The main goal for this cooperative program is to continue strengthening a state-wide network of cooperators that will help identify exotic pest threats, determine and implement the most effective…

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) received a $113,348 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Under this award, LDAF will serve as the state coordinator for the Commodity and Pest Survey (CAPS) program, implementing five detection surveys and one regulatory program designed to identify exotic pest threats to Louisiana's agriculture and natural resources. The five surveys include: Citrus Commodity Survey, Cotton Seed Bug Survey, Sudden Oak Death Survey, Forest Pest Survey, and Solanaceous Commodity Survey. Additionally, LDAF will administer the Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) Regulatory Program, focusing on confirmed nursery protocol compliance.

As the primary state contact for the CAPS program, LDAF will develop and execute work and financial plans aligned with national CAPS guidelines, coordinate delimiting surveys when positive pests are identified, and support the Plant Protection and Quarantine division during pest outbreaks or response activities. The program strengthens Louisiana's statewide network of pest detection cooperators and establishes communication channels with land management personnel, agricultural industries, and the public regarding pest risks and management needs. LDAF will also host the annual State CAPS Committee meeting and maintain collaborative relationships with Louisiana State University and APHIS officials. The intended beneficiaries include all Louisiana residents, citrus producers, forest industry stakeholders, nursery and landscape operators, and fruit and vegetable producers. No subrecipient awards are anticipated under this agreement.

The main goal for this cooperative program is to continue strengthening a state-wide network of cooperators that will help identify exotic pest threats, determine and implement the most effective means of preventing, detecting, and responding to new exotic pests, and to communicate the risks and needs to land management personnel, relevant industries, and the public. The caps program provides the structure and funding to coordinate detection surveys and outreach by the louisiana department of agriculture and forestry (LDAF), and by its cooperators around the state. Activities to be performed: the objective for LDAF for FY 2025 is to plan and implement four surveys and one regulatory program. The five (5) surveys are: citrus commodity (CCS), cotton seed BUG, sudden OAK death (SOD), forest pest survey (FPS) and the solanaceous commodity survey (SCS). The regulatory program is the sudden OAK death (phytophthora ramorum) regulatory program, confirmed nursery protocol. Another objective for LDAF will be to continue hosting our annual meeting of the state caps committee and strengthen the existing relationships between louisiana state university [LSU] and aphis officials, which are essential for the caps program to function properly. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the SSC is the primary contact for the caps program in the state of louisiana. The SSC will prepare all work and financial plans in accordance with the national caps guidelines and with input from the sphd, PSS and spro. The SCC will coordinate delimiting surveys when positive pests are found according to the national caps survey plan. The SCC will also assist PPQ during pest outbreaks or responses. Intended beneficiary(IES): all louisiana residents, louisiana citrus producers, louisiana forest industry, louisiana nursery and landscape industry and fruit and vegetable producers. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: no subrecipient awards are anticipated.