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Louisiana Agriculture Magazine

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Past Issues

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2000

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[Image: photo]Automated machine helps remove plastic mulch The use of plastic mulch is an important cultural practice in the commercial production of fruits and vegetables, but removal and disposal of the mulch cause problems. [Image: cover]Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Spring 2000 Louisiana Agriculture Magazine, Spring 2000 A Decade of Pepper Fertility Research Bell peppers are grown extensively throughout southeastern Louisiana, with production concentrated in Tangipahoa and surrounding parishes. Gross farm value in 1999 was about $1.6 million. [Image: photo]Carcass and Palatability Traits of Brahman-Composite and Angus Steers Brahman-composite breeds were developed from Brahman-crossbred cattle. The Santa Gertrudis, Brangus and Beefmaster breeds were among the first Brahman-composite breeds, all British-based, developed in the United States. [Image: borer]EPA gives okay for new sugarcane insecticide An LSU Agricultural Center scientist played a major role in helping bring to marketa new environmentally friendly insecticide for sugarcane – so friendly that it won anaward from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). [Image: calf]Oocyte Aspiration for In Vitro Embryo Production in Farm Animals Males of an animal species have an advantage over females in the propagation of their genes. New Approach to ‘Best Management Practices’ The LSU Agricultural Center has started an aggressive plan to improve the state’s water quality with a new approach to best management practices. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Griffin, Tiersch and cotton team win 1999 research awards James L. Griffin, Terrence Tiersch and the LouisianaAgricultural Experiment Station’s Cotton Variety and Strain Evaluation Team won the top research awards presented at the LSU Agricultural Center’s Annual Conference in December 1999. [Image: photo]Tarnished Plant Bug Occurrence in Pre-tassel Stage of Corn Next to Cotton As field corn acreage has increased in the mid-South, consultants and farmers have often noted high tarnished plant bug populations in cotton fields adjacent to corn. [Image: photo]Louisianagrass (Common Carpetgrass) Common carpetgrass was introduced into the United States through New Orleans during the 1800s. The Creole citizens referred to it as "Louisianagrass" or "petit gazon," meaning small lawngrass. [Image: photo]Nitrogen Fertilizer Management for Corn Production on Delta Soils Many soil types are present in the Mississippi River Delta of Louisiana. Optimal nitrogen application rates and timing are needed for each specific soil type. [Image: mules]A Look at the Last Millennium Because of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, the state’s agriculture industry has become world-class and competitive globally. this is the opinion of three former experiment station directors as they reflected on the past. [Image: figure]Effects of Internal Parasites on Replacement Heifers Beef cattle in Louisiana are constantly infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, commonly referred to as roundworms. [Image: Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Fall 2000]Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Fall 2000 Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Fall 2000 1 2 3 4 5 6 [Image: cover]Louisiana Agricullture Magazine Summer 2000 Louisiana Agricullture Magazine 2000 summer [Image: cover]Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Winter 2000 Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Winter 2000 [Image: photo]Detection laboratory helps meet food safety needs Detection laboratory helps meet food safety needs Safety and Properties of Precooked Pork Roasts with Sodium Lactate and Sodium Tripolyphosphate Consumers continue to demand more convenience with food products, including meat. Safety is a primary concern with precooked, ready-to-eat meat products. [Image: photo]Scientists Develop Rapid, User-friendly Test Kit for Marine Toxins Ciguatera fish poisoning is a typeof food poisoning caused by ingestion of certain tropical and subtropical marine fish that harbor natural toxins originating from microscopic algae (dinoflagellates). [Image: photo]Training Program Helps Keep Seafood Safe In December 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a requirement that all seafood must be processed using Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles. The intent of the requirement is to increase food safety and consumer confidence. [Image: illustration]New Bar Code Will Help Monitor Food Safety Throughout the various phases ofthe food production and processingsystem, opportunities for contaminationexist. Reliable laboratory and fieldmethods are necessary to rapidly detectand trace the source of contamination. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Safety and Soft-Ripened, French-Style Cheeses Cheese is one of the most ancient forms of manufactured food. It is the product of enzymatic action and lactic fermentation of milk using various bacterial cultures. Scientists develop process that saves oyster industry A partnership between scientists at the LSU Agricultural Center and entrepreneurs in Louisiana’s oyster industry has resulted in a revival of the Gulf Coast raw oyster. Two studies look at packaging of ground beef 1) Pathogenic microorganism hazards with reduced oxygen packaging of ground beef.2) Influence of display gas mixture on shelf life of ground beefin modified atmosphere packaging Consumers Approve Mandatory Country-of-origin Labeling of Fresh or Frozen Beef: Beef consumers are provided with various kinds of information on the fresh beef sold in grocery stores. Introducing ‘Earl’ - Scientists develop new rice variety Scientists at the LSU AgCenter have developed a new medium-grain rice variety, named Earl, that offers improved yield and disease resistance. Ozone: New Weapon for Fighting Food Hazards Ozone is a substance best known intwo divergent ways. It is both beneficial—as in the ozone layer protecting the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays—or detrimental when ground-level concentrations become excessive, particularly on hot, humid days. Foodborne Illness: Are You at Risk? Although Americans enjoy the safest food supply in the world, several recent outbreaks of foodborne illness have heightened concern about food safety. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Concept of Food Safety: An Overview Food consumption plays two roles in human development: nutrition and disease prevention. Foods provide not only protein, fats, vitamins, minerals andother constituents essential for growth, but also components necessary for prevention of certain diseases. Inhibition of E. coli in Ground Beef Patties with Ozone Recent illnesses and deaths traced to foods contaminated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 have caused processors, regulatory officials and scientists to examine different techniques to control and destroy pathogenic microorganisms. Managing Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn: Scientists Use Integrated Approach to Solution Aflatoxin is a natural toxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Aflatoxin in corn appears when high temperatures and drought stress occur, which favors infection of the ear by the fungus. Learn to Keep Food Safe LSU AgCenter Extension conducts “Safe Food Handlers” workshops to help people learn to keep food safe. Photos from the First Millennium Photos from the First Millennium The Feasibility of Marketing Louisiana Soybeans in Matamoros, Mexico The search for new markets is a continuing quest. To that end, the Louisiana Soybean and Feed GrainsPromotion and Research Board funded a study to determine whether Louisiana soybean farmers could net more money by barging soybeans into Matamoros, Mexico, rather than selling them at harvest to local elevators. Urban Influences on Rural Land Values in Southeast Louisiana Traditionally, rural land values have been influenced by site characteristics such as soil quality, type of crops grown, size of tract, relative accessibility, improvements and government programs. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Timber management improves investment potential of non-industrial forest land The economic potential of nonindustrial forest land in Louisiana is virtually untapped. 1 2 3 4 5 6