Animal Enterprises
Total farm income for all animal enterprises was $1.844 billion for 2007, up 10 percent from $1.675 billion for 2007. Value added was $1.060 billion. Total value of all animal enterprises to the Louisiana economy was $2.904 billion.

Beef Cattle	Rabbits
Dairy	Sheep and Goats
Horses	Swine
Poultry	Exotic Animals

Fisheries and Wildlife Enterprises
Total farm value of all fish and wildlife enterprises was $482.7 million in 2007, down 2% from $492.0 million in 2006. Value added was $337.3 million. Total value of all fishery and wildlife enterprises to the Louisiana economy was $820.0 million in 2007.  

Aquaculture	Fur
Catfish	Honey
Fisheries	Hunting Lease Enterprises

Plant Enterprises
The total value of all plant enterprises was $3.347 billion in 2007, an increase of $0.5 billion (19%) from 2006. Value added was $3.830 billion. Total value of all crop enterprises to the Louisiana economy was $7.177 billion, a 3% increase from 2006.

Cotton	Hay Sold	Soybeans
Feed Grains	Home Vegetable Gardens	Sugarcane
Forestry	Nursery Crops	Sweet Potatoes
Fruit Crops	Rice	Commerical Vegetables
Pecans	Sod Production	Wheat

 

^top

Beef Cattle

In 2007, the beef cattle industry began with fears of lowered calf prices because of perceived expansion along with increasing input costs. As the year progressed, however, beef cow numbers were lower nationally and prices held strong through most of the year. The driving factor was a devastating drought across much of the country. Demand, however, was markedly less due to high wheat prices after traditional fall runs. Production costs have increased steadily and should put producers at a tremendous disadvantage in 2008.

Cow numbers are back to pre-hurricane figures totaling 621,405 with a reported 12,193 producers. Gross farm income from beef cattle declined from $377.6 million in 2006 to $356.3 million in 2007. This decline was due to a decrease in calf prices in the past year.

The gross farm value of the steer sales in 2007 is $138.1 million, slightly higher than the $136.7 million reported in 2006. Gross farm values of heifer sales also declined by $5.8 million from $115.7 million in 2006 to $109.9 million in 2007.

A significant drop in cow-calf pairs sold in 2007 was noted since 39,795 pairs were sold for a value of $38.4 million down from the $50.4 million from the 53,017 pairs sold in 2006. Gross farm value of cull cows and bulls was $24.2 million and $7.0 million, respectively.

^top

Milk production was reported by 16 parishes in 2007. Three parishes in the southeastern part of the state and one parish in the northwestern part accounted for about 92% of the milk production, about 91% of the herds and 92% of the dairy cows. The number of dairy farms declined from 235 in 2006 to 204 in 2007. The number of milking cows decreased from 28,764 head in 2006 to 25,133 head in 2007. Total milk production decreased from 385.9 million pounds in 2006 to 345.9 million pounds in 2007. The onfarm value of milk increased from $56.6 million in 2006 to $71.6 million in 2007. Even though milk production was reduced by 39.9 million pounds, the on-farm value of milk increased by $15.0 million primarily because of the unprecedented price of milk. In 2007 it averaged $20.70 per hundredweight, $6.04 higher than in 2006. Increases in feed, fuel and fertilizer costs, however, resulted in smaller profit margins for dairy producers in 2007.

The value of milk sales in 2007 from diary goats was $2,058, down from $6,319 in 2006. The number of producers increased from 15 last year to 17 in 2007. The 260 milk goats produced 8,230 pounds of milk, down significantly from 25,275 pounds last year.

Value-added contributed $114.3 million more. The value of cull cows, bred heifers, mature cows, breeding age bulls and calves was $13.5 million. The total value of milk and animal sales to Louisiana dairy producers was $85.1 million. The total economic contribution from dairying in Louisiana, including milk sales, animal sales and additional processing was $199.4 million.

^top

The horse industry is an important economic stimulus for Louisiana. Approximately 207,350 horses are owned by an estimated 52,368 people. The industry is composed of approximately 10 percent racing, 20 percent show or competition and 70 percent recreational horse owners.

The racehorse industry is composed of 1,388 breeders who own 12,854 mares that produced 8,360 foals that were sold in 2007 for $67million. These breeders own 1,267 stallions that were bred to 11,844 mares, generating income from stud fees of $30 million. The total income generated from racehorse production was $97 million.

An additional 2,213 racehorse owners owned 15,049 racehorses in training or on the track at a value of $181 million. The impact of racehorse owners and breeders activities in 2007 was $277 million.

The show and competition horse industry (horse shows, barrel racing, cutting, roping, team penning, etc) is composed of 2,764 breeders who own 8,927 mares, which produced 6,030 foals that were sold for $24 million. These breeders own 1,007 stallions, which bred 5,008 mares, generating $7.5 million in income from stud fees. The total income generated from show and competition horse production was $31.5 million. Another 4,816 owners compete on their 15,249 horses which are valued at $76.4 million.The total impact of the show and competition horse industry is $107.9 million.

A large portion of the horse industry is recreational. The horse is used for comfort, exercise and enjoyment. Approximately 20% or 11,331 of the recreational horse owners bred 28,252 mares and sold 15,026 foals in 2007 for $22.5 million. These horsemen own 2,551 stallions, which were bred to 10,029 mares generating income from stud fees of $5 million. The total income from production in the recreational horse industry was $27.5 million in 2007. Another 25,131 recreational horse owners have 66,897 horses valued at $100.4 million. The total impact of the recreational horse industry is $127.9 million.

A total of 207,350 horses in Louisiana are valued at $512.9 million and owned by 52,368 horsemen. The valued-added in the horse industry was estimated to be $56.4 million last year. Thus, the total economic value of the horse industry in Louisiana in 2007 was $569.3 million.

