Hurricane season begins June 1 VOL. 98, No. 11 www.LDAF.la.gov May 28, 2015 Where theBy Veronicabuffalo Mosgrove roam By Veronica Mosgrove scouting trips to a ranch in New In 1982, Beth and Andre moved to At this point, Andre, Beth and had never heard that balancing Mexico where there were bison. Baton Rouge from New Orleans Michele had visited and worked at out the pH and nitrogen in the soil For Beth and Andre Toups, life on “They’re very majestic and to help start the City-Parish EMS several ranches to learn how to care could help prevent lightning strikes the range was always a dream. cool. There’s just something about Paramedic Service. for their new investment. They also from possibly injuring the animals. “As a teenager, I frequently joked them.” Three decades later, it Well, it has! We know with a friend that I’d have a bison Andre’s wife, Beth, a retired was time to think about now and are vigilant in ranch one day,” said Andre Toups. nurse, knew of her husband’s retirement. “I came home ensuring their safety,” Andre was first introduced to fascination with bison, but at the from work one day and added Andre. Beth told me she found a bison as a young boy scout. A native time, it was simply a dream and life These days, Andre, Beth Bison 101 course and also of New Orleans, Andre would take took them in a different direction. and Michele are working joined the National Bison to get bison meat in local Association (NBA).” The stores and at farmer’s dream was now possibly markets. The recent becoming a reality. approval of their Red Beth’s longtime friend, Gate Buffalo label by the Michele Roach, wound Louisiana Department of up attending a bison Agriculture and Forestry’s conference in South Meat and Poultry Dakota with Beth and also Inspection Program became interested in the will allow them to have large animals. the bison processed “I was really along for under a voluntary the ride as a travel partner, at first,” said Michele. Photo by Red Gate Bison inspection program for Beth and Michele started exotic animals at a state looking for property in inspected slaughter the Florida Parishes to start their went back to school so to speak and establishment located in bison ranch but everything was out took agriculture related classes. Springfield, La. Beth added that of their price range. They finally “That was invaluable to us. several Louisiana restaurants have found approximately 200 acres of Annie’s Project through the been waiting for the bison meat fallow pastureland in Poplarville, cooperative extension and RCD to be available for their menus. Mississippi. offices was an agriculture course And while Beth says there are four Once they found the land, it was that taught us how to mitigate our ranches in Mississippi that have time to purchase “the girls”. They risks,” said Beth. bison, but Red Gate Ranch is the found 30 pregnant female bison in They knew there were risks only one attempting retail sales of Indiana through the National Bison in farming, but every day was a the meat. Association. They also purchased learning experience. “Of all things, “The chefs are eager to put bison three bulls from NBA producers. we had issues with lightning. We See Bison, cont'd on page 20 Page 2 Market Bulletin May 28, 2015 Louisiana Agriculture & Forestry Today Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Established The U.S. Department of Agricul- Strain added, “In urban areas, the areas such as along the interstate, use traps baited with scents which ture (USDA) declared May 18-24, trees reduce air pollution and storm welcome center areas and the Mis- are attractive to the beetles. Sur- 2015, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) water runoff, increase property sissippi River Delta. The traps are vey results will help determine Awareness Week. Meanwhile, a values because of their aesthetic large, purple sticky boxes that hang the extent of the beetle presence in quarantine was established for appeal and make towns and cities from trees in areas that are being the state and the potential regula- Webster Parish effective May 25, some of the most beautiful in the monitored for EAB. tory actions necessary to reduce the 2015, as a result of EAB’s presence country.” The EAB beetle is a pest to all spread of the pest. in Louisiana. Spring marks the beginning of types of ash trees but does not at- Also, the LSU AgCenter and the EAB is an invasive beetle that at- the travel and tourism season. This tack other hardwoods or pines. USDA-FS plan to release tiny non- tacks and kills ash trees. is a reminder of how destructive EAB is a native insect of Asia. stinging wasps that exclusively at- “The EAB pest is a problem in EAB is and how important it is for In 2002, EAB was discovered in tack immature EAB. This effort is our area and poses a threat because travelers to limit movement of fire- Michigan and is now present in 25 used in other states as one method of the number of ash trees we have wood, a key message in the national states, including