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(TV News 03/15/10) Cold, wet weather has kept farmers out of their fields. Fields that were rutted up during last year’s wet harvest still need to be repaired, but farmers can’t get enough dry days to get the work done. (Runtime: 1:26)
(Radio News 03/08/10) Water temperatures dictate what type of bait crawfish producers use for their traps. Cold water temperatures generally mean more expensive baits, says LSU AgCenter crawfish specialist Dr. Robert Romaire. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/29/10) Cold, wet weather temporarily stunted the state’s strawberry plants in January and February, causing a delay in this year's harvest. Warmer, drier conditions are starting to move into Louisiana, which means consumers should see more freshly grown strawberries. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/01/10) The Louisiana 4-H Museum is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to museum coordinator Rose Anne St. Romain. St. Romain will present a program on making memories from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. each of those days that's designed to get adults and children sharing stories. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/29/10) The LSU AgCenter’s interactive, educational journey through Louisiana agriculture returns to Parker Coliseum on LSU’s campus April 19-25. LSU AgCenter marketing director Elma Sue McCallum says families visiting AgMagic can learn about the many facets of Louisiana agriculture and how it affects their everyday lives. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/08/10) Every inch of the Louisiana 4-H Museum has a story. 4-H has been helping Louisiana young people develop their full potential for more than 100 years, and the museum tells of that proud history. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/29/10) Dying and decorating Easter eggs is a tradition in many homes. But since eggs are perishable, follow food safety precautions when using them. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames explains how to cook eggs for dying. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/22/10) LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell is concerned about the disease stripe rust. Conditions have been ideal for the development of the disease on Louisiana’s wheat crop. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 03/22/10) Louisiana’s wheat crop, which was planted in the fall, is having a tough year. Wheat prefers dry weather, but fall and winter here have been anything but dry. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard talked with a specialist about how the crop is fairing. (Runtime: 1:12)
(Radio News 03/01/10) Thousands of youngsters gathered during February at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales for the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show. Many come to the annual show with the chance of taking home a state championship or other honor; others come just for the fun of it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/29/10) Schools and students across Louisiana are preparing for another round of spring testing. This can cause anxiety in children. LSU AgCenter family development expert Dr. Diane Sasser says parents can help calm their children’s nerves. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/15/10) Mild, sunny days were in short supply this winter. Temperatures rarely made it above the 50s, and rain has been frequent. The situation has made it difficult for farmers, like J.K. Bordelon, who are trying to prepare their fields for spring planting. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/08/10) Once a facility under construction near Delhi is completed later this year, thousands of tons of sweet potatoes will enter it and be processed into sweet potato French fries. Doug Beyer, manager for the ConAgra’s Lamb Weston plant, says the facility will open in the fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 03/08/2010) More and more menus are advertising sweet potato French fries. This growing favorite will be the focus of a new facility in northeast Louisiana. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard has the details. (Runtime: 1:48)
(Radio News 03/15/10) Farmers have a saying that wheat doesn’t like wet feet, but the plant has stayed damp for most of its growing season in Louisiana this year. LSU AgCenter wheat specialist Dr. Ed Twidwell says that is causing problems for the wheat crop in some areas of the state. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/22/10) A large number of crane flies are active this time of the year. These giant flies and their larva can be a nuisance explains LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/01/10) The slow start to the crawfish harvest could pick up when the weather warms. The cold winter has kept the catch down but it hasn’t hurt of killed the crawfish in ponds, according to LSU AgCenter crawfish specialist Dr. Robert Romaire. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/01/10) LSU AgCenter researchers are working on ways to make harvesting crawfish easier and less expensive. LSU AgCenter crawfish specialist Dr. Robert Romaire is experimenting with different harvesting schedules and baits. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 03/29/10) Cold weather clung to Louisiana this winter which kept strawberries out of the markets. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that as the weather warms, the crop is picking up and consumers can get their fix of this springtime favorite. (Runtime: 1:08)
