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Animal Enterprises
Total farm income for all animal enterprises was
$1.675 billion for 2006, up from $1.573 billion in 2005.
Value added was $918.7 million.
Total value of all animal enterprises to the
Louisiana
economy was $2.594 billion.
Fisheries and Wildlife Enterprises
Total farm value of all fish and wildlife enterprises was
$492.0 million in 2006. Value added was $333.9 million. Total value of all
fishery and wildlife enterprises to the
Louisiana
economy was $825.8 million.
Plant Enterprises
The total value of all plant enterprises was $2.818 billion in
2006. Value added was $4.165 billion. Total value of all crop enterprises to
the
Louisiana
economy was $6.983 billion.
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Beef Cattle
In 2006 the beef cattle industry saw continued high prices, though
the market weakened somewhat toward the end of the year because of higher feed
grain prices. Cattle numbers decreased in 2006 to 475,301 from 597,362 in 2005.
The number of producers fell sharply to 10,783, down from 12,346 in 2004.
Cattle producers suffered substantial losses in the coastal parishes as a
result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The repercussions of these catastrophic
events will be felt in the beef industry of
Louisiana
for several years.
Gross farm income from beef cattle was $377.6 million in
2006, up from $366.2 in 2005. Cattle
prices remained relatively robust throughout the much of the year, offsetting
the decline in production.
The gross farm value of the steer sales in 2006 was
$136.7 million, down $17 million from 2005. The value of the heifers sold in
2006 was $115.7 million, down $8 million from 2005.
There were 53,017 cow-calf pairs sold in 2006 with a
gross farm value of $50.4 million.
This was a slight increase over the $50.1 million in sales in 2005. Some
Louisiana
producers found a niche market of developing cow-calf pairs to fill the need
for other producers.
The gross farm value of 72,044 cull cows sold fell from
$28.2 million in 2005 to $27.3 million in 2006. In 2006, 7,986 cull bulls sold
for a gross farm value of $6.8 million, down from $7.3 million in 2005.
The total value of the sales of the beef
cattle industry in 2006 was $419.1 million, up from $406.4 million in 2005;
$41.5 million of this was value added.
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Dairy
Milk production was reported in 17 parishes during 2006. Three parishes in the
southeastern part of the state and one parish in the northwestern part
accounted for about 91% of the milk production, about 89% of the herds and 91%
of the dairy cows. The number of dairy farms declined from 268 in 2005 to 235
in 2006. The number of milking cows decreased from 32,237 head in 2005 to
28,764 head in 2006. Total milk production decreased from 436.6 million pounds
in 2005 to 385.9 million pounds in 2006. The on-farm value of milk decreased by
$13.6 million in 2006 dropping from $70.2 million in 2005 to $56.6 million in
2006 because of reduced milk production (50.7 million pounds fewer) and to a
greater extent because of the difference in price per hundredweight – $1.42
less for milk produced in 2006.
The value of cull cows, bred heifers, mature cows,
breeding age bulls and calves was $12.2 million. The total value of milk and
animal sales to
Louisiana
dairy producers was $68.8 million, down 18% from last year.
The value of milk sales from dairy goats was $6,319 in
2006, down slightly from $6,505 in 2005. Fifteen producers with 593 milking
does produced 25,275 pounds of goat milk, down from 29,567 pounds of goat milk
last year.
The total on-farm value of the sale of milk from cows and
goats and the sale of animals was $68.8 million in 2006. The total economic
contribution from dairying in
Louisiana
, including milk sales, animal sales and additional processing was
$161.2 million.
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Horses
The horse industry is an important economic stimulus for
Louisiana
. An estimated 60,000 people own approximately 200,000 horses. The
industry is composed of approximately 10% racing, 20% show or competition and
70% recreational horse owners.
The race horse industry is composed of 1,333 breeders who
own 12,150 mares that produced 7,951 foals that were sold in 2006 for $63.6
million. These breeders own 1,605 stallions that were bred to 10,832 mares,
generating income from stud fees of $27.1 million. The total income generated
from race horse production was $90.7 million.
An additional 2,142 race horse owners owned 12,577 race
horses in training or on the track at a value of $150.9 million. The economic
impact of race horse owners and breeders activities in 2006 was $242 million.
The show and competition horse industry (horse shows,
barrel racing, cutting, roping, team penning, etc.) is composed of 2,746
breeders who own 8,392 mares which produced 5,617 foals that were sold for
$22.5 million. These breeders own 959 stallions that bred 6,023 mares,
generating $9.0 million in income from stud fees. The total income generated
from show and competition horse production was $31.5 million. Another 6,216
owners compete on their 13,712 horses that are valued at $68.6 million. The
total impact of the show and competition horse industry is $100.1 million.
A large portion of the horse industry is recreational.
The horse is used for comfort, exercise and enjoyment. Approximately 20% or
10,590 of the recreational horse owners bred 25,041 mares and sold 13,547 foals
in 2006 for $20.3 million. These horsemen own 3,139 stallions that were bred to
9,260 mares generating income from stud fees of $4.6 million. The total income
from production in the recreational horse industry was $25.0 million in 2006.
Another 24,547 recreational horse owners have 61,241 horses valued at $91.9
million. The total impact of the recreational horse industry is $116.8 million.
A total of 164,077 horses are registered in
Louisiana
, valued at $458.5 million and owned by 47,526 horsemen. An
additional 36,000 grade and other equine, owned by 12,000 people, had a $108
million impact on the economy. The direct impact and value of horses and horse
production in
Louisiana
is more than $566 million. The average horse owner spends about $4,000 per year
on feed, tack, equipment, veterinary supplies and medicines. This results in an
estimated expenditure of $800 million on horses, with an estimated total
economic impact of $1.4 billion.
