Department of Agriculture and Forestry, State of Louisiana - Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said he has contacted the United States Corps of Engineers and the United States Department of Agriculture officials to help find a solution to saltwater intrusion problems plaguing agricultural producers in southwestern Louisiana.

Strain said he was taking a lead role to help find long-term solutions to the issues caused by saltwater intrusion and asked USDA Under Secretary Michael Scuse to help identify assistance options for agricultural producers in Vermilion, Jeff Davis, Calcasieu and Cameron parishes.

“Agriculture plays a major role in our state’s economy and we must do everything possible to ensure that our farmers, ranchers and aquaculture producers can stay solvent and productive,” Strain said. “Due to the extraordinary nature of the effects of natural disasters on our state’s agricultural producers, the future of some commodities could be in jeopardy without assistance from the federal government.

“We’re working closely with agricultural business interests as well as a number of government agencies, including local authorities, the Governor’s office, federal offices and researchers from the LSU AgCenter, to get a firm understanding of all the issues relating to water resource problems in southwestern Louisiana.”

Drought and excessive heat have created significant difficulties for agricultural production and generated increased salinity levels in irrigation water supplies in the Mermentau River Basin, Strain said.

“Vermilion, Cameron, Calcasieu and Jeff Davis producers have suffered nearly $34 million in losses due to drought and saltwater intrusion,” Strain said. “More than 450,000 acres experienced a significant negative yield impact. Vermilion Parish has declared a state of emergency because of a lack of freshwater in the basin. Unfortunately, climate data indicate that dry to drought conditions have intensified and will continue for some time.” (*LSU AgCenter data)

Strain said conditions in the basin have been aggravated by damage to the Leland Bowman Lock on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway which is creating another access point for saltwater to flow into the Mermentau Basin.

Corps of Engineers officials reported that the locks are undergoing repair, Strain said.

“However, the Mermentau Basin is not a closed system and saltwater can still migrate into the basin during periods of drought,” Strain said. “That is why it is of paramount importance that we find a workable solution to maintain the Mermentau as a freshwater system and other water resource problems in southwestern Louisiana.”

Strain said possible solutions could include diverting more water from the Mississippi River through its flood control system to southwestern Louisiana or providing funding for agricultural producers to dig deepwater wells.

“Everything is under discussion at this point,” Strain said. “But as world population increases daily and puts more pressure on the American farmer, it is extremely important to do everything we can to keep our producers competitive in the market.”

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*LSU AgCenter data

Estimated Damage From 2011 Drought Conditions To Agriculture For Selected Parishes (Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, and Vermilion)
	Total Acres	Average	Total	Acres	Average	Total
	With	Yield	Acres	With Increased	Irrigation	Estimated
	Yield Impact	Reduction	Prevented	Irrigation Costs	Increase	Impact
Grain Sorghum	415	17.50%	0	0	0.00%	$40,912
Hay	33,000	22.50%	0	0	0.00%	$2,221,930
Pasture	200,000	N/A	0	0	0.00%	$1,822,500
Rice	130,941	4.50%	2,960	59,891	27.50%	$14,742,965
Soybeans	47,615	18.75%	2,930	1,900	50.00%	$6,319,370
Sugarcane	32,935	11.25%	0	0	0.00%	$5,193,116
Cattle	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$3,472,080