Latest News From Louisiana

USDA cites Louisiana company for PACA violations
USDA cites Louisiana company for PACA violations

These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

Industry
State sweetpotato organizations share plans and initiatives
State sweetpotato organizations share plans and initiatives

The Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission, Mississippi Sweet Potato Council and North Carolina SweetPotato Commission share updates on upcoming initiatives and events.

Tom Burfield
Produce Crops
Louisiana asks USDA for disaster declaration
Louisiana asks USDA for disaster declaration

With one preliminary estimate of this year's total economic impact to the state's ag output at nearly $500 million, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has requested a Secretarial Declaration of Disaster.

Tom Karst
Produce Crops
Apples, potatoes, nuts and strawberries are the leading specialty crops receiving assistance via direct payments from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, according to the USDA.
Hurricane Laura extends CFAP payments in Texas, Louisiana

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended application deadlines for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for farmers and ranchers in Texas and Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura.

Chris Koger
Fruit
Huge Louisiana grapefruit sets records
Huge Louisiana grapefruit sets records

Weighing more than the average newborn baby, a 7-pound, 14.6-ounce grapefruit grown in Slidell, La., has been recognized as the heaviest and largest grapefruit in the world.

Chris Koger
Produce Crops
Sweet potatoes leading in export growth
Sweet potatoes leading in export growth

Global sweet potato promotion is growing southern U.S. sweet potato exports.

Cristin Shepard
Shipping
Sweet potato growers expect supply comeback
Sweet potato growers expect supply comeback

After unfavorable weather conditions last fall, sweet potato yields dropped from 224 cwt. per acre in 2017 to 190 cwt. per acre in 2018. This season producers are looking forward to the new crop to bring better yields.

Cristin Shepard
Foodservice
US Foods expands Louisiana facility

Foodservice supplier US Foods Holding Corp. is expanding its Marrero, La., facility, nearly tripling its size to support growth in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Chris Koger
Produce Crops
Sweet potato quarantines seek to contain nematode
Sweet potato quarantines seek to contain nematode

A quarantine of North Carolina sweet potatoes will not affect fresh sweet potatoes leaving the state.

Chris Koger
Fruit
Louisiana Strawberry Season In Full Swing

Spring-like weather is hitting Louisiana in time for peak strawberry season.

AgDay TV
Fruit
Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry are joining in a fight against citrus canker with satsuma research.
Louisiana collaboration takes aim at citrus canker

Louisiana State University’s AgCenter and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry are fighting citrus canker disease in the state.

Chris Koger
People
Darin Arceneaux is the new president of Capitol City Produce, Baton Rouge, La.
Capitol City Produce promotes COO to president

Baton Rouge, La.-based Capitol City Produce Co. LLC has promoted Darin Arceneaux to president.

Chris Koger