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 race tracks employ 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. A recent
study by the American Horse Council estimated the
Louisiana
horse industry economic impact at $2.45 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 production for all agricultural
commodities. In 2006, 1.04 billion pounds of broiler meat were produced in
Louisiana
. The gross farm value of these broilers was $666.7 million in
2006. There were 468 broiler producers. Commercial broilers are produced in 11
parishes, including Bienville, Claiborne,
Jackson,
Lincoln,
Natchitoches, Ouachita, Sabine, Union,
Vernon
, Webster and Winn.
There were 156 breeder flock producers in 2006. These
breeder flocks produced 31.2 million dozen eggs with a gross farm value of
$57.7 million. Also, there were 58 pullet producers that produced 1.8 million
pullets with a farm value of $14.6 million.
There were 839 (commercial and small producers) edible
egg producers in
Louisiana
in 2006. Table egg production was 23.7 million dozen eggs. The farm value for
commercial egg production was $16.9 million in 2006.
The gross farm value for all poultry production in
Louisiana
was $763.7 million in 2006.
Ratites and Other Exotic Fowl
The sale of ratites and exotic fowl generated $500 in
Louisiana
in 2006. The decline in birds and values continued. There were five emu
producers in 2006.
Quail and Pheasants
There were 27,115 birds produced in 2006 by 31 producers. Quail generated a
gross farm value of $54,230 in 2006.
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Rabbits
The production of rabbits for meat and exhibition involved 410 producers in
2006. There were 224 fryer producers. This facet of the industry produced
117,639 pounds of meat.
Louisiana
rabbit producers generated $103,167 in gross income.
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Sheep and Goats
A total of 57 parishes reported sheep or goat production in 2006. Sheep
were produced by 433 producers, a slight decrease from last year, while 1,035
producers raised goats, an increase from last year.
Total number of lambs marketed (slaughter, feeder and
club) was estimated to be 5,990, down slightly from last year. Stocker sheep
sold numbered 785, up slightly from last year. Cull sheep sold were estimated
at 1,374, down sharply from last year. Wool production was 34,498 pounds, down
by 9 percent from last year.
Total number of slaughter goats marketed was estimated to
be 9,755, up from 8,730 slaughter goats sold last year. Stocker goats numbered
3,947 in 2006. There were 2,546 cull goats marketed this year; down from 3,027.
Goats sold as club/show goats numbered 2,001.
Gross farm value for sheep was $1.0 million and for goats
was estimated at $2.3 million, for a total of $3.3 million. Value added was
$0.3 million. Total value of sheep, wool and goats was estimated at $3.6
million.
Swine
Louisiana
pork producers numbered 438 in 2006 compared to 429 in 2005. St. Martin (50),
Rapides (40), Vermilion (28) and
Calcasieu
(27) parishes reported the largest numbers of producers. The number of sows
reported in 2006 was 3,613 compared to 2,712 in 2005. Show pigs, totaling 3,456
sold for approximately $1.0 million, about the same as 2005 when 3,402 show
pigs sold. Feeder pig sales of
17,266 head sold for $517,980 in 2006, slightly fewer head than sold in 2005.
Slaughter hog sales at 12,470 head were down from 2005.
Total slaughter hog sales were $1.5 million.
There were 1,373 head of cull animals (sows and boars) sold for
$219,680. The gross farm of sales
of all classes of swine in 2006 was $3.2 million. Value added amounted to
approximately $0.8 million. Total value of all swine sales was $4.0 million in
2006.
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Exotic Animals
Exotic animal producers had gross farm sales of $137,720 in 2006, up from
$101,875 in 2005.
^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
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 2006, though
overall farm value increased over 2005.
Farmed crawfish production
occupied almost 130,000 acres during the 2006 harvest season, up 10% from the
previous year. In spite of widespread inundation from hurricane-related storm
surge and backwaters, this figure was still fairly accurate. Many ponds
that were in production in the spring of 2006 had abundant supplies of
late-season crawfish but some appeared to have suffered from population
failures. A total of 79.7 million pounds of crawfish were sold, with a value of
$95.7 million, making farm-raised crawfish the state’s most valuable
aquaculture crop.
Following several years of
impressive growth in the number of farmed alligators produced, the industry has
begun to suffer temporary reductions in volume because of shortages of eggs and
hatchlings resulting from hurricane damage to nesting habitats. Nonetheless,
the value of farmed alligator production remained relatively constant with last
year’s levels, with $28.2 million in farm-gate value, down $1.0 million from
the previous year.
Pet turtle hatchling
production experienced considerable market disruptions. Prices quoted for
turtle hatchlings appear to have fluctuated wildly in the months leading up to
2007. A total of 60 licensed producers reported aggregate sales of almost 10.5
million hatchlings, with a market value of almost $6.8 million, up somewhat
from 2005.
Hurricanes devastated much
of
Louisiana
’s oyster fleet, infrastructure and markets in late 2005, and 2006
saw the industry struggling to reorganize and return to production. Oyster
production, however, continued to be an important component of the aquaculture
industry in
Louisiana
, contributing $29.0 million in farm value.
Minnow culture and the fish
bait industries supplied $3.8 million in gross farm value to the aquaculture
sector.
^top
Catfish
In spite of continuing declines in acreage,
Louisiana
still ranks fourth among catfish-producing states. Pond-bank prices for
farm-raised catfish showed some strength throughout 2006. Declines in catfish
acreage and production appeared to have slowed significantly for the time
being. Catfish acreage decreased to 5,252 acres in ponds. Nonetheless, 25
producers sold almost 27 million pounds of catfish valued at $20.7 million.
