The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with LSU AgCenter Feral Swine Specialist Dr. Glen Gentry. Dr. Gentry discusses the work being done to combat the wild hog problem in Louisiana.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with State Representative Clay Schexnayder, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee. Clay discusses today's hearing at the State Capitol regarding the new rules and regulations for growing hemp in Louisiana.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with LSU AgCenter Ag Economist Dr. Michael Deliberto. Mike discusses the upcoming series of Farm Bill informational sessions scheduled for later this month.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Louisiana Radio Network's Don Molino. Don discusses the history of the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction and how you can nominate someone.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain. Dr. Strain discusses the importance of farmers and agribusiness professionals getting involved in the political process.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with grain marketer Grayson Close with the Louisiana Farm Bureau Marketing Association. Grayson takes a look at the factors influencing the grain markets this week.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. Mr. Rispone discusses his campaign for governor and his views on agriculture.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Caddo Parish Farmer Ryan Kirby. Ryan gives us an update on crop conditions and harvest progress in Northwest Louisiana.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with former Louisiana rice farmer Kevin Berken. Kevin discusses his current campaign for the Louisiana State Senate.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Grain Marketing Specialist Greg Fox with the Louisiana Farm Bureau Marketing Association. Greg discusses all of the factors affecting the grain markets this week.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Iberville Parish sugarcane grower Cecil Ramagos. Cecil gives us an update on cane condition, cane planting and the beginning of cane harvest.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Northeast Louisiana crop consultant Hank Jones. Hank gives us an update on crop conditions and harvest progress in the Northeast corner of our state.

The latest national & Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with LSU AgCenter Rice Specialist Dr. Dustin Harrell. Dr. Harrell says this is one of the worst rice crops in recent memory, and we will talk about why that happened.

The latest national & Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Louisiana Farm Bureau Lobbyist Joe Mapes. Joe discusses the upcoming election for governor and the state legislature.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Louisiana cotton grower Ted Schneider of Lake Providence. Ted chairs the COTTON USA Sustainability Task Force that is responsible for implementing the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition & Consumer Sciences Brandon Lipps. Brandon is in Louisiana this week and discusses the USDA's Farm to School Program.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Louisiana Farm Bureau Safety Director Wendell Miley. Wendell will discuss National Farm Health and Safety Week going on this week.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Troy Romero of Sports Turf Specialists in Lacassine, Louisiana. Troy discusses issues he faces with his turf business, how those issues are related to farming, and his current campaign for State Representative.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain. Dr. Strain discusses the takeover of Lakeland Cotton & Grain in Winnsboro by the LDAF this week.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Andy Brown, National Affairs Coordinator for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. Andy discusses the US Mexico Canada Agreement, or USMCA, and why it is important for Congress to pass it as soon as possible.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Dave Foster, CEO of Cattle Producers of Louisiana. Dave discusses the recent drop in the cattle market and how we're seeing the lowest cattle prices in Louisiana in many years.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information and a visit with Buck Vandersteen of the Louisiana Forestry Association. Buck discusses the recent LFA annual convention and issues affecting the Louisiana forestry industry.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Taylor Frey, state coordinator of the Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Taylor discusses a new documentary recently released by the LGLCI and an upcoming bus trip they have planned for Louisiana livestock producers.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Greg Fox of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Marketing Association. Greg will take a look at the news affecting this week's grain markets.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Christen Wall of C&M Gator Farm in Livingston Parish. Christen talks about the process of farming alligators and the contribution they make to preserving the wild alligator population in Louisiana.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham. Dr. Abraham discusses his agricultural background and his current campaign to become governor of Louisiana.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Louisiana farmer and Horizon Ag Field Representative Michael Fruge. Michael says this is definitely a below-average year for Louisiana rice farmers, but it's hard to determine exactly why.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Pointe Coupee Parish farmer George LaCour. George discusses corn and soybean harvest, sugarcane planting, the massive drop in cotton prices, and his work with the National Cotton Council.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. Governor Edwards discusses his experience growing up on a Tangipahoa dairy farm, his work with agriculture during his first term and what Louisiana farmers and ranchers can expect from him in a second term.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news headlines, market information, and a visit with LSU AgCenter Agent R.L. Frazier. R.L. discusses harvest conditions in Madison and East Carroll Parishes and talks about his experiences helping farmers there grow peanuts for the first time.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Specialist Dr. Kenneth Gravois. Ken discusses the new sugarcane research beginning at the Dean Lee Research Station near Alexandria, making it the northernmost sugarcane planting in the world.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Iberia Parish sugarcane and soybean farmer Ricky Gonsoulin. Ricky is currently running for State Representative. He discusses the challenges he's faced with the 2019 sugarcane crop and why he decided to throw his hat in the ring for the Louisiana House of Representatives.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Greg Fox, grain marketing specialist for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Marketing Association. Greg will give us his insight on all the happenings in the grain markets this week.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news, market information, and a visit with Kane Webb of USA Rice. Kane gives us his take on the 2019 rice harvest...Is there a silver lining?

