Home > Crops & Livestock > Crops > Sweet Potatoes > Sweet Potato Quick Facts [Image: sweet potato quick facts pdf] Sweet potato nutrition information, per-capita consumption, products and U.S. production statistical information. (PDF Format Only) 2008 Sweet Potato Research Verification Program - Economic Analysis [Image: 2008 Sweet Potato Research Verification Program] These files contain cost and returns estimates for fields enrolled in the 2008 Sweet Potato Research Verification Program The Sweet Truth about Sweet Potato Production in Louisiana [Image: Sweet Potato Harvest] How do sweet potatoes get from the field to your table? This video explains the amazing multi-step, labor intensive process to producing sweet potatoes. It's your chance to learn the "sweet truth" about sweet potato production in Louisiana. Sweet potato, rice crops take hit from Gustav [Image: looking at potatoes] (Distributed 09/11/08) Earl Fontenot may have to wait a month before any losses are apparent in his sweet potato crop after Hurricane Gustav. “It’s too early to tell if we’re going to have some loss,” he said. “But it’s not looking good. They are under stressful conditions now.”  more articles... Nematode Management in Louisiana Sweet Potato Production [Image: nematodes in sweet potatoes] Plant-parasitic nematodes can damage plants in many ways and are considered to be a serious threat to sweet potato production in Louisiana. This publication describes problematic nematode species and management strategies available for these pests. Nematodes in Sweet Potatoes [Image: Sweet potato with root-knot nematode] Nematodes are a serious pest to both our sweet potato industry and for those people growing them in a home garden. These pests affect the total production and quality of the sweet potato. Since the damage occurs to roots below ground, they are often not recognized as being a problem. Insect Pest Management in Louisiana Sweet Potatoes [Image: sweet pototo insects] Soil insect pests can be extremely problematic in Louisiana sweet potato production. The majority of insect damage in sweet potato occurs on the root surface and consists of unattractive scars and holes. The market tolerance for this cosmetic injury is very low, and minimal insect damage can drastically affect the marketability of the crop. Weed Management in Sweet Potatoes [Image: sweet potato weed mgmt] Effective weed management is a critical aspect to successful sweet potato production since weeds compete for nutrients, water and sunlight and impair crop yield and quality. Perennial weed management, preplant burndown and in-season management included. Prime Time for Sweet Potatoes [Image: harvesting sweet potatoes] Louisiana has gained a reputation as producing the best sweet potatoes in the world. The LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station is the only research station in the United States devoted solely to sweet potato research and development. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the AgCenter with a $2.84 million grant to study the improvement of sweet potato production. Sweet Potato News [Image: sweet potato news] Louisiana Sweet Potato News aims to update and inform all those associated with or interested in Louisiana sweet potatoes. Among the topics featured in this newsletter are such items as crop profiles, information related to various aspects of sweet potato production, the latest details on insect, weed and disease management, and current industry news and events. Bug Biz: Lepidopteron Insect Pests in Sweet Potato Production [Image: Sweet Potato Insect Pests] This publication deals with some of the insects that attack sweet potatoes in Louisiana. It covers such pests as beet armyworms, soybean loopers and cabbage loopers and includes background information, descriptions of the pests and details on the damage they can cause. PDF format only. Roberts Named ‘Mr. Yam’ [Image: Gerald] Gerald Roberts, an LSU AgCenter and Southern University county agent in St. Landry Parish, said being chosen as the 2005 “Mr. Yam” punctuates his 29-year career of service to Louisiana sweet potato growers. Herbicide Evaluations for Use in Sweet Potatoes Before Command herbicide was labeled for sweet potato production, Louisiana sweet potato growers faced numerous weeds such as annual grasses, cocklebur, morningglory and prickly sida. Sweet Potato Best Management Practices [Image: Sweet Potatoes Best Management Practices] Sweet potatoes are an important commodity in Louisiana. Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide sweet potato growers guidelines on what practices they can implement to reduce the impact agricultural practices may have on the environment. Click for more information...