^top
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.
Local NMFS data collectors do this.
The freshwater fisheries
and marine fisheries data reflect 2005. The one-year lag is necessary for
accuracy. Real-time 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 third year of this
method of reporting fisheries landings data; therefore, data should not be used
on a comparative basis with those of previous years.
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.
Freshwater Fisheries
Freshwater finfish is comprised primarily of catfish,
buffalo, gar, shad and freshwater drum and is typically less valuable on a
per-pound basis than marine finfish. Total freshwater finfish landings
increased in value by 9% from 2005 levels to $3.7 million on 10.4 million
pounds sold.
Catfish, the mainstay of
the more valuable of freshwater species, contributed to the increased, though
price per pound for catfish remained relatively stable. Shad, a low-value bait
species that typically landed in half the amount of catfish, experienced a
decline in landings. None of these shifts in finfish landings are beyond the
range of ordinary. Except for gar, most species of freshwater finfish were not
overfished, and a minor change in demand can result in large upward and
downward movement in landings annually.
Freshwater crawfish
landings of 14.5 million pounds in 2006 were up substantially from 8.2 million
pounds in 2005. Wild crawfish
sales of $7.9 million in 2006 also increased substantially from gross farm
sales of $4.6 million in 2005. Most wild crawfish were caught in the
Atchafalaya
Basin, which serves as a spillway for
floodwaters of the
Mississippi
River. Although wild crawfish compete in the marketplace with farm-raised crawfish, many consumers prefer the
wild product because of its larger size. The volume of the wild crawfish
harvest is almost completely constrained by the timing and duration of the
annual floodwater event in the
Atchafalaya
Basin
.
Marine Fisheries
Marine food finfish landings are varied and complex, with about 120 different
species being landed for 207 million pounds. In 2005, the top 10 species landed
by weight were striped mullet, black drum, yellowfin tuna, red snapper,
sheepshead, blacktip shark, king mackerel, vermilion snapper, swordfish and
greater amberjack.
By value, the top 10
finfish species were yellowfin tuna, red snapper, striped mullet, black drum,
vermilion snapper, king mackerel, swordfish, bluefin tuna, sheepshead and
greater amberjack. Total saltwater finfish landings decreased 8% in total value
from last year to $207.2 million for 2005.
Landings of Menhaden in
2005, a low-value, but high-volume nonfood finfish species, were 728 million
pounds, down from 2004. Price received averaged 2.5 cents per pound in 2005.
Menhaden oil and meal are sold on the world market for industrial purposes and
omega-3 dietary supplements, among other uses, and the prices received for
menhaden products is controlled by the world supply of oils and meals,
particularly those produced by the fisheries for the anchovetta of the Pacific
Coast of South America.
In 2005, about three-fifths
of the oysters landed came from private aquaculture reefs and two-fifths from
wild reefs. These figures fluctuate from year to year, with production from the
two areas being roughly equal. Prices were essentially the same for oysters
from the two sources. Gross value of oyster harvested was $29.1 million in
2005. Values used in these calculations were 7 pounds of shucked oyster meats
per sack.
Blue crabs make up well
over 99% of the
Louisiana
crab harvest, with stone crabs making up the remainder. Blue crab landings were
38.0 million pounds, down 14% from 44.2 million pounds in 2004.
Louisiana
crab landings normally fluctuate in the 40- to 50-million pound range. Value of
harvested crabs of $27.6 million in 2005 was down $2 million from 2005.
Shrimp landings were
produced by six species – white shrimp, brown shrimp, seabobs, pink shrimp,
rock shrimp and broken-neck shrimp. White shrimp generally provide 50%-60% of
the harvest by weight and 70% by value in recent years. Brown shrimp
contributed approximately 40% of the total weight and 30% of the total value of
the fishery. The overall average price for shrimp in 2005 was $1.30, a 25%
increase from the previous year. On the other hand, landings of 102 million
pounds of shrimp were down from 132 million pounds in 2004. Shrimp landed in
Louisiana
had a gross value of $132.9 million in 2005, down from $136.7 million in 2004.
Because of substantial damage to the shrimp industry and infrastructure from
the hurricanes in 2005, landings and prices this year and in the coming few
years will be affected, adversely and positively, respectively.
^top
Fur
The 2005-2006 harvest of fur animal pelts had a gross farm value of $0.5
million. This amount is represented by fur production only and excludes any
value associated with meat production, predominately from raccoon and nutria
carcasses. Animals pelted and sold totaled only 25,206 as compared to 60,736
pelted last year.
Although every furbearer
showed a decrease in numbers taken, nutria represented the greatest drop.
Nutria pelts in 2004-2005 totaled 37,105 while 2005-2006 numbers were down to
5,021. Nutria removals in the state associated with the coast-wide nutria
control program (CNCP) accounted for 168, 843 animals being taken. This number
was down from 297,535 taken in 2004-2005. Combining the nutria removed for the
$4 incentive payment under CNCP, along with the gross dollar value of all other
animals pelted, yields $1.2 million in total value. This figure is down only
slightly from $1.8 million in 2004-2005.
Though fewer animal pelts were sold this year than last,
pelt prices increased across all species, except for coyotes, which remained
constant at $9 per pelt. Average gross farm value of individual pelts,
regardless of species, was $19.80 in 2005-2006. Raccoons accounted for the
greatest number of furs taken (36%), 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 58 cents for opossum to
highs of $91 for river otters. The total value of fur production, including
value added, in
Louisiana
during the 2005-2006 trapping season to $0.6 million.
