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W e d n e s d ay, M ay 20, 2026
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CENTERING CITRUS
FILE PHOTO BY SUSAN POAG
The Becnel family has farmed Louisiana citrus for five generations. At its peak, the Becnel family farm had over 5,000 trees across 50 acres in Plaquemines Parish. But disease, saltwater intrusion from storms like Hurricane Ida, and the recent blizzard have cut that number in half.
Growing citrus in Louisiana faces challenges, but farmers and the LSU AgCenter work together to find solutions BY BARRY LEMOINE
Contributing writer
The Becnel family has farmed Louisiana citrus for five generations, so when Ben Becnel was asked about the industry’s current state, his answer was simple. “It used to be profitable. Now, it’s not,” he said. At its peak, the Becnel family farm had over 5,000 trees across 50 acres in Plaquemines Parish. But disease, saltwater intrusion from storms like Hurricane Ida, and the recent blizzard have cut that number in half. “It’s super tough,” Becnel said. “We
used to plant a tree and watch it grow and not have to do too much. Now, it’s a struggle to keep them alive.” Anna Timmerman, from the LSU AgCenter and the state citrus point of contact for Louisiana, said the industry is on life support. She said many farmers are replanting only “because they can’t imagine letting that history die and watching it slip away.” So, she is working tirelessly to help them through a range of methods, adaptations and interventions. “We know we can’t spray the problem away, so preventing trees from becoming infected is a good way to keep them alive, productive and buy some time
while we wait for a cure or truly resistant varieties to become available,” she said. The Center for Louisiana Citrus Innovation and Research at the Docville Farm enables her to research ways to keep citrus trees healthy. For the past six years, she has overseen its 10,000-square-foot screenhouse and implemented an integrated pest management strategy. “Planting the trees under this insectexcluding screen prevents the Asian citrus psyllid from feeding on them or transmitting the bacteria which can prevent greening infection,” Timmerman said.
Timmerman has also adapted a program that has been successful in Europe and Florida — Citrus Under Protective Screens. The program protects against fruit loss from hurricane winds, shields trees from other pests, and provides some frost protection. The Louisiana version, Fruit Under Screened Environments, is being used to grow satsumas, the largest citrus crop by market share. Timmerman also grows pawpaws, a new specialty crop, and black mangroves for coastal restoration efforts. “What we’ve all found — the researchers, the growers and the cooperatives
ä See CITRUS, page 2G
Graduation season in full swing
Ready for vacation mode?
Graduates walk onto the floor of the UNO Lakefront Arena on May 8 for the University of New Orleans Commencement.
also means adjusting expectaSummer travel season is upon us, and while many families are tions. Spontaneous plans don’t getting ready to kick off their vareally work for us; destinations become more limited, and every cations, pet owners have another outing requires a little extra big decision to make: should the thought. pets come along or stay home? Traci Before adding the four-legged Traveling with pets is possible, Howerton family member to the itinerary, but it’s not always simple. In here are a few things to consider. many cases, planning a trip with ANIMAL RESCUE a dog or cat requires more prepaHow are you getting there? ration than the vacation itself. For me, bringing my dog along is a Road trips are often the easiest opmust. He’s 16-years-old, so having him tion for pets, but they still come with with me gives me peace of mind, knowsome challenges. Long drives mean ing he is safe, comfortable, and with the ä See VACATION, page 2G family he trusts. But traveling with pets
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
ä More photos from college graduations.
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