In 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.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry would like to clarify questions regarding the expiration date of Section 18 Crisis Exemption 26LA04 for selected imidacloprid products.
Read MoreLouisiana farmers suffered an estimated $112 million loss as a result of Tropical Storm Arthur last month. Avoyelles, St. Landry and Rapides Parishes accounted for 90% of total losses. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Avoyelles received 29 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.
Read MoreCrews are working to contain a four to five acre brush fire on Cox Road near Fairview Alpha, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
NPSO said the fire possibly began due to a downed power line in the area. About 75% of the fire has been contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
Read MoreLouisiana's agriculture commissioner met with flood-affected farmers in Opelousas on Monday, urging them to meticulously document their losses as crop damage from catastrophic flooding in Avoyelles and St. Landry parishes climbs into the millions of dollars.
Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain traveled to Opelousas to outline the steps farmers must take to access state and federal assistance following flooding that inundated miles of farm fields and forced livestock to seek higher ground about a week and a half ago.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board is now accepting grant applications for the purpose of supporting the growth and development of the Louisiana equine industry by enhancing research, education, promotion, facilities, tourism, events, and equine-related activities throughout the state for the 2026-2027 cycle.
Read MoreA slimmed down Republican Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who is already the state's longest-serving statewide elected official, said he will run for a sixth term in 2027.
Strain spoke at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans over the weekend.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has teamed up with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to launch the Louisiana Forestry Initiative, which is an estimated 3 million dollar program designed to improve both wildlife management and private forest health.
The initiative, also known as LFI, was funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by the National Bobwhite and Grassland Initiative Foundation.
Read MoreStarting Aug. 1, there will be stricter penalties for businesses caught mixing domestic and foreign seafood and selling it as locally sourced.
The law's author, State Representative Timothy Kerner (R-Lafitte), says that the law, signed by Governor Jeff Landry a week ago, will help out the Louisiana seafood industry.
Read MoreLouisiana has enacted a pair of new laws requiring additional disclosures on foods produced through emerging technologies, as state lawmakers push for greater transparency in how products are made and marketed to consumers.
Gov. Jeff Landry signed House Bill 783, now Act 783, on June 8. The law requires products made with dairy proteins produced through microbial fermentation to carry a disclosure stating the product was produced through microbial fermentation and not derived from mammalian lactation.
Read MoreThe Louisiana ATV/UTV Safety Task Force held their statewide kickoff event at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) headquarters building in Baton Rouge on June 10. The ATV/UTV Safety Task Force will highlight the growing need for youth ATV/UTV safety education and injury prevention efforts across the state.
Read MoreThe beef is safe to eat. Local livestock and pets aren't yet at risk. A reemerged pest hasn't yet found its way to the Ark-La-Tex.
But the concerns are mounting. If its flesh-eating babies appear in northwest Louisiana, an important piece of the local economy is at risk.
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