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Animal Enterprises
Total farm income for all animal
enterprises is $1.331 billion for 2003. Value added is $789.9 million. Total
value of all animal enterprises to the Louisiana economy is $2.121 billion.
Fisheries and Wildlife Enterprises
Total farm value of all fish and wildlife enterprises is
$409.5 million for 2003. Value added is $303.4 million. Total value of all
fishery and wildlife enterprises to the Louisiana economy is $712.9 million.
Plant Enterprises
The total farm value of all plant enterprises is $2.614
billion. Value added is $3.413 billion. Total value of all crop enterprises to
the Louisiana economy is $6.027 billion.
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Beef Cattle
During late 2003, the beef cattle industry saw record-setting
prices, with live fat cattle bringing more than $1.00 a pound. In late December
2003, the first case of BSE was found in the United States, which created
uncertainty in the cattle industry for 2004. The strong market in 2003
encouraged some producers to increase their herd sizes and others to get into
or return to beef production. Cattle numbers increased to 641,231 — up from
632,887 in 2002 — but still below the 651,126 in 2001. The number of producers
increased to 12,522 from 12,397 in 2002 but remained less than the 12,729 in
2001. Gross farm income from beef cattle was $291.8 million in 2003, up $36
million from $255.8 million in 2002, reflecting increased prices and numbers
sold.
The number of steer calves in the 300-pound to 700-pound weight range sold was
265,284 head, up from 255,759 head in 2002. The number of heifer calves of the
same weight range sold was 223,970, up from 206,342 head in 2002.
The gross farm value of the steer sales in 2003 was $110.1 million, up from
$97.2 million in 2002. The value of the heifers sold in 2003 was $83.9 million,
a $13.6 million increase from $70.3 million in 2002.
Sales of yearling cattle of both sexes were 66,968 head in 2003, up from 65,145
head in 2002. The value of the yearling cattle sold was $35.6 million in 2003,
up from $31.1 million in 2002.
The number of cow-calf pairs sold increased to 43,409 pairs in 2003 from 41,415
pairs in 2002. Some producers are finding a niche market of developing cow-calf
pairs to fill the need for other producers. The gross farm value of the pairs
in 2003 was $31.2 million, up from $29.4 million the previous year.
The number of cull cows sold increased to 73,284 head in 2003, from 71,548 head
in 2002. This, coupled with the increase in cow-calf pairs sold, is an
indication of herd improvement. The gross farm value of the cull cows in 2003
was $24.2 million, up from $21.9 million in 2002.
The number of cull bulls sold in 2003 was 9,091 head, up from 8,445 in 2002 and
7,650 head in 2001. The gross farm value of cull bulls in 2003 was 6.6 million
up from $5.9 million 2002 and $6.1 million in 2001.
The increased farm value of beef cattle in 2003 was a reflection of more cattle
sold and price increases.
The total gross farm value of the sales of the beef cattle industry in 2003 was
$291.8 million.
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Dairy
Milk production was reported by 20 parishes in 2003. Three parishes in the
southeastern part of the state and one parish in the northwest accounted for
91% of the milk produced, 91% of the dairy cows and about 89% of the herds in
Louisiana. Dairy farms declined from 375 in 2002 to 334 in 2003. Total milk
production decreased from 580.7 million pounds in 2002 to 510.5 million pounds
in 2003. The on-farm value of milk decreased from $81.2 million in 2002 to
$66.3 million in 2003. This was caused by a significant decline in milk prices
as well as declining milk production.
The value added attributed to further processing milk was $102.8 million. The
value of cull cows and bull calf sales was $5.6 million. The total value of
milk and animal sales to Louisiana dairy producers was $71.9 million. The total
economic contribution from dairying in Louisiana, including milk sales, animal
sales and further processing of milk was $174.7 million.
Milk from dairy goats was 27,881 pounds. Twelve producers owned 112 adult does
with goat milk sales of $6,134.
The total on-farm value of milk from cows and goats and sales of animals was
$71.9 million in 2003.
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Horses
The race horse industry is composed of 1,178 breeders who own 10,161 mares that
produced 5,971 foals that were sold in 2003 for $35.8 million. These breeders
own 1,977 stallions that were bred to 5,313 mares, generating income from stud
fees of $13.3 million.
The total income generated from race horse production was $49.1 million. An
additional 2,229 race horse owners owned 10,903 race horses in training or on
the track at a value of $109 million. The impact of race horse owners’ and
breeders’ activities in 2003 was $158.1 million.
The show and competition horse industry (horse shows, barrel racing, cutting,
roping, team penning, etc.) is composed of 2,600 breeders who own 7,847 mares
that produced 4,901 foals that were sold for $14.7 million. These breeders own
718 stallions that bred 8,351 mares, generating $12.5 million in income from
stud fees. The total income generated from show and competition horse
production was $27.2 million. Another 4,634 owners compete on their 14,901
horses valued at $59.6 million. The total impact of the show and competition
horse industry is $86.8 million.
