After nearly two and a half decades in elected office, including five consecutive terms as Louisiana’s agriculture and forestry commissioner, Mike Strain is hitting his stride politically and carving out new policy niches.
A veterinarian by trade (just like his wife), Strain has an eyebrow-raising $781,000 in his finance account. That’s a high-water mark for his campaign, and a personal accomplishment for the commissioner.
Read MoreLearn about funding for ag-related internship programs
Through this grant, Louisiana businesses can establish internship programs that grow the next generation of agriculture professionals while strengthening their own businesses.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Division of Weights and Measures recorded the highest (best) compliance rate in a recent national survey for price accuracy.
The 2024 National Price Verification Survey, conducted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) between January 1 and February 29, contains the results of 7,462 inspections across 26 states, verifying the price accuracy of 419,237 individual items in 11 retail categories.
Read MoreConcerns are growing statewide over a bark beetle infestation.
Trees, especially pines, are vital to Louisiana’s economy. Here in Southwest Louisiana, Vernon, Beauregard and Allen parishes contain miles and miles of pine tree forests and farms important to their economy.
Read MoreA donkey named "Speckles" was reported missing Friday evening near Natchitoches.
Owners have made several efforts to locate “Speckles”, but so far all attempts have been unsuccessful. “Speckles” could be in the area of state Highway 1, White Oak Lane, Chinquapin.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Agricultural Workforce Development Program (LAWDP) is now accepting applications for the 2024 – 2025 program year from qualified agricultural and forestry businesses interested in participating in the program.
Read MoreWe don't share the same seasons as the rest of the world here in Louisiana; crawfish season being one of them. Time is running out to get the last sacks for the season says Louisiana Ag Commissioner, Mike Strain.
“It’s starting to wind down. A number of the farmers have stopped fishing.”
Read MoreGov. Jeff Landry has vetoed a bill that would have directed state agriculture officials to set up programs targeting areas of the state where it's difficult to obtain fresh produce.
The House and Senate overwhelmingly approved Senate Bill 287, which would have established grant or loan programs among qualified non-profit groups or local banks. The public-private partnerships would have been subject to competitive bidding.
Read MoreOn May 10, 2024, Kenan Shotwell Gwinn of Natchez, MS, was arrested in Catahoula Parish for theft of timber following an investigation by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Forestry Enforcement Division.
Read MoreAgriculture Commissioner Mike strain is at the U.S. Agriculture Business Conference in Havana, Cuba to connect US rice and poultry exporters with potential Cuba importers. Strain says the country is in desperate need of food and that need continues to climb.
“Their going to import over $2 billion worth of food. Right now here in the United States we export about $300 million of that, but that could go up to half a billion or more.”
Read MoreAgricultural leaders are in Havanna for the U.S. Agricultural Conference and Commissioner for Louisiana, Mike Strain, says the trip could prove fruitful for Louisiana exporters.
"There is a food shortage here and they will import about 2B dollars in food and resources."
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission will host its next saddle microchipping event on Friday, May 31, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. It will be held at Burton Coliseum located at 7001 Gulf Highway in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in conjunction with the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association.
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. If microchipped saddles are ever stolen, the program allows brand officers to confirm ownership and return the property. This service is provided free to the public.
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In the opinion of U.S. Congressman Rick Crawford, holding this type of meetings on a regular basis constitutes progress, although “we are still not where we would like to be”.
For any country in the world, food security is an essential component of national security, the legislator, who appreciated the growing support within the United States for agricultural initiatives in favor of regularizing economic and trade relations with the island, said.
Read MoreThe LDAF Student Internship Program allows students to gain valuable work experience in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and other related fields.
Students will have the opportunity to work full-time during June and July for eight weeks. Applications are being accepted from December 1 until February 28, or until all positions are filled. The selected Students will be hired to work in LDAF Divisions which include the Office of Management & Finance, Agriculture & Environmental Services, Animal Health & Food Safety, Forestry, Soil & Water Conservation, Agro-Consumer Services, and related areas.
Read MoreWater is both a blessing and a curse for farmers in the fertile soils of the Mississippi Delta. Quality, quantity and availability see silent shifts from year to year and add to the thrilling challenge of growing good crops in one of nature’s most unpredictable environments.
“Water is king,” said Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain. “What did Mark Twain say about water? ‘Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting’ – think about that.”
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