The average horse owner spends about $4,000 per year on feed, tack, equipment, veterinary supplies and medicines, which generate $829 million in additional expenditures for the horse industries. In addition to the value of horses produced and maintained in Louisiana, the activities of the horse industry generate a tremendous cash flow for the state. The four racetracks employee 3,000 people and generate expenditures of approximately $1 billion per year. The show and competition industry conducts an estimated 500 activities per and generates $20.5 million in expenditures. With the value of horses, expenditures on horses and the activities in which they engage, the impact of the horse industry is estimated at $2.4 billion per year. The American Horse Council estimates that the Louisiana horse industry has an economic impact of $2.5 billion per year.

^top

Broilers and Eggs
Poultry production continues to be the largest animal agricultural industry in Louisiana and is second only to forestry in total income production for all agricultural commodities. In 2007, Louisiana growers produced 1.06 billion pounds of broiler meat. The gross farm value of these broilers was $795 million. There were 460 broiler producers. Commercial broilers are produced in 11 parishes including Bienville, Claiborne, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Sabine, Union, Vernon, Webster and Winn.

There were 129 breeder flock producers in 2007. These breeder flocks produced 27.4 million dozen eggs with a gross farm value of $47.9 million. Also, 42 pullet producers produced 1.9 million pullets with a farm value of $15.2 million.

There were 814 (commercial and small producers) edible egg producers in Louisiana in 2007. Table egg production was 17.7 million dozen eggs. The farm value for commercial egg production was $14.2 million in 2007.

The gross farm value for all poultry production in Louisiana was $884.1 million in 2007. The value added from poultry production to the Louisiana economy was estimated to be $848.7 million last year. The total value of poultry production in Louisiana was $1.733 billion in 2007.

Ratites and Other Exotic Fowl 
The sale of ratites and exotic fowl generated $500 in Louisiana in 2007. The decline in birds and values continued.

Quail
There were 24,459 birds produced in 2007 by 21 producers. Quail generated a gross farm value of $48,918 in 2007.

^top

The production of rabbits for meat and exhibition involved 390 producers in 2007. The Fryer industry produced 96,411 pounds of meat. Louisiana rabbit producers generated $82,980 in gross income. With value added of $7,883 the total value of rabbit production in 2007 was $90,683.

^top

Fifty-six parishes reported sheep or goat production in 2007. Sheep were produced by 427 producers, a slight decrease from last year, while 1,139 producers raised goats, an increase from last year.

Total number of lambs marketed (slaughter, feeder and club/show lambs) was estimated to be 5,567, down slightly from last year, with a market value of nearly $750,000. Stocker sheep sold numbered 614 head, down slightly from last year, with a gross farm value of $30,700. Cull sheep sold were estimated at 1,289 head, also down from the previous year, with a gross farm value exceeding $46,000. Wool production was estimated at 31,590 pounds, down slightly from last year, with gross sales of nearly $13,000.

Total number of slaughter goats marketed was estimated to be 10,175 head, up from 9,755 slaughter goats sold last year, and valued at $1.2 million. Stocker goats numbered 4,012 head in 2007, a slight increase from the previous year, with a farm value of $0.3 million. here were 2,843 cull goats marketed this year for $0.17 million. Goats sold as club/show goats numbered 2,364 head with a gross farm value of $0.7 million, a significant increase over last year.

Gross farm value for sheep production was $0.8 million while goat production was valued at $2.4 in 2007. Combined total value of production of sheep and goats was $3.25 million last year. Value added was estimated to be slightly less than $0.3 million. Total value for sheep, wool and goats was $3.5 million in 2007.

^top

Louisiana pork producers numbered 407 in 2007 compared to 438 in 2006. St. Martin (60), Rapides (35), Avoyelles (30), Calcasieu (30), Vermilion (26) and West Feliciana (23) parishes reported the largest numbers of producers. The number of sows reported in 2007 was 3,144, down from 3,613 in 2006. Show pigs, totaling 2,792 sold for $0.7 million, down slightly from last year. Feeder pig sales of 13,201 head had a gross farm value of $0.4 million in 2007. Four thousand fewer feeder pigs were sold in 2007 than in 2006. Slaughter hog sales at 9,903 head were down from 2006. Farmgate value of slaughter hog sales in 2007 were $1.1 million. There were 1,290 head of cull animals (sows and boars) sold for approximately $165,000. The gross farm of sales of all classes of swine in 2007 was $2.4 million. The estimated value added from the swine sector was $0.6 million in 2007, so when this is added to gross farm sales the total value of all swine production in the state was $3.0 million in 2007.

^top

Exotic animal producers had gross farm sales of $93,600 in 2007, down slightly from $137,720 in 2006.  

^top

Aquaculture

Louisiana supports one of the most diverse aquaculture industries in the nation, including species and products such as crawfish, catfish, alligators, oysters, tilapia, baitfish, hybrid striped bass, soft ‑ shell crawfish and crabs, ornamental fish, baby turtles, a variety of freshwater game fish and other minor species. Louisiana’s producers continue to lead the nation in crawfish, soft-shell crawfish, oyster, pet turtle and alligator sales, and new species such as saltwater baitfish and cultured corals are being evaluated commercially. Louisiana’s aquaculture crops exhibited mixed results during 2007 with gross farm sales of $170.7 million, down 8% from 2006. Value added to aquaculture was estimated to be $110.9 million, which when added to gross farm value of $170.7 millions resulted in $281.6 million as the total value of the aquaculture sector in the state’s economy.

Estimates from the field indicate that farmed crawfish production occupied approximately 168,000 acres during the 2006-2007 harvest season, compared to approximately 130,000 the previous year. With 1,305 producers in 2007, the number of producers was up slightly from a year ago, although this may not reflect the total number of people making an income from crawfishing operations. Estimated yields per acre (650 pounds) were higher over most of the crawfish producing areas of the state, possibly reflecting more accurate accounting or estimating practices compared to previous seasons. According to estimates from the various crawfish producing parishes, more than 109 million pounds of farm-raised crawfish were sold for $84.6 million in the 2006-2007 season, making farm-raised crawfish the state’s most valuable aquaculture crop.

