more... > Louisiana Agriculture Magazine > Past Issues > 2006 > Winter 2006 Summer 2006 Spring 2006 Fall 2006  more articles... Governor Lauds 4-H’ers During National Week [Image: Governor With 4-H] At a ceremony in the Governor’s Mansion on Oct. 4, Gov. Kathleen Blanco, center, signed a proclamation honoring National 4-H Week – Oct. 1-7. Outbreak Spotlights Need for Everybody Food Safety The recent outbreak of foodborne illness traced to fresh spinach should serve as a reminder for taking food safety measures every day, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames. Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Fall 2006 [Image: Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Summer 2006] The focus of the fall 2006 issue is feed grains, which include corn, grain sorghum (milo), wheat and oats. Corn is the most widely grown of the feed grains in Louisiana, but the others have become increasingly valuable to the economy. 36 pages. Vol. 49, No. 4. Katrina Disrupts Mississippi River Grain Transportation [Image: port] When Hurricane Katrina hit the GulfCoast on August 29, 2005, it disrupted grain transportation on the Mississippi River. More than half the grain exported from the United States passes through the Mississippi River Gulf Grain Transportation and Handling Complex. Correcting Zinc Deficiency in Corn [Image: field] Zinc deficiencies in corn appear to be increasing with sometimes severe effects on yield. The increase may be due to declining soil organic matter, where a little decrease can significantly affect micro-nutrient availability. Influence of Starter Fertilizer on Corn Yield on Mississippi River Alluvial Soils The mid-March to early April planting dates required for optimal corn production in Louisiana often result in exposure of seedlings to lower than optimal soil temperatures. On-farm Demonstration Program Generates Data About Varieties, Cultural Practices [Image: lanclos] On-farm demonstrations are nothing new to the LSU AgCenter, and in 2002, a variety/hybrid-based program specifically focusing on soybean, corn and grain sorghum was initiated. Weeds in Corn and Grain Sorghum [Image: figure 1] Most producers recognize the importance of managing weeds in corn and grain sorghum and do an excellent job with the tools available. The main weakness in many weed management programs is the lack of early season weed control, which can be critical to maximizing yield. Managing Sugarcane Beetles in Field Corn with Seed Treatments [Image: sugarcane beetle] The sugarcane beetle is a sporadic pest of several crops including field corn, sugarcane and sweet potatoes across many southern states. Only the adult stage of these beetles is reported to cause crop injury. Corn Borers and Transgenic Bt Corn Technology [Image: southwestern corn borer] LSU AgCenter researchers have found resistance in corn borers to commercial Bt corn. The resistance detected in the sugarcane borer is the first major resistance to Bt corn in any corn borer species.