Ag & Forestry Listening Tour HOSTED BY COMMISSIONER MIKE STRAIN AND GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS >>page 16 VOL. 100, No. 23 www.LDAF.la.gov November 9, 2017 Steele's Christmas tree farm providing Christmas trees for 38 years Since 2012, Steele has added a new attraction on his Beverly and Kevin Steele property each year. You will find a By Veronica Mosgrove pumpkin patch, a Kevin Steele, Sr. has always loved Christmas. the environment. “People really get into the coastal petting zoo, trains, a “Christmas is the celebration of life. I give all the glory restoration project in which Christmas trees are used. hayride, giant jump to God.” Some people will even sink their trees in a pond and pillow and even pig Steele recalls a story from his childhood when he make a fish habitat. So keep that in mind when you’re races. There is also decorated his very own tree. “It wasn’t pretty, but my debating whether to buy a fresh tree or one from a store late mother made me feel like it was the most beautiful in a box.” a gift shop and a tree she’d ever seen. She was wonderful like that,” said It takes five years for a tree to mature. Like any concession stand. Steele. farm, it takes hard work and some luck for the trees Today, he grows some of the most beautiful Christmas to grow. “It’s a beautiful thing when you can plant that trees. This year, the Washington Parish Christmas tree seedling and watch something grow; but, you have to farmer has the distinction of providing the tree that will get the proper amount of rain at the right times. That’s be showcased at the Governor’s Mansion. This honor sometimes hard in Louisiana. You just hope, by the is the result of a Southern Christmas Tree Association grace of God, they grow.” competition for which Steele has won the past four For Steele, it’s also a family business all the way years. around. His grown children and grandchildren help on “It’s wonderful. In the past, we’ve been invited to the the farm. As for his customers, they too, are like family. Governor’s mansion to see our tree on display.” “We now have third generation customers who visit the A nurse by profession, Steele moved to Sheridan, tree farm. We allow families to pick and cut their own La. from the New Orleans area in 1976. At the time, trees or my staff cuts the trees for the customer.” he was working for South Central Bell as a lineman. As a nurse, Steele says he often see’s people at their Moving to the country allowed him to pursue his worst. But on his farm, it’s nothing but happy, smiling passion of growing Christmas trees. “There was this faces. He says most families love the tradition of longtime weathercaster named Nash Roberts who grew Christmas tree shopping. Christmas trees in Folsom. I remember him talking Since 2012, Steele has added a new attraction on his about it and it really peaked my interest,” said Steele. property each year. These days, you’ll find a pumpkin Steele opened his Christmas tree farm in 1979. patch, a petting zoo, trains, a hayride, giant jump Today, he grows six thousand trees on six acres. You’ll pillow and even pig races. There’s also a gift shop and find Leland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, and Blue Ice. a concession stand. Frazier Fir and White Pine are imported from North The pumpkin patch is open Monday through Friday Carolina. during the month of October for school field trips by “We really urge people to support their local tree appointment only. The pumpkin patch and activities farmers. You’re helping the economy and you get are open to the public from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on a fresher tree when it’s been grown and cut close to Saturday’s and from 1:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday’s. home.” Steele’s Christmas Tree Farm starts selling trees at Steele also reminds folks that once you enjoy your 2:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. For more information, Christmas tree, your old, discarded tree can also benefit go to www.steeleschristmastreefarm.com. Page 2 Market Bulletin November 9, 2017 Louisiana Agriculture & Forestry Today A donut that is good for you and your car Choosing the wrong motor oil “W” stands for the winter grade current service classification is SN of these products in Louisiana. can harm your vehicle’s engine. All and shows that the oil meets the for vehicles manufactured from The Louisiana Department of motor vehicle owners should take low-temperature requirements of 2011 to present. One might think Agriculture and Forestry Weights time and become familiar with the the SAE (maintains its physical or the earlier codes are obsolete and and Measures Division will American Petroleum Institute (API) chemical standards at 0 degrees would only be available in stores soon begin testing these motor Donut - the motor oil equivalent of Fahrenheit). Make sure that there that cater to old-car buffs, but that oil products for viscosity and a food nutrition facts label. It’s a is a “W” in the grade because SAE is not so. They can frequently be labeling requirements to ensure donut; but this one is good for you 5-30 is not the same as SAE 5W- found in stores right alongside that Louisiana consumers that the and your car. 30. To be sure, always follow your the more current brands and often products meet all the specifications Most people are already familiar vehicle’s owner’s manual for the priced about the same as the modern required. with viscosity. The Society of correct viscosity grade for your oils. While the containers do warn Products sold as API Service Automotive Engineers (SAE) uses vehicle. not to use the product in certain Classification SA contain the a numerical system to define oil The other important piece of vehicles, these warnings are often in following warning label: MIKE STRAIN viscosity. Manufacturers blend oils the donut is the API Service fine print on the back of the bottle. • Caution: This oil is rated API SA COMMISSIONER to provide a range of viscosities so Classification which is a two-letter Obsolete API Service and is not suitable for use in most equipment harm. that you do not have to change the code that certifies that an oil meets the Classifications “SA” and “SB” gasoline powered automotive • Products sold as API Service oil with every change of season. original equipment manufacturer’s have been found offered for sale in engines built after 1930. Use in Classification SB have a similar The most common grade range quality and performance standards retail stores in Louisiana. Currently, more modern engines may cause warning that says “engines built these days is 5W-30 where the for vehicles of a certain age. The there is no law prohibiting the sale unsatisfactory performance or after 1951.” Louisiana Market Bulletin (USPS 672-600) USDA Agriculture Marketing Service Hay Prices Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner As a public service to state residents, the Louisiana Values are in tons unless otherwise noted Market Bulletin offers free listings subject to existing regulations. Out-of-state residents may list Want Alabama SE Hay Report, Nov. 2, 2017 Ads only. Ads may not exceed 25 words. The name, address and telephone number as well as the price of Bermuda Small Square.................................................................Premium.............$180-$300 the item must be included with each ad. 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