LSU AgCenter plans nitrogen fertilizer event

The LSU AgCenter will host the 15th Annual Nitrogen Use Efficiency Conference on Aug. 7-9 at the Lod Cook Hotel and Conference Center, 3848 W Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge.

The meeting is designed for individuals from academic institutions and agricultural companies. Focusing on the use of nitrogen fertilizer, presenters will include representatives from the LSU AgCenter, Auburn University, Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, the University of Arkansas, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Register online at http://bit.ly/2rIpzZL at no charge.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful will hold its 14th annual state conference and Everyday Heroes Awards Banquet on Sept. 20-21 in Baton Rouge.

The event includes information on the impact of litter on the state economy, natural resources and public safety, and provides resources for establishing beautification programs and environmental education.

Topics include how to become a zero-waste family; creating a successful wildflower program; overcoming nature deficit disorder; marketing to millennials; establishing a citywide Christmas tree mulching program; environmental education; volunteer recruitment; Louisiana Recycling Coalition; and behavioral change and modification.

Exhibit opportunities are available. Registration is $125. To register, view conference details or nominate an individual or group for an Everyday Heroes Award, go to http://www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org.

LSU Agriculture Center entomologists received $935,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study honeybee health.

The AgCenter is one of seven universities to receive part of $6.8 million the USDA is investing in pollinators.

Kristen Healy and Daniel Swale are conducting research on how stress factors affect honeybees. They are working with researchers at the USDA Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Unit in Baton Rouge and the largest beekeeper in the country to do a two-year study following 400 hives.

Healys work focuses on mites and the pathogens they transmit. Swale is studying the physiology of bees, which could suffer from relocations.

The grant includes an extension component so the researchers can determine the best methods to get bee health information to beekeepers and the public.

The USDA estimates honeybees pollinate $15 billion worth of crops.

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Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette area Business Briefs for July 9, 2017 - The Advocate