The latest Louisiana ag news and market information, plus a visit with Ron Smith, Content Director for the Delta Farm Press. Ron discusses the Farm Press "High Cotton" award and how Louisiana cotton producers can participate.

The latest ag news and market information, plus a visit with Rayburn Smith of Superior Livestock and the Red River Livestock Auction in Coushatta. Rayburn discusses the recent volatility in the cattle market caused by the fire at the Tyson packing plant in Kansas.

The latest national and Louisiana ag news and market information, plus a visit with Richland Parish farmer Dustin Morris. Dustin gives us a corn harvest update and a look at the condition of his soybean and cotton crops.

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On Episode #36 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast, we will dig deep into the class-action lawsuit that all Louisiana rice producers are now a part of. We'll visit with Acadia Parish rice grower Jackie Loewer about the history of the suit and how we got to this point. Cotton prices have taken a nosedive over the last few months, so Don Molino will visit with LSU AgCenter Ag Economist Dr. Michael Deliberto about the factors that have weighed so heavily on the cotton market. Rice harvest is moving at full speed in Louisiana, and Rice Specialist Dr. Dustin Harrell will give us an update on how harvest is progressing. In Grassroots Government, we will talk to the “Dean” of the Louisiana House of Representatives Andy Anders. Andy is a former farmer who won a seat in the State Legislature over 13 years ago, and for several years he chaired the House Agriculture Committee. We'll go “In the Field” to visit with Alan Lawson, an Acadia Parish rice, crawfish and soybean farmer. Alan will talk about his 2019 rice crop and how his harvest is going so far. USDA released its August Crop Production and Supply and Demand Report on Monday, and it had a big effect on the corn market. Louisiana Farm Bureau Grain Marketing Specialist Greg Fox will discuss the report and why it caused such a disruption in the grain markets. Cattle futures were limit down on Monday, so we'll visit with Dave Foster of Cattle Producers of Louisiana to get his take on the cattle markets. Then we'll wrap it all up with Jack Dillard's “Voice of the Ark-La-Tex.”

Hurricane Barry made landfall in Louisiana, and we have full coverage of Barry's effects on Louisiana agriculture on Episode #35 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast. In news headlines, we'll hear from Louisiana farmers who were affected by Barry's wind and floodwaters. Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain gives us his assessment of Barry's damage on Grassroots Government. We'll go In the Field to Iberia Parish to check in with sugarcane farmer Ricky Gonsulin to hear about what Barry did to his cane fields. We'll get a market update from Grayson Close of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Marketing Association and Dave Foster of Cattle Producers of Louisiana. Then we'll head to Northwest Louisiana to wrap up the podcast with Jack Dillard's “Voice of the Ark-La-Tex.”

Episode #34 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast is loaded and ready to go! Louisiana crop conditions are looking very good, despite all of the weather challenges here in 2019. We'll hear from LSU AgCenter Rice Specialist Dustin Harrel about the condition of the Louisiana rice crop. At the Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention a couple of weeks ago we caught up with Louisiana's own Craig Brown, who is currently the Vice President of Producer Affairs for the National Cotton Council. Craig brought us up to date on a few issues affecting the cotton industry. On Grassroots Government we will hear from Louisiana 5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham. He will fill us in on several ag issues that are making headlines in Washington D.C. We'll go “In the Field” to visit with Ray Schexnayder, who farms in both Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge Parishes. Ray says it's been a challenging year to grow corn and soybeans in Louisiana, but he's making the best of it. Grain Marketing Specialist Grayson Close will give us an update on the grain markets, then we'll wrap up the podcast with Jack Dillard's “Voice of the Ark-La-Tex.”

