LSU AgCenter creates extension agent position for crawfish production

(06/06/2023) CROWLEY, La. — The LSU AgCenter has created a new extension agent position that is aimed at connecting commercial crawfish producers with valuable AgCenter research.

Todd Fontenot will now serve as the AgCenter’s area crawfish extension agent. He said his work in this new role will revolve around crawfish production that is in rotation with rice production. While he said he will interact with wild caught crawfish producers who predominantly farm in the Atchafalaya Basin, that component of the industry will be monitored by Louisiana Sea Grant.

Fontenot said a priority will be meeting with producers to garner accurate production figures throughout the crawfish production cycle.

“We want to make sure the information that the AgCenter has is reliable,” Fontenot said. “We want to do everything that we can to try to stay ahead of new products and technologies that can help the producers in this industry.”

Other aspects of the unique industry that he will be monitoring include crawfish pond health (i.e., water quality & crawfish pathology), labor issues and best management practices.

Fontenot said much of his work will be in collaborating with AgCenter researchers to address issues that producers are facing. He said work has begun on addressing white spot syndrome virus and the prolific apple snail infestations that have plagued many ponds throughout southwest and central Louisiana over the past production seasons.

Toby Lepley, AgCenter Southwest Regional Director, said the move to create the new crawfish extension agent position is part of the AgCenter’s effort to be an information hub for the crawfish industry.

“The AgCenter is devoted to promoting and progressing the viability of the distinctive crawfish industry that has become such a vital part of our state’s vibrant culture,” Lepley said. “With this appointment, we hope to help crawfish producers maintain productive commercial crawfish operations by using the valuable research data produced by AgCenter scientists.”

Fontenot said there are plans to update crawfish production enterprise budgets to aid producers into planning the economics of their operations.

Fontenot was hired by the AgCenter in 2006 as a 4-H agent in Evangeline Parish. In 2015, his duties shifted to agriculture and natural resources. He then became the agronomics crop agent for Evangeline, Allen and Beauregard Parishes.

Fontenot will be domiciled at the Acadia Parish Extension office 157 Cherokee Drive, Crowley La. 70526. He can be contacted at (337) 788-8821 or by email at JTFontenot@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Click the following links to read more facts about commercial crawfish production and the evolution of the Louisiana crawfish industry.

Todd Fontenot.

LSU AgCenter Extension Agent Todd Fontenot has been appointed as the area crawfish extension agent and statewide point of contact for the crawfish industry. This new position will connect commercial crawfish producers with AgCenter researchers.

6/6/2023 6:14:19 PM
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