On November 10, 2022, a Concordia Parish man was arrested by Brand Inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Brand Commission. The arrest resulted from an arrest warrant from Concordia Parish regarding an investigation conducted by the Livestock Brand Commission.

On October 11, agents with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Office of Forestry arrested 39-year-old Tabitha Verdine for setting several fires on Jim Drake Rd. in Starks, La.

LDAF Forestry Enforcement Investigators found that Verdine set fire to the roadside, which spread into the woods and resulted in a seven-acre wildfire causing damages to private property. It was eventually contained by the LDAF Fire Eradication Units and the Ward 5 Starks Fire Department.

A Bienville Parish resident was arrested on October 6 by agents with the Louisiana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Division and the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Department. The arrest resulted from an arrest warrant from Bienville Parish regarding an investigation conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission.

A Mississippi man was arrested on September 21 by agents with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture in Copiah County, Mississippi. The arrest was a result of a warrant from LaSalle Parish, LA, regarding an investigation conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission.

The Louisiana Equine Promotion and Research Advisory Board announced the availability of funding opportunities to support the growth and development of the equine industry in Louisiana by enhancing research, education, promotion, facilities, tourism, events, and equine-related activities throughout the state.

The Board is offering one-time grants based on available funds. Applicants should apply early, as grants are available on a first-come basis. The Board will consider applications at their meetings.

On August 22, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Enforcement Agents arrested 28-year-old Bradley Thomas for two counts of theft of fuel and one count of simple criminal damage to property over $1000. Davis was booked into the Vernon Parish Sheriff Detention center. The bond was set at $4,000, which he posted on August 23, 2022.

The 2022 hurricane season has begun, and while we haven’t seen our first big storm, it is only a matter of time. As you make preparations for the storms to come and prepare your landscapes for the fall and winter months, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) reminds residents to only hire licensed professional arborists, landscape horticulturists, and landscape irrigation contractors when having work done on their property.

Deepening the Mississippi River’s navigation channel from 45 to 50 feet from the mouth of the river to Baton Rouge will boost the region’s economy, says Mike Strain, Louisiana’s agriculture and forestry commissioner.

James Travis Johnson, formerly of Pitkin, LA, but relocated to Leesville, LA, was booked into the Vernon Parish Detention Center on timber theft and other timber-related charges on August 9, 2022. He posted the bond of $15,000 on August 11, 2022. Later that day, he was arrested in Rapides Parish on additional timber theft charges.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission reimplemented its saddle identification program earlier this year. The first event was such a success they have planned another for Thursday, August 25, from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. It will be held at Core Feed, located at 83103 Hwy 25 in Folsom, LA.