A large portion of the horse industry is recreational. The horse is used for
comfort, exercise and enjoyment. About 20% or 8,570 of the recreational horse
owners bred 21,554 mares and sold 11,392 foals in 2003 for $17.1 million. These
horsemen own 933 stallions that were bred to 5,924 mares, generating income
from stud fees of $592,400. The total income from production in the
recreational horse industry was $17.6 million in 2003. Another 25,453
recreational horse owners have 61,366 horses valued at $61 million.
There are 129,022 registered horses in Louisiana, owned by 45,331 horsemen.
These horses are valued at $324 million. An additional 70,000 grade and other
equines are owned by 25,000 people who have a $210 million impact on the
economy.
In addition to the value of horses produced and maintained in Louisiana, the
activities of the horse industry generate a tremendous cash flow. The four
racetracks employ 3,000 people and generate expenditures of about $1 billion
per year. The show and competition industry conducts an estimated 500
activities per year and generates $12.5 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 $1.6 billion per year.
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Poultry
Broilers and Eggs
Poultry production continues to be the largest animal
agricultural industry in Louisiana and is second only to forestry in total
income produced by all agricultural commodities. Almost one-billion pounds of
broilers were produced in 2003. The gross farm value of these broilers was
$596.7 million in 2003. There were 422 broiler producers in 2003. Commercial
broilers are produced in 12 parishes including Bienville, Claiborne, Jackson,
Lincoln, Livingston, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Sabine, Union, Vernon, Webster and
Winn.
There were 111 breeder flock producers in 2003. These breeder flocks produced
31.7 million dozen eggs with a gross farm value of $12 million. There were
1,010 edible egg producers in Louisiana in 2003. Table egg production remained
the same in 2003 at 28.1 million dozen eggs. The farm value for commercial egg
production was $23.6 million in 2003. The gross farm value for all poultry
production in Louisiana exceeded $634.6 million in 2003.
Ratites and Other Exotic Fowl
The sale of ratites and exotic fowl generated $2,250 in Louisiana in 2003. The
decline in birds and values continued. There were 13 emu producers in 2003.
Forty-five birds were sold in 2003 for a farm value of $2,250.
Quail and Pheasants
There were 105,695 birds produced in 2003. Quail and pheasants generated a
gross farm value of $211,390 in 2003.
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Rabbits
The production of rabbits for meat and exhibition involved 497 producers in
2003. There were 278 fryer producers. This facet of the industry produced
468,719 pounds of meat. Louisiana rabbit producers generated $1,281,800 in
gross income.
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Sheep and Goats
Fifty-seven parishes reported sheep and goat production in 2003. Sheep were
produced by 570 producers and goats by 836 producers. Breeding ewe numbers
decreased slightly to 7,460 head, and breeding does were at an all-time high of
12,629 head.
St. Landry (1,425), Vermilion (1116), Acadia (850), Calcasieu (750), Allen
(450), Lafayette (350), Beauregard (300), Iberia (250) and St. Tammany (250)
reported the largest number of breeding ewes. Calcasieu (750), Rapides (700),
Ouachita (670), Beauregard (600), Livingston (575), Natchitoches (500),
Richland (500) and West Carroll (500) reported the largest number of breeding
does.
The total number of lambs marketed (slaughter, feeder and club lamb) was
estimated at 7,669 head. Stocker sheep sold numbered 954 head. Cull sheep sold
were estimated at 1,711 head. Wool production was an estimated 47,696 pounds.
Total number of slaughter goats was estimated at 9,534 head. Stocker goats
numbered 3,938 head. Cull goats marketed numbered 2,243 head.
Gross farm value for sheep and wool was $1.02 million. Goat gross farm value was
estimated at $1.4 million. Value added for sheep was $91,600 and for goats
$123,648, resulting in a total of $215,248. Total value of sheep, wool and
goats was estimated at $2.6 million.
Swine
The pork producer numbers increased to 498 in 2003 from 470 in 2002; however,
the number of sows declined to 3,894 in 2003 from 4,439 the year before. Show
pig production declined to 3,633 animals in 2003. There were 16,504 feeder pigs
produced and 24,866 slaughter hogs sold. Cull hogs accounted for 3,046 head.
Total gross farm value of swine production in Louisiana in 2003 was $4.8
million, down from $5.3 million in 2002.
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Exotic Animals
The 42 deer/antelope producers in 2003 sold 775 head for a gross farm value of
$96,875. Llama producers sold two head for $2,700. Gross farm value for exotic
animal producers was $99,575.
