CHAPTER 9

Agriculture

By Jamie Vermalen and Allyson Lanclos

Introduction

Agriculture is one large cluster of primary economic activities because it introduces basic raw materials and commodities into the economic system. (Newton)

Louisiana is known for its agriculture and for its contribution nationally. The top crops of Louisiana include soybean, cotton, sugarcane and rice; however, there is a wide variation of agriculture produced in the state. Some of the crops include citrus fruits in the Florida parishes to timber in the northwestern part of the state.

Over the state’s history, few areas have been exempt from at least attempting a crop production. With abundant rainfall and deposits from the Mississippi, Louisiana can and does support a wide variety of agricultural products.

Cotton

Number three on the list of total production levels for the state, cotton was once considered a widespread and top producing crop. However, today, production of this important agricultural crop is mainly concentrated in the northeastern part of the state with 700,000 acres. Seven parishes, including Rapides and Avoyelles, surrounding Richland have the densest production with additional amounts along the Red River Valley. The Red River Valley contains alluvial soil, which helps cotton to grow well in this area. On other soils, cotton has virtually disappeared due to the demand for imported cotton goods and artificial fibers. The forecast for production, for the year 2000, is 980,000 bales and at least 672 pounds per acre (www.usda.gov/nass/). Louisiana has been between fifth and tenth on cotton production in the nation over the last century.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane is another popular agriculture product of Louisiana. It is mainly produced in tide water and southern alluvial regions. Over 17 parishes, out of the 64, produce sugarcane. Four of the 17 represent over half of the states sugar production. These four parishes are St. Mary, Assumption, LaFourche, and Iberia. There are 19 sugar mills in the state, and 15 of these are in the top four parishes. Over 435,000 acres of sugarcane is harvested in Louisiana per year, and this year, 15.2 million net tons is forecasted for total production (www.usda.gov/nass/).

-For photos on sugarcane, see http://www.joycelindephoto.com/

-For more information on sugarcane, see www.neworleansrum.com/sugar.htm

Soybeans

A soybean, a recent new comer to Louisiana’s agricultural scene, has quickly become the state’s top commodity. In an effort to improve soil quality in cotton fields around the upper Mississippi flood plain, soybean was introduced in the 1920’s. Today, over 3 million acres in the state produces soybean, making Louisiana a major national producer of soybean. Fifty percent of the total crop becomes chicken feed, and the other fifty percent becomes part of almost every American diet. This "miracle crop," called so because it thrives easily in a variety of locations with little care, is now in monetary value the state’s most valuable crop. Over 55 parishes produce soybean, and the number is growing.

Timber

Timber, not a top producing crop in Louisiana, does take up about 14 million acres for tree farms, and the demand for pulp and timber is constantly increasing. Two thirds of this total acreage is hardwood and the rest is pine. The bulk of this tree farm crop is used for pulpwood and saw timber. Timber is mainly grown in the north and western areas of the state, which grosses the most in production. These north and western areas are from Beauregard to Union plus the Florida parishes. However, trees can grow in places from swamps, to flatwoods and hills. This may be why 47% (about 15 million acres) are forests that produce trees for commercial use, and why all but 14 parishes have at least one wood processing plant. In fact, 20% of all federal government land in the state is set aside for tree farms. Some parishes have even have up to 400,000 acres devoted to the planting and harvesting of trees. Timber production is second to soybean as a cash producer of the state. And although timber is often considered agriculture, it is actually silviculture.

Rice

Rice, has been an agricultural product of Louisiana since colonial times. And throughout the state’s history rice was and still is grown in the coastal prairie region known for its existence of clay pan undersoil which can hold water very easily, which is necessary. While twenty-nine parishes place rice as a top crop for that parish, one-third of the rice commodity comes form Jefferson Davis and Acadia Parishes. Rice is the third leading crop in Louisiana in acreage per average, and second in terms of price at market. However, only one-sixth of Louisiana is devoted to rice farming, and out of the top five crops, rice produces the least amount of money for Louisiana farmers. Because of its growing season, 200 days, it can easily be rotated with grass pasturage and soybeans.

-For photos of rice, see http://www.joycelindephoto.com/

-For more information on rice, see http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/wwwac/rice/RiceHome.html

Other-fruits, corn, sweet potatoes

There have been modest developments in the production of certain specialty such as sweet potatoes, strawberries and hot peppers. But the high cost of labor and competition from other states make the future uncertain.

The fruit crops of Louisiana include Blueberries, strawberries, peaches, and citrus crops. While most of these fruits are grown in the southern most regions, such as Beauregard, St. Tammany, and along the Mississippi River south of New Orleans they are still susceptible to freezes, which have been known to wipe out complete industries on several occasions.

Corn, has been a staple of Louisiana farms for many years. Grown many times along side the commercial crops of cotton and sugarcane, it provides grain for human and animal consumption. However since the 1920’s beginning with the soybean invasion, corn production has declined, even though corn is grown in more parishes than any other crop in Louisiana.

Sweet potatoes represent a sizable commercial vegetable. With recent new varieties and research, the demand and production for Louisiana sweet potatoes has increased. However, competition from other states still determines the state’s value placed on the crop and the acreage planted each year.

Conclusion

As you have read, although Louisiana has its main crops of sugarcane, rice, timber, cotton, and soybeans, it still has many other crops, which are important to the states economic survival and the nation food production.

Maps: Agricultural Production in Louisiana (maps adapted from the Louisiana Statistical Bureau)