Home > News Archive > 2009 > April > La. soybean crop looks to be larger and profitable this year [Image: Soybean Crop] (TV News 05/04/09) Weather wasn’t cooperating as Louisiana farmers tried to plant soybeans in mid-April. But the state still is likely to have a large soybean crop this year. The LSU AgCenter's soybean specialist says he is expecting as much as 1.2 million acres. Mid- to late April is the optimum time to plant soybeans, but weather delayed some farmers this year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 39 seconds) Ag Awareness program set for May 6-7 in New Iberia (Distributed 04/30/09) NEW IBERIA, La. – Ag Awareness in Iberia Parish will give third-graders the chance to learn about farming and the source of their food May 6-7 at the SugArena. Celebrate your child care provider May 8 (Distributed 04/28/09) The Friday before Mother's Day each year honors child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children. Oil City students participate in Youth Wetlands Week [Image: ricky kilpatrick at youth wetlands week event] (Distributed 04/29/09) OIL CITY, La. – Wearing nametags featuring their “personalitree,” 135 Oil City Elementary Magnet School fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders learned about forestry at Jeems Bayou Hunting and Fishing Club on Caddo Lake on Earth Day, April 22.  more articles... 600 4-H’ers learn safety lessons [Image: police at extravaganza] (Distributed 04/29/09) SHREVEPORT, La. – About 600 4-H’ers from 18 elementary schools learned how to stay safe at the 2009 Caddo 4-H Extravaganza April 24 at the Bill Cockrell Community Center. Trash bash kicks off Youth Wetlands Week (Radio News 04/27/09) The LSU and City Park lakes are popular destinations for recreation in the Baton Rouge area, but the lakes popularity can lead to litter problems. Youth Wetlands Week Coordinator Ashley Mullens kicked off the week of wetland awareness by holding a trash bash around the lakes. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Louisiana agriculture means billions to state’s economy (Distributed 04/27/09) Unfavorable weather and increased costs didn’t stop Louisiana agriculture from contributing billions to the state’s economy in 2008. Commodities in the animal, forestry, fisheries, plant and wildlife industries racked up more than $5.3 billion at the farm gate and “value added” in excess of $4.1 billion – for a total economic contribution of nearly $9.5 billion in 2008. You can’t get swine flu eating pork (Distributed 04/27/09) You can’t get swine flu from eating pork or pork products, says an LSU AgCenter extension nutritionist. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that a person can get swine flu from touching raw pork or from eating pork that has been properly prepared, says Beth Reames. Vinca, periwinkle has roller-coaster history [Image: periwinkle] (Distributed 04/27/09) One of the most popular warm-season annual bedding plants is vinca or periwinkle. It is well-known for its prolific and long blooming season. Aphids are a common pests of crape myrtles (Audio 04/27/09) Ever wonder why crape myrtles seem to always mist on your head? Well, it’s not water. The moisture actually is coming from aphids. In this week’s Get It Growing segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill shows you how to control aphids on your crape myrtles. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Add Louisiana irises to your garden (Audio 04/27/09) Among favorite spring wildflowers are the amazingly beautiful native Louisiana irises. In gardens and landscapes, hybrids of our native species bloom in a rainbow of colors with large, showy flowers on tall stems. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Train vines to meet your lanscape needs (Audio 04/27/09) Vines are wonderful plants for Louisiana landscapes. Vines can decorate walls, soften fences and create privacy. For vines to be effective in your landscape, however, they must be trained properly. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Spring bulbs still need care after they bloom (Audio 04/27/09) Louisiana gardeners use a variety of spring-flowering bulbs in their landscapes. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill talks about a few things gardeners shoud do after these bulbs bloom. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Plant Confederate jasmine for fragrant flowers [Image: Confederate Jasmine] (Video 04/27/09) It’s a tall-growing vine with beautiful flowers and sweet scents. On this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the fragrant Confederate jasmine, which is not a true jasmine at all. (Runtime: 1 minute, 40 seconds) Click for more information...