(Radio News 03/15/10) LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames encourages you to build your nutritional health from the ground up during National Nutrition Month. Sponsored by the American Dietetic Association, the month raises awareness of nutrition issues. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/08/10) During crawfish season, consumers always have an eye out for big crawfish filled with succulent meat. LSU AgCenter crawfish specialist Dr. Robert Romaire says big ones may be hard to find right now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(TV News 03/01/10) Crawfish farmers have been working their ponds but coming up with few crawfish. A colder-than-average winter is to blame, but LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard said warmer days could remedy this situation. (Runtime: 1:23)
(Radio News 03/22/10) The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure or CARD Act of 2009 is intended to protect consumers from abusive fees, penalties and interest rate increases. Most provisions of the act went into effect in February. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says it will make credit card companies communicate better with consumers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/29/10) As the weather gets warmer, more and more children head outdoors. LSU AgCenter family development expect, Dr. Diane Sasser cautions this is a time parents need to be more aware of their children’s safety. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/15/10) Gardeners can find inspiration, garden supplies and educational presentations at a host of spring garden shows happening around Louisiana. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/01/10) A quick glance around the show barn and you realize this isn’t your great-grandfather’s livestock show. Sure, the sounds are the same, and so are the smells, but when the participants aren’t showing, many are playing games on their smart phones or listening to their music players. A lot has changed since the LSU AgCenter livestock show started in 1936, but youngsters still learn important traits like responsibility, sportsmanship and even patience. (Runtime: 1:25)
(Radio News 03/22/10) Farmers who may not be able to get their corn planted in time because of wet, cold weather are looking at other options. LSU AgCenter County Agent Rob Ferguson says Louisiana could see an increase in cotton acres. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/22/10) The Credit CARD Act of 2009 has a provision that could encourage consumers to pay off their credit card debt sooner. LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says each statement will have a box showing you important information about paying off your balance. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/15/10) The American Diabetes Association sponsors Diabetes Alert Day on March 23. While that brings attention to the topic, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says people should be aware of the symptoms of diabetes and watch for them all year long. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Radio News 03/08/10) A new sweet potato processing facility that Lamb Weston is building in northeast Louisiana will benefit the surrounding communities and Louisiana’s sweet potato industry. Doug Beyer is the plant's manager. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Distributed 03/04/10) The LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Master Gardeners of St. Tammany Parish are in final preparation mode for the two-day spring garden show that will be held March 20-21 at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington.
(Distributed 03/16/10) People are still trying to figure out what the new Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (Credit CARD) Act of 2009, which went into effect in February, means to their pocketbooks. LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker says the act should help with financial management because consumers should have a clearer picture of their credit.
(Distributed 03/19/10) Aquatic gardens and water features are important parts of sustainable landscapes. Water provides for the needs of birds and other wildlife that live in our yards. The sight and sound of water also add to the overall beauty and enjoyment of our yards and gardens.
(Distributed 03/12/10) Pest problems will become more common as we move into the warmer summer months. Some gardeners still feel they should immediately get an insecticide and begin spraying when they see insects or some apparent insect damage in their gardens.
(Distributed 03/25/10) Easter is second to Halloween as the most important candy-eating occasion of the year. A 2009 Nielsen survey reported that consumers were expected to buy more than 120 million pounds of candy in the week leading up to Easter.
(Distributed 03/22/10) Americans dye about 180 million eggs every Easter season. The eggs may look like decorations, but they are a perishable food and must be treated that way, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames.
(Distributed 03/09/10) Tuesday, March 23, is American Diabetes Alert Day, an annual event sponsored by the American Diabetes Association to call attention to the risk of developing this disease. Beth Reames, LSU AgCenter extension nutritionist, wants to call people’s attention to their eating habits and how they can affect the chance for developing diabetes.
(Distributed 03/08/10) A goal of sustainable landscaping is to reduce the amount of maintenance our landscapes require. But reduce does not mean eliminate. You can make choices, however, that will reduce the amount of work it takes to maintain your landscape.
