Ida's Diesel Price Impacts
Mike Strain, Louisiana's commissioner of agriculture, told DTN agriculture in his state is "working the problem," in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, but he spent most of Monday working without communications until those came online in the mid-afternoon.
"We probably have a million people without power in southeast Louisiana right now," Strain said. "There's a lot of destruction to the transmission lines."
Farmers far outside the direct path of Hurricane Ida could face higher diesel prices as they move into harvest, as well as early shipping challenges, depending on the extent of time oil production and Gulf Coast ports are down.
Read More
Ivermectin To Treat COVID-19? Strain Says "NO!"
There are widespread reports of people using Ivermectin—a horse dewormer—to treat the symptoms of COVID-19. Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain, a practicing veterinarian, warns don’t do it. “The World Health Organization has issued a statement warning against the use of Ivermectin saying ‘the anti-parasitic drug is being investigated in clinical trials, but Ivermectin is incorrectly being used for treatment of COVID-19 with out any scientific evidence of safety for treatment of the disease.’
Read More
Agricultural Workforce Development Program
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is now accepting applications for the Louisiana Agricultural Workforce Development Program, LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said. The new program provides businesses a monetary incentive to establish intern programs to train students for careers in the agriculture and forestry fields.
Read More
Allen Parish Trio Arrested On Forestry Theft, Related Charges
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) enforcement agents arrested and booked three Allen Parish individuals into the Allen Parish Detention Center for allegedly stealing a large piece of forestry equipment and fuel from an Allen Parish sawmill business.
Read More
LDAF Firefighters Assisting in Oregon
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) wildland firefighters are in Oregon to assist with ongoing wildfires.
A 10-person hand crew, comprised of six personnel from the LDAF and four from the U.S. Forest Service, is supporting engine operations during a 21-day assignment in Medford, Oregon. Using rakes and shovels, hand crews create fire breaks by clearing away flammable debris like dry leaves and digging down to bare soil. Hand crews are used in areas where heavy equipment is unable to access.
Read More
Hire Only Licensed Horticulture Professionals
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., is reminding residents to hire only licensed professional arborists, landscape horticulturists and landscape irrigation contractors when having work done on their property.
Read More
USDA Designates Two Louisiana Parishes As Natural Disaster Areas
Agricultural producers in St. Tammany and Washington parishes who lost property caused by straight-line wind, flooding and a tropical storm that occurred April 9 through June 25, 2021, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) physical loss loans, said Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M.
Read More
USDA Confirms African swine fever in the Dominican Republic
Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., is reminding all Louisiana hog farmers to practice rigorous biosecurity protocols following the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement issued late Wednesday confirming cases of African swine fever (ASF) in the Dominican Republic (DR).
Read More
Box Tree Moth Detected In The US
Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Mike Strain, D.V.M., said an invasive pest native to sub-tropical regions in Asia, the Box Tree Moth (BTM), was confirmed in the United States. The BTM primarily feeds on boxwoods (Buxus spp.) as well as burning bush (Euonymus alatus) and purple holly (Ilex chinesis). The larvae can defoliate adult boxwoods and will feed on the bark once the leaves are gone, which can cause the branches or the entire plant to die.
Read More
Louisiana Man Connected to Cattle Rustling Ring Arrested for Third Time
A Rapides Parish man was arrested for a third time on livestock theft related charges. The Special Rangers with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) arrested Justin G. Thompson, 42, on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission which had a warrant out for his arrest.
Read More
Prepare For Tropical System
A significant amount of rain possibly ranging from 4-10 inches is expected to impact southeast Louisiana and south Mississippi starting Friday.
“There is still some uncertainty about this system, but now is the time to prepare. Right now, the biggest concern is heavy rainfall and the potential for flooding,” said Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M.
Read More
Hurricane Season Is Here: Make Plans Before a Storm Hits
Hurricane season is here for 2021 and is expected to be an active one. Now is the time to prepare.
“I’m urging everyone to have a plan in place for you, your family, your property and your pets/livestock in the event you are in the path of a storm,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain.
Louisiana residents should have a plan in place for their property, pets and/or livestock in the event a storm threatens.
Read More
Strain Requests Investigation Of US Meatpacking Industry
Read the letter that was sent last week to the US Attorney General from Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain.
Read More
Prepare for Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is right around the corner and the 2021 hurricane season is expected to be an active one. Now is the time to prepare.
“I’m urging everyone to have a plan in place for you, your family, your property and your pets/livestock in the event you are in the path of a storm,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, D.V.M.
Read More
