Current USDA Natural Disaster Designation Areas in Louisiana
Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.
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Specialty Crop Block Grant Deadline Is Today
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), funded through the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS).
Applications must be received no later than the close of business (4:30 p.m.) Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Arrests in Pointe Coupee and St. Landry Parishes Regarding Theft of Livestock
On April 7, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) livestock brand inspectors arrested 21-year-old Kivon L. Hollins. Hollins was arrested on a warrant charging him with two counts of theft of livestock in Pointe Coupee Parish. His bond was set at $50,000. At the time of his booking in Pointe Coupee Parish, a hold was placed on Hollins for an additional warrant regarding further allegations of transactions of stolen livestock in St Landry Parish.
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Livestock Brand Commission To Host Saddle Microchipping Event April 24
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission will host a saddle microchipping event on Friday, April 24, from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. It will be held at the LSU AgCenter’s DeSoto Parish Extension Office, located at 10117 Highway 171 in Grand Cane, Louisiana
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Livestock Brand Commission To Host Saddle Microchipping Event April 24
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission will host a saddle microchipping event on Friday, April 24, from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. It will be held at the LSU AgCenter’s DeSoto Parish Extension Office, located at 10117 Highway 171 in Grand Cane, Louisiana.
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National Crawfish Day
National Crawfish Day is rapidly approaching.
Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain says it should be a good one!
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Louisiana Farmers Can Apply for 2026 Specialty Crop Grants
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is now accepting applications for the 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, funded through the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service.
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LDAF Accepting Applications For '26 Specialty Crop Block Grant
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), funded through the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS).
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Louisiana Crawfish Processors Suffering as u.s. Department of Homeland Security Halts H-2B Applications for Skilled Guest Workers
The commissioner of agriculture and forestry is sounding the alarm over the lack of crawfish peelers in the state. Mike Strain says this is because the Department of Homeland Security has stopped processing H-2B applications for skilled guest workers, preventing them from coming back.
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Crawfish Industry Facing Shortage of Labor
The crawfish industry is facing a labor shortage due to federal immigration caps as the state enters the start of the harvesting season, Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain said in a House committee meeting on Tuesday.
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Immigrant Labor Shortages Impacting Louisiana Crawfish Industry
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says that only a quarter of crawfish processors have been able to bring in the guest workers that they rely on.
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Repeat Wildfire Offender Convicted In Allen Parish
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) has announced the conviction of Timothy L. Caudle for causing a wildfire on September 9, 2025, along Cherry Winche Road in Allen Parish.
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Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain Expresses Frustration as Crawfish Industry Faces Labor Shortage Due to Caps on Work Visas
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the state’s crawfish industry is dealing with a significant labor shortage. Strain told state lawmakers that crawfish processing plants do not have enough workers to peel and package crawfish, because the federal government has put a cap on foreign guest workers.
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Louisiana Crawfish Industry Struggles With Limited Foreign Workers, Ag Commissioner Says
Crawfish processing plants in Louisiana are at a diminished capacity this year because they haven’t been able to get as many visas for the foreign guest workers, according to state Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain.
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Arrest In St. Landry Parish For Theft Of Livestock
On February 26, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) livestock brand inspectors arrested 35-year-old Meagan Breanna Byrd. Byrd was arrested on a warrant for two counts of theft of livestock.
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