To prevent the introduction into and dissemination within this state of contagious and infectious diseases of honeybees by providing for the registration, inspection, and control of honeybees and apiaries.

To file a complaint, call 225-952-8100 or e-mail: horticulture@ldaf.state.la.us or contact the appropriate district office as indicated on the AES District Map. 

Visit the Licensed Horticulture Professional List. For additional information, call 225-952-8100 or email: horticulture@ldaf.state.la.us 

Arborist Seminar Schedule

 Reference Material Application. For more information, call 225-952-8100 or email: horticulture@ldaf.state.la.us

Ornamental sweet potatoes are treated the same as production sweet potatoes, since the risk of harboring weevils is the same.

Click here to see a list of Nursery Stock Dealers.

Honeybees and used or secondhand beekeeping equipment may be shipped into the state by a person possessing a current Class A permit, but only when accompanied by certification of inspection from the state. A Class A permit may be issued to any applicant.

Anyone who keeps bees in Louisiana needs to be registered. The cost depends on the number of hives that a person owns and whether they have a Class A or a Class B permit. To download registration materials for your colonies, click this link.

Anyone who is moving bees out of state or is selling bees and hives. There are also a possibility that people moving bees in the state will need to have their bees inspected. Click here to download an application for inspection.

Louisiana parishes are designated as either "green tag" (SPW-free) or "pink tag" (SPW-infested). Potatoes grown, stored or packed in infested parishes cannot be moved to SPW-free areas.

Nursery stock is inspected at the grower level to insure that the stock being offered for sale is free from injurious insects and diseases.  Inspections are also performed for crop and plant pests that are not known to exist in Louisiana as part of an early detection program.  All nurseries that ship material out of state are required to undergo annual inspections.

A permit is required by any person who sells nursery stock.  If the nursery stock being offered for sale is bought and re-sold, a Nursery Stock Dealer Permit is required by the Horticulture Commission.  If the nursery stock being offered for sale is propagated and grown by the applicant, then a Nursery Certificate Permit is required.

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) is a cotton insect indigenous to Mexico that entered the United States into Texas in 1892.  By the early 1920's this insect had migrated through the cotton belt to Virginia, destroying the cotton crop.  Since its arrival in the U.S. this insect has cost the cotton industry nearly $22 billion in damage and insecticide application costs.

Boll weevil eradication is accomplished with two techniques - Pheromone traps for detection & chemical treatments for control. The program begins with autumn diapause applications. In subsequent years, traps are placed around cotton fields in the spring as cotton is planted. Traps are monitored & pesticide applications are made to all infested areas. For boll weevil eradication to be successful, all cotton fields must be monitored.

Diapause applications began in the Red River Zone (western Louisiana) in 1997.  Diapause applications began in all other areas of Louisiana in 1999.

In areas of boll weevil eradication, cotton growers have benefited from lower production costs because of reduced pesticide use and higher yields that have led to increased land values and expanded cotton acreage. Pesticide savings between 40 and 90 percent have been realized and many cotton growers have been able to forgo pesticide use entirely. Yield increases of 10 to 20 percent have been achieved in areas where the boll weevil has been eliminated.

This depends on what you will be doing. Please click this link: Horticulture & Nursery Licenses & Permits. For more information, call 225-952-8100 or email horticulture@ldaf.state.la.us

Yes.  Most sweet potato producing states will only accept Louisiana sweet potatoes that have been grown, stored and packed in SPW-free areas.  For a listing of plant pest quarantine regulations by state, see the following link: http://www.nationalplantboard.org/laws/index.html

No.

The following items can be considered a good beginning list of documents: completed application, current business plan including financial projections, current financial information, appraisals on the items to be offered as security, drawings of any structures to be built or modified.

Currently, LDAF programs do not provide state funded assistance directly to farming or ranching operations. However, we can provide information on other entities that do have such programs.

Download and complete the Certified Logo form and return it to us. There is no fee for this service.

Please consult the directories on our Trade Directories page.

Yes, they may be found on our Publications page. Recipes may also be found in the LDAF's bi-weekly publication, the Louisiana Market Bulletin.

Testing procedures are set by AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds. To obtain results for a specific sample, contact the Louisiana Seed Testing Laboratory at (225) 925-4733.

SWCDs are local units of State Government working with the USDA-NRCS to deliver technical assistance to landowners for their conservation needs. Each of LA's 44 SWCDs is governed by a board of 5 Supervisors. For more info visit NACD or review the state law.

