Ag Commissioner Mike Strain Heading to the U.K.
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is set to visit the UK to promote Louisiana spices, meet agricultural officials, and tour farms and other agricultural sites. Strain highlights the UK’s extensive agricultural land, with 71% dedicated to farming, focusing on staple crops like wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes. He also notes that UK’s top export is…
“…Beverages…oh yeah. So maybe there might be a little Guinness there I heard. Maybe, a little Guinness and a few other things.”
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Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Deer in Jeff Davis Parish
Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in a deer in Acadiana, officials said.
LSU’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, in coordination with the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, confirmed a positive CWD test Nov. 7 from a deer carcass at a deer farm in Jeff Davis Parish.
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How is this Most Recent Drought Affecting the Ark-La-Miss
It has been very dry the month of October as rain has been very hard to come by. Drought conditions have followed behind and although not usually ideal for the area, the time of year might be ideal for these conditions.
With the recent lack of rain most areas are seeing drought conditions within their area, especially further towards the northwest. However because of the timing of the year with this drought, conditions might ideal for at least right now.
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How This Current Drought Can Affect Our Crops in the Coming Year
It’s hard to remember the last time our area received rain. Sept. 5 was officially the last time Southwest Louisiana saw significant rainfall. The worsening drought is a real worry for local farmers, especially crawfish farmers. But right now, it’s nothing like last year’s extreme drought.
State agriculture commissioner Dr. Mike Strain said we can’t afford a repeat of last year.
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LDAF Fights Highway 67 Fires, Urges Vigilance In Continued Dry Conditions
On October 22, numerous wildfires were reported along Highway 67 in Clinton, Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) fire crew personnel, along with local firefighters and several Mississippi fire departments, worked tirelessly to extinguish the fires.
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Multiple Fires North of Clinton Under Control, Roadway Back Open
Officials in Clinton worked multiple brush fires just north of the town Tuesday evening.
About 10 to 15 fires were set for about five miles on the west side of LA 67 going toward LA 432.
Department of Agriculture and Forestry officials said the fires were not arson, and likely a mechanical failure.
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Burn Bans Across the ArkLaTex Increase; Sabine Added
The fire danger is growing increasingly worse across the ArkLaTex.
Sabine Parish was added to the list Monday.
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Burn Bans Across the ArkLaTex; Bossier, Natchitoches, DeSoto Added
The fire danger is growing increasingly worse across the ArkLaTex.
The latest to be added are Bossier and Natchitoches parishes.
Bossier Parish Police Jury President Philip Rodgers issued a state of emergency burn ban for the parish beginning Wednesday at the request of parish fire chiefs due to extreme heat and a lack of rainfall in the area.
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Local Farmers, State Officials Stress Importance of a New Farm Bill
An important deadline for congress has passed.
On Sept. 30, the current farm bill expired, leaving many in the agriculture industry concerned about what the future holds.
“Farmers aren’t going to stop working. We can’t this isn’t a wait and see type of deal. Lawmakers have that luxury. Farmers do not,” said farmer Brandon Vail.
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Protecting Farm Equipment During Post-harvest Season
According to the Louisiana State Department of Agriculture and Forestry, farmers can risk thousands of dollars if their equipment doesn’t get stored properly during off-season.
Commissioner Mike Strain of the department told KNOE Tuesday morning that even though farmers are still active in the fields during this time of year, they should be thinking about how they’re going to store their equipment to avoid rodent damage, which can become costly.
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Volunteer Fireman Arrested in Union Parish
On October 2, Christopher Kyle Holman was arrested following a three-month investigation between The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Enforcement Division and the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office.
In June of 2024, LDAF’s enforcement division received a complaint involving a local volunteer fire department (VFD) setting fires.
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Livestock Brand Commission to Host Saddle Microchipping Event at Washington State Fair
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission will host its next saddle microchipping event on Friday, October 18, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. It will be held on location at the Washington Parish Fair in Franklinton, Louisiana.
LDAF’s microchip identification program provides all saddle owners in the state of Louisiana the opportunity to have their saddles registered and identified by using a microchip implant.
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Louisiana Equine Promotion & Research Advisory Board Announces Grant Opportunities
The Louisiana Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board is 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.
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Livestock Brand Commission To Host Saddle Microchipping Event September 26
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission will host its next saddle microchipping event Thursday, September 26, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. It will be held at the LSU AgCenter’s Lafourche Parish office located at 115 Texas Street in Raceland, Louisiana.
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Tennessee Man Arrested for Felony Theft and Other Charges
On September 4, inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission (LBC) arrested 53-year-old Bert E. Smith, IV, of Lewisburg, Tennessee, on an arrest warrant out of Anderson County, Kansas.
Smith is a known cattle buyer and regularly buys at several sale barns in Louisiana. For that reason, LDAF’s LBC was notified of the warrant by the Anderson County Sheriff's Office. Once made aware of the warrant, LBC inspectors took Smith into custody without incident. He was booked in the Avoyelles Parish Jail.
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