Agricultural economics

Agricultural economics – Kurt Guidry (225-578-3282, or cell 225-281-9377) can answer most any question about agricultural economics, but his specialty is cotton, soybeans, feed grains. He is the ag economist who compiles the estimates on losses to Louisiana agriculture following disasters, such as hurricanes, floods and drought. Michael Salassi (225-578-2713) and Michael Deliberto, (225-578-7267), both ag economists, can answer questions about rice and sugarcane. Deliberto also works in the areas of farm management and farm policy pertaining to cotton, rice and sugarcane.

Animal diseases

Animal diseases – Christine Navarre (225-578-3241) is the extension veterinarian. Phil Elzer (225-578-1938, or cell 225-802-6811), School of Animal Sciences director, can find experts on specific diseases and issues.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture – Greg Lutz (225-765-2848, or cell 225-223-0371), aquaculture extension specialist, can answer questions about crawfish, fish, oysters and shrimp. (Aquaculture Research Station, Baton Rouge)

Bee safety

Bee safety – Sebe Brown (318-498-1283), an entomologist, can answer questions about bee safety and agricultural use of insecticides in crop production (Winnsboro); Kristen Healy (225-578-2257), entomology researcher, can speak to this issue, too.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping – Keith Hawkins (337-463-7006, or cell 318-264-2448), forestry agent in Beauregard Parish, works with beekeepers and helps organize educational meetings for people interested in beekeeping. He has access to entomologists who are bee experts.

Cattle

Cattle – Regional specialists include: Guillermo Scaglia (337-276-5527) for southwest (Jeanerette); Vince Deshotel (337-948-0561, or cell 337-831-1635) for central (Opelousas); Jason Holmes (318-368-9935, or cell 318-243-4931) for northeast (Farmerville).

Childhood obesity

Childhood obesity – Denise Holston-West (225-578-4573) and Sandra May (225-578-5808), both nutritionists and registered dietitians (Baton Rouge).

Conservation tillage and cover crops

Conservation tillage and cover crops – Lisa Fultz (225-578-1344, or cell 225-366-8863), agronomist on the Baton Rouge campus.

Corn

Corn – Matt Foster is the corn, cotton and

grain sorghum extension specialist (318-435-2908) (Scott Research Extension Center, Winnsboro).

Cotton

Cotton –Matt Foster is the state cotton extension specialist (225-621-5799).

Crawfish

Crawfish – Greg Lutz (225-765-2848, or cell 225-223-0371), aquaculture extension specialist (Aquaculture Research Station, Baton Rouge); Mark Shirley (337-898-4335), area aquaculture agent.

Drones in agriculture

Drones in agriculture – Randy Price (318-427-4424, or cell 225-936-7593), agricultural engineer (Dean Lee Research and Extension Center, Alexandria) and Dennis Burns (318-766-3769, or cell 318-267-6709), county agent, St. Joseph, are both studying use of drones in agriculture, also known as UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) or UAS (unmanned aircraft system).

Emerald ash borer

Emerald ash borer – This invasive pest was detected for the first time in Louisiana in 2015. Rodrigo Diaz (225-578-1835), entomologist, is part of a team conducting research on control. Nathan Lord (225-578-0425) studies jewel beetles. Both are on the Baton Rouge campus.

Farm labor issues

Farm labor issues – Kim Pope (cell 225-436-3199), who is in charge of pesticide application training, can speak about new rules and regulations for the training of farm workers (Baton Rouge).

Farm-to-table and farm-to-school

Farm-to-table and farm-to-school – Carl Motsenbocker (225-578-1036), horticulturist who works with these programs and with small-farm farmers (Baton Rouge).

Feral hogs

Feral hogs – Glen Gentry (225-683-5848), animal scientist, conducts research on control of feral hogs (Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station, Clinton).

Figs

Figs – Jason Stagg (985-543-4125), horticulturist, is an expert on small fruit, including figs (Hammond Research Station, Hammond).

