April 17, 2013
www.gfb.org
Vol. 31 No. 16
CAES EXPANDING LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS The University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is in the midst of several moves that will result in more livestock on more land and more facilities, CAES Dean Dr. Scott Angle said in a recent interview with Georgia Farm Bureau media. CAES has recently acquired the use of the USDA’s Campbell Research Farm in Oconee County, and Angle said that while the college is in the process of selling off its Wilkins Beef Cattle Research Farm in Rayle, the cattle there will be moved to the Central Georgia Research and Education Center in Eatonton and with the larger farm at Campbell, CAES has expanded its capabilities for beef cattle research. “It’s a demonstration that we’re committed to the long term in animal sciences,” Angle said. “I’ve heard a couple of comments here recently that the University of Georgia and the College of Ag may be cutting back their commitment to animal sciences especially as we have talked about selling the Wilkins farm. When this is all said and done, we’re going to have more animals, and we’re going to have more land supporting those animals on more facilities. So it’s actually a growth in this program.” Angle said feedlot research would be moved from the Wilkins farm to the Eatonton farm. UGA took over the operations and management of the Campbell farm last summer and is waiting for Congress to approve a deed transfer for the property, which has a total of 1,100 acres. CAES has approximately 200 head of cattle on the farm, with plans to move more cattle there. Angle said the location is convenient to UGA’s main campus in Athens, a key consideration in the training of students in the school’s animal science programs, and it holds the advantage of having a large expanse of land on which to graze livestock. “Obviously our No. 1 mission in the college is to train students and unless you can get students out in the field to see animals, to handle animals, to see our 4-H systems, they are not going to get the level of education they are entitled to,” Angle said. The Campbell Farm was used to study how eroded cotton land could be renovated for other agricultural purposes. It was made available when the USDA chose to close it down in the wake of FY 2012 budget cuts. “Not much of this land on the Campbell Farm is useful for row crop research,” Angle said. “It happens to be ideal for grass and grazing of beef cattle in particular.” The existing buildings at Campbell have become the new home to the Oconee County Extension Office, and plans for the facility’s use include studies in sustainable forage management.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 7 OBAMA BUDGET WOULD CUT $37.8 BILLION FROM FARM PROGRAMS The proposed FY 2014 budget submitted by President Barack Obama on April 10 would cut $37.8 billion over a 10-year period, including the elimination of direct payments and reductions in crop insurance subsidies and conservation programs. By comparison, the House proposed budget would trim farm programs by $31 billion and the Senate budget would make $23 billion in cuts to farm programs. According to American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Matt Erickson, both the House and Senate have expressed a desire to strengthen the crop insurance program. The president’s budget, Erickson said, would leave farmers with a lesser economic safety net. “I think the big concern is just uncertainty,” Erickson said. “From a market standpoint, consumers are always affected by markets and markets just do not like uncertainty.” Overall, the president’s budget would provide $22.6 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Agriculture. It includes $55 million for a new economic development grant program designed to target small and emerging private businesses and cooperatives in rural areas. Obama’s budget would provide $148 million in research funding for crop protection, sustainable agriculture, climate change, child obesity and food safety. The budget also provides $155 million for design and construction of a new poultry lab in Athens, the highest USDA laboratory construction priority. NRCS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR WRP The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is calling for applications from landowners interested in restoring or enhancing wetlands on private agricultural or forested land in Georgia through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The WRP provides financial incentives to landowners through purchased conservation easements to protect and restore their land to its natural wetland condition with an emphasis on enhancing wildlife habitats and environmental benefits. Participation in this program is voluntary and restoration is accomplished in an environmentally safe and cost-effective manner. As a result, participants in WRP voluntarily limit future use of their land by entering into a conservation easement with NRCS, but retain private ownership. The program offers three enrollment options: permanent easements, 30-year easements and restoration cost-share agreements. Eligible acres are limited to private and tribal lands, and easements cannot be placed on land that has changed ownership within the last seven years. Easement values are based upon a Geographic Area Rate Cap (GARC), which is valued each year by an independent contractor who performs a market analysis to estimate values of lands that typically enroll in WRP. NRCS publishes the GARC rates after approval. Georgia landowners can learn more about conserving natural resources by contacting NRCS Georgia through USDA Service Centers or by visiting the NRCS Georgia homepage at http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov. Interested private landowners are encouraged to visit their local Georgia NRCS field office as soon as possible to begin the application process. The application enrollment period for this year’s WRP funding ends May 13.