(Distributed 03/25/10) The cucumber family, properly known as the Cucurbitaceae (cu-cur-bit-A-cee-ee), provides a wide variety of vegetables popular for the spring, summer and fall home vegetable garden. Members of the cucumber family (often called “cucurbits”) that can be planted now and into April include summer squash, zucchini, winter squash, mirliton (in south Louisiana), pumpkin, gourd, cucuzzi, watermelon, cantaloupe, cushaw, luffa and, of course, cucumber.
(Audio 03/01/10) March is a wonderful month for planting in the vegetable garden. Tomatoes are among the most popular vegetables grown this time of the year in Louisiana. Gardeners have a better chance of avoiding potential problems with their tomato crop if they plant early. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/08/2010) Even though milder weather is approaching for Louisiana, occasional freezes still make it tricky to know what flowers to plant. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill offers a good, dependable option. (Runtime: 1:26)
(Audio 03/29/10) April has some of the finest weather Louisiana experiences all year. Now is a wonderful time to get in your vegetable garden and begin planting. Hear which vegetables are best to grow this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/22/10) Tomatoes are one of the most popular and easily grown vegetables in the home garden. Now is a good time to get your tomato transplants planted so your crop will begin producing before the intense heat of summer. Learn more about which type of transplants produce the best tomatoes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/15/10) Perennials are great for adding bright, attractive colors in our landscapes. One of the greatest advantages of planting perennials is their ability to produce year after year. Gardeners should pay attention to overcrowding of perennials, however, and should transplant when necessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/15/10) Mirliton is a popularly grown vegetable, especially in south Louisiana. This unusual vegetable requires a well-prepared climbing area, such as a trellis or fence, that will receive lots of sunlight. Learn more about planting and growing mirliton. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/29/10) Spring is upon us, and with it comes the opportunity to plant colorful flowers. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests planting an evergreen vine with beautiful yellow flowers and a fragrant scent. (Runtime: 1:21)
(Audio 03/22/10) Easter lilies are a beautiful plant popularly used in celebrating the Easter season. Don’t discard your Easter lilies. Find out how to plant them into your landscape, and they will keep producing for many years to come. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/15/10) The spring months allow for a lot of activity in the landscape. All new vegetables, bedding plants and shrubs need to be planted into well-prepared beds for maximum performance. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/08/10) Many of the transplants purchased from nurseries have been grown in greenhouses and are not prepared for life in a real garden. Gardeners should harden their plants before putting them into the landscape. Learn how to transition your plants into tolerating bed life. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/08/10) Many shrubs are beginning to wake up and grow, so March is a great month to fertilize shrubs in your landscape. Hear more about what type of products to use when choosing a fertilizer for your shrubs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/08/10) Regardless of whether they are grown for the roots, leaves, seeds, stem or fruit, all of these parts are consumed as vegetables. The vegetables discussed in this segment must be properly pollinated in order to produce well. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/22/10) At local nurseries now, you’ll find a family of beautiful tropical plants that grow well as houseplants. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill shows you different types of bromeliads and explains how to care for them. (Runtime: 1:52)
(Audio 03/29/10) The best time to prune spring-flowering trees and shrubs is when they just finish flowering. Be sure to prune only what is necessary. Find out some of the trees and shrubs that should be pruned this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/22/10) If you are growing fruit trees in your landscape, be sure you are spraying them properly. Some fruit trees need to be sprayed more frequently than others to be successful, such as peaches, apples, plums and pears. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/08/10) Right now there is a luscious display of flowers, including pansies, all around Louisiana. This wonderful exhibit may tempt gardeners to purchase and plant pansies in their own landscape now. Learn more about why that may not be the best option. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/08/10) Perennials brighten our landscapes and live for many years. This lifespan provides an advantage over annuals which must be replaced each year. Check your local nursery for a variety of perennials in several different sizes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/22/10) Spring is here, and lawns are waking up. As your lawn begins to turn green again, watch out for brown patch infestation. Listen for what to look for and how to treat your lawn for brown patch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/01/10) Many areas of Louisiana have troubles related to the buck moth caterpillar. This insect lays its eggs primarily in oak trees, which stay there through the winter, and they begin to hatch in February. Be on the lookout for infestation in trees and learn how to control these pests. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/29/10) Now is a good time to clean out your water garden if it needs cleaning. Check for accumulated gunk at the bottom of your pond, and remove all plants and fish before cleaning. Learn more about the water garden cleaning process in this advice. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/01/10) Weed control is an important aspect of gardening and lawn care this time of the year. Learn about some effective methods that reduce the appearance of weeds in your landscape and garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/15/10) Most weeds growing in lawns this time of the year are cool-season weeds and will not survive much longer. If you would like to get rid of cool-season weeds and prevent them from popping up next year, you can apply a weed killer that is safe to use on your type of grass. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 03/05/10) I take great satisfaction in telling gardeners about all the many plants that will thrive in our state. These plants are excellent choices for your landscapes and gardens because they have proven records of thriving in our climate. But there are also many plants that will not do well here.
