DVM to become Louisiana commissioner of agriculture
Baton Rouge, La. - State Rep. Mike Strain will become Louisiana's agriculture and forestry commissioner on Jan. 14.
BATON ROUGE, LA. — State Rep. Mike Strain will become Louisiana's agriculture and forestry commissioner on Jan. 14.
The DVM-turned-politician landed the job when Bob Odom, who held the position 28 years, withdrew his re-election bid in the Nov. 17 runoff election. Strain earlier had run a close second to Odom in the primary. A seven-year state lawmaker who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, Strain ran on a reform platform of bolstering agriculture programs. He was author of one of the state's bills to outlaw cockfighting. He will be the state's first Republican commissioner.
"Today we end the campaign and beat the political swords back into plowshares," Strain said at a news conference when Odom left the race.
Newsletter
From exam room tips to practice management insights, get trusted veterinary news delivered straight to your inbox—subscribe to dvm360.
Non-Pharmacologic Solutions for Pet Dental Health From Prevention to Recovery
July 11th 2025Nicole Westfall, Senior VP of Marketing at Zomedica, explains how integrated non-pharmacologic technology and fast-acting hemostatic gel can help veterinary dental professionals manage patient pain and bleeding before, during, and after oral surgery.
Listen
