Eddie Lewis III’s sugar cane crop looks better than it has in years, but he’ll be lucky if he breaks even by the end of the harvest.
Diesel prices have nearly doubled since he created his budget last winter. Fertilizer costs are up 20%. And a new, invasive pest known as the pasture mealybug has led to an unexpected $25,000 pesticide bill.
Read MoreAn investigation by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission led to the arrest of 26-year-old Cortland C. Smith on a warrant for two counts of theft of livestock. Smith was arrested by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office on October 11, 2026.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) will receive $461,475.63 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to support nine projects focused on marketing, consumer education and outreach, and research benefiting Louisiana's specialty crop industries.
Read MoreLouisiana Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain joined Mornings With Brian Haldane to discuss agriculture, international trade and the challenges facing Louisiana farmers. Strain highlighted efforts to strengthen Louisiana’s relationship with the United Kingdom through a new Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission.
Louisiana already exports billions of dollars in goods to the U.K., including rice, beef, wood pellets, cotton, soybeans and petrochemicals.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Sugarcane harvest is underway and the state’s Agriculture Commissioner, Mike Strain, says it is going well. Heading into the season there was a concern about the pasture mealybug, an invasive species first identified in Louisiana last year. Strain says the small, white pest likes to drink sugar.
Read MoreU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Louisiana’s sugarcane industry Friday, touring the Louisiana Sugar Cane Cooperative (LASUCA) in St. Martin Parish and meeting with Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot and industry leaders to discuss the state’s agricultural economy and challenges facing farmers.
Read MoreLouisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission inspectors have arrested a 51-year-old Bastrop man on three counts of theft of livestock following an investigation involving registered Highland cattle.
Read MoreOuachita Parish firefighters, with assistance from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, contained a 32-acre brush fire in southwest Ouachita Parish.
The fire was brought under control within a few hours following a quick response from local crews and resources. Smoke from burning material inside the firebreak may remain visible in the area for several days.
Read MoreLouisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Enforcement agents have arrested a Vernon Parish man following an investigation into an alleged timber theft in Rapides Parish.
Read MoreThe National Association of State Departments of Agriculture commenced a new, annual “Years of Service Ceremony” to honor NASDA members for years of service to their states and the organization at its 2026 annual meeting.
Read MoreLouisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Enforcement agents have arrested a 38-year-old Colfax man in connection with an investigation into a wildfire in Rapides Parish.
Read MoreIn accordance with the emergency provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:962, and under the authority of R.S. 3:4608 and 4680, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry declares an emergency to exist and adopts by emergency process the attached regulations for the suspension of rules governing the sale of gasoline with ethanol blending limits and reid vapor pressure (RVP).
Read MoreOfficials reported that firefighters responded to 22 wildfires in Louisiana over the weekend as dry conditions persist this summer.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry stated that over 109 acres burned. Officials warned that contained fires can reignite and urged people to be cautious with activities that could start a fire.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Wildlife Firefighters recently responded to a reburn in Union Parish, according to its Facebook page.
Forestry managers say dry conditions across the state have increased wildfire risk, and fires that have been contained have a chance to reignite. Fire can refuel in hot spots and spread again beyond containment lines.
Read MoreLouisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., says pay close attention to the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) warnings pertaining to crops exposed to flood waters as a result of Tropical Storm Arthur. The FDA’s information can be accessed at Guidance for Industry: Evaluating the Safety of Flood-affected Food Crops for Human Consumption | FDA.
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