Following several years of impressive growth in the number of farmed alligators produced, industry expansion has continued but at a slower pace due to lingering hurricane effects on nesting habitats. Nonetheless, the value of farmed alligator production increased to pre-hurricane levels, with $30.1 million in farmgate value.

Pet turtle hatchling production was steady in 2007, with production (10.5 million) and sales figures ($6.3 million) virtually unchanged from the previous year.

Hurricanes devastated much of Louisiana’s oyster fleet, infrastructure and markets in late 2005. Throughout the next year, the industry struggled to reorganize and return to production. Sales figures this year were $30.1 million, which were near pre-hurricane levels. The oyster aquaculture figures reported here represent a one-year lag (so that the figures for oysters reported this year are from 2006). This delay happens because the sales data are compiled and provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to the LSU AgCenter but are not available until the middle of the year following calendar year reported.

Louisiana’s bait fish industry declined significantly from $3.8 million in 2006 to $0.6 million this year. This decline most likely reflects broader, negative economic trends, increased popularity of artificial lures and competition in other states as producers switched from catfish production to bait production in an attempt to remain profitable.

^top

Despite continuing declines in acreage, Louisiana still ranks fourth among catfish-producing states. Declines in catfish acreage and production appeared to have continued throughout the major producing states in 2007, not just Louisiana. Catfish acreage decreased to 4,814 acres in ponds, managed by 22 producers who sold almost 22 million pounds of catfish valued at $16.8 million. Downward pressure on prices, combined with significantly increasing input costs for feed and fuel presage potential significant declines in catfish production in the coming year.

^top

The harvest of freshwater and marine fish and shellfish in Louisiana continues to contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Fisheries landings are recorded by two government agencies. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) receives monthly reports from the initial buyers (processors, dealers, etc), who are required to record every transaction. Species, weight and dockside sales value of the landings are reported for all commercially harvested species.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is also responsible for estimating fisheries landings, using both regional NMFS data collectors and LDWF reports. The data reported here are from those two cooperating sources.

The freshwater fisheries and marine fisheries data reflect the calendar year 2006. The one-year lag is necessary to ensure data accuracy. Realtime reports on fisheries landings are not available until four months after the fact, and final statistics are often six to seven months behind. Estimating landings for the second half of the year based on landings reports from the first half is inaccurate. This is the fifth year of this method of reporting fisheries landings data; therefore, these data may not be directly comparable to those reported more than four years ago.

One final caveat is that parish totals for fisheries landings will not equal the state total because of legal confidentiality requirements. When fewer than three sources in a parish report landings of a fisheries commodity in that parish, the number of landings cannot be publicly released without breaking confidentiality requirements. Furthermore, fisheries landings are reported for the parish in which the fish are offloaded; not the parish in which the boat and its crew may be domiciled or the parish where the catches actually were made.

Freshwater Fisheries 
Freshwater finfish is comprised primarily of catfish, buffalo, shad, gar and carp and is typically less valuable on a per-pound basis than marine finfish. Total freshwater finfish landings in 2006 increased in value by 18% from 2005 levels to $5.4 million on 10.9 million pounds sold.

Slight increases in catfish, the mainstay of the more valuable of freshwater species, contributed to the increase, though price per pound for catfish remained relatively stable. Sales of catfish caught commercially in Louisiana waters was $2.3 million in 2006. Shad, a low-value bait species that typically landed in half the amount of catfish, experienced a decrease in landings and in value (because of increased commercial bait production) so that only $0.6 million in sales were recorded in 2006.

Most wild crawfish are caught in the Atchafalaya Basin, where water levels fluctuate as inflows are controlled at about one-third of the combined flows of the Mississippi and Red rivers. Although wild crawfish compete in the marketplace with farm-raised crawfish, some consumers prefer the wild product because of its frequently larger size. The volume of the wild crawfish harvest is almost completely constrained by the timing and duration of the annual winter/spring floodwater event in the Atchafalaya Basin. As with other fisheries resources, however, wild crawfish production was impacted negatively by the hurricanes that struck coastal Louisiana in the fall of 2005. These fisheries continue to recover, though it may take several years for these fragile ecosystems to recuperate. As a result of this slow recovery, freshwater crawfish landings were only 1.5 million pounds in 2006, down substantially from 15.2 million pounds in 2005. Wild crawfish sales were $1.3 million in 2006, a substantial decline from dockside sales of $7.9 million in 2005.

Marine Fisheries
Marine food finfish landings are varied and complex, with about 80 different species being landed for 9.6 million pounds. In 2006, the top five species landed by value were yellowfin tuna, red snapper, striped mullet, black drum and king mackerel. Total saltwater food finfish landings were valued at about $18.7 million for 2006.

Landings of menhaden, a low-value, but high-volume non-food finfish species, were 690 million pounds in 2006 worth $32.1 million, up slightly from 2005. Price received for menhaden was slightly less than 5 cents per pound in 2006. Menhaden oil and meal are sold on the world market for industrial purposes, animal feeds and Omega-3 dietary supplements, among other uses, and the prices received for menhaden products is a function of the world supply of oils and meals, particularly those produced by the fisheries for the anchovetta of the Pacific Coast of South America.

In 2006, 11.4 million pounds of oysters were landed from private aquaculture reefs and from wild reefs. The amount landed from these two areas fluctuates from year to year, with production from the two areas being roughly equal. Prices were essentially the same for oysters from the two sources – approximately $3.15 per pound of oyster meat. To calculate prices per sack assume 7.4 pounds of shucked oyster meat per sack. Gross value of oyster harvested in 2006 was $35.9 million, up from $29.1 million in 2005.

Blue crabs constitute nearly all of the Louisiana crab harvest, with stone crab claws making up less than 0.01%. Landings of hardshell blue crabs landings were 52.8 million pounds (worth $31.8 million), up 39% from 37.9 million pounds in 2005. Louisiana hard crab landings normally range from 40 to 50 million pounds. Production of softshell crabs (23,468 pounds) and peeler crabs for the shedding business (118,235 pounds) are still low following loss of facilities in the 2005 hurricanes.