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Aquaculture
Louisiana has the most diverse aquaculture industry in the nation. Total
estimated farm value for Louisiana aquaculture crops in 2003
increased over the 2002 total. Louisiana’s producers continued to lead the
nation in crawfish, oyster, pet turtle and alligator sales, but not all sectors
of production posted growth in 2003. Pond bank prices for farm-raised catfish
remained low, and Louisiana’s catfish acreage and production decreased by 29%
and 45%, respectively. Farm gate value was down about 46% from the previous
year. Louisiana crawfish acreage in the 2002-2003 season was up considerably
(about 22%) from the previous several seasons, and production (roughly 73
million pounds) was up more than 20% from the previous year. The number of
farm-raised alligators harvested increased by roughly 18% in 2003, with farm
gate values increasing by 11% from the previous year. Oyster production
continued to be an important component of aquaculture in Louisiana. Pet turtle
hatchling production continued to increase during 2003, with industry estimates
of more than 12 million hatchlings produced for export to markets in Asia and
Europe.
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Catfish
Farm-raised catfish had a gross farm value of $19.3 million in 2003, which was
54.2% of the 2002 gross farm value. There were 8,961 acres in production for
2003 compared to 12,696 acres in 2002, with 2003 production down to 33.9
million pounds compared to 66.4 million pounds in 2002.
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Fisheries
The harvest of freshwater and marine fish and shellfish in Louisiana continued
to be economically significant. Landings of the numerous species are recorded
by two agencies. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)
receives monthly reports from the initial buyers (processors, dealers, etc.).
Species, weight and dockside value of the landings are reported for all
commercially harvested species. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is
responsible for estimating the landings of shrimp. This is done by local NMFS
data collectors.
The freshwater fisheries and marine fisheries data are estimates. Data are based
on landings reported to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
through August. At press time, this is the most recent available. The remaining
four months of landings are projected by extrapolating fisheries production
from previous years. Landings from parishes with fewer than three initial
buyers may be excluded from the reported numbers to maintain confidentiality.
Freshwater Fisheries
Freshwater finfish production is comprised primarily of
catfish, buffalo, gar and freshwater drum. Catfish, typically the most valuable
of the finfisheries, declined 11% by volume, but increased almost 7% in total
value. Price received per pound increased by 18%, primarily because the
temporary market surplus of farm-raised catfish declined in 2003. National
legislation preventing the labeling of catfish-like imports being labeled as
catfish also improved demand. Buffalo landings, although up by 14%, tend to be
highly erratic and not heavily influenced by annual market changes. Crawfish
landings declined almost 27% from the previous year. The decline in landings is
directly attributable to spring flooding in the Atchafalaya Basin being of
shorter duration in 2003 than in 2002. The price received per pound remained
stable. Total freshwater fisheries landings increased by more than 46%, and
total value increased by more than 7%. Almost all of the increase was caused by
a 21-fold increase in landings of “other finfish.” This group is comprised
mostly of bait fishes, such as freshwater shad and skipjack herring, although a
few minor food species are included.
Marine Fisheries
Marine commercial fisheries landings increased by well over
41% from the previous year. Landings for all commodities increased: shrimp by
49%, menhaden by 40%, crabs by 62% and finfish by 26%. Total value of fisheries
landings increased by slightly more than 34%. Only finfish declined in total
value (-2%). Total value for shrimp increased by 31%, although the price
received per pound fell by almost 9%. This decline is the latest in a series of
price declines attributed to competition from massive shrimp imports. Total
menhaden landings value increased by 40%. Price per pound remained stable for
menhaden. The total value of the crab fishery increased by 73%, with price
received by pound increasing by 6%. As with any non-cultured resource, the
available harvest for shrimp, menhaden, crabs and finfish can vary
significantly from year to year. Market conditions also influence landings
substantially.
The National Marine Fisheries Service is solely responsible for estimates of
recreationally caught marine fish and shellfish. Because of extensive delays in
the availability of recreational catch data from state and federal marine
waters, only the previous year’s catch can be reported here. Marine
recreational fishermen are a large group of 643,000. The latest data available
from NMFS indicate that Louisiana saltwater anglers caught 24.5 million fish in
2002, of which they retained 10.5 million. Much of the release is attributed to
regulations limiting the size and number of fish that may be retained. Both
total catch and retention were substantially down from the previous year.
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Fur
The 2002-2003 harvest of fur animal pelts had a gross farm value of $349,138.
This amount is represented totally by fur production and includes none of the
value associated with meat production, predominantly from raccoon and nutria
carcasses. This dollar figure represented a total harvest of 65,875 animals
that were pelted and sold. Nutria removals associated with the Coast-wide
Nutria Control Program (CNCP) accounted for 308,160 animals being harvested.
Nutria harvested under the CNCP program accounted for 47,042 pelts being added
to the market. An estimated 261,118 nutria were taken for the $4 incentive
payment only and not pelted. The total value of all nutria removed under CNCP
was $1,232,640. Nutria removals under CNCP, along with the gross dollar value
of all other animals pelted and sold in Louisiana for the 2002-2003 trapping
season, amounted to $1,582,281. The CNCP program had a tremendous impact in
increasing the total number fur animals removed by increasing the nutria take
in the coastal parishes.
