisiana-Monroe Malone Stadium on March 20 from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Dr. Buck Bounds, a Master Gardener and retired professor at ULM, will give the introduction.

(Distributed 02/27/08) Master Farmer Phase I training via distance learning will be offered by the LSU AgCenter on March 5-7 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sites available for producers in north Louisiana include the Scott Research and Extension Education Center in Winnsboro, West Carroll Parish Extension Office in Oak Grove, Red River Research Station in Bossier City and the Grant Walker Educational Center in Pollock.

(Distributed 02/25/08) Three LSU AgCenter scientists were honored at by the Rice Technical Working Group. They are Dr. Chuck Rush, professor in the Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology, and Dr. Richard Dunand, retired plant pathologist at the AgCenter’s Rice Research Station in Crowley, with Distinguished Service Awards. Dr. Don Groth, plant pathologist at the Rice Station, received the Distinguished Rice Research and Education Award.

(Distributed 02/21/08) BOSSIER CITY – A capacity crowd of 50 people gathered at the Red River Research Station Feb. 13 to learn about blackberries – the fruit, not the mobile telephone/e-mail device.

(Distributed 02/20/08) The LSU AgCenter and EPA Region VI will conduct a series of three workshops across the state to help local officials and consultants develop storm water management plans and make sure the ones they have will fulfill the requirements of the new storm water permit.

(Distributed 02/20/08) Roll with the Changes is the theme of the 24th annual Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum to be held Thursday, March 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Airport Financial Plaza in Shreveport.

(Distributed 02/20/08) The LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Equine Council (LEC) are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Louisiana Horse Expo on March 8-9 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 02/19/08) Educational access to underserved areas is increasing with the LSU AgCenter’s participation in the Rural Community College Initiative, educators learned Feb. 12 at a meeting of RCCI updates and recommendations.

(Distributed 02/19/08) Officials with the LSU AgCenter and the Ascension Parish Council have signed an agreement to extend the lease of the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center for the annual statewide 4-H and FFA livestock show for two more years with the option for another two years.

(Distributed 02/18/08) Hundreds of young people from across Louisiana were named state champions during the 73rd Annual LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA Livestock Show Feb. 9-16 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 02/16/08) Six exceptional Louisiana youths were recognized Saturday (Feb. 16) for their knowledge, skills and communication abilities as they were named winners of the Gerry Lane Premier Exhibitor Awards at the 73rd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

(Distributed 02/16/08) Six 4-H and FFA members and a volunteer leader were honored Saturday (Feb. 16) for their outstanding work with youth livestock projects.

(Distributed 02/27/08) The 9th Annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival will be held in Lake Charles on March 29-30 at Burton Coliseum at 7001 Gulf Highway.

(Distributed 02/18/08) A groundbreaking new Web site that provides a gateway to Cooperative Extension Service experts from across the country will officially launch this week. Billed as a “next gen Google,” the site dubbed eXtension.org promises to be a gateway to answering all of life’s little questions – from parenting to saving and investing, gardening, controlling fire ants, caring for livestock, running a business and much more.

(Distributed 02/01/08) Hannah Montana gave a breathtaking performance at the Regional Livestock Show in Lafayette recently (Jan. 25). That’s the Santa Gertrudis cow owned by LSU AgCenter 4-H student Brett Broussard of Kaplan – and not the pop-star performer.

(Distributed 02/04/08) Rice farmers are looking forward to the 2008 growing season as prices continue to rise, but the uncertainty of a pending farm bill remains.

(Distributed 02/07/08) How many acres of cotton will be planted in 2008 in Louisiana is anybody’s guess at this point. But no matter how many are planted, farmers can save money by using best management practices for bug control, according to Dr. Ralph Bagwell, LSU AgCenter entomologist.

(Distributed 02/04/08) Ag Adventures, an educational experience in agriculture for fourth graders, attracted 700 students Jan. 28-29 at the Northeast District Livestock Show Barn and Civic Center in Delhi. Showcased were poultry, rice, livestock and horses.

(Distributed 02/01/08) Commercial tomato growers will learn the latest about the greenhouse tomato industry at the 12th annual Tomato Field Day at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City on Feb. 29.

(Distributed 02/08/08) Camellia enthusiasts are invited to “Camellia Morning at Burden,” Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center in Baton Rouge. The three-hour event will include a slide presentation, a tour and a pruning and propagation demonstration.

(Distributed 02/12/2008) The 2008 Bonne Terre Garden Fair will be held Saturday, May 3, at Southdown Plantation in Houma.