^top
Honey
Honey production for 2006
was down from 2005, creating some problems for the industry. The total
production was 2.2 million pounds, nearly 0.3 million pounds fewer than 2005.
Gross farm value of honey was $2.0 million, up 40% from the previous year.
Louisiana
beekeepers lost more than 3,000 hives to the hurricanes last year and spent the
year trying to reestablish those colonies. Assistance came from other
beekeepers both in and out of state as well as several of the bee products
companies. Although honey production was down, the increased price helped to
offset the reduced production and increase the value of production. Along
with colony losses from the hurricanes, early drought followed by heavy rains
reduced nectar flow and plant development; these were the primary causes of
lower production.
Mites, small hive beetles
and in some localities Black bears were the major problems affecting honeybee
colonies. A Bt formulation for wax moths (Certan) has been relabeled for
use by beekeepers and may help manage this pest.
Feral colonies continue to
increase and the need for beekeepers to remove swarms and colonies from
structures is high. A list of beekeepers that remove bees and collect
swarms can be found on the LSU AgCenter Web site:
www.lsuagcenter.com/en/environment/insects/bees_wasps.
^top
Hunting Lease Enterprises
The value of recreational hunting to the state of
Louisiana
is seen in the income derived from hunting lease enterprises. The number of
producers who leased land in the state during the 2005-2006 hunting season was
7,827. This figure includes 6,087 individuals who participated in upland game
leasing (predominately for deer and turkey) and 1,740 individuals who
participated in waterfowl leases. Acreage leased for each of these operations
was 6.4 million for upland game and 1.7 million for waterfowl.
Gross farm values for these
leases amounted to $44.8 million for upland game and $35.5 million for
waterfowl. Average lease rates were $7 per acre for upland leases and $21 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 $1 to $30 per acre for upland game leases. In all
hunting lease enterprises, rates depended on location, habitat quality and
species involved. Value-added components raised the total economic impact of
hunting leases in the state to $84.3 million, down slightly from $85.3 million
in 2005.
^top
Cotton
Cotton acreage was higher for both irrigated and nonirrigated cotton in 2006.
Yields on irrigated land, however, were lower than in 2005, but higher on
nonirrigated land. In 2006, the 1,432 cotton producers grew 621,766 acres of
cotton, up from 1,415 producers growing 600,119 acres in the previous year.
Acres of irrigated cotton numbered 260,290, with a yield of 1,006 pounds of
lint per acre in 2005. Acreage was up from 255,263 acres last year, and yields
were up from 980 pounds of lint last year. The 2006 nonirrigated acreage of
361,475 acres was up from 344,856 acres in the preceding year. The nonirrigated
acreage yield of 885 pounds of lint was up from last year’s yield of 844
pounds. Sales of cotton seed contributed $44.9 million in gross farm value to
the cotton sector in 2006. Gross farm value of all cotton sales, including
seed, was $325.0 million, up substantially from last year’s sales of $243.6
million. This was primarily due to greater production as prices remained weak
throughout 2006.
^top
Feed Grains
Feed grains were grown on 394,235 acres in 2006, down
somewhat from 431,726 acres last year. Corn had the largest acreage (304,919),
followed by grain sorghum (85,734 acres) and oats (3,582 acres). Gross farm
value of all feed grains in
Louisiana
was $136.6 million, an increase of 7% over last year’s sales of $119.3 million.
Corn
Corn was grown on 1,275 farms in 2006, down from 1,525 farms last
year. In 2006, 304,919 acres of corn were harvested, with the majority of the
acreage in northeastern
Louisiana
. Acreage for 2006 was down again because of extremely high
fertilizer costs. Growing conditions for corn in 2006 were very difficult.
However, even with these adverse environmental conditions during the
growing season, corn yield remained steady. Historically,
Louisiana
averages around 130 bushels per acre over irrigated and nonirrigated practices.
High corn prices at the end of 2006, driven mainly by interest nationwide in
ethanol production, may signal a potential increase in acreage planted to corn
in 2007.
Grain sorghum
In 2006, approximately 100 fewer farmers (386) produced grain sorghum
than last year. Land planted to
grain sorghum decreased to 85,734 acres statewide because of low commodity
prices and high nitrogen costs. The sorghum crop sustained severe drought
stress during the growing season but fared well at harvest. Sorghum yields were
up this year, with the majority of the state harvesting 80 to 90 bushels per
acre.
Oats
Land planted to oats continued to decline in 2006, with 3,582 acres of
oats harvested. Oat yields also declined to 64 bushels per acre from last
year’s relatively high yield of 75 bushels per acre. Yields in 2006 were below
the 72 bushels per acre averaged over the past few years in
Louisiana
.
^top
Forestry
The projected
Louisiana
gross farm value of forest products increased for the period July 1, 2005
through June 30, 2006, which constitutes the period reported in the 2006 Ag
Summary. This followed a significant decrease in 2005. The 2006 total sawlog
harvest increased by 76 million board feet (5.8%) to a cut of 1,346,657,363
board feet. The pine sawtimber harvest increased by 4.8% to a total statewide
harvest of 1,161,957,595 board feet. The hardwood sawtimber harvest increased
to 184,699,768 board feet (a 12.7% increase) in 2006. Pine chip-n-saw harvested
in 2006 totaled 1,064,987 cords, a decrease of almost 8% from 2005 totals. Over
the last two years, chip-n-saw harvests have declined 33%.