Fisheries industry

Fisheries industry – Fisheries agents include Rusty Gaudé (504-736-6519, or cell 504-908-9713), for Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Orleans parishes; Thomas Hymel (337-276-5527, or cell 337-296-6133), for Iberia, St. Martin, Lafayette, Vermilion, St. Landry and Avoyelles parishes; Kevin Savoie (337-905-1318, or cell 337-660-8519), for Cameron and Calcasieu parishes; and Mark Shirley (337-898-4335, or cell 337-296-6864), for Jefferson Davis, Vermilion, Acadia, St. Landry, Evangeline, Cameron, Calcasieu, Lafayette, Beauregard and Allen parishes. They all have joint appointments with Louisiana Sea Grant.

Floods and hurricanes

Floods and hurricanes – Claudette Reichel (225-578-4440 or 2378, cell 225-202-6593), director of the LaHouse Resource Center, is the expert on housing resiliency and mold mitigation. Shandy Heil, extension associate, can also do interviews on storm recovery and housing (225-578-4325 or cell 225-603-4090). Other topics: animal safety–horses, Neely Walker (225-578-5338); animal safety–cattle, Christine Navarre; food safety, Wenqing Xu (225-578-3997, or cell 302-229-8499); agricultural economic damage, Kurt Guidry (225-578-3282, or cell 225-281-9377); forage and hay damage and shortages, Ed Twidwell. An expert on hydrology and why and where flooding occurs is Richard Keim (225-252-4994). All are in Baton Rouge.

Flowers

Flowers – Horticulturists Heather Kirk-Ballard (225-578-2110) in Baton Rouge and Kerry Heafner (318-323-2251, or cell 864-431-2384) in West Monroe.

Food safety

Food safety – Achyut Adhikari (225-578-2529) works with the food industry and small-farm farmers to help them understand new safety laws and regulations; Wenqing Xu (225-578-3997, or cell 302-229-8499) is the consumer food safety specialist. Both are in Baton Rouge.

Forage and hay

Forage and hay – Ed Twidwell (225-578-4564, or cell 225-281-9448) on the Baton Rouge campus and Wink Alison (cell 318-614-1174) in Winnsboro at the Macon Ridge Research Station.

Forestry

Forestry – Area forestry agents include Valerie West (318-965-2326) for northwest; Keith Hawkins (337-463-7006, or cell 318-264-2448) for southwest (DeRidder); Robbie Hutchins (318-427-4424, or cell 318-308-2995) for central (Alexandria); and Whitney Wallace (985-748-9381) for southeast (Clinton). Luke Stamper (318-744-5442, or cell 318-805-8819) in the Northeast Region (Harrisonburg).

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables – Kiki Fontenot (225-578-2417, or cell 225-235-9968) is the fruits and vegetables extension specialist and can answer questions about both commercial and home production (Baton Rouge).

Grain sorghum

Grain sorghum –Matt Foster is the corn, cotton and grain sorghum extension specialist (318-435-2908) (Scott Research/Extension Center, Winnsboro).

Grass-fed beef

Grass-fed beef – Guillermo Scaglia (337-276-5527), an animal scientist at the Iberia Research Station in Jeanerette, conducts research on growth and expansion of the grass-fed beef industry in Louisiana.

Horses

Horses – Neely Walker (225-578-5338), extension horse specialist (Baton Rouge).

Horticulture

Horticulture – The regional coordinators are: Kerry Heafner (318-323-2251, or cell 864-431-2384) for northeast (West Monroe); Jennifer Williams (318-698-0010) for northwest (Shreveport); Sara Rogers Shields (225-638-5533) for central (Pointe Coupee); Stuart Gauthier (337-332-2181) for southwest (Breaux Bridge). Heather Kirk-Ballard is the consumer horticulture specialist headquartered in Baton Rouge at 225-578-2110

Housing

Housing – The LaHouse Resource Center on the Baton Rouge campus is a demonstration home featuring sustainability and storm-resistant features. The director is Claudette Reichel (225-578-4440), housing specialist.

Hydrology

Hydrology – Richard Keim (cell 225-252-4994) is an expert on the hydrology of forested wetlands and watersheds across Louisiana. He is an associate professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resources in Baton Rouge.

Insect pests (corn, cotton, grain sorghum)

Insect pests (corn, cotton, grain sorghum) – Sebe Brown (318-498-1283), entomologist for the northeast region is at the Macon Ridge Research Station, Winnsboro.

Insect pests (household, lawn and garden)

Insect pests (household, lawn and garden) – Forest Huval 225-578-1634, entomologist (Baton Rouge).

