Agriculture

LSU researchers drive innovation in agricultural practices and develop new crop varieties while protecting the environment and making the most of our natural resources.

More than half of Louisiana is considered a flood hazard area.

Calculating the Real Cost of Wind and Flood Risk in Louisiana

For the first time, research developed by LSU AgCenter’s LaHouse Research and Education Center has provided Louisiana with a realistic annual cost of natural hazards in the state—$5 billion by 2050.

Eunice area farmer Michael Frugé with LSU AgCenter researchers Ida Wenefrida and Herry Utomo

Fighting Hunger and Disease, One Strain of Rice at a Time

The LSU AgCenter is Louisiana rice farmers’ MVP, or most valued partner, in research and crop variety development. From creating a new market for jasmine rice, to producing varieties of rice that are better for diabetics and more sustainable and resilient to changes in the environment, LSU has been critical to the Louisiana rice industry for more than 100 years.

Donna Bailey and Dr. Brian Elkins

Driving Agricultural Innovation by Growing People First

Innovation isn’t always about the latest technology. Sometimes it’s about transforming an organization by making its people happier, healthier and more successful. At RoyOMartin, Louisiana’s largest landowner and maker of wood products, LSU alumna Donna Bailey and LSU/LSU Health Shreveport alumnus Dr. Brian Elkins have helped build an educational system as well as a healthcare system—within the company—to support RoyOMartin employees and their families.

Wild pig mandala

LSU Develops Patent-Pending Bait to Fight the ‘Pigdemic’

Wild, invasive pigs cause more than $90 million in damage to Louisiana farms each year and pose a growing threat to the environment, people and other animals.

LSU veterinary medicine students

State Investment in LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Helps Address National Vet Shortage

Initial $2.2 million in state investment is propelling the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine toward a bold goal of almost doubling admissions by next year from 120 to 200.

David Billings of Coastal Plains Meat Company

Acadiana Veterans See Green in Growing LSUE Ag Programs

Veterans are actively supporting LSU Eunice efforts to educate veterans to pursue agribusiness careers. One of them is David Billings, LSU AgCenter graduate, Army veteran, and co-owner of Coastal Plains Meat Company in Eunice, Louisiana.

AI-generated art of a drone in a sugarcane field

LSU AgCenter Works to Give Sugarcane Farmers a Sweeter Deal Using AI, Drones

Ongoing LSU research collaborations with farmers across Louisiana is leveraging data science to grow more and better food and fiber despite great challenges.

Gail and Malcolm Vidrine

LSU Eunice Puts Louisiana’s Future Farmers on the Fast-Track

Through a new skills-based and stackable certificate program—Sustaining Future Farms in Louisiana—and a brand-new Associate of Science in Agriculture degree, LSU Eunice (LSUE) will produce the next generation of technologically advanced farmers in two years or less.

Soybean plant

Science of the Super-small Helps Soybean Growers and the Environment

LSU Professor Cristina Sabliov is creating nanotechnologies for more targeted delivery of agrochemicals to crops to protect plants and the environment while also reducing waste for farmers.

Engraver beetle

LSU of Alexandria Collaborates with USDA to Investigate Trees Infested by Beetles in Wake of Big Storms

Students and faculty at LSU of Alexandria are collaborating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to document the impact hurricanes and tornadoes have on insects in southern forests. Their goal is to protect Louisiana’s top agricultural industry.

Sara Toal

LSU AgCenter’s FFA Youth Organization Laid Groundwork for Careers in Medicine

Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the FFA program prepares members for leadership and careers in science, business, and agricultural technology.

Louisiana parish map

Mapping Louisiana’s Nutritional Values

Through research and development and hands-on LSU AgCenter extension services and support for farmers in every parish, the LSU system supports vital crops, local industries, and heritage foods across the state of Louisiana.

Paul South with test plants in the field

Feeding Our Future Planet

Photosynthesis is the main driver of all life on our planet, but it can be a glitchy process. That’s why LSU scientist James Moroney and colleague Paul South are working on re-engineering it.

Denise Mayon and children at the J.S. Aucoin Elementary School in Amelia, Louisiana

For Healthy Communities, Knowledge Isn’t Enough

Through the Healthy Communities initiative, LSU AgCenter extension agents are on the ground in every Louisiana parish inviting residents to decide for themselves how to best lower obesity rates where they live.