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 7 FDA TO INSPECT CANTALOUPE PACKING HOUSES In a Feb. 25 letter to the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Food Safety Director Beth Oleson, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced its intent to inspect a sampling of cantaloupe packinghouses across the United States during the 2013 growing season. According to the letter, this action comes as a response to repeated bacteria outbreaks in cantaloupes that originate in the packinghouse. The letter indicated that the FDA also intends to focus sampling on imported cantaloupes and “may engage in other surveillance and inspection activities” as circumstances warrant such action. “The FDA is sending a strong message to the cantaloupe industry with this letter,” Oleson said. According to Oleson, after the 2012 outbreak linked to Chamberlain Farms in Indiana, GFVGA’s cantaloupe producers took a proactive approach by coming together to review current guidance and practices in eastern cantaloupes. “Many of GFVGA’s cantaloupe producers had already begun to implement risk assessments in their farm and packing operations in an effort to minimize potential contamination,” Oleson said. “They have committed to the highest food safety standards in the industry.” The letter urged the cantaloupe industry to review its current operation alongside the recently released “Guide to Minimize Food Safety Hazards for Fruits and Vegetables” and the draft guidance titled “Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Melons.” Together, these documents recommend both good agricultural practices (GAPs) and current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) that growers, harvesters, sorters, packers and processers should adhere to in order to address common risks among their operations. The recently released commodity specific national guidelines for cantaloupes and netted melons can be found and downloaded at no charge at www.cantaloupe-guidance.org. The FDA commended members of the cantaloupe industry for their initiative and responsibility to highest standards of food safety for the best interest of consumers. For more information about current food safety programs and on-farm practices, contact Beth Oleson at 706-845-8200. ERICK SMITH HIRED AS UGA FRUIT SPECIALIST The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recently hired blueberry expert Erick Smith as a fruit specialist for southern Georgia on the Tifton Campus. In his new position, Smith will spend 80 percent of his time working with fruit farmers on critical issues affecting the industry and blueberry production. He’ll spend the other 20 percent of his time researching ways to make fruit production more efficient in South Georgia. Smith was a research associate at Washington State University prior to moving to Georgia. He began work with UGA on April 1. According to the UGA Center for Agribusiness Farm Gate Value Report, blueberries were the highest selling fruit in Georgia in 2011. They were grown on more than 21,000 acres and had a farm gate value of $254 million. Competition has the industry looking for efficiencies in production that would reduce input costs, he said. Growers have specifically expressed to Smith a need for help identifying pests, diseases and cultural management.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 7 NRCS ACCEPTING AWEP APPLICATIONS THROUGH APRIL 19 Approximately $1.2 million in financial assistance has been approved for the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) in the Lower Flint River Basin project. Local NRCS offices will be taking applications through April 19. This project will improve water efficiency by deploying advanced irrigation management practices across 27 counties in Southwest Georgia. For more information about specific AWEP projects visit: http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov, or visit the nearest USDA Service Center. WARBINGTON FARMS STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL April 20 – May 18 Warbington Farms Cumming This series of fun-filled farm weekends features live music, inflatables, hayrides, a petting zoo and of course, those wonderful strawberries! Saturday hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Weekend admission is $8 for children and $5 for adults. For more information, visit http://www.warbingtonfarms.com or call 770-380-2920. FVSU HAM AND EGG BREAKFAST April 23 Fort Valley State University Pettigrew Center 8 a.m. Fort Valley The public is invited to attend this annual event, during which legislators will interact with guests, describe their initiatives and explain their positions on current issues, including sequestration, education and healthcare. Invited guests include U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr., U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, and a host of other political figures. Cost is $8. For more information, contact E. Jean Willis at 478-825-6269 or willise@fvsu.edu. NOMINATE A FARM MOM TO WIN $10,000 Nominations are being accepted for the 2013 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year Contest until 11:59 p.m. on April 23. To nominate a farm mom for the award, visit http://www.americasfarmers.com/farmmom/nominate. Complete rules and