If you are interested in becoming a SWCD Supervisor, contact your local SWCD, typically located in the Parish Agricultural Service Center, or call the Office of Soil & Water Conservation.

LA Revised Statutes, Chapter 9, Section 1207-1208

The SWCD program is funded by the State Legislature. Some SWCDs also generate funds locally.

Total Maximum Daily Load:[USEPA] The maximum quantity of a particular water pollutant that can be discharged into a body of water without violating a water quality standard.

Pollution discharged from over a wide land area, not from one specific location; without a single point of origin.

Land owners within a designated priority watershed. Contact your local SWCD or the Office of Soil and Water Conservation for eligibility.

Projects selections are in accordance with USEPA's TMDL priorities.

Geographic Information Systems are computer information systems that can input, store, manipulate, analyze and display geographically referenced data that are critical in development and support of watershed based conservation planning activities.

Many species of native wetland plants and locally adapted cultivars are used, and are selected according to project site conditions. For more information contact the Office of Soil & Water Conservation.

Re-vegetation projects are implemented by OSWC staff, SWCD employees and local volunteers.

To help with coastal restoration projects, go to your nearest Parish Agricultural Service Center, sign up as an NRCS Earth Team Volunteer, and ask to be included in one of the District re-vegetation projects.

Agricultural processors such as rice and sugar mills, grain elevators, cotton gins and sweet potato processors. Aquaculture processors such as crawfish, shrimp, oyster and finfish cleaning/packaging operations. Also wood waste disposal operations, and stable manure disposal.

Ag Solid Waste BMP Plans should be revised with any significant change in facility operations. For plan revisions contact the OSWC.

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is a fun, interdisciplinary water education curriculum supplement designed for use by formal and non-formal educators of students age K-12.

To schedule a Project WET workshop, contact the OSWC. For more information on the Project WET Program, visit www.projectwet.org.

For information on Soil & Water Stewardship Week, contact your local SWCD, or visit www.nacdnet.org.

For Backyard Conservation booklets, contact the OSWC, or the Soil & Water Conservation Society at www.swcs.org.

The Master Farmer Program is a structured educational program for all agriculture producers designed to help attain maximum productivity while maintaining an environmentally sound operation. To begin enrollment in the Master Farmer Program, contact your local County Agent.

For Envirothon registration information, contact the OSWC or the LA Governor's Office of Environmental Education at http://www.gov.state.la.us/enved/default.htm.

To find out about Farm Bill Conservation Program eligibility, contact the USDA-NRCS at your local Agriculture Service Center.

If you are concerned about soil erosion, native vegetation enhancement, pond construction, wetlands, wildlife habitat and surface water quality on your property, contact your SWCD or the NRCS at your nearest Agricultural Service Center.

Soil Surveys are available at your local Agricultural Service Center or online at http://soils.usda.gov/.

LA Revised Statutes, Chapter 9, Part 1, Section 1204

LA Revised Statutes, Chapter 9, Part 1, Section 1204

Project selections are based on environmental criteria such as soil chemical and physical properties, salinity, hydrology, wave energy and many others, and are prioritized according to restoration/demonstration need and potential.

Testing procedures are set by AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds. For for specific seed kinds see the sample size table on this website.

Fees depend on test(s) ordered, condition of sample and kind of seed submitted.  View the Fee Schedule for more information.

a. UPS or Hand Delivery:
Louisiana State Seed Testing Lab
5825 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

b. US Mail:
Louisiana State Seed Testing Lab
P.O. Box 3596
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3596

For minimum germination times for specific seed kinds see the Germination Table.

View the Noxious Weed List located on this website

Under the Plant Variety Protection Act of 1970 (revised 1994), an originator, developer, or owner of a variety may obtain legal protection for that variety exercising one of two enforcement options. For more information visit the USDA Plant Variety Protection Office.

View the Louisiana Seed Certification Standards located on this website.

View Steps to the Certification Process on this website.

View Application Deadlines located on this website.

View General Requirements for Certification located on this website.

Prior to the new license year our office will send out license renewal forms to each person/firm holding a seed dealer license the previous year. Complete the renewal form and return it along with the proper fee to the address on the renewal application.

The Seed Inspection Fee is a regulatory fee on all seed sold in the state, used to defray the cost of regulating the seed industry in Louisiana.