This is a special edition of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast, coming to you from the 97th Annual Convention of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation in New Orleans. Episode #33 is packed with news from the convention, including the address of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, the keynote speaker at the convention's General Session. We also have an interview with Reynold Minsky, President of the 5th Louisiana Levee District. Reynold brings us up to date on what's happening along the river in Northeast Louisiana. On Grassroots Government, our guest is State Senator and Louisiana sugarcane farmer Bret Allain. He will discuss the recently concluded Louisiana legislative session and give us an update on his sugarcane crop. We will go In the Field to visit with Tensas Parish cotton, corn and soybean farmer Ben Guthrie for an update on his crop conditions. Our regular market analysts Greg Fox and Dave Foster will check in with a look at the markets. Then we will wrap up the podcast with a new feature. Long-time Louisiana farm broadcaster and newspaper columnist Jack Dillard will share his thoughts on what's happening in the Ark-La-Tex area.

Water, water and more water! That's one of the main topics on Episode #32 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast. The Mississippi River is so high that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has decided to open the Morganza Spillway. Then they decided not to. It's all up in the air right now. We'll try to wrap our arms around it in our news headlines segment. The 2019 Louisiana Legislative Session is now in the history books, so Louisiana Farm Bureau Lobbyist Joe Mapes checks in to give us a wrap up on how agriculture fared in the session. We'll go “In the Field” to hear from Avoyelles Parish farmer Luke Sayes to hear how he's coping with all of the water. All of this water is affecting both the grain and cattle markets, so we'll hear from Grayson Close and Dave Foster to get an update on how the markets are handling the chaos. We'll check the Louisiana Ag Calendar to see what's happening, and hear from Taylor Frey, State Coordinator of the Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative about a couple of workshops they have coming up in July. Then we'll wrap up the podcast with a special song that Taylor Frey wrote and recorded about the struggles that her family faced the last time the Morganza Spillway was opened in 2011. It's called “Too Much Water, Not Enough Rain.”

On Episode #31 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast, we take a different direction to focus on issues happening in our nation's capital. Host Carey Martin took a recent trip to Washington D.C. and we will bring you several of the interviews he conducted while there. Of course, we will first bring you up to date on the latest news in Louisiana agriculture. Then we will follow that up with several of our interviews with producer and commodity organizations in Washington. Some of our featured guests will include USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey, American Sugar Alliance's Phillip Hays, National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Colin Woodall, and Alan Bierga of the National Milk Producers Federation. Then we'll wrap up with a look at the Louisiana Ag Calendar.

Happy Birthday to us! It's our one-year birthday, and Episode #30 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture is jam-packed with news and information. The weather continues to dominate the headlines, and we'll have all of the latest news on how the weather in impacting the planting of all of our 2019 crops in Louisiana. On Grassroots Government, Joe Mapes checks in from the State Capitol with an update on the ongoing legislative session. We'll go “In the Field” to hear from Red River Parish farmer Blake McCartney on how he's faring so far getting his corn and soybean crops planted. Our regular market analysts Greg Fox and Dave Foster will give us their insight into the grain and cattle markets. Then we wrap up this birthday episode with a look at the Louisiana Ag Calendar.

It's no April Fools' joke… The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast is back with Episode #29 for April 1, 2019. We're packed full of information, as usual, with the latest news headlines in Louisiana agriculture. We'll talk about the lightning fast planting pace that Louisiana farmers are on right now getting corn, rice, sorghum and soybeans in the ground. On Grassroots Government, we have our first visit with Dr. Carrie Castille, Louisiana Director of USDA Rural Development. She will fill us in on all that her agency is doing for Louisiana agriculture and talk about a rural broadband roundtable discussion coming up in Monroe. We'll go In the Field to visit with Caddo Parish cattleman Marty Wooldridge, who chairs the Louisiana Farm Bureau Livestock Committee. Marty joined a group of Louisiana cattlemen on a bus trip to Southwest Missouri last week to learn more about that state's cattle industry. Greg Fox will stop by to talk about last week's USDA Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Stocks Report, and Dave Foster will lend his insight on the cattle market. We'll wrap things up with a look at the Louisiana Ag Calendar, where we'll hear from Taylor Frey with the Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. They have a bus tour coming up later this month, and Taylor will have all of the details about it.