nomination instructions are available at http://www.americasfarmers.com/farmmom/rules.aspx. Nominations may also be submitted by mail to Osborn & Barr, Attn: America’s Farm Mom of the Year, 914 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63102. Five regional winners will be selected by a panel of judges from American Agri-Women and Monsanto. Online voting will determine the national winner, which will be announced on Mother’s Day, May 12. Each regional winner will win a $5,000 prize, and the national winner will get another $5,000. GEORGIA HERD SALE April 23 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center 12:30 p.m. Irwinville For more information contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706-542-1852 or lawtons@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or ptcannon@uga.edu 2013 GEORGIA FFA CONVENTION April 25-27 Macon Centreplex Macon The 85th Georgia FFA Convention features a keynote address from motivational speaker Rick Rigsby, a concert by The Farm and addresses by National FFA Secretary Kalie Hall and Small Town Big Deal host Rodney Miller. Through a partnership between Alltech and RFD-TV, video feeds of the general sessions will be available online to laptops, desktops, mobile phones and tablet computers. It will be available live or on-demand at www.ihigh.com/gaffa or at www.MYRURALTV.com. For more information about the convention or the live broadcast, contact the Georgia FFA Association at gaffa@uga.edu or visit georgiaffa.org.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 7 14TH ANNUAL PANHANDLE MULE DAY April 27 Panhandle Mule Farm 9 a.m. Reynolds The heritage of breaking land comes alive at this annual event that provides fun for the whole family. Mule Day features antique engines, tractors and implements on display, mule-drawn plowing and live entertainment. For more information call Steve Montgomery at 478-837-1044. 2013 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 9-11 Young Harris College 8 a.m. each day Young Harris This event, one of the most comprehensive beekeeping educational events in the Southeast, offers classes for beekeepers at all levels of experience and the annual honey show. May 9 is dedicated training and certification exams for journeymen and master beekeeper qualifications, as well as the Welsh honey judge training, the first licensing program for honey judges in North America. May 10 and 11 provide training and certification, including individual and colony biology, low-tech beekeeping, occupational safety and much more. Registration fees for 18 and older is $110 for one day and $175 for two days. For ages 11-18, fees are $50 for one day and $80 for two days. Participants are urged to preregister by April 30. On-site registration is allowed on a space-available basis, but classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/young-harris/index.html or contact Tabitha Davidson at tabithakristine@gmail.com or 770-329-9449. GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM NOMINATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1 The Georgia Centennial Farm Program, which recognizes historic farms and encourages their preservation is accepting nominations for farms to be honored during the Georgia National Fair in October. Each nominated farm must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres of the original purchase actively involved in agricultural production and must generate at least $1,000 in annual farm-generated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years. The Georgia Centennial Farm Program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia Forestry Commission; and the Georgia National Fair and Agricenter. For more information, contact Steven Moffson, chair of the Georgia Centennial Farm Committee, at 404-651-5906 or at steven.moffson@dnr.state.ga.us. The postmark deadline for applications is May 1 of each year. Applications are available online at www.georgiacentennialfarms.org. SMALL RUMINANT PARASITE CONTROL CONFERENCE May 20-22 Pettigrew Center, Fort Valley State University Fort Valley This “train the trainer� symposium for parasite management will educate stakeholders in the small ruminant industry on the most up-to-date methods and recommendations for parasite control. Training and certification will also be provided in integrated parasite management in small ruminants, including sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas and others. Full registration is $250 per person until May 1 and $300 after May 1. Registration for one day of the conference is $125 until May 1 and $150 after May 1. For more information or to register, visit http://www.fvsu.edu/acsrpc_registration.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 7 FILING FOR WOMEN, HISPANIC FARMERS EXTENDED TO MAY 1 The filing period has been extended to May 1 for women or Hispanic farmers alleging discrimination by the USDA in loan application or loan servicing processes between 1981 and 2000. The voluntary claims process, which is offered as an alternative to litigation, will make available at least $1.33 billion for cash awards and tax relief payments, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief to eligible claimants. There are no filing fees to participate. For more information call 1-888-508-4429 or visit https://www.farmerclaims.gov. MONROE COUNTY HERD SALE May 4 Sleepy Creek Farm 12:30 p.m. Forsyth This sale will feature 75 bred heifers. Data available on the heifers includes A.I. breeding and sire EPD’s, pelvic area, frame score, disposition score, weight per day of age and average daily gain. All heifers will sell confirmed safe in calf to