Louisiana shrimp landings in 2006 consisted of four species: white shrimp, brown shrimp, seabobs and pink shrimp. White shrimp have historically provided 50%-60% of the harvest by weight and around 70% by value, but in 2006 contributed 65% (87.2 million pounds) of total weight and 74% ($106.5 million) of total value. In 2006, brown shrimp contributed 35% (46.8 million pounds) of the total weight and 26% ($37.8 million) of the total value of the fishery. The overall average price for shrimp was $1.07 in 2006, down sharply from $1.30 the previous year. Overall landings of 135 million pounds were up from 103 million pounds in 2005. Shrimp landed in Louisiana had a gross value of $144.7 million in 2006, up from $133.1 million in 2005. Extensive damage to the shrimp fleet and infrastructure from the hurricanes of 2005 affected both landings and prices in 2006 and will affect profitability in the industry in the coming years.

^top

The 2006-2007 harvest of fur animal pelts had a gross farm value of $125,537. This represents fur production only and excludes any value associated with meat production, predominately from raccoon and nutria carcasses. There were 18,588 animals pelted and sold in 2007, which represents the third consecutive year that pelt numbers have declined. Every fur bearer, with the exception of muskrat, declined in number of pelts sold in 2007.

Average gross farm value of individual pelts across all species was $6.75 in 2006-2007. Raccoons accounted for the greatest number of furs taken (33%), with the remaining fur production coming from nutria, muskrat, mink, opossum, river otter, red fox, grey fox, bobcat, beaver and coyote. Pelt prices varied from lows of $1.06 for opossum to highs of $32.60 for bobcats. Value-added components raised the total value of furs sold in Louisiana during the 2006-2007 trapping season to $154,160.

Nutria removals in the state associated with the Coast-wide Nutria Control Program (CNCP) accounted for 375,683 animals being taken. This constitutes an increase of 206,840 nutria taken over the previous year. This increase is primarily a function of the incentive payments for removing these animals increasing from $4 to $5 per animal. Nutria removed for the $5 incentive payment under CNCP, along with the gross dollar value of all other animals pelted, totaled $2 million.

^top

Honey production for 2007 was down. Although there was a reduction in the number of registered colonies in Louisiana from 34,000 last year to 30,000 in 2007, other factors contributed to the decline in honey production. The two primary problems were weather and construction. Weather conditions have become unpredictable over the past few years. Rainfall has been erratic and has come usually during the worst times for honey production, during nectar flows. Over the past three years we have been behind with early rainfalls and with heavy or no rains during the nectar flow periods both in spring and fall. Price was down again this year, causing several beekeepers to expand production and to market their own honey as well sell to processors.

Beekeepers were still rebuilding colonies from the storm losses and some have gotten out of the business. Louisiana beekeepers have been fortunate not to have had problems with Colony Collapse Disease (CCD) that beekeepers in many states have experienced. CCD appears to be a stressrelated situation dealing primarily with migratory beekeepers that traverse the nation with colonies for pollination. The stress of movement, nutrition, environment and management has magnified minor problems in migratory beekeeping and resulted in significant colony loss. This is not the first time this has happened, but is the most significant episode to date.

Varroa and tracheal mites and small hive beetles (SHB) continue to be problems for area beekeepers. Increased or improved hive management and the development of new management techniques for SHB are helping to improve the management of these pests.

People continue to use the beekeepers swarm and colony removal list found on the LSU AgCenter Web site: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/environment/insects/bees_wasps.

^top

The value of recreational hunting in the state of Louisiana is expressed through the income derived from hunting lease enterprises. The number of producers who leased land in the state during the 2006-2007 hunting season was 6,406. This figure is represented by 5,213 individuals who participated in upland game leasing (predominately for deer and turkey) and 1,193 individuals who participated in waterfowl leases. Area leased for each of these operations was 5.9 million acres for upland game and 1.4 acres for waterfowl or a combined total of 7.3 million acres. Gross farm values for these leases amounted to $44.1 million for upland game and $27.4 million for waterfowl. Average lease rates were $7.50 per acre for upland leases and $20 for waterfowl leases. Waterfowl leases averaged $15 per acre in the coastal areas of the state and $50 per acre in other areas. Leasing rates varied greatly throughout the state from lows of $1 to highs to $30 per acre for upland game leases. In all hunting lease enterprises, rates land owners received were a function of location, habitat quality and species involved. High demand for good hunting leases often results in lease rates that are greater than the market value of that land. Value-added components raised the total economic impact of hunting leases in the state to $75.8 million.

^top

Land harvested for cotton (325,394 acres) in Louisiana in 2007 declined significantly (50%) from 2006 levels. Average yield for the state, however, set a record in 2007, based on pounds of lint-per-acre harvested. Cotton yields on irrigated land were 1,137 pounds of lint per acre and on nonirrigated land were 967. In 2007, 926 cotton producers grew 325,394 acres and produced 333.5 million pounds compared with 1,432 cotton producers who grew 621,766 acres of cotton in 2006.

In 2007 there were 110,771 acres of irrigated cotton and 214,623 acres of nonirrigated cotton. Sales of cotton seed contributed $37.4 million in gross farm value to the cotton sector in 2007 because of a sharp increase in the price of cotton seed. Gross farm value of all cotton sales, including seed, was $204.1 million, which was a significant reduction from $325.0 million in 2006. This drop was primarily due to the fewer cotton acres as farmers shifted cropping systems to corn and soybeans in response to strong prices for those commodities. However, reductions in cotton production in the state were somewhat offset by a generally favorable growing season that produced record yields in Louisiana in 2007.

^top

Feed grains were grown on nearly 1 million acres in 2007, more than double the land planted to feed grains last year (394,235 acres). Corn had the largest acreage (726,868), followed by grain sorghum (243,201 acres) and oats (8,754 acres). Gross farm value of all feed grains in Louisiana was $597.3 million, an increase of 400% over last year’s sales of $119.3 million.

