(Radio News 07/02/07) Hurricane season is under way, and this year there was even a pre-season tropical storm. LSU AgCenter disaster preparedness specialist Pat Skinner says it is never too early to start preparing for a potential storm. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 07/02/07) LSU AgCenter researcher Dr. Donnie Miller studied co-application of the herbicide Roundup with common cotton insecticides, plant growth regulators and micro-nutrients. Co-application can save farmers multiple trips through their fields, ultimately saving them money and wear and tear on their equipment. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/25/07) LSU AgCenter researchers are working to reduce aflatoxin in corn. Aflatoxin is a byproduct of the naturally-occurring fungus Aspergillus flavus. Researchers are looking at chemical and biological controls. They also are looking at atoxigenic strains of the fungus. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/04/07) Louisiana farmers generate a significant amount of "value-added" to Louisiana’s economy. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Matthew Fannin says in 2005 farmers contributed $855 million of this value. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/04/07) Louisiana’s food service industry did not fare well following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Matthew Fannin says Louisiana’s food service industry, which consists of full-service and fast-food restaurants, lost 4.2 percent in value-added in 2005. The biggest short-term challenge for this sector is population. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/25/07) The LSU AgCenter is offering 10 workshops for high school teachers this summer in an effort to help them help their students become more financially literate. The workshops are aimed at free enterprise teachers, because they are required to teach personal finance lessons, but other educators could benefit from the training, as well. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/18/07) Louisiana's 2007 rice acreage remains low for the second year in a row. Acreage typically is around 500,000, but this year the state's rice growers planted around 370,000. Rice experts expected acreage to be higher, but factors such as a seed shortage hindered the expansion. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/18/07) Louisiana has not seen this much corn acreage in nearly 10 years. With the outlook of high prices, the state;s growers planted a large crop for this year's harvest. LSU AgCenter corn specialist Dr. David Lanclos says the 2007 Louisiana corn crop looks exceptional, but the unusually cold spring has affected early-planted corn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/11/07) Youngsters can fall into a sedentary routine that involves little more than watching television and snacking over the summer . LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser says weight gain is sure to follow such a routine. To keep childhood obesity at bay, children should get 60 minutes of moderate exercise everyday. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 06/04/07) The wheat harvest has started across the state, and growers have a large crop on their hands this year. Louisiana farmers planted more than 220,000 acres of wheat this year – twice as much as last year. High wheat prices encouraged farmers to plant, and their investment is paying off. The fairly mild and dry spring has led to excellent yields in some areas. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)
(TV News 06/11/07) Louisiana rice acreage remains low for the second year in a row. The state's planted acreage typically is around 500,000. This year rice growers planted around 370,000 acres. Rice experts expected acreage to be higher, but factors such as a seed shortage hindered the expansion. (Runtime: 1 minute, 22 seconds)
(Radio News 06/11/07) High corn acreage is negatively affecting Louisiana soybean acreage. According to LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Dr. David Lanclos, the state's farmers will plant about 10 percent fewer soybean acres than last year -- putting acreage around 700,000. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/11/07) Family vacations can be fun or frantic, but LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser says proper planning is essential for keeping it on the fun side. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/11/07) Learning doesn’t stop when the school year ends. Parents need to find productive and fun ways for youngsters to spend their days. LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser says there are plenty of free activities that can work a child’s mind. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/25/07) The LSU AgCenter tested 77 corn hybrids in 2006. The data generated in these trials is used for recommending hybrids for Louisiana growers. The tests look at factors such as yield, moisture and plant and ear height. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/25/07) It’s midway through the growing season, and most of the state’s corn is in excellent shape. But a pocket of corn in northeastern Louisiana is drying out, because that portion of the state has received very little rain over the past month and half. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 06/25/07) Most Louisiana corn growers are pleased with the condition of this year's crop. Weather conditions have been favorable in most areas of the state, but there is one dry spot. (Runtime: 1 minute, 24 seconds)
(Radio News 06/04/07) The hurricanes in 2005 disrupted Louisiana’s food and fiber sectors. Those sectors lost $300 million in value-added between 2004 and 2005, according to LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Matthew Fannin. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/04/07) Some children experience homesickness when they are away for summer camps or other activities. LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Diane Sasser says parents must be careful when dealing with such issues. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/18/07) With such a large corn crop on their hands, growers and grain elevator operators could have a difficult time handling the 2007 Louisiana corn crop. LSU AgCenter corn specialist Dr. David Lanclos also says spring conditions that affected planting may help the harvest. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/25/07) The LSU AgCenter has been holding financial education training for teachers for five years now. Follow-up research shows that students whose teachers participated in the training posted knowledge gains in personal finance categories. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 07/02/07) Louisiana dairy farmers aren't producing as much milk as they were in the early 1980s, but an increase in milk prices isn’t likely to lead to an increase in production. (Runtime: 1 minute, 44 seconds)
(Radio News 06/11/07) Asian soybean rust has made an early appearance in Louisiana this year. It was found in early May on kudzu in Iberia Parish. LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Dr. David Lanclos says environmental conditions have been right for the development of the disease. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/18/07) Lack of export activity in the world rice market is keeping prices from rising too high, says LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dr. Johnny Saichuk. Prices have been up, and Saichuk says in the long term growers could see some relief from dismal prices in past years. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/04/07) Hurricanes Katrina and Rita minimally affected the value-added forest product sectors in Louisiana. The biggest effect was on forest stocks, according to LSU AgCenter economist Dr. Matthew Fannin. Other sectors saw small loses, he said. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/18/07) Louisiana’s 2007 rice crop is in the field. Growers have planted a range of varieties. Growing conditions were unusual in early spring, giving some rice a difficult start, but conditions in May have been ideal for rice. Growers have been pumping more water for irrigation, but that usually increases yields. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 06/11/07) The public can view safer, stronger and smarter building techniques during the LSU AgCenter’s Hurricane Resistance Days at LaHouse – its model home on the LSU campus. The events occur June 14-17. (Runtime: 60 seconds)