Station History

LSU Iberia Research Station
History compilation
2018

The LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station, formerly known as the Iberia Livestock Experimental Farm, was founded in 1914 by the United States Department of Agriculture. The father of the farm may be said to have been the late United States Senator Robert Broussard of New Iberia. The initial purpose of the farm was to assist the sugarcane farmers of Louisiana in finding new sources of income to replace financial losses caused by an outbreak of mosaic disease which was impacting the sugarcane industry. At the time, additional losses were also expected to occur in the industry as a result of lowering of tariff walls.

Located in Iberia parish between New Iberia and Jeanerette along the bayou Teche waterway and originally encompassing 1172 acres, the station’s initial work was focused on developing types of livestock (beef cattle, dairy cattle, and swine) adapted to the environmental conditions of the Gulf Coast area, to produce suitable varieties of field and pasture crops, and to determine feeding values of locally grown roughages and by-products of the sugar, rice, and cotton industries. Research in pasture improvements and in management practices were also an important part in the original experimental program.

In 1916 the crossbreeding program began with the crossing of native Louisiana cows and grade Hereford cows from Texas Rangelands with purebred Brahman, Hereford, and one shorthorn bull. The aim of the initial crossbreeding experiment was to develop the best breeding program to develop commercial beef cattle adapted to Gulf Coast conditions. By 1931 enough information was gathered to develop a comprehensive and effective breeding program.

The next phase of the breeding program, building on the previous research, began in 1932 using purebred Aberdeen-Angus cows and bulls with purebred Brahman bulls. Later two purebred Africander bulls were obtained and an Africander-Angus crossbreeding program began. In 1939 several purebred Brahman cows were added to the herd to permit reciprocal crossing. The main purpose of this experimental work was to develop strains of Brahman-Angus and Africander-Angus crossbred cattle adapted to the hot humid conditions and other environmental pressures common to the Gulf Coast. This program also included heat tolerance studies. This research resulted in the development of the highly adapted and fully accepted Brangus breed of cattle which is now popular in the Gulf Coast area.

Continuing with the initial intent of the station to provide other revenue sources for the endangered sugarcane industry, a dairy cattle program was also initiated in 1917 with the establishment of a purebred Jersey herd. The focus of this program was to produce superior germ plasm for high milk production through the use of proven sires. Later in 1946 a crossbreeding program was begun using Red Sindhi bulls. The goal of this research, like the beef cattle program, was to develop dairy cattle strains adapted to the Gulf Coast environmental conditions. Similarly heat tolerance studies were also incorporated into the research.

In 1973 Louisiana State University acquired the Iberia Livestock Experimental Station from the United States Department of Agriculture. LSU AgCenter scientists since have continued to conduct research on sugarcane, beef-cattle, and row crops. Research areas have adapted to the changing needs of its clientele the farming and ranching industries of the Gulf Coast. Areas of concentration include continued research in adaptability of beef cattle as well as various management practices associated with cattle production. In response to high feed prices, recent focus has been placed on rotational grazing and various forage management practices to improve gains in grass fed operations. Agronomic research has included variety improvement programs in soybean, wheat, and sugarcane. Research is also conducted to develop various best management practices as well as product testing in sugarcane and soybean operations. Other areas of interest over the years have included research in grain sorghum, alternative forages, and biofuel crops including energy cane and sweet sorghum. The LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station is continually adapting the focus of its research to provide its clientele with the most current and useful information in production practices with the intent to increase profitability in the targeted farming operations.

This history and summary of the Iberia Research Station was compiled using various articles and information gleaned from previous history summaries found in the archive collection of the Iberia Research Station.

Gregory Williams
Research Associate Agronomy
Iberia Research Station
February 27, 2018

Building with snow on the ground.
Dairy Barn interior in 1921.
General view of farm facing North in 1916.
Horses in a field.
Lot 1 1922 steers.
More cattle in 1922.
Old Iberia Research Station sign.
Steer.
Two ladies sitting at a desk.
Duchess owned by JD Hudgins.
Group of men.
IRS Bridge in 1927.
Lot 2 1922 Steers.
Office and dairy view facing southwest in1916.
People sitting on hay in front of building.
Steer.
Cattle standing around in the year 1922.
Man sitting at a desk.
Field showing crops planted in rows and sections.
Horses in a field.
IRS Bridge in 1968.
Dairy Barn in 1921.
Office and staff in 1942.
People sitting outside.
Steer.
Texas Steers in 1922.

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