Corn
The 2007 corn year may have been the most productive corn year on record for the state. Everything from seed availability to weather was ideal for producers this past year. Pest pressure was very light, and we had very cool conditions during pollination, which contributed to a new state record of 168 bushels per acre harvested. Most areas of the state were not lacking for moisture, and stress was minimal. The market price of corn was up significantly in 2007, which contributed significantly to the increase in corn acreage and gross farm value of production of $463 million.

Grain Sorghum
This year, grain sorghum acreage (243,201) was up sharply compared to years past and contributed to such a large crop being produced. We had favorable weather for much of the state; however, some areas received excess rainfall. In wet areas, anthracnose decreased yields and test weights, especially in sensitive varieties. We also had a number of acres that were planted behind wheat, which is not a recommended practice. Most of the sorghum planted behind wheat yielded 40 to 60 bushels per acre, pulling down the overall state average to 85 bushels per acre – still quite high for Louisiana.

Oats
Land planted to oats in 2007 reversed a long downward trend and increased to 8,754 acres of oats harvested. Average oat yield increased to 94 bushels per acre from last year’s relatively high yield of 75 bushels per acre.   

The projected Louisiana gross farm value of forest products decreased significantly for the period Oct. 1, 2006 through Sept. 30, 2007, which constitutes the period reported in this 2007 report. This followed an increase in 2006. The 2007 total sawlog harvest decreased by 50 million board feet (4%) to a cut of 1,296,988,822 board feet. The pine sawtimber harvest decreased by 3%, to a total statewide harvest of 1,127,842,139 board feet.The hardwood sawtimber harvest fell to 169,146,683 board feet (a 9% decrease) in 2007. Pine chip-n-saw harvested in 2007 totaled 878,019 cords, a decrease of 19% from 2006 totals. Over the last three years, chip-n-saw harvests have declined more than 50%.

The 2007 Louisiana pulpwood harvest was 5,966,475 cords, down 160,935 cords (3%) from the 2006 harvest. Pine pulpwood harvest increased 6%, from 4,540,106 cords in 2006 to 4,831,957 cords in 2007. Hardwood pulpwood harvest decreased by 452,786 cords (33%), from 1,587,304 cords in 2006 to 1,134,518 cords in 2007.

Stumpage prices for the period were mostly lower for sawtimber products and chip-n-saw, and slightly higher for most pulpwood products. Pine sawtimber prices were 6% lower in 2007, averaging about $358 per mbf for the year. Oak sawtimber prices were 6% lower on average around the state in 2007, at approximately $284 per mbf for the reporting period. Statewide average pine pulpwood prices increased by 6% in 2007. Hardwood pulpwood prices also were 6% higher on average. This follows a gain in the two years prior of 28%. Chip-n-saw prices decreased 11% on average in Louisiana in 2007.

With wood-using industries and commercial timber harvesting activities occurring in all parishes in Louisiana, forestry benefits both urban and rural areas. In 2007, Louisiana’s private forest landowners received an estimated $0.6 billion from the sale of forest timber, down 11% from 2006. Timber harvesting contractors and their employees earned $0.5 billion from harvesting the trees and moving wood to mills. This total was down 19% from 2006 levels. This income is recirculated many times throughout the economy. In addition, Christmas tree growers received $1 million from the sale of trees, up sharply from the previous year, most likely due to hurricane recovery. Louisiana-produced pine straw sales made $21,650 in 2007. Louisiana’s private sector forest tree seedling nurseries produced a crop worth $0.3 million in 2007.

The payroll and income derived from money generated by the forestry and wood products industry totaled an estimated $4.2 billion in 2007, a decrease from 2006 totals. The gross farm income produced by all forestryrelated products, such as timber, pine straw and Christmas trees totaled $1.1 billion in 2007, down from the $1.3 billion generated in 2006. The value added through further processing and delivery was $3.1 billion, down from the 2006 value added of $3.3 billion.

^top

Fruit Crops

Blackberries

Gross farm value of blackberries increased in 2007 by 30% to $0.3 million. The primary reasons for increased farm value is a 15% increase in fruit yield per acre and a 12% increase of blackberry acreage. There were 107 blackberry growers in Louisiana in 2007 who produced an average of 2,395 pints of blackberries per acre on 66 acres.

Blueberries 
Gross farm value of blueberries increased in 2007 by 38% to $2.3 million. A 6% increase in blueberry acreage and a 34% increase in yield were factors causing an increase of blueberry gross farm value. Louisiana’s 97 producers averaged 3,781 pounds of blueberries per acre on 318 acres. Although fresh fruit blueberry prices were generally higher in 2007, the overall price received per pound was down 5 cents because of a larger percentage of the crop being sold for frozen fruit and juice berries. Berry damage by heavy rains in June was a factor causing an increase in juice berry production. Public interest in fruit with high antioxidant levels appears to be a major factor in maintaining higher price for several years.

Citrus
The Louisiana citrus industry involves 452 growers in 17 parishes who grow 410 acres of navels, 347 acres of satsumas and 36 acres of other types of citrus for a gross farm value of $6.4 million. Citrus is sold by direct sales at roadside stands and farmer’s markets and retail at grocery stores and fruit stands.

Plaquemines is the leading parish with 500 acres of citrus with a gross farm value of $4.1 million. The surviving orchards in Plaquemines Parish are recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Citrus growers in other areas have stepped up their efforts in production and marketing citrus since the storm.

Mayhaws 
The gross farm value for mayhaws decreased 23% to $0.1 million. Orchard mayhaw trees averaged 438 pounds per acre, a decrease of 14% on 165 acres. Some of the orchard mayhaw acreage with older trees is starting to produce yields above 2,000 pounds per acre; however, damage from fire blight reduced yield on some trees by more than 50%. The registration of streptomycin for use on mayhaws should reduce the fire blight problem.

Native mayhaw harvest was light in 2007 with 498 acres producing 22,000 pounds with a value of $21,972. Several mayhaw collecting areas were closed or had fruit harvesting restricted.

 Miscellaneous Fruit 
Many miscellaneous fruits are planted as either small commercial plantings or as backyard plantings. These crops include figs, grapes, pears, plums, apples and persimmons. These fruits are planted on approximately 80 acres. Their estimated gross farm value is approximately $100,000.