Nutria accounted for 71% of the pelts sold in the state; the remaining furs came
from muskrat, raccoon, mink, opossum, river otter, red fox, gray fox, bobcat,
beaver and coyote. The average gross farm value of all pelts, regardless of
species, was $5.30. Pelt prices varied from lows of 54 cents for opossum to
highs of $59 for river otter. Value-added components raised the total value of
the furs sold in Louisiana during the 2002-2003 trapping season to $428,741.
^top
Honey
Production for 2003 was again down about 15%, but price was up again, saving the
industry. The season began with pricing about $1.00 and finished at $1.35,
helping the beekeepers greatly. This was in part because of tariffs and reduced
production due to bad weather at critical times. Total production was just
under 3 million pounds, for a return of about $3.8 million dollars.
Wild populations are back in the system, and honeybee removal from walls and
structures is on the upswing. Pollination is Louisiana’s biggest asset, with
more than $400,000,000 in services to wildlife and agriculture, both commercial
and homeowners. Colony leasing still provides additional income to the
beekeepers and to farmers, primarily in vegetables and small fruit production
such as strawberries and blueberries. The small hive beetle continues to spread
throughout Louisiana; regulations on honeybee movement may be deregulated
shortly. Improved management impedes losses from mite pests. The USDA Lab
continues to improve and release strains of the Russian honeybees to reduce the
need for chemical treatments. The African honeybee continues to border the
state near the Caddo Parish line, although no swarms have been found in
Louisiana.
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Hunting Lease Enterprises
The value of recreational hunting to Louisiana is expressed through the income
derived from hunting lease enterprises. The number of producers who leased land
in the state during the 2002-2003 hunting season was 6,216. This number is
slightly higher than the 5,951 who leased land in 2001-2002. The total amount
of land leased was 7,411,294 acres with a gross farm value of $45,207,699.
Value-added components raised the total value to about $47.5 million. Hunting
leases averaged $5.50 per acre to landowners in our state. This figure is
slightly higher than the $5.36 average price per acre received in 2001-2002.
Leasing rates vary greatly, depending on location, habitat quality and species
involved.
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Wild Alligators
The total production of 33, 063 wild alligator skins produced
247,964 linear feet of hide for a gross farm value of $5.455 million.
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Cotton
In 2003, the acreage planted to cotton in Louisiana was up from 490,918 in 2002
to 514,975. Louisiana cotton farmers harvested an all-time state record yield
of lint in 2003. Cotton on 217,328 acres of irrigated land yielded 1,081.3
pounds of lint per acre, and 297,648 acres of non-irrigated land yielded 931.7
pounds of lint per acre. There were 1,716 cotton producers across Louisiana in
2003.
The tremendous yield was attributable to favorable late-season weather that
allowed maximum boll production and greatly facilitated harvest. Rainfall was
timely throughout the season, and insect pressure was generally light.
Additionally, the success of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program is paying
dividends for Louisiana cotton farmers; this damaging pest is no longer a
factor in late-season loss. Fiber quality in 2003 was some of the best in
recent years. Almost 90% of the state’s crop graded in a white color grade
category, and the number of bales discounted because of high micronaire was cut
in half from 2002. Louisiana framers also received generally higher prices for
their cotton in 2003 because of increased global demand for raw cotton.
Outlook for the 2004 crop is optimistic. Acreage in Louisiana is expected to
increase by 10% to 15%. The increase could be higher, depending on the corn
planting season and prices of alternative crops.
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Feed Grains
During 2003, corn was produced on 1,795 farms in Louisiana on 486,398 acres,
which was down 40,000 acres from 2002. The reason for this slight decrease in
acres was that, during the spring, moisture was very limited in portions of
central and south Louisiana and this acreage was shifted to other commodities
such as cotton or soybeans. In the east central portion of the state, moisture
was a limiting factor and caused several thousand acres to be destroyed because
the corn simply had “burned up.” However, it was another fairly good year for
corn production with irrigated and non-irrigated yields of 141.9 bushels an
acre. Weeds, diseases and insect pressure were prevalent statewide but did not
cause any more economic damage than normal. Herbicide-resistant corn did make
up some of the market share in 2003, with estimates ranging from 5% to 15% in
some areas.
During the 2003 growing season, 155,285 acres of grain sorghum were planted by
993 producers in Louisiana with an average yield of 57.2 cwt. (102.1 bushels)
an acre. These yields are slightly above average of what is normally reported.
Conditions were favorable during planting, but moisture became a limiting
factor during the growing season in the southwest part of the state. Overall,
it was a positive year for grain sorghum production.
