The latest crop report shows loads of good news, with most everything close to 5 year averages, or ahead of schedule. It looks like more good weather is on the way. By that, I mean there will be some rain, and some dry, as things try to stay pretty balanced across Louisiana. Here’s how I see things going through the middle of next week. 

First off, the warmth is here, and it looks like it’s here to stay. We’ll still see a couple of “cold” fronts before we really shift into summer mode, but the cold fronts are going to lose their punch.

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We are right at the midway point of the 2024 Louisiana legislative Session, and things are about to get interesting. Subject matters like insurance and tort reform are starting to really take shape, as well as other issues like reduction in the size of government. These are just a few issues that can spill over into almost every other issue at the legislature.

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Within a few hours of severe storms passing through the state in early April, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation members and volunteers were on the phone with each other, assessing damage and determining the next steps to protect the future of their crops and livestock.

“By mid-morning, we had talked to at least six people in different areas of the state. We knew we had farmers with barns that were damaged by the wind and fields that were flooded. We were immediately figuring out what people needed,” said Robert Duncan, chair of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. “That connection and reliability is such an important part of what we do.”

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It looks like another round of rain is on tap for Louisiana. The rain will start across north Louisiana early on Saturday, and spread southeast through the day. The best time to see moderate to heavy rainfall in most areas will be Saturday night into early Sunday. Instability should be shoved to the south as this system approaches, and that means that any sort of severe threat will be minimal at worst, and that very small threat will generally be along, and south of I-10. Rainfall totals will generally be in the 1/2 to 2 inch range, with higher totals in north Louisiana, as they will have the longest duration of rain. 

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Hurricanes are a regular threat to the Gulf Coast, and while it is important to plan and prepare, there is little for Louisianians to do except react to the aftermath of these storms. For the past 29 years, Colorado State University’s meteorological team has released a tropical forecast for the Atlantic. This year, CSU is predicting 23 named storms, 11 of which they believe will be hurricanes.

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Strawberry season is in full swing and students from across the state have begun traveling to Mrs. Heather’s Strawberry Patch.

For more than 20 years, Mrs. Heather’s has added value to agritourism in Louisiana by serving as a field trip hotspot. Owner Heather Hughes said nothing is more heartwarming than seeing big smiles on children’s faces. Compounding agriculture and tourism helps farmers generate revenue from recreational and educational activities, like “pick-your-own fruit and vegetables” programs.

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Heavy rain and severe weather have already been an issue over parts of Louisiana, and it looks like the entire state gets in on the act today. The Storm Prediction Center has most of the state in a level 3 or 4 out of five risk for severe weather. That is an enhanced, and moderate risk if you are familiar with the language SPC uses. This severe threat will include all modes of severe weather, meaning the potential for fairly widespread damaging wind, isolated tornadoes, and some large hail.

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Fantastic weather is on tap for all of Louisiana through Friday. Then come the clouds, and then comes a lot of rain. Any sort of work that requires drier ground should be done by Sunday, as it looks like 2-4 inches of rain, with the possibility of more, will fall between Monday and Wednesday. It’s possible there could be some light rain on Sunday, but that doesn’t look nearly as significant as what the first half of the week will bring.

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In this episode, LFBF Lobbyist, Joe Mapes joins Avery and Karl to discuss what's been happening at the state capitol since a new crop of lawmakers were elected in the fall. Governor Landry and the legislature have been busy with multiple sessions and there is now a bill filed that calls for a constitutional convention. We also discuss the recent Young Farmers & Ranchers capitol day and the importance of those members learning how to participate and advocate on behalf of the issues that affect them back on their farms.

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While I’m not opposed to the governor’s plan to hold a constitutional convention, I do question the timing. The 1973 constitutional convention took two years, and Louisiana is currently considering re-tooling our state’s most precious document in roughly two weeks. Is some voodoo magic gonna occur within that two-week period, or is Louisiana‘s next Constitution already drafted? 

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The state's constitutional convention, expected to take place in the near future, offers a unique opportunity to reassess the financial aspects of the constitution. 

The convention aims to enable more balanced budget cuts across all departments, rather than limiting reductions to healthcare and education budgets alone, while also shedding light on the tax exemption and exclusion programs outlined in the constitution.

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