Families have lived on many of these farms for many generations, and farming is a way of life they prefer even though it means hard work, long hours and sometimes low incomes. As in any other industry, agriculture has its highs and lows. During the 1999 season, commodity prices were considerably lower than they have been at any time during the past decade. Although weather was a factor in reducing some yields, in general yields were adequate, but commodity prices were dramatically lower. Consequently, the overall value of the farm products was lower than in the past.
Agriculture is an essential element of mankind.
Without the high productivity of agriculture, the six billion people in the world would not have enough food. Even with modern technology, many do not receive enough food to maintain their existence. It is estimated that almost one-third of the world s population still does not receive an adequate food supply. Agriculture continues to be highly sophisticated segment of the national and world economy and becomes increasingly more sophisticated each year. That is the reason the LSU Agricultural Center must continue to support agriculture with all of the information that is available from researchers in the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, USDA and other land-grant institutions as well as research generated by private industries.