Oats were planted by 60 producers on 2,923 acres of land. The 2003 yield was
72.2 bushels per acre.
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Forestry
The projected Louisiana gross farm value of forest products decreased in 2003.
The 2003 total sawlog harvest fell by more 111 million board feet (9.5%) to a
cut of 1,116,383,390 board feet.
The estimated pine sawtimber harvest decreased by 9.1%, for a total statewide
harvest of 1,006,519,286. The hardwood sawtimber harvest decreased to
109,864,104 board feet (a 13% decrease) in 2003. Pine chip-n-saw harvested in
2003 totaled 801,191 cords, a decrease of almost 17% from 2002 totals. The
estimated 2003 Louisiana pulpwood harvest was 5,259,976 cords, down 61,698
cords (1.17%) from 2002’s harvest. Pine pulpwood harvest increased 2.34%, from
3,805,550 cords in 2002 to 3,895,733 cords in 2003. Hardwood pulpwood harvest
decreased by 151,860 cords (10.54%), from 1,516,124 cords in 2002 to 1,364,264
cords in 2003.
Stumpage prices for 2003 were mixed when compared to 2002. On average around the
state, pine sawtimber prices were 1% higher in 2003. Oak sawtimber prices were
2% lower on average around the state in 2003. Statewide average pine pulpwood
prices increased by 19% in 2003, reversing a trend of a 33% decline in prices
in 2001 and 2002. Hardwood pulpwood prices increased an average of 23% around
the state in 2003. Chip-n-saw prices declined 4% on average in Louisiana in
2003.
With wood-using industries and commercial timber harvesting activities occurring
in all parishes, forestry provides benefits to both urban and rural areas. In
2003, Louisiana’s private forest landowners received an estimated $536,706,681
from the sale of forest timber, down 6.65% from $573,743,837 in 2002. Timber
harvesting contractors and their employees earned $417,816,083 from harvesting
the trees and moving wood to mills. This total was down 1.21% from $422,904,659
in 2002. This income is re-spent many times throughout the economy. In
addition, Christmas tree growers received $1.1 million from the sale of trees.
Louisiana-produced pine straw sales made $132,530 in 2003. Louisiana’s private
sector forest tree seedling nurseries produced a crop worth $585,900 in 2003.
The payroll and income derived from money generated by the forestry and wood products industry totaled an estimated $3.7 billion in 2003, a 3.41% increase from 2002 totals. The gross farm income produced by all forestry-related
products, such as timber, pine straw and Christmas trees, totaled $956,351,993
in 2003, down 4.97% from $1,005,087,540 generated in 2002. The value added
through further processing and delivery was $2,744,730,221, down 2.86% from the
2002 value added of $2,824,295,987. Total value (gross farm value plus value
added) declined slightly in 2003, mainly because of lower harvest volumes for
most forest commodities combined with only slightly improved prices for the
most valuable commodities, pine and hardwood sawtimber.
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Fruit Crops
Peaches
Peaches were grown on 574 acres in 2003, an increase of 4% from 2002 peach
acreage. Gross farm value in 2003 was $2,344,170, an increase of 16%. The
increase in farm value is primarily credited to an increase in acreage and an
11% increase in yield per acre. All of Louisiana received adequate chilling for
peach production, but some areas did receive a late freeze that damaged some
varieties with lower chilling requirements. Hail storms caused moderate damaged
in several orchards.
Blueberries
Blueberries were produced on 327 acres in 2003, a decrease of 7% from
2002. Gross farm value decreased in 2003 by 6% to $1,055,946. The primary cause
of decrease in gross farm value was the loss of 23 acres of production. The
average blueberry yield was 2,587 pounds per acre. This is an increase of about
1% from 2002.
Mayhaws
Orchard mayhaw trees averaged 479 pounds per acre on 169 acres compared to 132
pounds per acre on 476 acres for native trees. Some of the mayhaw acreage with
older trees are starting to produce yields around 2,000 pounds per acre.
Mayhaws were harvested from 645 acres for a total 143,647 pounds, an increase
of 66% from 2002. The absence of a late spring damaging freeze and the
increased size of producing orchard mayhaw trees are the primary reasons for
the yield increase. The gross farm value was $163,823 in 2003. This is an
increase of 47% from 2002.
Miscellaneous
Many miscellaneous fruits are planted as either small commercial plantings or
as backyard plantings. These crops include blackberries, figs, muscadine
grapes, pears, plums, apples and persimmons. These fruits are planted on
approximately 200 acres. Their estimated gross farm value is $186,195.
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Pecans
Louisiana harvested 17.7 million pounds of pecans in 2003. This is 2.1 million
pounds above the five-year average of 15.6 million pounds. This was composed of
8.1 million pounds of improved pecans and 9.6 million pounds of native pecans.