All seed dealers shall pay an inspection fee of $.20 for each 100 pounds of agricultural seed sold, offered for sale, exposed for sale, or otherwise distributed for sale for planting purposed within the state. The inspection fee shall be due on the total pounds of first point of sales distributions in Louisiana by the seller of the seed.

The payment of the inspection fee is not required on Louisiana Certified Seed.

Download from this website and complete the Service Sample Submission form.  Forward a sample of the seed with the corresponding submission form to the Louisiana State Seed Testing Laboratory.

Any person or business who plans to grow, move, clean, grade, pack or repack, sell or process sweet potatoes for commercial purposes needs an annual Sweet Potato Dealer's Permit. 

§ 319.37-7 Postentry quarantine.

There are several private seedling nurseries in Louisiana; however, LDAF nurseries are the only Louisiana tree nurseries that offer pine seedlings for sale.

LDAF grows as many as 30 different species of tree seedlings. A list of our current inventory is posted on our Web page.

LDAF grows seedlings that are suitable for reforestation purposes, wetlands mitigation, wetlands enhancement and wildlife habitat enhancement/establishment. These are usually tree seedlings; however, we do grow some native shrubs and native trees that produce nuts or fruit, such as native sweet pecan and persimmon.

LDAF gets all of our pine seeds from LDAF seed orchards. The pines seeds are genetically improved for growth, disease resistance and geographically suited for Louisiana sites. We have several hardwood seed orchards producing genetically improved seeds for all major oaks, green ash, Baldcypress, red maple, and sweet gum. We still collect wild seeds for most of our hardwood species, from a correct Louisiana geographical source. We also buy from private vendors.&

LDAF Superior Loblolly Pine seedlings are from our first generation seed orchards. These seed orchards have been tested for superior growth and disease resistance. The growth rates on these seedlings average about 17% increase in growth rates from wild or woods run seedlings.

The Advanced Generation seedlings represent our Second Generation seedlings. They include superior trees that perform at least as good or better than our second generation selections and are therefore maintained on our seed orchards. These seedlings are available in loblolly pine and slash pine. The loblolly seedlings average about 34(+)% and the slash seedlings average about 48(+)% increase in growth rates over wild seedlings.

LDAF begins to take seedling applications July 1 of each year. We will accept orders until we run out of tree seedlings, usually March 1 of each year.

The order forms and inventory are posted on our Web page, or you can telephone us at (225) 925-4515 and we'll be glad to mail one to you.

All of the tree seedlings grown by LDAF are one-year-old, bare root seedlings. We begin shipping as soon as the seedlings are dormant, usually around December 1.

That depends on a number of things. How productive is your site? How much money can you invest? How soon do you want to get a return on your investment? The best answer would be to get a forester on your site and have him or her tell you your best options after he has inspected your land.

LDAF has developed genetically improved seedlings through tree breeding, not through genetic engineering. LDAF is a member of the Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program, administered through Texas A & M University. This program helps members of the cooperative make selections to breed for desired improvements, such as faster growth and improved disease resistance.

LDAF has professional foresters all over the state that can come to your place and help you choose which species is best suited for your property and your desired use. The forester can also help you with several cost sharing programs available to help defray the cost of planting seedlings for timber production, wildlife habitat enhancement and even for recreational use. Or, you could contact a local consulting forester to inspect your land and make recommendations.

There is a State cost-share program called the “Forestry Productivity Program” that pays for approximately 50% of the cost of site preparation and planting of trees.  Landowners with five acres or more to be planted are eligible.  There is also various Federal cost-share programs that assist landowners with this as well. 

LDAF Tree Seedling Nurseries operate solely on receipts from sales from seedlings, and do not give away free seedlings.

LDAF has a small seedling packet sale each year during the first full week of March that consists of six hardwood seedlings for $5 and 20 pines for $5. The sale is located at each of our Forestry District Offices, at our Central Office in Baton Rouge, and our Opelousas office.

LDAF has three seedling nurseries located across the state, which grows tree seedlings for sale to Louisiana landowners.

Seed quality is perhaps one of the most important factors in your buying decision.  Quality is what distinguishes Certified Seed from all the rest. Purchasing high quality Certified Seed ensures you that the attributes selected by the breeder are actually present in the seed you purchase.  Seed that carries the Certified tag often costs more than other seed, but you get what you pay for.