The 2006
Louisiana
pulpwood harvest was 6,127,410 cords, up 596,382 cords (10.2%) from 2005’s
harvest. Pine pulpwood harvest increased 6.8%, from 4,241,394 cords in 2005 to
4,540,106 cords in 2006. Hardwood pulpwood harvest increased by 297,670 cords
(20.7%), from 1,289,634 cords in 2005 to 1,587,304 cords in 2006.
Stumpage prices for 2006 were lower overall than they
were in 2005, based on statewide annual averages. Pine sawtimber prices were 1%
lower in 2006, averaging about $380 per mbf for the year. Oak sawtimber prices
were 12% lower on average around the state in 2006, at approximately $276 per
mbf for the year. Statewide average pine pulpwood prices decreased by 14% in
2006, reversing a 15% increase observed in 2005. Hardwood pulpwood prices were
the only prices to increase, showing a 2% average statewide gain compared to
2005 prices. For the past two years, hardwood pulpwood average prices have
increased by 28%. Chip-n-saw prices decreased 14% on average in
Louisiana
in 2006.
With
wood-using industries and commercial timber harvesting activities occurring in
all parishes in
Louisiana
, forestry benefits both urban and rural areas. In 2006,
Louisiana
’s private forest landowners received an estimated $668.7 million
from the sale of forest timber, up 1.9% from 2005. Timber harvesting
contractors and their employees earned $592.5 million from harvesting the trees
and moving wood to mills. This total was up 13.3% from 2005 levels. This income
is recirculated many times throughout the economy. In addition, Christmas tree
growers received $507,240 from the sale of trees, down sharply from the
previous year, most likely due to hurricane impacts. Louisiana-produced pine
straw sales made $47,500 in 2006.
Louisiana
’s private sector forest tree seedling nurseries produced a crop
worth $441,700 in 2006.
The payroll and income derived from money generated by
the forestry and wood products industry totaled an estimated $4.6 billion in
2006, a slight 2.2% decrease from 2005 totals.
The gross farm income produced by all forestry-related products, such as
timber, pine straw and Christmas trees totaled $1.3 billion in 2006, up
slightly from $1.2 billion generated in 2005. The value added through further
processing and delivery was $3.6 billion, down 5.9% from the 2005 value added
of $3.4 billion.
^top
Fruit Crops
Blackberries
Gross farm value of blackberries increased in 2006 by 51% to
$213,549. The primary reason for increased farm value was a 44% increase in
fruit yield.
Louisiana
’s 99 growers produced 2,075 pints of blackberries per acre on 59
acres.
Blueberries
Gross farm value of blueberries decreased in 2006 by 2% to $1.7 million. A
6% reduction in blueberry acreage and a 15% reduction in yield were major
factors causing this decline in blueberry gross farm value.
Louisiana
yields averaged 2,826 pounds of blueberries per acre on 300 acres harvested.
Blueberry prices rose by 22% over last year’s prices; the second year in a row
for blueberry prices to rise 35 cents per pound. A major factor driving up the
price of blueberries appears to be the public’s interest in fruit, like
blueberries, with high antioxidant levels.
Citrus
The hurricanes of 2005 reduced the
Louisiana
citrus industry from 1,300 acres two years ago to 748 acres in 2006. The total
gross farm value for 2006 was $3.6 million. This was a 50% reduction in farm
value from pre-hurricane levels. This reduction in value was due to a loss of
acreage and a short citrus crop in 2006.
Mayhaws
Orchard mayhaw trees averaged 511 pounds per acre on 199 acres compared to 49
pounds per acre on 512 acres for native trees. Some of the orchard mayhaw
acreage with older trees is starting to produce yields above 2,000 pounds per
acre. Orchard mayhaws production was unchanged from the previous year with just
over 100,000 pounds of fruit harvested. Fire blight infection of blossoms
prevented orchards from producing to their potential in 2006.
The native mayhaw harvest was light in 2006 with 25,000
pounds sold. Several mayhaw collecting areas were closed or had fruit
harvesting restricted. Some mayhaw fruit buyers had a preference for orchard
grown fruit which limited native sales in some areas. The gross farm value for
mayhaws was $159,283 in 2006.
Miscellaneous Fruit
Many miscellaneous fruits were planted as either small commercial plantings or
as backyard plantings. These crops include figs, grapes, pears, plums, apples
and persimmons. These fruits were planted on approximately 80 acres.
Their estimated gross farm value was approximately $80,000.
Muscadines
Muscadine production includes fresh fruit production and commercial
production.
Louisiana
growers produced 944 pounds of fresh fruit muscadines per acre on 49 acres. The
fruit was sold at $6-$12 per gallon with an average of $8. The gross farm value
of fresh fruit production was $368,240 in 2006.
Commercial muscadine production consisted of juice and wine production.
Commercial muscadines were grown on 17 acres and yielded 99 tons for a gross
farm value of $31,680. The total gross farm value of muscadines was $0.4
million.
Peaches
Peaches were grown on 492 acres by 61 producers in 2006. Gross farm value
was $2.8 million in 2006, a decrease of 5% from last year. The decrease in farm
value was due primarily to a loss of 23 acres of peaches in 2006. Peach yields
in the state averaged 143 bushels per acre. Chilling hours for many varieties
were borderline or low for the second year in a row. Some growers used Dormex
on high chill varieties to counteract inadequate chilling.
Strawberries
A total of 85 producers grew 443 acre of strawberries in 2006 for a gross
farm value of $13.2 million. The majority of the strawberry acreage was planted
to the variety Strawberry Festival from nurseries in
Canada
. The combination of the variety and the nursery result in
earlier yield for
Louisiana
growers. The early fruit bring a premium prices to the growers.