The gross farm value was estimated at $15,068,567, which is 3.6 times the 2002
gross farm value. The 2002 pecan crop final USDA estimate for Louisiana was 6
million pounds. The 2002 crop was in a cyclic down crop year. Also, trees had
severe storm damage and nuts had very low prices to further reduce the crop
yield. The 2003 pecan crop was in a cyclic up year and had excellent growing
conditions all season in most areas and good harvesting weather. The size of
the crop was further enhanced by excellent prices that encouraged growers to be
more thorough in their harvesting. The good prices also encouraged a large
harvest from yard trees.
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Citrus
Citrus fruit was grown by 828 producers on 1,308 acres in 2003, down from 1,383
acres in 2002. Navel oranges at 801 acres were the largest citrus crop followed
by satsumas at 465 acres. Forty-three acres of other citrus crops were grown.
The gross farm value of all 2003 citrus crops was $7.86 million, down from $8.8
million in 2002.
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Strawberries
In 2003, strawberries were grown by 101 producers, down from 134 producers in
2002. The 2003 acreage at 388 was similar to the 2002 acreage. The average 2003
yield at 1,782.6 flats per acre was up from 2002. Total production was up at
691,637 flats. Gross farm value of strawberries for 2003 was $6.2 million, down
from $8.7 in 2002.
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Hay Sold
Hay production for commercial sales is a limited part of the total hay
production in Louisiana. Nevertheless, hay produced from 200 acres of alfalfa
and 243,027 acres of grasslands was sold by 3,082 producers in 2003. Yields
averaged 3.0 tons per acre from the grasslands harvested for sale and 5.0 tons
per acre from the alfalfa harvested for sale. Production included 724,388 tons
of grass hay and 1,000 tons of alfalfa hay. Compared to values reported in
2002, the acreage of grasslands used for commercial hay production increased by
19,059 acres while yields increased by 12%. As a result, production of the 2003
hay crop for sale was about 126,000 tons higher than that of the 2002 crop.
Gross farm value was $36.3 million, which was slightly higher than the 2002
crop value of $36.10 million.
Hay for all uses was grown on 243,227 acres and produced 2.98 tons per acre, for
a total production of 725,388 tons. This total production in 2003 was about 21%
higher than that reported in 2002. The number of acres devoted to hay
production increased by 19,262 acres from 2002 to 2003.
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Home Vegetable Gardens
The 2003 gross farm value of home vegetable gardens in Louisiana was an
estimated $118,463,100. Parish reports indicated 394,877 gardens statewide,
reflecting that garden interest was up 6% from 2002. Every parish has home
gardens with highest concentrations (37%) in the three metro areas of New
Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport.
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Nursery Crops
Commercial nursery crop production had a gross farm gate value of $106.97
million in 2003. This continued the “stagnant” growth, or lack thereof, pattern
of 2002. In 2003, fruit and nut trees were valued at $3.4 million, floriculture
and bedding plants at $22.7 million, woody ornamentals at $72 million and
foliage plants at $8.8 million. Inventory of plant material is higher than
normal. With a value added of $54.6 million, the total wholesale value of
commercial nursery crop production in Louisiana in 2003 was $161.5 million.
^top
Rice
Rice acreage in Louisiana decreased from 531,791 acres in 2002 to 455,080 acres
in 2003, primarily as a consequence of low commodity prices for rice and
government programs that favored rice in other states. Acreage remains below
the recent high figure of 640,000 in 1999, but it is expected to rebound some
in 2004.
Average yield per acre was a record 6,100 pounds per acre, well above the record
5,914 pounds per acre harvested in 2001. Most of the higher yield can be
attributed to higher yielding varieties and a mild summer. Improved management
practices also contribute because the economic situation has gradually
eliminated the poorer managers from the industry. Higher yields could not
offset fewer acres, resulting in a drop in total production for the second year
in a row to 27,405,017 cwt in 2003 or about or about 3.3 million cwt less than
2002.
The Louisiana crop was harvested by 1,560 producers, 155 fewer than in 2002,
continuing a steady decline in rice farmers for over a decade. The crop had a
gross farm value of $152,097,844; this is an increase of nearly $49 million.
Higher commodity prices and higher yields increased gross farm value in spite
of the decrease in acreage. Value added in marketing, processing and
transportation increased the value by $45,629,353 for a total value of
$197,727,197.
Rice acreage in Louisiana is expected to increase to around 500,000 to 525,000
next year. Acreage planted to rice will depend highly on the price at planting.
Low prices will prevent production, and higher prices will stimulate planting.
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Sod Production
In 2003, 28 sod farms (unchanged) cultivated 4,195 acres of fine turf grasses.
Sod acreage was reported down 7%. Gross farm sales were estimated at
$14,875,470. About 60% of the sod acreage in Louisiana is centipede grass. The
remaining acreage is divided among St. Augustine, Bermudas and Zoysias, in that
order. With new construction improving and Louisiana farms producing good
quality sod, our sod markets continue to hold a better price. Markets are
expected to improve as construction increases. Marketing is a limiting factor
in the industry.