Louisiana. It is not to reduce EAB populations and here. There are approximately 285 “Don’t Move Firewood” campaign. known how the EAB entered Loui- slow beetle spread on a local scale. million ash trees in the state of Lou- “It is best to purchase firewood siana. EAB is a federally-regulated When a portion of the state falls isiana,” said LDAF Commissioner not more than 10 miles from where pest. States survey for EAB and if under the EAB quarantine, then Mike Strain Mike Strain, D.V.M. it will be burned. When travel- it is found, quarantine boundaries regulated products including ash Commissioner Louisiana’s native ash trees are ing, burn firewood where you pur- are established by the state. nursery stock, ash logs, lumber and primarily located along the Atcha- chased it and make sure to burn all The LDAF and USDA-PPQ, pallets and all hardwood firewood For more information about the falaya Basin and the Mississippi of it,” said Strain. along with cooperation from US- cannot move outside of the quaran- pest or firewood movement, visit: River Delta. However, there are ash Currently, there are about 300 DA-Forest Service and National tined area unless treated according www.emeraldashborer.info or trees in urban areas, as well. EAB traps placed along high risk Resources Conservation Service to federal protocols. www.dontmovefirewood.org. Louisiana Market Bulletin (USPS 672-600) Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner USDA Agriculture Marketing Service Hay Prices As a public service to state residents, the Louisiana Market Bulletin offers free listings subject to existing regulations. Out-of-state residents may list Values are in tons unless otherwise noted Want Ads only. Ads may not exceed 25 words. The name, address and telephone number as well as the price of the item must be included with each ad. Alabama SE Hay Report, May 21, 2015 Subscription fee for the Market Bulletin is $10.00 Bermuda Small Square.................................................................Premium..................$180-$300 for a one-year subscription. Bermuda Large Rounds.....................................................Premium.........$133.33-$133.33 The Louisiana Market Bulletin assumes no responsibility for any notice appearing in the Bermuda Mid Round....................................................................Premium..................$100-$130 Bulletin nor for any transaction resulting from Good............................$70-$70 published notices. Advertisers are cautioned that Bahia Small Square.....................................................................Premium..................$200-$200 it is against the law to misrepresent any product offered for sale in a public notice or advertisement Fair..................................$160 carried in any publication or that is delivered Bahia Mid Round.....................................................................Premium.....................$90-$90 through the United States mail. Commercial listings or advertisements from anyone acting in the capacity of any agent cannot be accepted. For more information contact: East Texas Weekly Hay Report, May 22, 2015 Laura Lindsay, Managing Editor Coastal Bermuda Small Squares...........................................Good/Premium........$230-$265 Marilyn Mayeux, Advertising Assistant P.O. Box 3534, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3534; phone 225-922-1284, fax 225- 923-4828. Published bi-weekly by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. Periodical non-profit postage paid at 5825 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, 70806. All facilities, programs and services of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry are available to all persons. Discrimination is prohibited and should be reported to the Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry. POSTMASTER: Send form 3579 to Louisiana Market Bulletin, P.O. Box 3534, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3534. This public document was published at a total cost of $1,421.40. 13,800 copies of this public document were published in this first printing. This document was published for The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Marketing Division, 5825 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 by Baton Rouge Press Inc, 2621 E. Perdue, Baton Rouge, LA, 70814, under authority of R.S. 3:2 (A) for the purpose of promoting and advancing agriculture and forestry. This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31. May 28, 2015 Market Bulletin Page 3 Visit your local farmers market ACADIA PARISH Baton Rouge Sat. 8 a.m. - noon, year round OUACHITA PARISH Railroad Avenue Iota Red Stick Farmers Market #2 Monroe 3rd Sat., 9 a.m - 1 p.m., March-Nov. Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Established Iota Farmers Market 8470 Goodwood Blvd. Lafayette Monroe Farmers Market Gazebo on Main St. Unitarian Church Parking Lot Freetown Mid-Week Market 1013 Washington St. Mandeville 1st & 3rd Sat., 7-10 a.m.