Muscadines 
Muscadine production reporting was divided into fresh fruit production and commercial production. Louisiana produced 1,053 pounds of fresh fruit muscadines per acre on 51 acres. The fruit usually sold for $8 per gallon on average but ranged from $5 to $12 per gallon this year. The lower prices were generally associated with u-pick muscadines. The gross farm value of fresh fruit production was $0.4 million in 2007. Production for juice and wine was considered commercial muscadine production. Commercial muscadines were grown on 16 acres and produced 106 tons for a gross farm value of $33,920. Gross farm value of muscadines in 2007 was nearly $0.5 million – an increased of 16% over the previous year.

Peaches
Gross farm value of peaches was down by 14% in 2007 to $2.4 million. The decrease in farm value is primarily due to the loss of 16% of the peach acreage caused by a major grower exiting the industry. Peaches are currently grown on 411 acres by 56 producers. Yield was 146 bushels per acre, which was close to last year’s yield of 143 bushel. Chill hours for most varieties were adequate for the first time in three years, which increased fruit set. Heavy rains in June and July, however, caused disease problems that reduced crop yields in some orchards. Oak Root Rot disease is starting to kill scattered trees in some orchards, which further reduced potential yield.

Strawberries
The Louisiana strawberry industry involves 84 growers who produce 503 acres of strawberries for a gross farm value of $19.6 million. Strawberries are the leading fruit crop in the state in terms of value. Tangipahoa is the leading parish with 400 acres of strawberries with a gross farm value of $16.3 million. The majority of Louisiana strawberries are sold by peddlers, and grocery stores and fruit stands. The rest are sold at farmers markets and roadside stands.

The use of plug plants from nurseries in Quebec, Canada has increase the availability of Louisiana strawberries from late November till mid-May. Early berries bring a premium price.

^top

Hay production for commercial sales is a limited part of the total hay production in Louisiana. Nevertheless, hay produced from 132 acres of alfalfa and 316,829 acres of grasslands was sold by 3,390 producers in 2007. Yields averaged 3 tons per acre from the grasslands harvested for sale and 4 tons per acre from the alfalfa harvested for sale. Production included 985,799 tons of grass hay and 524 tons of alfalfa hay. Compared to values reported in 2006, the acreage of grasslands used for commercial hay production increased by about 60,000 acres and yields were 50% higher. As a result, production of the 2007 hay crop for sale was about 77% higher than that of the 2006 crop. Excellent weather conditions persisted throughout much of the state during the spring and summer months, and conditions in the fall were also favorable for hay production. Many hay producers were able to take one to two more cuttings than in 2006. Gross farm value was $140.2 million, which was significantly higher than the 2006 crop that was valued at $51.4 million. Many Louisiana hay producers were able to sell their hay into drought-stricken areas such as Georgia and Alabama for a very good price.

Hay for all uses was grown on 400,000 acres and produced 2.9 tons per acre, for a total production of 1,160,000 tons. This total production in 2007 was about 20% higher than that reported in 2006. The number of acres devoted to hay production increased by 10,000 acres from 2006 to 2007.

^top

The 2007 gross farm value of home vegetable gardens in Louisiana was estimated to be $99.9 million. Parish reports indicated 332,978 home gardens statewide, suggesting that garden interest was up 10% from last year. The reason this figure does not show a greater participation in gardening is that many South Louisiana residents who gardened were displaced by the 2005 hurricanes and not all returned to their home sites. Vegetable gardening is not only a hobby, but a way of extending the family food budget and freeing up some limited funds for other purchases. Every parish reported home gardens. Largest concentrations were found in the urban areas of Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette and Ouachita parishes.

^top

Commercial nursery crop production in 2007 had a gross farmgate value of $115.6 million. There were 49 fruit and nut crop producers in 2007 who grew crops with a farmgate value of $3.3 million. Floriculture and bedding plant growers numbered 169 and produced crops valued at $20.2 million. Woody ornamentals were the largest segment of the nursery crop industry, with 458 growers producing an estimated farmgate value of $85.9 million in 2007. Foliage plants were grown by 96 producers and had a farmgate value of $6.3 million. With a value added of $59.0 million, the total value of the Louisiana nursery industry in 2007 was $174.6 million.

^top

Louisiana harvested 12.3 million pounds of pecans in 2007, which was 1.7 million pounds below the state average of 14.0 million pounds. The crop consisted of 5.3 million pounds of improved pecans and 6.9 million pounds of native pecans.

A large percentage of Louisiana’s pecan crop was of poor quality. Factors affecting quality this year included heavy rains in June and July that prevented timely pesticide applications. Water-logged soils damaged pecan roots which reduced nutrient uptake. Severe drought during August and September placed additional stress on pecan trees which reduced filling of nuts. The drought also delayed opening of shucks in many pecans which caused nut germination in the shuck which turned into embryo rot in many nuts.

Louisiana pecan prices were weak due to a large national crop that was estimated at 333.6 million pounds. This situation exacerbated the generally lower quality pecans in the state and drove prices lower. Wholesale prices in Louisiana for natives averaged 60 cents per pound while improved pecans averaged 85 cents per pound. There was considerable variability on price due to quality, time of harvest and amount of pecans being sold. The gross farm value was estimated at $8.7 million; $9.7 million below the 2006 crop, but $3.4 million over 2005 crop that was damaged by two hurricanes.

^top

Rice acreage in Louisiana recovered from 347,199 acres in 2006 to 370,122 acres in 2007. Continued recovery from the damage of hurricane Rita on the southwestern Louisiana rice-growing area was expected to affect a rebound to around 400,000 acres. However, low rice prices coupled with high corn and soybean prices and a shortage of rice seed kept the acreage down. Seed shortages were a consequence of the discovery of the presence of LL601 (a GMO event) in the varieties Cheniere, CL 131 and CL 151. Cheniere and CL 131 had accounted for 50% of the acreage in 2006.

Average yield per acre was a record 6,515 pounds per acre, more than 400 pounds per acre higher than the previous record of 6,105 pounds per acre harvested in 2005. Several factors probably contributed to this outstanding production. The increase in acreage planted to Cocodrie and several hybrids which have higher yield potential than Cheniere, and CL 131 may have played a small role. In 2006 a complex of narrow brown leaf spot and other diseases caused as much as 70% of the 2007 rice crop to be treated with a fungicide, much more than would otherwise have been treated. An outstanding second crop in southwestern Louisiana added more to the final total. A good growing season, however, was likely the major contributor to the successful year.

The Louisiana crop was harvested by 1,109 producers, 72 fewer than in 2006. The decline in rice growers continues its steady decline. The gross farm value was $245.9 million, $64.9 million more than the year before. The combination of increased acreage, record yield and better prices accounted for this increase. Value added of $73.8 million brought the total value of rice production in the state to $319.7 million.

Rice acreage in Louisiana in 2008 is expected to increase slightly or remain about the same depending especially upon the land taken out of rice and put into corn and/or soybean production in northeastern Louisiana. Commodity prices and fertilizer and fuel costs will be instrumental in determining final acreage by commodity.

^top

In 2007, 24 sod farms cultivated 4,079 acres of fine turf grasses. Sod acreage was reported stable from 2006. Louisiana sod farms were not located in storm flooded areas because sod fields must drain well and have lighter soils. Gross farm value of sales was $20.4 million this year. Fields were slightly oversold in 2005 and producers were selling everything they could cut at elevated prices to meet the rebuilding demands. This left little acreage in the field that was near harvest since production generally takes more than 12 months. About 60% of the turf sod acreage in Louisiana is centipede grass and about one-third St. Augustine grass. The remaining acreage is divided among, Bermudas and zoysias. With new construction and rebuilding due to the hurricanes, Louisiana sod markets continue to experience high prices. Markets are currently expected to remain strong as construction continues from hurricane recovery, but subprime housing issues at the end of 2007 will soften the winter and spring upcoming markets. Shipping costs are now especially expensive with record oil prices, so local sod is more competitive. Marketing is not currently a major limiting factor, but supply can be in South Louisiana.

^top

Approximately 620,000 acres of soybeans were harvested in Louisiana in 2007. The decline in acreage was due to the increase acres planted to corn as a result of record high corn prices at planting time. This was a record year for soybean producers with few insects and remarkable environmental conditions leading to an all-time high yield record of 42 bushels per acre. Most areas of the state received adequate amounts of rainfall. We had very intense heat and a lack of rainfall during later reproductive growth stages to some soybean fields that created a large number of quality problems. Elevators set very stringent damage limits, and this caused problems with delivering the crop statewide. Gross farm value of soybean production in Louisiana was $202.5 million. Value-added for soybeans in 2007 was $20.2 million so that the total value of soybean production in Louisiana was $222.7 million.

^top

In 2007, sugarcane was grown on 418,933 acres (a decrease of 14,644 acres or 3% when compared to the 2006 crop) by 609 producers (a decrease of 52 producers or 8%) in 24 Louisiana parishes. An estimated 391,702 acres (a decrease of 11,700 acres or 3%) were available for harvest for sugar, assuming 6.5% of the total acres were used for seed cane purposes. Unlike in the previous year, no acres were abandoned or cane left standing in the field at the end of the harvest season because of the inability to process the cane because of poor quality caused by an early December freeze that occurred in 2006.

The 12 factories (11 raw sugar factories and 1 syrup factory) processed 13.4 million tons of cane (an increase of 0.9 million tons or nearly 8% when compared to 2006). The sugar produced from the Lacassine syrup factory was crystallized at the Enterprise factory at Patoutville near Jeanerette, Louisiana. In total, the 11 raw sugar factories produced 1.5 million short tons of sugar (96 pol) (an increase of 0.2 million short tons or nearly 16%). Accordingly, the average yield of cane produced per total acre was 31.9 tons (an increase of 3.2 tons or 11%). The average yield of cane produced from each harvested acre amounted to 34.1 tons (an increase of 3.0 tons or nearly 10%). The average sugar recovery at the 11 factories was 11% or 218 pounds of sugar (96 pol) per ton of cane; this was an increase of 15 pounds of sugar per ton of cane or an increase of 7.4% when compared to the 2006 crop. The yield of commercially recoverable sugar produced per total acre averaged 6,954 pounds (an increase of 1,137 pounds or 20%). And sugar produced per harvested acre was approximately 7,434 pounds (an increase of 1,134 pounds or 18%).

The gross farm value of the 2007 sugarcane crop was $396.4 million for sugar and molasses (an increase of $76.7 million or 240% from the 2006 crop). The gross farm value reported above represents 60% of the value of the sugar and molasses produced, with the remaining percentage going to processing and marketing. The total value of the sugarcane crop toLouisiana producers, processors and landlords at the first processing level was actually $666.9 million.

Sugarcane still ranks first in value amongst the state’s row crops when both the processor and producer’s portion of the crop are combined. The higher gross value of the crop in 2007 was the result of increased yield of tons of cane per acre and increased yield of recoverable sugar per ton of cane. The 2007 crop was the second best crop in the history of Louisiana sugar production in terms of the yield of tons of cane and sugar per acre, being only surpassed by the 1999 crop. The total tons of cane produced were the fifth largest in the state’s history while the total sugar produced was the fourth largest. There has been a gradual trend towards fewer acres planted to sugarcane since 2000 when there were approximately 496,000 acres. Accordingly, 77,000 fewer acres were grown to sugarcane in 2007 when compared to 2000, a decrease of approximately 16%. The fewer acres can be attributed to urban encroachment and switch to other crops, especially grain in the northern region of the sugarcane belt. During the past several years, plantings of new varieties has increased, especially HoCP 96-540 and L 97-128. For the 2007 crop, approximately 50% of the plant-cane crop was of these two varieties. Reports from producers indicated that the yield in the plant-cane crop for these two varieties generally exceeded 40 tons of cane per acre with some reports of yields exceeding 50 tons of cane per acre. Further, fewer acres were kept of older stubble, especially for LCP 85-384, which was grown on under 50% of the total area, the lowest percentage for this variety since the 2000 crop. However, yield reports for the acres that were kept in this variety were mixed with many producers reporting yields of less than 25 tons cane per acre. It was reported that many fields of LCP 85-384 were infected with common brown rust which is known to have a significant impact on lowering yield of tons cane and sugar per acre. Serious rust infection was also found in one of the newer varieties, Ho 95-988; however, the total acreage in this variety remains low. Rust was also reported in HoCP 96-540 although the incidence of disease was low. There also were reports that field yields were disappointingly low in those areas that experienced the saltwater tidal surge as a result of Hurricane Rita in 2005.

