August 3, 2011
www.gfb.org
Vol. 29 No. 31
FRUIT & VEGETABLE GROWERS ASKED TO COMPLETE LABOR SURVEY Georgia fruit and vegetable producers are encouraged to participate in a survey being conducted by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED) that will measure the economic impact labor used in Georgia’s fresh produce industry has on the state’s economy and the impact Georgia’s new immigration law (House Bill 87) had on the 2011 spring/summer harvest and rural economies. Growers are asked to complete the survey by midnight, Friday, Aug. 12. The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) led a coalition of Georgia ag organizations, including Georgia Farm Bureau, to commission the CAED to conduct the survey and analyze the survey data. The goal of the study is to quantify the produce industry’s losses and its impact on rural economies to educate lawmakers considering future immigration legislation and support efforts to improve the national guest-worker program, GFVGA Executive Director Charles Hall said. “We know our growers had a need for labor during the spring crop. We’re just trying to quantify what happened and how the labor shortage affected the harvest of the spring crop and affected rural communities,” Hall said. “We’ve estimated we had $200 to $300 million in lost crops, but we want to know for sure.” CAED Economists Dr. John McKissick and Sharon Kane will conduct the study, which will be completed on or before Oct. 1. “We’ve heard reports from Georgia farmers that House Bill 87 has created a labor shortage and negatively impacted their harvests,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “Georgia Farm Bureau supports this study, because in order for Georgia agriculture to be effective in finding a solution to the labor problem we’re facing, we need objective, quantifiable numbers that show the economic impact the labor shortage has had on agriculture and the economies of rural Georgia.” Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GFVGA2011EconomicImpactSurvey to complete the survey electronically. Visit http://gfvga.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/HARVESTSURVEY-Spring-Summer-2011.pdf to print the survey. Completed surveys may be mailed to GFVGA P.O. Box 2945, LaGrange, Ga. 30241 or faxed to 706-883-8215. Completing the contact information the survey asks is voluntary but growers are asked to at least provide a phone number in case a question arises concerning provided data. All survey information will be maintained as strictly confidential. No farm will be identified in the study. Call 706-845-8200 for more information about the survey.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 7 GFB SUBMITS COMMENTS ON FMCSA RULES Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall submitted comments on July 27 to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA), which sought input on how farm vehicles and equipment should be viewed for purposes of federal highway rules. A group of 21 senators, including Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) sent a letter to the FMCSA expressing concern, as well. The FMCSA requested comments about how to distinguish between intrastate and interstate commerce, whether commercial driver’s license (CDL) rules should apply for sharecroppers and whether CDLs should be required for farm equipment. In his comments, Duvall emphasized that exemptions for farmers should remain in place, noting that many small farmers might be forced out of business if all farm vehicles were defined as commercial motor vehicles, a move that would escalate the cost of compliance. Duvall said the possibility that a farm product might eventually end up in another state should not be the determining factor in whether that farm is engaged in interstate commerce. A more logical determining factor would be whether the farmer crossed a state line while transporting farm products. Applying CDL rules to sharecroppers who are hauling products belonging to their landlords, Duvall said, does not appear to enhance road safety and might increase the number of trucks on the road. In addition to imposing prohibitive licensing and training costs on farmers, classifying implements of farming (tractors, combines, cotton pickers, etc.) as commercial motor vehicles would create additional regulatory problems. Georgia Farm Bureau believes states should be allowed to implement exemptions based on the type of agriculture practiced within their borders. GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION BREAKS GROUND ON NEW BUILDING Georgia’s peanut industry will soon have a more visible presence on Interstate 75, once the new Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) headquarters is built off of Exit 63B in Tifton. Industry leaders and local government officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 1 for the 6,400-square-foot building the commission hopes to occupy by July 31, 2012. The construction of the building coincides with the GPC’s 50th anniversary year. An estimated 100,000 cars travel past the building site each day making it an ideal spot, GPC officials say, to erect the commission’s new office. Located on the former site of a Georgia State Patrol post and across the interstate from the Georgia Agrirama, the new GPC building will include a gift shop to sell Georgia peanut products, exhibits explaining how farmers grow peanuts and a test kitchen to prepare new peanut recipes. “To me, this building is a monument to the peanut farmers of Georgia. Rather than simply being an office building, it will incorporate a museum to highlight what farmers are doing today,” GPC Director and GPC Building Committee Chairman Donald Chase of Macon County said. “We all know there’s a tremendous opportunity for us to tell the message of peanut farmers and agriculture in general to all of the people driving up and down I-75 and this building will allow us to do that.” The GPC’s new building will be the first net-zero energy building for state government. The sale of the existing office, engergy grants, sponsorships and a commemorative brick program will ocver the cost of the new building, estmated to be less than $1 million.