(For Release On Or After 03/26/10) With the introduction and more common use of alternate-season-blooming azaleas, such as the increasingly popular Encore azaleas, it’s not unusual to see azaleas blooming during late summer, fall and winter. Even so, March through April is still the time when azaleas really strut their stuff.
(Video 03/15/10) October through March is the best time to plant hardy trees. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill helps you meet your deadline by providing tips for selecting the best trees. (Runtime: 1:37)
(For Release On Or After 03/19/10) Your landscape is there to be enjoyed by you and your family. It’s the setting for your home and provides a space for outdoor activities. Lawn areas offer a wonderful place for kids to play, barbeques, family get-togethers and parties on decks and patios. If your family includes pets, your landscape will likely be used by them as well.
(Audio 03/01/10) Many spring-flowering bulbs begin to bloom in March. It is wise to take notes on successes and failures in your landscape to help you make decisions about what to plant next fall. Hear more about what to document, and learn which bulbs are annuals and which are perennials. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/22/10) Many people who are considering buying a home have the house properly inspected before putting an offer on it. This allows people to make sure they are buying a structurally sound house with no major problems. While going through that process, people should remember to have the trees surrounding the home inspected, as well. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(For Release On Or After 03/12/10) Perk up your ears… of sweet corn, that is. Corn harvested from the home garden and cooked within minutes is considered one of life’s great treats by those lucky enough to have enjoyed it – and now is the time to plant it.
(Audio 03/15/10) Many gardeners are wondering whether or not to remove old mulch prior to adding new mulch to their gardens this time of the year. Gardeners should leave the old mulch, which allows the organic matter in the mulch to enrich the soil while saving time and money for the gardener. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 04/05/10) Sculpting plants to look a certain way is called topiary. These plants can serve well to accent formal gardens. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill provides some key tidbits on topiary and its special demands. (Runtime: 1:34)
(Audio 03/01/10) Rose bushes were pruned back last month, and now it is time to get those roses blooming by using fertilizer. Another wise option would be to apply a special rose food containing an insecticide to decrease the number of pests on your bushes. Listen for more information on how to encourage growth on rose bushes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Video 03/01/10) Often there’s confusion about the best time to fertilize your lawn and the appropriate time to control weeds. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains the differences between the two processes and the best way to accomplish those goals. (Runtime: 1:38)
(Audio 03/29/10) March through early April is a good time to get gladiolas bulbs planted into gardens. Here are some tips on what to look for when choosing gladiolas corms and how to care for this tall, stately flower. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Audio 03/29/10) We expect our rose bushes to grow vigorously and produce many beautiful flowers. To allow this to happen, fertilizing your rose bushes this month is a great idea. Hear which types of fertilizers will work best for your roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
(Distributed 03/15/10) The New Orleans 2010 Spring Garden Show will be at the City Park Botanical Garden April 10-11 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.
(Distributed 03/10/10) TALLULAH, La. – More north Louisiana farmers are switching to rice instead of corn, soybeans and cotton. Garrett Marsh of Tallulah grew his first rice crop last year. “I was here to get a refresher,” he said of a rice growing clinic here on March 4 sponsored by the LSU AgCenter.
(Distributed 03/26/10) BELLE ROSE, La. – First-grade students at Belle Rose Primary School in Assumption Parish are learning why it’s important to eat more fruits and vegetables through a hands-on project at their school.
