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Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Winter 2023

Agricultural best management practices are measures that producers can take to reduce — or eliminate — farming byproducts that enter streams and groundwater. Many of these practices address fertilizer and irrigation management and the handling of pesticides and animal waste. LSU AgCenter research has helped establish these practices, and extension agents assist producers in implementing them.

This issue of Louisiana Agriculture highlights the best management practices for many of the state’s most production areas. Aquaculture specialists detail how crawfish farms can save money while meeting best management practices, and sugarcane experts tell how the AgCenter is developing new varieties to ensure farmers are competitive. In addition, AgCenter economists explain how agricultural producers can thrive financially while following best management practices.

See below for links to the articles. If you would like to subscribe to the print copy, or if you want to unsubscribe from this list, please contact the editor, Kyle Peveto.


Deliberto.png thumbnailEconomic Perspectives on Best Management Practices and Sustainable Production Strategies

Michael Deliberto

An AgCenter economist presents both the economic and environmental benefits related to the adoption of best management practices in production agriculture.


pathak.png thumbnailAdoption of Best Management Practices in Louisiana Agriculture

Santosh Pathak and Naveen Adusumilli

Government programs assist agricultural producers who wish to implement certain best management practices. The authors analyze how Louisianians tap into this assistance.


lutz.png thumbnailBest Management Practices for Crawfish Aquaculture

Greg Lutz and Mark Shirley

Raising crawfish is one of the top forms of animal agriculture in Louisiana. AgCenter specialists have analyzed how adopting best management practices can also save producers money.


fultz.png thumbnailPlanting Cover Crops for Healthier Soil

Lisa Fultz, Brenda S. Tubaña

Cover crops, which are crops intended to cover the soil without being harvested, have a long history of use, and they help guard against erosion while also improving soil.


powers.png thumbnailLSU AgCenter Research Combats Hypoxic Dead Zone

Rexanna Powers

As part of a $1.4 million grant from the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, best management practices are being studied to help improve soil health, water quality and resource management and increase crop yields and income.


gravois.png thumbnailGrowing Sugarcane Today for Tomorrow’s Farmers

Kenneth Gravois and Albert Orgeron

Research is at the forefront of the Louisiana sugar industry’s sustainability effort, and the LSU AgCenter is leading the research effort in sugarcane variety development.


levy.png thumbnailReduced Tillage and Best Water Management Practices Enhance Rice Production

Ronald Levy and Manoch Kongchum

AgCenter research and extension programs find ways to increase rice production and maintain rice sustainability while keeping rice production environmentally friendly.


gentry.png thumbnailMaster Programs Educate Louisianians on Best Practices

Donna Gentry, Sara R. Shields and Ashley K. Edwards

The Master Gardener, Master Farmer and Master Cattleman programs educate home gardeners, agronomic producers and cattlemen about best management practices that help improve water quality, soil health and overall conservation efforts for long-term sustainability.


johnson.png thumbnailAgCenter Outreach Strengthens Goat and Sheep Industry in Louisiana

Rodney Johnson, Michael A. Lavergne, Hannah Devall and Ashley K. Edwards

In the LSU AgCenter Master Goat Producer Program, participants attend three daylong classes that feature lessons and demonstrations by fellow producers, as well as LSU AgCenter, School of Animal Sciences and School of Veterinary Medicine personnel.


peveto2.png thumbnailFarmers Find Profit, Peace of Mind in Following Best Management Practices

Kyle Peveto

Agricultural producers say they follow best management practices for many reasons. They save money while also acting as good neighbors and protecting the state’s water resources.


Parvej.png thumbnailManaging Nitrogen for Corn Crops and Soybeans

Rasel Parvej, Matthew Foster, David O. Moseley, Andre Reis and Syam Dodla

Nitrogen is one of the most essential nutrients required for crop growth, development and reproduction. It is the building block of proteins, amino acids, chlorophyll and DNA. Plants require more nitrogen than any other mineral nutrient. Fertilizing with nitrogen sources is often required for maximizing crop yield and profit.


Abdi.png thumbnailBest Practices for Understory Management of Live Oaks

Damon Abdi and Jeb S. Fields

Live oak trees are beloved in Louisiana. With how critical their root systems are, it is imperative to have a proper management plan for live oak understories.


conger.png thumbnailSmart Irrigation Technologies for Turfgrass and Landscapes

Stacia Conger and Jeffrey S. Beasley

Irrigation can aid in sustaining healthy and vibrant ornamental plants by supplementing deficits in soil-water status to maintain well-watered conditions when rainfall is insufficient. However, irrigation systems require responsible operation with consistent dynamic scheduling to be sustainable.


villordon.png thumbnailNext-Generation Wireless Soil Moisture Sensors for Enhanced Water Use Efficiency and Sustainable Yields in Sweet Potato Production

Arthur Villordon

Soil moisture is extremely important in the first days after planting sweet potatoes. Next-generation soil moisture sensors can help growers ensure the moisture levels are sufficient.


peveto.png thumbnailFollowing in His Family’s Path, Connor Webster Aims to Be Public Servant

Kyle Peveto

Connor Webster, the rice extension weed specialist for the AgCenter, Webster began scouting cotton, corn, soybean and wheat fields as a 14-year-old. His family has worked in agriculture for generations.


agcenternews.png thumbnailLSU AgCenter News Briefs


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Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

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