All Certified Seed samples must be taken by an inspector of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry.  To request a sample to be taken, contact your local LDAF office or the Seed Testing Laboratory at (225) 925-4733 or email: seed@ldaf.state.la.us

In order to maintain the integrity of the certified seed lot, all transfers of certified seed or seed petitioned for certification, whether in-state or out-of-state, must be accompanied by a Bulk Seed Transfer Report form.

Certified Seed can be purchased through your local licensed Seed Dealer upon request.

Certified Seed is high-quality seed of a known variety, which has superior production potential as defined by these important factors:  known genetic source, identity and origin, high genetic purity, high germinating ability, minimum amount of impurities, known presence or absence of certain seed-borne diseases and free of noxious weeds.

(1) A service sample may be submitted and upon receiving favorable results, a supplemental label, containing the updated germination percentage and new test date, can be placed in the vicinity of the existing certified label.  (2) If the seed owner chooses to place new certified label on the lot, then the seed lot must be resampled by LDAF inspectors and submitted as a certified sample.

Certified Seed are always labeled with an official certified seed label or in the case of bulk certified seed, a Bulk Certified Transfer form. If the seed does not contain a Certified Seed label or a Bulk Certified Transfer form, it is not Certified Seed.

Testing procedures are set by AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds.  To get an answer for a specific sample, please contact the Seed Testing Laboratory at (225) 925-4733.  For minimum germination times for specific seed kinds see the Germination Table.

To file a complaint: call (225) 925-4733 or email: seed@ldaf.state.la.us.  Please have as much detailed information as possible to enable us to help you.

The Seed Testing Laboratory is located at:

View the Fee Schedule located on this site.

Requirements differ between agricultural or vegetable seeds and vary depending on size of container.  We recommend reviewing the Louisiana Seed Law and Rules & Regulations or Labeling Requirements located on this website.

Yearly, based on our fiscal year of July 1 - June 30.

Obtain an application from the Seed Laboratory by calling (225) 925-4733 or download the application from this site.  Complete the application and mail it in, with the correct fee (checks only-no cash accepted).

The inspection fee shall be due on the total pounds of seed at first point of sales distribution by the seller of the seed.

Every person who sells, distributes, or offers or handles for sale agricultural, vegetable, or flower seed or other propagating stock of one pound or more in weight shall register with the Commissioner as a seed dealer.

$100.00/year

No.

Download and complete the Service Sample Submission form available from this site.  Forward a sample of the seed with the corresponding submission form to the Seed Testing Laboratory.   Upon receiving lab results, place a supplemental tag, in the vicinity of the existing tag, containing the updated germination percentage and the new test date. 

All commercial devices must be registered with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry/ Weights and Measures Division. Contact us and we will have an inspector come by to inspect the device to ensure it is suitable for the application and meets all the requirements for use in commercial trade.

Nursery stock is all trees, shrubs, ornamental plants, grass sod, foliage plants, or marsh plants grown or propagated for sale or distribution.

Best Management Practice: An accepted practice for natural resources management within a land-use operation such as farming; may include one or more conservation practices.

You can contact Weights and Measures at (225) 925-3780 or (800) 247-1086 or contact us through email: info@ldaf.state.la.us.

A commercial device is any weight, measure, or weighing or measuring device commercially used or employed in establishing the size, quantity, extent, area, time, distance or measurement of quantities, things, produce, or articles for distribution or consumption, purchased, offered, or submitted for sale, hire or award, or in computing any basic charge or payment for services rendered on the basis of weight or measure.

Any company that works on any commercial weighing or measuring device must register as a service agency and their employees who work on the devices must register as a service person.

All commercial devices must be registered with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry / Weights and Measures Division. Contact us and we will have an inspector come by to inspect the device to ensure it is suitable for the application and meets all the requirements for use in commercial trade.

Any warehouse storing commodities for producers for a fee must be licensed and bonded according to their capacity. For specific requirements, contact the Ag Commodity/Warehouse Division at 225-922-1341.

All devices are inspected annually and after a device meets the requirements for accuracy a Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry Seal is then placed on the device.

Anyone that sells dairy products in the state has to be licensed and pay Louisiana assessments.

You must be licensed by our Dairy Division after obtaining a license to sell dairy products from the Dept. of Health and Hospitals.

Contact the Department's Ag Commodity/Warehouse Division at (225) 922-1341 for information on obtaining a license.