calving ease Angus bulls. For more information contact the Monroe County Extension office by phone at 478-994-7014 or by email at uge2207@uga.edu. Information about the sale may also be found online at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/monroe/HERDProgram/herd.html MAY 10 IS DEADLINE FOR GFB YOUNG FARMER AWARDS GFB is accepting applications for the Young Farmer Achievement Award and the new Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award through May 10. GFB members between the ages of 18-35 may apply for these awards. The Achievement Award will recognize an outstanding young farmer or couple whose primary income is derived from farming. The Achievement Award winner will receive $500 and an Arctic Cat 4x4 ATV. Two finalists will each receive $500. The Excellence in Agriculture Award will recognize an outstanding individual whose primary income is not derived from farming. Extension agents, FFA advisors and ag lenders are examples of individuals who may apply for this award. The Excellence in Agriculture Award winner will receive $2,500 and two finalists will each receive $500. Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices. Three finalists will be named for each contest at the GFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference on Jekyll Island July 12-14. The state winner of each award will be announced during the GFB convention in December. Both state winners will receive an expensepaid trip to San Antonio, Texas, to compete at the AFBF Convention next January for the chance to win a 2014 Chevrolet or GMC pickup truck. ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION SCHOOL May 20-22 Calhoun Stockyards Calhoun This comprehensive three-day course includes 14 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of lab work with cattle, offering students the opportunity to learn artificial insemination techniques and herd management under skilled supervision. Sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Curriculum includes anatomy and reproduction, fertility, heat detection, nutrition, genetics and sire selection and more. Registration is $350 for adults and $300 for college and high school students, which covers the cost of supplies and practice cows. Discounts are available for multiple members of the same family. The program is limited to 15 students. Registration and fees are due by May 10. For more information contact Allen Southard at 678-617-2945 or Chris Franklin at 706-263-2008 or chris@feonow.com.
Leadership Alert page 7 of 7 GEORGIA OLIVE PRODUCERS ANNUAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE May 10 The Threatte Center 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Lakeland This meeting will provide a wide range of information to growers, potential new growers, researchers, developers, support industries and government agencies working in the expansion of the olive oil industry in Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. Kimberly Holding of the American Olive Oil Producers Association will give the keynote address, and legislative updates will be provided by Paul Miller of the Australian Olive Association and Jason Shaw of Georgia Olive farms. Registration is $50 for members and $100 for non-members. For more information contact Vicki Hughes at 229-300-9931 or georgiaolivegrowers@gmail.com. To register, visit http://georgiaolivegrowers.com/?page_id=428. USDA TO ACCEPT CRP APPLICATIONS MAY 20 – JUNE 14 The USDA will conduct a four-week general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), beginning May 20 and ending on June 14. CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and enhance wildlife habitat. Contracts on 3.3 million acres of CRP are set to expire on Sept. 30. Producers with expiring contracts or producers with environmentally sensitive land are encouraged to evaluate their options under CRP. Producers that are accepted in the sign-up can receive cost-share assistance to plant long-term, resource-conserving covers and receive an annual rental payment for the length of the contract (10-15 years). For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit a local FSA service center or http://www.fsa.usda.gov. CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 28 UGA NW GA Research & Education Center Calhoun Workshop begins at 6 p.m. in the livestock pavilion of the Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center. For more information contact Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or by emailing pworley@uga.edu. GA HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE May 29 UGA NW GA Research & Education Center Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. in the livestock pavilion of the Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center. For more information contact Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or by emailing pworley@uga.edu. MAY 31 IS DEADLINE TO ENTER YF DISCUSSION MEET May 31 is the deadline to enter the 2013 GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet. The state discussion meet winner will receive an Arctic Cat 500 ATV, $500 and an expense-paid trip to the 2014 AFBF Convention in San Antonio, Texas, to compete for national honors. The three finalists will each receive $350. The AFBF winner will receive a 2014 Chevrolet or GMC pickup truck. Visit your local Farm Bureau office for more details about the contest. The preliminary rounds of the 2013 GFB YF Discussion Meet will be held during the GFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference on Jekyll Island July 12-14. The four finalists will compete for the state title at the GFB Convention Dec. 8.