News

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry filed a Notice of Intent with the State Register giving public notice that the Department intends to repeal rules LAC 7:XLIX. Chapters 1-31. These amendments are being made in accordance with Act 424 of the 2021 Legislative Session, pertaining to recent changes in the Louisiana Medical Marijuana Law.  The proposed rule change provides for the repeal of LAC 7:XLIX.Chapters 1-31, in their entirety. Those rules are being repealed in accordance with Act 491 of the 2022 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, which effectively removed the regulation of medical marijuana from LDAF and reassigned it to the Louisiana Department of Health.  The repeal of these regulations will remove all LDAF’s medical marijuana regulations, which no longer have statutory authority.

Pursuant to LAC 7: XXI.1719(A), farm-raised white-tailed deer may be harvested by killing from October 1 thought January 31.  LAC 7:XXI.1719(C) authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry to establish, by written order, variances of these dates as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the purposes of R.S. 3:3101-3108.

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry filed a Notice of Intent with the State Register giving public notice that the Department through the Office of Agro-Consumer Services, and the Louisiana Agricultural Commodities Commission, intents to amend LAC 7:XXVII.135, relative to certified grain sampling and grading and to provide for state certification of grain samplers and graders by the Department and Commission. The proposed rule changes are being made pursuant to the amendments to La. R.S. 3:3414 in Act 202, of the 2023 Regular Legislative Session. The amendments to LAC 7:XXVII.135 clarifies the standards adopted by the Commission for sampling and grading grain are consistent with the standards adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Grain Inspection Service, requiring grain to be graded by a state or federally certified grader, and further authorizes the Commission to certify grain samplers and graders. Further, the Commission will be authorized to suspend or revoke a state certification for failure to comply with the provisions of the laws, rules and regulations of the Department and State of Louisiana. The amendments further require the Department to inspect, classify, and grade grain in accordance with the standards adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Grain Inspection Service, for sampling and grading grain.

Baton Rouge, La. – As 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.  

Baton Rouge, La.  – Due to the extremely dry conditions statewide and the concern over first responder safety in these dangerously high temperatures, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., along with State Fire Marshal Dan Wallis, have issued a statewide cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1602.

Baton Rouge, La.  – Forestry Enforcement Officers with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) have arrested Steve Harrison of Independence in an arson investigation regarding a wildfire on Hano Road in Independence, LA. 

Baton Rouge, La.  – A Caddo Parish man was arrested on July 24 by inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission. The arrest was the result of an investigation by the commission and a subsequent arrest warrant from Caddo Parish.

Baton Rouge, La.  – On Thursday, June 8, Forestry Enforcement Officers with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) arrested 32-year-old William Ogden Alexander of Jonesville for setting a fire at a Catahoula Parish cemetery.

Based on USDA data, 10.2% of all U.S. households were affected by food insecurity at some time in 2021. That’s 13.5 million people, some of whom are children. The rate is higher, at 12.5%, for households with children. For many of these families, summer is a time of food insecurity. That’s because many children in Louisiana receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch during the school year. However, that access is often lost when schools let out for the summer.

Baton Rouge, La.  – An Iberia Parish man was arrested on June 5 by inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission regarding an investigation involving theft of livestock in St. Landry Parish.