(Distributed 03/01/10) BOSSIER CITY, La. – Making decisions and managing conflict before your death is the best gift you can give to your family – and it makes sure your wishes are carried out, said LSU AgCenter agent Terry Foster.
(Distributed 03/03/10) A quick way to test for salmonella in vegetable fields may be in the offing if research by an LSU AgCenter scientist proves its worth.
(Distributed 03/22/10) With the median age of the nation’s farmers becoming older each year, the LSU AgCenter has implemented a program to get younger people involved in the agricultural industry.
(Distributed 03/03/10) After extended periods of low temperatures this year, many Louisianians are concerned freezes may have killed the palm trees in their landscapes. But they’ll have to wait a while to know for sure, according to an LSU AgCenter horticulturist.
(Distributed 03/04/10) The LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Master Gardeners of St. Tammany Parish are in final preparation mode for the two-day spring garden show that will be held March 20-21 at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington.
(Distributed 03/08/10) SHREVEPORT, La. – A panel of small business managers at the LSU AgCenter’s Market Gardening Seminar on March 6 said their customers like to buy locally grown produce and flowers and would welcome more local suppliers.
(Distributed 03/03/10) CROWLEY, La. – Controlling insects that prey on rice crops was the focus of an LSU AgCenter workshop Monday (March 1).
(Distributed 03/23/10) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU University Laboratory School and the LSU AgCenter have formed a partnership to establish a model school garden to promote the educational, social and health benefits of gardening.
(Distributed 03/12/10) A new college scholarship is available for north and central Louisiana 4-H’ers through a $20,000 donation from Hilda D. Williams and her children, Rosy Williams Bromell, Vickie Williams Phelps and Donald Vardaman Williams.
(Distributed 03/01/10) William Stutts put his first crop in the ground when he was a junior in high school. The year was 1977, and that crop comprised some 100 acres. Now, 33 years later, Stutts farms more than 1,300 acres in West Carroll Parish, and he does it exceptionally well. So well, he was named the 2010 Louisiana Farmer of the Year.
(Distributed 03/25/10) ST. JOSEPH, La. – Tensas Parish study circles will be turning talk into action following the results of a project focused on turning the tide on poverty, which was presented to the Tensas Revitalization Alliance March 23.
(Distributed 03/08/10)This year’s Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival will be March 27-28 in the Burton Coliseum on the corner of Gauthier Road and Gulf Hwy. in Lake Charles.
(Distributed 3/11/10) Tractor Supply stores in Louisiana have joined with the LSU AgCenter as part of a national fundraising campaign to support local 4-H programs.
(Distributed 03/30/10) On April 1, the National 4-H Council will kick off the 4-H Give2Vote Challenge, a fundraising campaign that will involve texting on mobile phones as a way to contribute to state 4-H programs, including Louisiana’s, according to Eric Eskew, executive director of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.
(Distributed 03/31/10) MERRYVILLE, La. – A tree from Down Under could help provide rural Louisiana landowners with additional cash by putting idle property to work. LSU AgCenter scientists are involved in a joint research project with Texas A&M University to find the best growing methods for eucalyptus on land normally used for cutover pine forests and on idle pasture and farmland.
(Distributed 03/30/10) LSU AgCenter scientists have produced calves from Angus bull semen that has been frozen for more than 40 years. Some of the calves were sired by semen collected and frozen from bulls in the late 1960s, said Robert Godke, a professor of reproductive physiology at the LSU AgCenter.
(Distributed 03/12/10) SHREVEPORT, La. – Persist for the long run and remain aware of what is happening in the short run to be productive in the end LSU AgCenter forester Ricky Kilpatrick told forest landowners at the 26th annual Ark-La-Tex Forestry Forum here March 11.
(Distributed 03/22/10) Participants in Louisiana Master Farmer Program may have financial assistance available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement conservation practices on their land.
(Distributed 03/05/10)The Eighth Annual Baton Rouge Spring Garden Show will be March 27-28 at Parker Coliseum on Highland Road on the LSU campus from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.
