Home > News Archive > LSU AgCenter Communications produces news releases for print, radio and television media and produces a special gardening service called Get It Growing, which also includes news releases for print, radio and television. All of the press releases are archived together by year, month and then by Headline News, Radio, TV and Get It Growing. For more information on our news services, please contact  Linda Benedict, associate director of Communications, at (225) 578-2263 or 2937 or via e-mail. Beef prices rise as summer grilling season starts (Distributed 05/20/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – Wholesale beef prices are at historically high levels. This may affect summer cookouts as consumers can expect to see higher prices at the grocery store. LSU AgCenter livestock economist Ross Pruitt said drought in the Midwest in 2012 led to a shortage of hay and higher corn prices. This in turn is affecting beef prices. Master Gardener program continues to grow [Image: Rene Schmit] (Distributed 05/20/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – For almost 20 years a group of volunteers has made life easier for those with gardening questions and others in need of an extra set of hands to help with a big seminar. Take care of roses all summer long [Image: knock out rose] (Distributed 05/17/13) HAMMOND, La. – Spring blooms on roses came late this year due to unusually cool conditions in March and April. But May flowering has been outstanding throughout Louisiana. In most home landscapes, roses perform their best at first flowering in spring and at fall bloom in October. Graceful agapanthus come in different sizes [Image: Agapanthus] (Video 05/27/13) One of the most graceful plants of summer is the Lily of the Nile or agapanthus – with its striking blue or white flowers. On this edition of Get It Growing, horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to different-sized agapanthus plants and explains how to take care of them. (Runtime: 1:41)  more articles... Consumers will see rise in beef prices (Audio News 05/17/13) Wholesale beef prices are at historically high levels. This may affect summer cookouts as consumers can expect to see higher prices at the grocery store. LSU AgCenter livestock economist Ross Pruitt said drought in the Midwest led to a shortage in hay and higher corn prices. This in turn is affecting beef prices. (Runtime: 1:25) Pond building, management featured at seminar (Distributed 05/17/13) LAFAYETTE, La. – Building a pond requires more than just digging a hole and waiting for rain, LSU AgCenter experts said at a pond seminar recently (May 14). Planning and following basic guidelines can prevent problems. Add salvia for intense color through summer [Image: Salvia] (Video 05/20/13) Salvia is an incredible summer plant that offers a wide variety of colors and styles. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to some beautiful salvia species and explains the best places to plant them. (Runtime: 1:45) Beef prices rise as feed cost go up [Image: Beef Prices] (Video News 05/16/13) Just as cooks are getting ready for grilling season, beef prices are on the rise. LSU AgCenter correspondent Tobie Blanchard reports that several factors are causing the increase. (Runtime: 1:31) Plants provide leafy greens during summer (Audio 05/20/13) Cooked greens are a traditional part of Louisiana cuisine. Most of the leafy greens we use are grown in winter. If you are looking for greens in summer, you can try Malabar and New Zealand spinach or amaranth. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Plant summer bulbs for beautiful blooms (Audio 05/20/13) Late May is a good time to plant summer bulbs. Some to consider include calla lilies, canna, caladiums and gingers. Look for them in local nurseries and garden centers. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Clean pots keep container plants attractive (Audio 05/20/13) If you grow plants in containers, you will need to clean these pots from time to time. Plastic pots are easy to clean, but terra cotta pots may need a little more help. Listen to learn how to properly clean your pots. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Spray schedule can control black spot on roses (Audio 05/20/13) Black spot is the leading fungal disease on roses in Louisiana. Some of the roses we use are more tolerant to black spot. Hybrid teas and grandifloras can be put on a regular spray schedule to control this disease. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Spanish moss won't hurt trees (Audio 05/20/13) Spanish moss is associated with Louisiana - often seen hanging from the branches of live oaks or cypress trees. It does not hurt the trees it grows on. It makes its own food through photosynthesis. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Researchers study oil-spill effects on marsh birds (Distributed 05/16/13) BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU AgCenter researchers are studying a bird species that lives only in coastal marshes to try to determine how it may be affected the by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Click for more information...