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Soybeans
Soybean varieties from maturity groups IV, V and VI were planted on 733,821
acres by 2,775 producers statewide in 2003. In 2003, soybeans as a commodity
were planted on more acres than any other in the state. Of the 733,821 acres
planted, maturity group IV, V and VI soybeans accounted for 40%, 50% and 10% of
the acres, respectively. Continued emphasis has been put on planting earlier to
avoid late-season moisture stress and potentially benefit from an August
delivery premium. Approximately, 90% of the state’s acreage was planted to
Roundup Ready® varieties. In 2003, a state yield record was set at 37.0 bushels
an acre, beating the old record set in 2001 at 33 bushels an acre.
In 2003, it was also the first time that the state average was higher than the
U.S. average. The total soybean production for 2003 was 27.4 million bushels.
Growing conditions were favorable across the state, with the exception of
southwest Louisiana, which experienced a drought during the spring and then
constant rainfall during the growing season. Because of the weather in
southwest Louisiana, acreage was down in that region. If the southwest portion
of the state had gotten the crop planted, total acreage would have been
dramatically higher. Because of weather delays again, about 100,000 to 150,000
acres were planted during the third and fourth weeks of June and into the early
part of July. These late-planted beans were some of the highest-yielding beans
because they were the only ones that received consistent timely rainfalls. When
the earlier beans were in the early reproductive stages, water was limiting in
some locations, which contributed to a slight yield reduction. This was not the
case for the later planted beans. Insects and diseases were very active, and
almost the entire state experienced some degree of Cercospera leaf blight and
relentless attacks from stink bug complexes. Prices were favorable at harvest,
which made for a successful soybean production year. The gross farm value of
soybean production in 2003 was $182.5 million.
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Sugarcane
In 2003, sugarcane was grown on 480,686 acres (a decrease of 14,122 acres or
2.8% when compared to the 2002 crop) by 733 growers (a decrease of 27 growers
or 3.5%) in 25 parishes. An estimated 442,230 acres were harvested for sugar
(assuming 8% of the total acres were used for seed cane purposes), with a total
production of 1,420,729 short tons of sugar (an increase of 134,975 short tons
or 10.4%). Sugar produced per harvested acre was 5,911.3 pounds (an increase of
13.2%), and sugar produced per total acre (including acres used for seed cane
purposes) was 5,844 pounds (also an increase of 13.2%). The factories reported
an average sugar yield of 212 pounds of sugar (96 pol) per gross ton of cane
processed. Accordingly, the average field yield would be approximately 27.6
tons per total acre and 30.0 tons per harvested acre. The gross farm value of
$359,020,240 for sugar and molasses (an increase of 6.7%), as reported in the
crop production statistics, is 60% of the value of the sugar and 50% of the
value of the molasses produced, with the remaining percentage going to
processing and marketing.
The total acreage reported of 480,686 acres for 2003 is the smallest number
grown for sugar since the 1999 crop year when 463,000 acres were grown. Many
growers were not able to plant their full complement of plant cane in 2002
because of rainy weather and wet soil. Further, it is possible that some
growers had to plough out fields in the spring of 2003 that were damaged by
harvesting equipment during the 2002 crop because of the persistent wet
weather. Approximately 88% of the crop was planted to one variety, LCP 85-384,
a new record for a single variety in modern history. Although the 2002 harvest
was extremely wet, with record rainfall amounts during the period October
through December, January 2003 was relatively dry. In many cases, growers who
were not able to harvest fields in heavy soil treated with the chemical ripener
glyphosate for more than 100 days after treatment were able to do so in
January. To many, the fact that fields treated with glyphosate were not
harvested within the recommended treatment-to-harvest interval would mean lower
yields in 2003.
The rainy pattern returned in February and March followed by mostly dry weather
into June. Because of the wet harvest, however, many growers were not able to
remove the residue from their fields until much later than recommended. This
might have affected the yield of the 2003 crop. Dry weather prevailed in April
through early June, allowing growers to fill ruts in their fields. The dry
conditions in the late spring favored excellent tillering (suckering) of the
crop. In many areas, especially along Bayou Teche and lower Lafourche and
Terrebonne parishes, there was a severe outbreak of rust. It appeared to affect
many fields, notably those that had been precision graded. Once the warmer
weather and afternoon thunderstorms occurred during the early summer, most of
the rust symptoms disappeared. Timely rainfall and warm weather during most of
the summer, with the exception of some portions of the northern parishes where
drought conditions prevailed into July, gave rise to the anticipation of an
average to above-average crop.
