On August 22, 2024, inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission (LBC) arrested Lester R. Johnson, Jr. of Opelousas for felony theft.
Prior to the arrest, an LBC investigation determined that in November of 2023, 32-year-old Johnson fraudulently bid on and was the high bidder on one head of livestock at a local livestock market.
Read MoreOn the night of August 24, Vernon Parish volunteer fire departments and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) fire crews were dispatched to the area off Highway 465 north of Simpson. Investigators say that on August 23, after the logging crew left for work, several pieces of logging equipment and timber caught fire.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Health issued a "do not use" water advisory for an area served by the Walnut Bayou Water System in Madison Parish after a water line break on Highway 603 near Verhagen Road resulted in drinking water being exposed to the chemical paraquat.
The exposure occurred as a farmer was filling a tank and the low pressure in the water line created a backflow of chemicals from the tank. Some customers have reported a strong chemical smell and taste in tap water following the exposure.
Read MoreAs Louisiana cotton producers move into cotton harvest season, Louisianians will see an influx of used and custom cotton harvest equipment moving into and through the state. To protect our cotton producers from the reintroduction of boll weevils, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) implements restrictions for all cotton harvest equipment entering the state.
Read MoreAfter 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."
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