LSU AgCenter

LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist, Kenneth Gravois, was named the American Sugar Cane League Chair in Sugar Production. Gravois grew up on a sugarcane farm and has spent most of his career working with this unique crop. His dedication to the sugarcane industry and years spent improving sugarcane varieties has led to the LSU AgCenter naming Gravois to the American Sugar Cane League Chair in Sugar Production. #Research #Agriculture #LSUAgCenter

An innovative planting method, developed by AgCenter scientists, has the potential to transform the way delicate plants such as sweet potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals are planted. By utilizing a transparent protective film, applied through a dipping process, this groundbreaking method ensures plant durability and achieves superior seed quality. With the elimination of costly manual labor and expensive plug planting, significant cost savings can be achieved. #Research #LSUAgCenter #Innovation

As rice season approaches, CRISP Rice extension associate Christine Gambino is working with farmers across southwest Louisiana to explore the role of cover crops in rice and crawfish systems. This research aims to identify effective cover crop strategies that can enhance soil health, improve sustainability, and support long-term farm productivity. By collaborating with producers, this work helps bridge research and on-farm practices to develop solutions that are both practical and profitable. #Research #Rice #Agriculture

Graduate students within the LSU AgCenter School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences and the Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, in partnership with Corteva Agriscience, hosted a Plant Science Symposium in December 2024. This event brought together professionals, students, and scientists to address the agricultural challenges of the Southeastern U.S., including those posed by climate change, pests, and the region's unique landscape. #Research #Collaboration #Plants #LSUAgCenter

High school agriculture teacher and past Louisiana FFA state officer Summer Anderson has been appointed the executive secretary of Louisiana FFA following a nationwide search. In this role, Anderson will lead the state’s FFA association, providing vision and direction for student leadership development programs, conferences and events, award programs and competitions. #FFA #Louisiana

The AgCenter is leveraging its statewide network to bolster rural Louisiana at a time when many small towns are facing challenges such as population loss and infrastructure woes. Through a newly launched community and economic development initiative, the AgCenter will connect rural communities with funding and expertise that can help their residents live better, healthier lives. Jessica Stroope, who recently was named community and economic development specialist, will take the lead on this work. #Research #LSUAgCenter #Community

The LSU AgCenter Sensory Services Lab is celebrating 10 years of consumer-focused food studies. Performing tests for food companies creates revenue for the AgCenter nutrition and food sciences program, and the lab provides students in the program with experience running studies and developing their own products. Companies from all over the world have used the lab to study new foods and revamp existing recipes. #Research #Nutrition #LSUAgCenter #FoodScience

A team of researchers in Louisiana and Florida recently received nearly $500,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food and Agriculture to better train farm workers and underserved farmers in food safety practices. These techniques, which attempt to shift away from a conventional slideshow-based training format, involve short, on-farm lessons on good agricultural practices, good handling practices, worker health and hygiene, sanitation, risk assessment and Food Safety Modernization Act produce safety requirements using hands-on activities, posters and flipcharts. AgCenter food safety specialist Achyut Adhikari is the principal investigator for the grant. He believes the evolved training will broaden farmer knowledge of the safety practices and reach them where they are as opposed to a classroom-type environment. #Research #Teaching #Extension #Teamwork #LSUAgCenter #FoodSafety

LSU AgCenter scientists have designed a revolutionary adapter to help farmers overcome the high capital equipment expenses of sugarcane planting. Many farmers still rely on whole stalk planters to plant sugar cane, whereas billet planting has become the preferred method. This adapter is specifically designed for whole stalk mechanical planters and allows for modification of existing whole stalk planters into billet planters. The adapter is cost-effective, increases efficiency and improve yields. Another win for agriculture! #Research #LSUAgCenter #Agriculture #Sugarcane

LSU AgCenter agricultural economist, Michael Deliberto, and PhD student, Adriana Dimas, are modeling representative rice farms to compare conventional practices with climate-smart agriculture (CSA) techniques. Using historical and simulated data, the project conducts a comprehensive risk analysis to evaluate the impact of these methods on producers' net returns. By assessing the economic viability of CSA, they aim to provide actionable insights to help farmers adopt sustainable and resilient practices for long-term profitability and success amid climate change. Stakeholders can look forward to the results in 2026! #Rice #Research #LSUAgCenter