Insect pests (rice)

Insect pests (rice) – Michael Stout (cell 225-892-2972), entomologist (Baton Rouge).

Insect pests (soybean)

Insect pests (soybean) – Jeff Davis (cell 225-747-0351), entomologist (Baton Rouge).

Insect pests (sugarcane)

Insect pests (sugarcane) –Blake Wilson (225-642-0224), entomologist at the Sugarcane Research Station, St. Gabriel.

International trade

International trade – Michael Deliberto (225-578-7267), ag economist, can talk about international trade as it relates to rice and sugarcane.

Irrigation (field crops)

Irrigation (field crops) – The water quality team at the Red River Research Station, Bossier City, conduct research and extension programs on irrigation and runoff: Stacia Davis, irrigation engineer; Naveen Adusumilli, ag economist; Changyoon Jeong, water quality specialist; Syam Dodla, agronomist. All can be reached at the office, 318-741-7430. Dodla can also be reached at 225-505-7064 (cell).

Irrigation (horticulture)

Irrigation (horticulture) – Horticulturists Jeff Beasley (225-578-1029) and Ed Bush (225-578-2158) are on the Baton Rouge campus. Stacia Davis (318-741-7430) is at the Red River Research Station, Bossier City.

Master Farmer program

Master Farmer program – Donna Gentry (318-613-9278, or cell 318-613-9278) in Alexandria at the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center, Alexandria, and James Hendrix (318-766-3769, or cell 318-235-7198) in St. Joseph at the Tensas Parish extension office.

Master Gardener program

Master Gardener program – Sara Rogers Shields (225-638-5533), horticulturist in Pointe Coupee, is the statewide coordinator. Master Gardener programs are coordinated locally through LSU AgCenter parish extension offices.

Mold remediation in housing

Mold remediation in housing – Claudette Reichel is an expert on housing resiliency and mold mitigation and can be reached at LaHouse at 225-578-4440.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes – Kristen Healy (225-578-2257, or cell 732-766-0407), medical entomologist. Healy is an expert on mosquito-borne diseases including West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis and Zika virus.

Nutrition

Nutrition – Denise Holston-West (225-578-4573) and Sandra May (225-578-5808), both nutritionists and registered dietitians (Baton Rouge).

Nutrition (federal programs)

Nutrition (federal programs) – Carla Verbois (225-578-048) for SNAP-Ed, the food stamp program, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education. Sharman Charles (225-578-1704) for EFNEP, which stands for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program.

Obesity

Obesity – Denise Holston-West (225-578-4573) and Sandra May (225-578-5808), both nutritionists and registered dietitians (Baton Rouge).

Ornamental plants

Ornamental plants – Horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard (225-578-2110)

Oysters

Oysters – Greg Lutz (225-765-2848, or cell 225-223-0371), aquaculture extension specialist (Aquaculture Research Station, Baton Rouge) can speak to most any seafood topic. Megan La Peyre, assistant professor (225-578-4180)

Pecans

Pecans – Michael Polozola (318-473-6520) is in Alexandria.

Plant disease (soybean, corn, grain sorghum, cotton)

Plant disease (soybean, corn, grain sorghum, cotton) – Trey Price (318-435-2157 ext 213, or cell 318-235-9805), is a field crops pathologist at the Macon Ridge Research Station in Winnsboro.

Plant disease (sugarcane)

Plant disease (sugarcane) – Jeff Hoy (225-578-1392, or cell 225-485-4227) on the Baton Rouge campus.

Plant disease (wheat)

Plant disease (wheat) – Boyd Padgett (318-427-4424, or cell 318-614-4354) wheat specialist (Dean Lee Research and Extension Center, Alexandria).

Plant disease identification

Plant disease identification – Raj Singh (225-578-4562, or cell 225-747-2367), plant pathologist, is director of the Plant Diagnostic Center on the Baton Rouge campus.

Poultry

Poultry – Jason Holmes (318-368-9935, or cell 318-243-4931), livestock specialist in the Northwest Region in Union Parish, works with poultry producers.

Rice

Rice – Dustin Harrell (337-788-7531, or cell 337-250-3553), rice extension specialist, is an expert on all areas of rice production; Adam Famosa (337-788-7531), is a rice breeder and can also answer all questions about rice. Both are at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, Crowley.

