drought
Drought may affect deer food
Don Reed, LSU AgCenter wildlife specialist: “Natural deer food may be in short supply this year because drought is causing acorns to drop early, and hogs are competing for them...What you plant has to be palatable; moisture content is important in taste.” He also reminded meeting attendees that Sept. 1 is the time to plant cool-season food plots. Full article.
July 29 the deadline for farmers, ranchers to sign up for aid
The 2009 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers who sustained losses due to natural disasters. To be eligible, the farm must have at least a 10 percent production loss of a crop, a policy or plan of insurance under Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for all crops, and be physically located in a parish declared a primary disaster parish. The signup period ends July 29. Full article.
Rapides Water Works District No. 3 seeks water conservation
Currently, Cenla only received about 40 percent of its normal rainfall amount. Despite drought conditions, most local water systems have not requested or directed their customers to make any special conservation efforts. Of the 10 largest water systems in Rapides Parish, only Rapides Water Works District No. 3 asked customers in to cut back or cut out non-essential water consumption. Full article.
Record heat with more to come
Temperatures reached record highs in Alexandria. The National Weather Service reported that Monday, June 6’s high was 99 degrees, which is a new temperature record. Full article.
Thirty Six Louisiana parishes declared disaster areas
LA’s Forestry Commissioner recently indicated that LA farmers in 36 parishes may be eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) low-interest emergency loans due to losses caused by drought that began March 23, 2010 and continues. Farmers and ranchers in eligible parishes have eight months from the disaster declaration date to apply for the loans. Full article.