^top
Hay Sold
Hay production for commercial sales was a limited part of the total hay
production in
Louisiana
. Nevertheless, hay produced from 135 acres of alfalfa and 258,215
acres of grasslands was sold by 2,496 producers in 2006. Yields averaged 2 tons
per acre from the grasslands harvested for sale and 4 tons per acre from the
alfalfa harvested for sale. Production included 555,551 tons of grass hay and
535 tons of alfalfa hay. Acreage of grasslands used for commercial hay
production increased by about 10,000 acres over last year’s levels, while
yields remained relatively constant. As a result, production of the 2006 hay
crop for sale was about 18,000 tons higher than that of the 2005 crop. Dry
weather conditions persisted throughout much of the state during the spring and
summer months, but conditions in the fall were favorable for hay production.
Gross farm value was $51.4 million in 2006, which was significantly higher than
the preceding year’s crop, which was valued at $33.8 million.
Hay for all uses was grown on 390,000 acres and produced
2.5 tons per acre, for a total production of 975,000 tons. This total
production in 2006 was 21% higher than that reported in 2005. The number of
acres devoted to hay production in 2006 increased by 40,000 acres from last
year.
^top
Home Vegetable Gardens
The 2006 gross farm value of home vegetable gardens in
Louisiana
was estimated to be $60.5 million. As with many commodities, home vegetable
garden production in this post-hurricane year was difficult to evaluate. Parish
reports indicated 302,720 home gardens statewide, suggesting that garden
interest was down 10% from last year. The reason this figure does not show a
greater reduction in gardening is that many South Louisiana residents who
gardened were displaced, but not removed from
Louisiana
. Vegetable gardening is a way of extending the family food budget
or freeing up some limited funds. Every parish reported home
gardens.
^top
Nursery Crops
Commercial nursery crop production in 2006 had a gross farm-gate value of $108.0
million. Fruit and nut crop producers numbered 39 and grew crops with a
farm-gate value of $3.4 million. Floriculture and bedding plant producers
numbered 145 with crops valued at $28.0 million. Woody ornamentals were the
largest segment of the nursery crop industry, with 454 producers producing an
estimated farm-gate value of $71.5 million in 2006. Foliage plants were grown
by 94 producers and had a farm-gate value of $5.0 million. With a value added
of $55.1 million, the total value of the
Louisiana
nursery industry in 2006 was $163.0 million.
^top
Pecans
Louisiana
harvested 17 million pounds of pecans in 2006, which is 3 million pounds above
the recent state average of 14 million pounds. The crop consisted of 6.3
million pounds of improved pecans and 10.7 million pounds of native pecans. The
size of the 2006 pecan crop was a pleasant surprise, since it normally takes
two years for trees to recover from hurricanes before a good crop is expected.
Summer drought reduced crop potential by reducing nut
size and quality. Heavy rains in October washed away nuts, reduced nut quality
because of water damage and delayed harvest.
Prices were good in 2006 because of a light national
crop, estimated to be 190.4 million pounds. Wholesale prices for natives
averaged 95 cents per pound. Improved pecans averaged $1.30 per pound. Prices
varied considerably because of quality, time of harvest and amount of pecans
being sold. The gross farm value was estimated at $18.4 million, which is an
increase of $13.1 million over last year’s value.
^top
Rice
Rice acreage in
Louisiana
declined dramatically from 523,739 acres in 2005 to 347,199 acres in 2006, a
decrease of 33%. A slight decrease in acreage had been anticipated as a
consequence of low prices; however, the change was compounded by Hurricane
Rita, which dealt a severe blow to a number of rice producing parishes in
Southwest
Louisiana. The most severe decrease was in Vermilion parish, which averages around 80,000 acres harvested, but
had only 33,543 acres in 2006. Cameron,
Calcasieu
and
Jefferson
Davis parishes also experienced acreage reductions that resulted from the tidal
surge of Hurricane Rita rendering the soil too salty for rice production.
Average yield per acre was 5,858 pounds per acre, well
below the 6,105 pounds per acre harvested in 2005. The major factor
contributing to this decline was an epidemic of Narrow Brown Leafspot that
struck the crop of
Southwest
Louisiana
just as it was beginning to complete grain fill. As a result of this disease
and poor weather conditions, all of the second crop production was a near total
loss. The combination of lower yields and significantly fewer acres caused
total production to drop from 32 million hundredweight last year to 20 million
hundredweight in 2006.
The
Louisiana
crop was harvested by 1,181 producers, 202 fewer than in 2005 and the largest
decrease in several years. The gross farm value was $181.0 million, $44 million
less than the year before. The acreage decrease was more dramatic than the
change in value because some of the loss was offset by the improved prices.
Value added brought the total to $235.3 million.
Rice acreage in
Louisiana
is expected to rebound next year to over 400,000 acres. Some land in Southwest
Louisiana will return to production, and some acreage in
Northeast
Louisiana
may be shifted from rice to soybeans as soybean land is switched to corn.
Commodity prices and fuel costs will determine final acreage by commodity.
^top
Sod Production
In 2006, 25 sod farms cultivated 4,015 acres of fine turf grasses. Sod acreage
was reported stable to slightly down from 2005.
Louisiana
sod farms were not located in storm-flooded areas. Gross farm sales were $20.1
million this year, down 18% from last year’s estimate. The lower sales may be
due to many farms being oversold in 2005 and then selling everything they could
cut to meet the rebuilding demand. This left little acreage in the field that
was near harvest and production generally takes more than 12 months. About 60%
of the sod acreage in
Louisiana
is centipede grass. The remaining acreage is divided among
St.