We're overdue for another podcast, so here we go with Episode #28 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast. We have a very long news segment this time because we're including excerpts from the induction speeches at the recent Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction Banquet. Four very deserving folks are now in the Hall, and you'll hear from each of them, along with the latest news headlines in Louisiana agriculture. Rain and river flooding are on everyone's minds right now, so we'll check in with the Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain to get his take on the situation in Grassroots Government. We'll go In the Field to visit with West Carroll Parish farmer William Stutts, and he will update us on what's happening on his Northeast Louisiana farm. Our regular market analysts, Greg Fox and Dave Foster, will stop by for an update on the grain and cattle markets. Then we'll wrap it up with a look at the Louisiana Ag Calendar.

Another jam-packed podcast awaits on Episode #27 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture podcast. We cover a lot of ground in the news headlines, with stories on more flood relief money for Louisiana farmers, an increase in sugarcane acreage and a new insect control product available in our state for 2019. In “Grassroots Government” we check in with Louisiana Farm Bureau Lobbyist Joe Mapes to get his outlook on the upcoming legislative session and the election cycle we are now in. We'll go “In the Field” to talk to DeSoto Parish cattleman Joey Register about how his cattle herd is handling this crazy winter. Our regular market analysts Greg Fox and Dave Foster will give us an update on the grain and cattle markets, then we'll wrap it up with a look at the Louisiana Ag Calendar.

The cattle industry converged on New Orleans last week, and The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture was there to bring you all of the news and happenings from the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. On Episode #26 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast, we'll hear from officials with the three organizations that came together for the Cattle Industry Convention. NCBA Lobbyist Colin Woodall will bring us up to date on all of the issues that NCBA is working on in Washington D.C., and we will hear from some Louisiana cattlemen who attended the convention and trade show. On Grassroots Government we will hear from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue, who addressed the nation's cattlemen in New Orleans. We'll go “In the Field” to talk with Derrick Miller, General Manager of The Branch Ranch in Mansfield and Natchitoches, Louisiana. We'll check the Louisiana Ag Calendar, then wrap up the podcast with a very funny story from a Louisiana legend. Louisiana native and four-time Super Bowl quarterback Terry Bradshaw addressed the convention's opening session on Wednesday and talked about how he got into the cattle business back in the 1970s in DeSoto Parish. It's the longest podcast we've ever produced, but there was just too much going on in New Orleans to cut it short!

On Episode #25 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast, we take a look back at the Louisiana Rice Council and Louisiana Rice Growers Association's joint annual meeting held earlier this month. It was a news-making event, and Don Molino was there to bring us the stories. We also discuss the opening of Farm Service Agency offices across Louisiana and the outlook for Louisiana cotton in 2019. On “Grassroots Government” we visit with former Louisiana Congressman Charles Boustany, who is advocating for tariff reduction and free trade to open more markets for Louisiana farmers. We'll go “In the Field” to talk to Scotty Fontenot, a rice, soybean and crawfish farmer from Evangeline Parish. Scotty takes a look back at the 2018 crop and a look forward at what 2019 holds. Our regular market analysts Greg Fox, Mark Tall and Dave Foster check in with us for a look at the soybean, rice and cattle markets. Then we wrap it all up with a look at the Louisiana Ag Calendar.

This is our first podcast of 2019! Episode #24 of The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Podcast originates from the 100th Anniversary Convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation in New Orleans. President Donald Trump addressed the nation's farmers and ranchers during the convention, and this podcast will bring you the highlights of President Trump's hour-long speech, as well as reaction from Louisiana farmers and government officials. We caught up with Iberville Parish sugarcane farmer Cecil Ramagos, and he gave us an update on his recently finished sugarcane harvest. Then we check in with our regular market analysts for their first look at the 2019 grain, rice and cattle markets. We wrap up our podcast from the Crescent City with a look at the Louisiana Ag Calendar, all from the American Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans.