Agriculture: Backbone of Louisiana’s Economy

This book, Louisiana Agricultural Summary, gives an accounting of the value of agriculture in Louisiana in 2003. Agents and specialists of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, as well as other agencies - both private and public - compile this information. It focuses on the animal, forestry, fisheries, plant and wildlife commodities that comprise our vital agricultural industry. This industry continues to make significant contributions to the state's economy with the potential for increased value through value-added processing.

In 2003, Louisiana farmers, foresters, fishermen and ranchers produced almost $4.4 billion in agricultural commodities at the farm gate price. When those products were processed, the value added brought in another $4.5 billion, for a total contribution of almost $9 billion. These values do not include authorized government payments.

Agriculture in Louisiana is a big business and continues to be a major contributor to the state's economy. Much of the state is highly dependent on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and wildlife for its livelihood. The heart of agronomic agriculture is found in northeastern and southwestern Louisiana. The forestry production is mostly in the hill parishes, and the fisheries production takes place mostly along the coast, although the aquaculture production of catfish is located mainly in the northeast Louisiana Delta.

Agriculture is more than a business to those who work in it day to day. It is truly a way of life. Families have lived on many of these farms for generations, and farming is a way of life they prefer even though it means hard work, long hours, high risks and sometimes low incomes.

As in any other industry, agriculture has its good years and bad years. During the 2003 season, commodity prices recovered from record low prices and lower yields seen in 2002 caused by extreme weather conditions (excessive rainfall caused by tropical storms and hurricanes). Good weather and higher crop prices in 2003 resulted in record yields for cotton, soybeans, rice, hay production and sweet potatoes. Additionally, corn and grain sorghum yields were above the 10-year average. With this successful year, many farmers were able to see their first year of recovery after multiple years of low profitability. However, we all know that each year brings additional risks associated with commodity prices, higher input costs (fuel and fertilizer are at record high levels), as well as potential weather-related disasters.

Agriculture produces the food and fiber commodities that are essential elements for life. Without the high productivity of agriculture, the six billion people in the world would not have adequate food, clothing and lumber products needed to sustain their lives. Even with modern technology, many do not receive enough food to maintain their existence. It is estimated that almost one-third of the world's population still does not receive adequate daily nutrition. Agriculture continues to be a highly sophisticated segment of the national and world economy and becomes increasingly more sophisticated each year. That is why the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service and the LSU Agricultural Center must continue to support agriculture with all the information that is available from researchers in the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, USDA and other land-grant institutions as well as research generated by private industries.

Those of us in the LSU Agricultural Center (Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service and the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station) are proud to be part of Louisiana's agricultural industry, and we look forward to continuing to serve that industry and the citizens across Louisiana for years to come.

Sincerely,

Paul D. Coreil, Vice Chancellor, LSU Agricultural Center, and
Director, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service