Augustine
, Bermudas and Zoysias. With new construction and rebuilding as a
result of the hurricanes,
Louisiana
sod markets continue to hold record prices. Markets are expected to remain very
strong as construction continues from hurricane recovery. Shipping costs are
expensive, so local sod is more competitive. Marketing is not currently a
limiting factor, but supply is at this time.
^top
Soybeans
Soybeans were harvested on 866,826 acres in 2006 making it the largest planted
commodity in the state. Maturity groups III, IV and V were planted statewide. A
state yield record was set in 2006 at 35 bushels per acre, resulting in 30.0
million bushels of soybeans being produced in 2006. Gross farm value of soybean
production in
Louisiana
was $175.9 million in 2006.
Soybean producers had to deal with several problems,
including insects and multiple disease pressure, especially late in the season.
Soybean rust was found in late August and resulted in much of the soybean
acreage in the southern part of the state to be sprayed with a fungicide.
^top
Sugarcane
In 2006, sugarcane was grown on 433,577 acres (a decrease of 28,933 acres or
6.3% when compared to the 2005 crop) by 661 producers (a decrease of 33
producers or 4.8%) in 24
Louisiana
parishes (counties). An estimated 403,402 acres (a decrease of 22,107 acres or
5.2%) were available for harvest for sugar, assuming 6.5% of the total acres
were used for seed cane purposes. In the past, this figure was 8.0%.
Approximately 60,000 tons of cane (3,094 acres) were left standing in the field
in the Lacassine area of western Louisiana, since a new syrup factory slated
for operation in that area was not ready in time to process the entire 2006
crop prior to the closure of the factory receiving the syrup for
crystallization into “raw” sugar. Because of the cane left in the field in the
western area of the state, the actual acreage of sugarcane harvested for sugar
was approximately 400,308 acres. The USDA Farm Service Agency also reported
2,346 failed acres across the state.
The 13 factories (12 raw sugar factories and one syrup
factory) processed 12,434,452 tons of cane (an increase of 1,648,177 tons or
15.3% when compared to 2005). The sugar that was produced from the Lacassine
syrup factory was crystallized at one of the 12 raw sugar factories. In total,
the 12 raw sugar factories produced 1,260,986 short tons of sugar (96 pol) (an
increase of 90,687 short tons or 7.7%). Accordingly, the average yield of cane
produced per total acre (to include acres used for seed, abandoned and failed)
was 28.7 tons (an increase of 5.4 tons or 23.2%). The average yield of cane
produced from each harvested acre amounted to 31.1 tons (an increase of 5.5
tons or 21.5%). The yield of commercially recoverable sugar produced per total
acre averaged 5,817 pounds (an increase of 756 pounds or 14.9%). And sugar
produced per harvested acre was approximately 6,300 pounds (an increase of 754
pounds or 13.6.3%). The average sugar recovery at the 12 factories was 10.14%
or 203 pounds of sugar (96 pol) per ton of cane; this was a decrease of 15
pounds of sugar per ton of cane or a decrease of 6.9% when compared to the 2005
crop.
The gross farm value of $319.7 million for sugar and
molasses (an increase of $27.2 million over last year), was primarily due to
increased yields of tons cane per acre and commercially recoverable sugar per
acre. Gross farm value had continued to drop since the 2002 crop year when the
state experienced two tropical systems prior to and during the harvest season
and experienced losses in excess of 35%. Losses of this magnitude were again
experienced by the industry in 2005 caused by Tropical Storm Cindy and
hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The gross farm value reported above represents 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 value of
the sugarcane crop to
Louisiana
growers, processors and landlords at the first processing level was actually
$537.8 million in 2006. The onset of allotments, the gradual reduction in
sugarcane acreage, the residual effect of the tropical systems that occurred
during 2005, especially in those areas that experienced saltwater tidal surges,
the keeping of older stubble, the reduced yield in the older stubbles of the
leading variety, LCP 85-384, the persistent drought in several of the cane
producing parishes, the subfreezing temperatures that occurred throughout the
sugarcane belt the first week or more of December and the unprecedented late
season rainfall are, undoubtedly, responsible for reduced yields in 2006 even
though the current crop was the best in yield of commercially recoverable sugar
per acre since the 2003 crop. Even with the recent reductions in gross farm
value, sugarcane still ranks first in value amongst row crops grown in the
state.
The total area planted to sugarcane of 433,577 acres for
the 2006 crop was the smallest area since 1998 when 425,000 acres were planted.
Although the residual effect of the 2002 and 2005 tropical systems were minimal
on the 2006 crop, many producers still had to plough out unproductive fields of
LCP 85-384 in the spring of 2006. Approximately 72% of the 2006 crop was still
planted to LCP 85-384, which has shown a significant decline in yield each year
since the 2002 crop. Further, data obtained during the last three years have
shown this variety is very susceptible to common brown rust that was shown to
reduce the yield of LCP 85-384 by as much as 7 tons of cane per acre in the
heavier infected areas. The amount of plant cane continued to rebound in 2006
with approximately 29.8%, which, undoubtedly, helped to boost overall yields.
Only 41.8% of the crop was in second stubble and older; however, 88% of
the older stubble was planted to LCP 85-384.