Rice economics

Rice economics – Michael Salassi (225-578-2713) and Michael Deliberto (225-578-3282), both in Baton Rouge.

Rice insect pests

Rice insect pests – Michael Stout (cell 225-892-2972), entomologist (Baton Rouge).

Rice weeds

Rice weeds – Eric Webster (cell 225-281-9449), weed scientist (Baton Rouge).

Shrimp

Shrimp – Greg Lutz (225-765-2848, or cell 225-223-0371), aquaculture extension specialist, can answer questions about crawfish, fish, oysters and shrimp (Aquaculture Research Station, Baton Rouge).

Soybeans

Soybeans –David Moseley (318-473-6520), in Alexandria.

Strawberries

Strawberries – Kiki Fontenot (225-578-2417, or cell 225-235-9968), fruits and vegetables extension specialist, can answer questions about both commercial and home production, including about strawberries (Baton Rouge campus). Whitney Wallace (985-748-9381, or cell 985-517-1684) is the extension agent in Tangipahoa Parish, where most of the state’s strawberry growers are.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane – Kenneth Gravois (225-642-0224, or cell 225-281-9472), extension sugarcane specialist at the Sugar Research Station, St. Gabriel.

Sugarcane economics

Sugarcane economics – Michael Deliberto (225-578-3282) on the Baton Rouge campus.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes – Myrl Sistrunk (318-435-2155, or cell 318-267-6712) for production (Sweet Potato Research Station, Chase); Don La Bonte (225-578-1203) for new varieties (Baton Rouge campus); Chris Clark (225-578-1381) for diseases (Baton Rouge campus); Tara Smith (318-435-2903, or cell 318-557-9501), director for the Northeast Region, is a sweet potato expert and can talk about the industry.

Termites

Termites – Qian Sun (225-578-1831) in Baton Rouge.

Turfgrass

Turfgrass – Ron Strahan (225-578-4070, or cell 225-229-4070), weed scientist, works with lawns, gardens and athletic fields to control weeds. Jeff Beasley (225-578-1029) conducts research on turfgrass including levee protection. Both are on the Baton Rouge campus.

Urban gardens

Urban gardens – Anna Timmerman (504-736-6519), Jefferson Parish, and Joe Willis (504-483-9471) work with urban gardens.

Urban trees

Urban trees – Hallie Dozier (225-578-7219) and Valerie West (318-965-2326) are extension forestry specialists. Dozier is on the Baton Rouge campus, and West is in the northwest region.

Waterfowl

Waterfowl – Kevin Ringelman (225-578-4212), a waterfowl biologist, can talk about ducks and geese, wildlife management and ecology (Baton Rouge)

Weeds (corn, grain sorghum, cotton, soybeans)

Weeds (corn, grain sorghum, cotton, soybeans) – Daniel Stephenson (cell 318-308-7225), weed scientist (Dean Lee Research and Extension Center, Alexandria); and Donnie Miller (cell 318-614-4044), weed scientists (Northeast Research Station, St. Joseph).

Weeds (lawns, gardens, nurseries)

Weeds (lawns, gardens, nurseries) – Ron Strahan (225-578-4070, or cell 225-229-4070), weed scientist, works with lawns, gardens, nurseries and athletic fields to improve turfgrass and eradicate weeds.

Weeds (rice)

Weeds (rice) – Eric Webster (cell 225-281-9449), weed scientist (Baton Rouge).

Weeds (sugarcane)

Weeds (sugarcane) – Al Orgeron (cell 504-616-4750), extension agent (Lutcher).

Wheat

Wheat – Boyd Padgett (318-427-4424, or cell 318-614-4354) wheat specialist (Dean Lee Research and Extension Center, Alexandria). Steve Harrison (225-578-1308, or cell 225-281-9446) conducts research on wheat (Baton Rouge campus).

Wildlife

Wildlife – Bret Collier (225-578-4131) and Ashley Long (225-578-4940) on the Baton Rouge campus.

Youth development and 4-H

Youth development and 4-H – Todd Tarifa (225-578-2196) department head, and Toby Lepley (225-578-4161) associate vice president. Both can identify 4-H agents and specialists about specific topics.