Although rainfall was generally well-distributed in the growing season, several areas of the state experienced brief periods of drought during the summer that may have adversely affected cane and sugar yields in those areas. For the most part, rainfall was below normal during the harvest season, which helped improve the quality of harvested cane. Approximately 50% of the total acres harvested were treated with the chemical ripener glyphosate, which improved the yield of recoverable sugar per ton of cane by approximately 20 pounds. It appeared, however, that fields with very high tonnage of the two new varieties, HoCP 96-540 and L 97-128, did not respond as expected to glyphosate.

Although cane and sugar yields were generally good throughout much of the sugarcane belt, producers reported lower-than-anticipated profits because of the low price of sugar and the high prices paid for fuel and fertilizer. In an effort to reduce fuel costs, many producers parked their combines and operated their whole-stalk or “soldier” harvesters.

Sugar prices for 2007 are even lower than received in 2006 (less than $20 per hundredweight). Although field yields were much improved in 2007, profits for both producers and processors will be lower than expected because of the lower sugar price. On a brighter note, molasses price averaged more than $0.45 per gallon.

^top

Louisiana sweet potato producers harvested an average to slightly above-average crop in 2007, although acreage was slightly down from that of 2006 with 14,254 harvested acres for 2007. Total production in 2007 was 5.5 million bushels compared to 4.5 million the previous year.

The average FOB price received for the 2007 crop was $15.50-16.50 for a 40-pound box. Processors paid an average of $6-$7 cwt. Total gross farm value for sweet potatoes was $65.0 million with $50.9 million from fresh sales and $14.1 million from canning sweet potatoes.

The production year started off on a positive note. Soil moisture and temperatures were ideal for planting in May and June, and, as a result, the majority of the crop was planted by mid-June. Producers experienced an unusually wet July across the state, with most production areas receiving 10-12 inches of rainfall. Some producers in northern production areas received in excess of 20 inches of rainfall in July. The excess moisture contributed to delayed maturity, and harvest operations began a couple of weeks later than expected because early plantings were slower to size than normal.

Despite the initial delay, the 2007 crop was harvested under good conditions, unlike 2006, when a large percentage of the crop was not harvested because of adverse weather conditions in October and November. Acreage in 2007 was down compared to 2006, but yield and quality of the crop were above-average and partially offset the reduction in acreage. Initial movement and price of the 2007 crop were strong.

Insect pressure was heavy across the state this year. Cucumber beetles were the most prevalent insect that was targeted in scouting and management programs. Producers in North Louisiana experienced heavier populations of this insect than they had in recent years, and most were scouting and spraying weekly. In addition, several producers in South Louisiana reported significant pockets of white grub damage on early planted acres. Weeds were also problematic in 2007, partially due to the rainfall experienced in July. Yellow and purple nutsedge were widespread. In addition, many growers had problems with smell melon, morning glories and pigweed.

The number of sweet potato producers has declined significantly in recent years. There were 159 producers in 2003, compared to 104 in 2007. Sweet potato acreage is expected to remain at current levels with the potential for a slight increase in 2008. The demand for sweet potatoes is increasing in domestic and foreign markets. Long-term expectations are for Louisiana producers to increase their acreage to satisfy the increasing demands of more health conscious consumers, and to take advantage of niche markets to increase profitability.

^top

The Louisiana vegetable industry involves more than 2,600 growers who grow 33 different vegetable crops on more than 9,300 acres with a gross farm value of $45.3 million. The majority of the vegetable crops grown in Louisiana are sold by direct marketing at farmers markets and roadside stands. The remainder of the crops is delivered to grocery stores and fruit stands. Most of the watermelons are sold to peddlers. Only a small percentage of the vegetable crops grown in Louisiana are sold on the wholesale markets and so prices received by growers in Louisiana are generally higher than those reported for commercial sale nationwide.

Tomatoes are the leading vegetable crop in Louisiana with $12.6 million gross farm value. Watermelons, with $6.6 million in sales, and peppers, with $6.2 million in sales, are second and third, respectively. Rounding out the top five in terms of gross farm value are southern peas, with $4.3 million in sales, and okra, with $3.1 million in sales.

The leading parish is vegetable production is Tangipahoa with 390 acres and a farm value of $9.1 million. Tomatoes and bell peppers account for more than $8.0 million in gross farm sales in this parish. Plaquemines is second with $4.6 million worth of vegetables grown on 324 acres. Tomatoes are the leading crop in Plaquemines Parish accounting for $3.0 million of the gross farm value. Union and Bienville are third and fourth with a gross farm value of $2.5 and $2.4 million. The vast majority of the value of farm sales in the latter two parishes is from watermelon production.

^top

Wheat was harvested from 228,113 acres by 613 producers in 2007, more than doubling the acreage harvested in 2006 – 110,767. The favorable prices received for wheat in 2007 was the primary cause for this large increase in wheat acreage. Yields for 2007 averaged 59 bushels per acre, which was 2 bushels-per-acre higher than the average yield reported in 2006. Total production was 13.5 million bushels, which was more than double the 6.3 million bushels harvested in 2006. The gross farm value of the 2007 crop was $73.2 million; nearly triple the value of the 2006 crop – $25.3 million. This increase in gross farm value of the wheat crop was due to the favorable prices received and the increased wheat acreage.

^top