The 2006 crop year was one of contrast regarding weather
conditions. Temperature, as an average for all state reporting stations, was
above normal for 6 of the 12 months, especially during the months of January
(+6), March (+2) and April (+5). Only in February was the temperature below
normal by more than 1 degree when it was 3 degrees F. For the remainder of the
year, the average monthly temperatures did not deviate from normal by more than
1 degree. Rainfall, as an average
for all state reporting stations, was below normal for 8 of the 12 months and
above normal for only 4 months (February, July, October and December); however,
two of those months were during the grinding season, when the industry would
like to see below-normal rainfall. Generally speaking, with the warm and dry
winter and spring weather, the crop was off to an excellent start; however,
much of the state had droughty conditions that persisted well into the summer,
resulting in below-normal growth of the crop in several areas, especially
western Iberia Parish and most of Pointe Coupee and northern Iberville
parishes. Fortunately, adequate rainfall in July helped provide moisture for
growth for the remainder of the state. No tropical systems affected the crop;
however, several periods of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall during the months
of October and December caused much of the crop to lodge, making harvesting
difficult. Then, during the first
nine days of December, most of the sugarcane belt experienced subfreezing
temperatures that ranged from lows of 25 F in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes
in the south to 19 F in the Iberville, Pointe Coupee, Avoyelles and Rapids
parishes in the north. Fortunately,
most of the cane was harvested with the exception of the Lacassine area, albeit
with lower sugar recovery as a result of deterioration caused by the freeze
damage and loss of sugar caused by the excessive trash because of the wet
weather.
Because of the low field yields, especially in older
stubble, and/or the cost of operating the combine system, many growers reverted
back to harvesting by the whole-stalk or “soldier” system in an effort to
reduce cost. Those growers with the capability to harvest by the whole-stalk
system also had an advantage following the freeze when it was recommended that
the top 12-18 inches of the top of the stalks be removed because of freeze
damage. The whole-stalk harvester has a positive topper, whereas the combine
harvester has a stand-alone topper that can remove only tops in erect cane.
Rust did not appear to be much of a factor in reduced
yields during 2006, and many producers reported that yields of LCP 85-384
rebounded even in the older stubble crops. Most producers, however, have begun
to plant the newer varieties, namely, Ho 95-988, HoCP 96-540, L 97-128, L
99-226 and L 99-233, which have superior yield in both tons of cane per acre
and commercially recoverable sugar per acre when compared to LCP 85-384. There
was only limited planting of LCP 85-384 in 2006.
Sugar prices were at their lowest level in many years
(less than $20 per hundredweight).
Although field yields were much improved in 2006, growers and millers may still
have cash flow problems because of the lower sugar prices. On the other hand,
molasses prices were averaging over $0.40 per gallon and were expected to
remain firm till the end of the pricing period for the 2006 crop.
^top
Sweet Potatoes
In 2006,
Louisiana
producers harvested 17,285 acres of sweet potatoes, slightly down from 2005.
Production was estimated at 5.9 million bushels of both fresh and canning
potatoes. The average FOB price received for the 2006 crop was $15-$16 for a
40-pound box. Processors paid an average of $5-$6 per hundredweight.
The 2006 planting season varied across the state. Growers
in North Louisiana dealt with a 13-inch rain deficit for much of the summer,
while growers in
South Louisiana
received considerably more rain than in recent years that helped with the
initial establishment of the crop. Growers with irrigation capabilities
utilized it before and after transplanting to aid in transplant survivability
and to improve overall stands. A significant portion of the 2006 crop was
planted early, and initial harvest reports from across the state indicated that
producers in
Louisiana
were on track to have an above-average year.
Prior to October 15, 60%-75% of the crop was harvested,
but the harvest situation deteriorated in mid- to late October. Growers across
the state were inundated with rainfall in October and November, with 10-20
inches in some production areas. The rainfall degraded harvest conditions and
delayed harvest operations across the state. Several acres were abandoned
statewide, and growers reported losses ranging from 20%-40%. Despite the
adverse weather conditions and the subsequent loss of sweet potatoes in the
field and in storage, most growers felt that 2006 was an average year. Others,
however, felt it was severely bad.
The number of sweet potato producers has been
significantly reduced in recent years. There were 159 producers in 2003,
compared to only 106 in 2006. Given the current situation, this trend likely
will continue. The long-term effect of the weather and the market price in 2006
will largely determine the number of producers and the sweet potato acreage in
2007. 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
The crop had a gross farm value of $58.7 million. After
marketing, processing and shipping, the total value of the sweet potato crop
exceeded $101.6 million.
^top
Vegetables - Commercial
The
Louisiana
vegetable industry saw 2,484 growers produce more than 30 different crops on
10,281 acres, with a gross farm value of $48.8 million in 2006. The leading
parishes in commercial vegetable production, in terms of gross farm value, were
Tangipahoa, Plaquemines and
Union.
The leading vegetable crop in the state was tomatoes,
with a gross farm value of $19.4 million, followed by watermelon ($4.8
million), peppers ($4.7 million), southern peas ($4.1 million) and okra ($2.2
million).
Most produce grown in the state is marketed by direct
sales at farmers’ markets or roadside stands. Direct marketing provides a
simple, low-risk means of marketing where growers can obtain a premium price
for their crops.
^top
Wheat
Wheat was harvested from 110,767 acres by 427 producers in 2006, a slight
increase from the 106,688 acres harvested in 2005. Yields for 2006 averaged 57
bushels per acre, which was one bushel per acre higher than the average yield
reported in 2005. Total production was 6.3 million bushels, which was slightly
up from the 6.0 million bushels harvested last year. The gross farm value of
the 2006 crop was valued at $25.3 million, which was significantly up from the
2005 crop valued at $19.6 million, primarily because of increased prices
received by farmers.
^top
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