Unlike the previous year, no tropical systems caused havoc to the crop during
the 2003 harvest although there was considerable rainfall during mid to late
September that delayed the harvest in some areas. Several factories began their
harvest in mid September to produce and market sugar before the beginning of
the new fiscal year. Accordingly, growers had to apply their chemical ripeners
earlier than normal. Because of the residual effects of the horrendous harvest
conditions of the 2002 crop and the early application of ripeners, field yields
were mostly disappointingly low during the first month or more of the 2003
harvest. In fact, field yields were so low in some areas that many growers
reverted to using their whole-stalk machines in lieu of their combines to
harvest their crops, especially early in the crops. Little or no scrap was
noticeable in the fields. Although field yields were disappointing, sugar
yields were mostly excellent. Many reports of the yield of theoretically
recoverable sugar per ton of cane exceeded 200 pounds in September and early
October. Field yields increased in first-stubble and plant-cane crops; however,
the overall yields did not meet expectations. Many fields appeared better than
what they yielded. Various tests indicated that stalk weight was off by as much
as 10% to 15% although stalk populations were near normal. It is difficult to
detect these subtle differences in stalk weight. Sugar yield remained mostly
good throughout most of the harvest, although it decreased after significant
rainfall occurred in most of the Cane Belt during Thanksgiving week. Overall,
there was an increase in sugar yield of approximately 35 pounds between the
2002 and 2003 harvests. Because of the lower tonnage than expected, the harvest
was completed by December 28, the earliest finish in recent years.
Even though many growers reverted to harvesting by a whole-stalk machine, it is
estimated that 80% of the 2003 crop was still harvested by combine. Even more
significant, 70% to 80% of the crop was harvested green. Overall, because of
the dry conditions through most of the harvest, field and factory expenses
should have been reduced considerably when compared to the previous harvest.
And, although the crop was not as good as many growers and factories would have
liked, the 1.4 million tons of sugar produced was still the fourth largest
amount ever harvested in Louisiana.
Sugar prices slipped slightly in 2003 when compared to 2002. The price for the
2003 crop should average $0.203 per pound net to the grower. Prices also
decreased for molasses and should average about $0.29 per gallon.
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Sweet Potatoes
About 19,208 acres of sweet potatoes were planted in Louisiana in 2003, which
was 1,730 acres less than in 2002. This acreage reduction follows the trend
that has occurred over the last several years. The season in general was ideal
for the northeastern section of the state. South Louisiana experienced drought
from April through about mid-June, then received heavy rains. The early
plantings in South Louisiana were adversely affected by the drought, but the
later plantings produced quite well. North Louisiana had one of its best crops
in several years. Since there was little carryover of the 2002 crop, the prices
for green potatoes started high, $22 for a 40-pound box. It leveled out at
about $16 a box for most of the season. Canner prices were higher than recent
years at $7/cwt. With the combination of good yields, quality and
higher-than-average prices, the farm gate value of the state crop is estimated
to be $87,653,090. Value added is estimated at $63,986,756, for a total
economic value of $151,639,846.
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Commercial Vegetables
Commercial vegetables were produced on 10,847 acres in 2003, down from 12,678
acres in 2002. The 2003 commercial vegetable gross farm value was $39.9
million, down from $46.6 million in 2002. Value added is estimated at $59.9
million. Total value for 2003 is estimated to be $99.8 million.
The major vegetable crops are mustard, $3.0 million; southern peas, $4.4
million; field tomatoes, $13.2 million; and watermelons, $4.1 million. Other
vegetables with more than $1 million in gross farm value are: fresh lima beans,
$1.4 million; fresh okra, $1.8 million; bell peppers, $1.7 million; sweet corn,
$1.4 million; and fresh turnips, $1.2 million.
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Commercial Greenhouse Vegetables
In 2003, 40 (up by three) producers grew greenhouse vegetables in 6.3 acres
(down 0.2 acres) of greenhouse space. All production was devoted to tomato. The
acreage was similar to 2002 estimates. Distribution of the industry was
statewide, and sales were to in-state markets. All greenhouse produce was for
fresh market sales, and much was sold direct retail by growers. Estimated gross
farm value of Louisiana greenhouse vegetables is $1,726,280. A significant
expansion (18%) of this industry had occurred during the 1997 season because of
its promotion by the LSU AgCenter. Little expansion is expected.
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Wheat
Wheat was harvested from 128,263 acres by 494 producers in 2003, a large
decrease from the 206,532 acres harvested in 2002. Yields for 2003 averaged 47
bushels per acre, exactly equal to the yields harvested in 2002. The large
decrease in wheat acreage was caused by an extremely wet fall that delayed or
eliminated wheat plantings in the fall of 2002. Total production was 6,064,323
bushels, which was down considerably from the 9,498,598 bushels harvested in
2002. The gross farm value of the 2003 crop was valued at $19.5 million, which
was significantly down from the 2002 crop valued at $31.15 million.
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