Archive

From crawfish-peeling robots to conversations on Capitol Hill, this week’s TWILA has a little bit of everything! We see more from Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers’ recent trip to Washington, D.C., and the important conversations they had with congressional delegates and the policy moments they were able to be a part of. Then we head to Natchitoches to see how a former cottonseed oil mill has been transformed into Flying Heart Brewery, highlight forestry leader David Cupp’s induction into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction, and wrap things up with a TWILA Boost featuring a Lake Charles surgeon putting a high-tech surgical robot to the ultimate Louisiana test: peeling a crawfish.

From the Hill in Washington, D.C., to the crawfish ponds of Acadiana, we’ve got a full episode of TWILA!

In this week’s show, we stop by the State Capitol as the 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session gets underway with new leadership on the House Agriculture Committee and follow Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers to Washington, D.C., to meet with the state’s congressional delegation and discuss key issues facing agriculture. Then we head to Breaux Bridge for a crawfish farm tour giving visitors a hands-on look at harvest season, meet a Kentwood cattle farmer gaining a following on TikTok by sharing life on the farm, and see how Abbeville FFA students are learning Cajun culture and where food comes from through a traditional boucherie. Catch all that and more on this week’s episode of This Week in Louisiana Agriculture.

This week, we’re bringing you the sights and sounds of the 2026 LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. With nearly 5,700 animals entered, it’s one of the largest events of its kind, showcasing everything from commercial cattle to poultry, sheep, goats and swine — and the dedication young exhibitors put in year-round. We also zoom out from the show ring to Washington, D.C. for the latest on the Farm Bill and the farm economy, explore LSU research turning sugarcane byproducts into fuel, and spotlight innovations supporting Louisiana poultry and seafood producers.

Happy (almost) National FFA Week! In honor of this important occasion, we’re letting the Louisiana FFA officer team take over This Week in Louisiana Agriculture to showcase how FFA is planting the seeds of tomorrow. From former members whose blue jackets shaped careers in agriculture, education and medicine to middle school chapters building future leaders, this episode highlights the lasting impact of agricultural education. Watch the latest episode now and see the power of FFA across Louisiana and beyond.

From Freeze to Feasting, we’ve got it all in this week’s episode of TWILA! Karl Wiggers heads to northeast Louisiana to show how parish Farm Bureaus came together to house and feed electric workers as communities continue recovering from the winter storm. Neil Melancon checks in with sugarcane farmers and researchers to see how the crop handled the cold and what another freeze could mean as new shoots begin to emerge. Then, things get real sweet—Josh Meeks visits Haydel’s Bakery to see how this longtime family bakery mixes tradition with innovation, and Kristen invites her husband Landon back into the kitchen for a king cake challenge you won’t want to miss.

From community rodeos to preserving Louisiana traditions, this week’s episode covers the people and stories shaping agriculture across the state. In this week's show, Josh Meeks takes us to Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles to see this year’s BRODEO, a rodeo created especially for special needs children. Neil Melancon introduces us to one man working to preserve cypress pirogues and the history tied to them. Karl Wiggers takes us to Vermilion Parish and shows us how grassroots involvement allows Aaron Lee to continue farming some of Louisiana’s most iconic commodities. Plus, we look ahead to the 83rd Southern University Livestock and Poultry Show and the warmth Winter Storm Fern left behind in a heartwarming TWILA Boost.

It has been a cold week for Louisiana agriculture, and that’s the theme of this week’s show. A stretch of unusually cold weather has brought freezing temperatures, ice, and sleet, impacting livestock, farm infrastructure, crawfish production, and specialty crops from north to south. From how farmers are protecting animals and crops to what the cold could mean for the weeks ahead, we take a closer look at agriculture across the state.

TWILA went west for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 107th Annual Convention! This special episode follows Louisiana Farm Bureau volunteer leaders to the Golden State as they compete on a national stage, take part in policy discussions, and learn alongside fellow farmers from across the country. Along the way, we explore key issues facing farmers in 2026, including trade, farmer mental health, and connecting with consumers, while also taking a closer look at California agriculture, research, and wine production. Catch all that and more in this episode of TWILA!

We’re closing out 2025 with a look back at the moments that shaped Louisiana agriculture this year, from policy wins to classroom connections, plus our favorite Feasting highlights and plenty of bloopers. Thank you for being part of our TWILA family this year!

In this special edition of This Week in Louisiana Agriculture, we revisit an unforgettable journey across Ireland with Louisiana 4-H. For more than a week, TWILA’s Josh Meeks and Karl Wiggers traveled with dozens of students, exploring dairy farms, witnessing sheepdog demonstrations, and taking in some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. Come along as they take us back to Ireland and share the experiences, lessons, and stories that made this trip one to remember.