Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot says farmers are entering the 2026 growing season with uncertainty on several fronts, from weather delays in the field to ongoing policy and labor concerns in Washington.

A group of Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation and advocate for issues affecting agriculture in the state.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation made farming in our parish quite a bit safer with the donation of a Grain Bin Rescue Tube and Rescue Auger to the Natchitoches Fire Department, Wednesday, March 4 at the Parish Fairgrounds. Grain Bin Entrapment is an extremely dangerous situation in which a person working in a grain bin falls in. Moving grain will cause the person to rapidly sink. The grain is heavy and exerts pressure on the body. A person in grain over their knees will not be able to be lifted out. As the grain rises, so does the pressure.

Louisiana Farm Bureau urges Congress to pass the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 as it advanced out of the House Committee on Agriculture on March 5, 2026. Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation President Richard Fontenot sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, outlining the urgent need for updated policy.

The show ring is packed with students putting their best foot forward for showmanship. When Jesse Daigle steps onto the dirt, he has his game face on.

The beef industry is evolving, and the producers who stay ahead are the ones willing to see what’s possible beyond their fence line.  

The 2026 Louisiana Farm Bureau Beef Tour is quickly approaching, offering an eye-opening experience for not only cattle farmers, but those eager to learn more and network in Central and Eastern Texas.  

A forester, a former LSU AgCenter administrator with an entomological background and an advocate for Louisiana’s sugarcane industry were inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction. The induction took place at the L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge Feb. 26.

Aviation and agriculture have shared a long history. From aerial seeding to crop dusting, airplanes have long played a role in modern farming. Now, new research underway at Louisiana State University could allow agriculture to return the favor—helping power the aviation industry itself.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is joining a broad coalition of agricultural organizations, cotton industry leaders and major retailers in urging Congress to support the bipartisan Buying American Cotton Act (H.R. 7230).

The next time you pour out a sack of boiled crawfish, bite into a sweet slice of king cake or buy a carton of fresh Louisiana strawberries, think about the work that happens long before those Louisiana staples reach your table.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to review and revive key local food purchasing programs that have supported farmers and ranchers while providing fresh, nutritious food to schools and food banks across Louisiana.

For Aaron Lee, farming was never just a career choice, it was a legacy. 

That legacy challenged him to grow into leadership while carrying the expectations of five generations before him. Lee grew up on his grandfather’s farm, realizing from a young age that he wanted to pursue a career in agriculture. He’s now a sixth-generation sugarcane, livestock, rice, and crawfish farmer. 

In celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer initiative, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership program, together with a strong coalition of U.S. agrifood system stakeholders, will host a landmark national gathering to honor the vital role women play in agriculture and the supply chain.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is accepting online applications from entrepreneurs for the 2027 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge through June 5. Now in its 13th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on a memorandum of understanding between USDA and the Department of the Interior to strengthen public lands grazing and the partnership between ranchers and the agencies.

Each year, the Feeding the Economy report provides one of the most comprehensive looks at the full economic footprint of U.S. food and agriculture. While often discussed in terms of farm receipts or commodity production, the report highlights a much broader reality: agriculture is not just a sector, it is a foundational driver of economic activity that supports millions of jobs, trillions in output and significant tax revenue across every state.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on President Trump’s call on Congress to pass a farm bill and to provide market relief for America’s farmers and ranchers.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall called for EPA’s summer waiver to allow sales of fuels blended with 15% ethanol, or E15, to be made permanent amidst growing urgency and calls for the passage of legislation.

In another sobering reminder of the economic challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers, new data show that farmers’ share of the money consumers spend on food continues to shrink, even as expenses rise. The latest Market Intel from American Farm Bureau Federation economists shows that in 2024 farmers and ranchers received a combined 5.8 cents of every food dollar after accounting for expenses, down from 5.9 cents in 2023. 2024 is the latest available data from USDA.

Sara Bair, a junior majoring in agriculture education at Utah State University, has been named the winner of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet. Bair earned the national title following a dynamic discussion on how communities can grow responsibly while protecting farms, ranches and the agricultural way of life.

After careful consideration, we are excited to announce the Social Media Ambassadors, sponsored by Case IH, and the Farm Bureau Fellows, sponsored by CoBank, for the 2026 YF&R Leadership Conference. By the look of our applicant pool, the future of agriculture, food and natural resources is bright!

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall’s Verbal Testimony to the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry — “Increasing Domestic Consumption of U.S.-Grown Agricultural Products”

U.S. farmers are bracing for a system shock resulting from the disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the impact on fertilizer availability and prices. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today urged President Trump to intervene in a letter that lays out several recommendations.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on potential fuel and fertilizer supply issues following military action in Iran.