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 7 MEXICO ENDS BAN ON SOUTHERN PEACHES After years of negotiations, an agreement between the United States and Mexico will allow growers in Georgia and South Carolina to ship peaches to Mexico for the first time in 17 years. Mexico had banned peaches grown in southern U.S. states over concerns about invasive pests. The agreement requires peaches for export to undergo a series of inspections by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Mexican officials for insects and that they be grown and packed separately from peaches not being exported. According to published reports, the USDA has been negotiating with Mexico since 2008 to allow Georgia and South Carolina peaches to be exported to Mexico. Georgia growers like the opportunity to expand into another market, but they are proceeding with caution because of the complex process of getting approval to export. Growers have to submit to regular inspections, isolate the orchard from which peaches will be shipped to Mexico and take samples of peaches to be cut and inspected for insects. “It’s a potential market that we’d like to have,” said Georgia Peach Commission Chairman Al Pearson of Pearson Farms in Fort Valley. “I’m pleased for the guys who stuck it out another year and shipped some peaches, but it’s been a very difficult process. If it becomes a good market, I’ll follow suit.” California peach growers have been shipping to Mexico for the past 10 years. Export rules vary from state to state because insect species vary from state to state. “I think it’s a great opportunity to be explored and tapped into,” said Meriwether County grower Sean Lennon, who expects to begin shipping peaches to Mexico by mid-August. “If they structure it correctly, all the growers in Georgia will be able to use it to lessen the impact of seasonal sales in the U.S.” Lennon is one of few growers in Georgia likely to ship to Mexico this year. He grows Baby Gold 7, a peach variety he said is preferred by many consumers in Mexico, on 25 acres at Fitzgerald Fruit Farm, where he has a total of 200 acres planted in peach trees. PILGRIM’S PRIDE SUSTAINS SECOND-QUARTER LOSSES Despite a 12.3 percent increase in revenue, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation reported a net loss of $128.1 million in the second quarter that ended June 26. The company enjoyed profits of $32.9 million for the same period in 2010. The second-quarter losses equate to 60 cents per share. According to published reports, the company was expected to have losses of about 23 cents per share. The company attributed the losses to record-high feed costs coupled with weaker-thanexpected consumer demand and an oversupply of chicken. According to a press release, the company spent $400 million more on feed in the first six months of 2011 than it did for the same period in 2010. Bill Lovette, Pilgrim’s president and chief executive officer, said the company is taking steps to share the cost burden from higher grain prices. Market prices for some key chicken products were down sharply compared to 2010. Boneless skinless breast meat in the second quarter of 2011 averaged $1.34 per pound, compared with $1.61 during the same period in 2010. The market price for wings averaged $0.77 per pound in the second quarter of 2011, compared with $1.23 per pound for the same period in 2010.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 7 DEADLINE TO VOTE IN VIDALIA ONION JINGLE CONTEST IS AUG. 5 The Vidalia® Onion Committee (VOC) is seeking the most popular Vidalia jingle and you are encouraged to cast your vote at www.vidaliaonion.org. The most popular jingle will earn $1,000 cash, while another winner based on talent and creativity as chosen by a judging panel will win an Ultimate Nashville Getaway. Contest submissions have run the audio and visual gamut: a cappella lyrics, pre-produced videos with guitar and drum accompaniments, Southern drawls, thick New York accents, giggling girlfriends, family reunion attendees, wannabe rappers, ladies crooning in flowered hats, and more. RED ROSE CLASSIC GOAT SHOW Aug. 13 Entry deadline Aug. 19-20 Ga. National Fairgrounds Perry Show participants will check in and have their goats weighed between 2-10 p.m. on Aug. 19. The Junior Market Meat Goat Show (for kids pre-K to 12th grade) will begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 20, followed by showmanship classes and the International Boer Goat Association Show. There is no limit to the number of goats an exhibitor may enter in any show. Entry fees of $15 per goat must accompany entry form along with $7 per pen needed. Current health certificates are required for all goats. Goats six months or older must be registered with the International Boer Goat Association, the American Boer Goat Association or the U.S. Boer Goat Association. Original registration papers must be shown at check in. The Junior Market Meat Goat Show is open to any breed or crossbred wether or market doe. No bucks are allowed. Goats entered in the Market show are not eligible to show in either of the Breeding Boer Goat Shows. All goats exhibited in the Market show must be carrying all of their milk teeth at time of weigh in. Goats showing either or both of the first pair of permanent incisors are not eligible. Exhibitors from both the Junior Market Meat Goat Show and the Open Boer Goat Show are eligible to compete in the showmanship classes. There is no entry fee as long as the animals exhibited are entered and qualified for either the Junior Market Show or the Open Boer Goat Show. If an animal is not entered in either show, a $7 entry feed will be charged. There will be four showmanship classes divided by age of exhibitors: Class 1 – 5 years and under; Class 2 – 6-10 years; Class 3 – 11-14 years; Class 4: 15-18 years. Contact Rusty or Rayna Lee at 678-410-7785 or 770-652-6030 or leefarmsboers@aol.com for entry forms or more information.
SOUTHEAST RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER FIELD DAY Aug. 16 UGA Southeast Research and Education Center Midville Event will highlight UGA field crop variety tests for corn, soybean and peanuts. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a sponsored lunch at noon. Contact Anthony Black at 478-589-7472 for information. LOGANBERRY HERITAGE FARM GARLIC FEST Aug. 27 LoganBerry Heritage Farm Cleveland Garlic is the center of attention at this free, fun, family event, which celebrates the farm’s garlic harvest and runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be food tastings and cooking demos with garlic dishes, live entertainment, artisans and animals all in a memorable setting on this Appalachian heritage farm. Visit www.loganberryheritagefarm.com or call Sharon Mauney at 706-348-6068 for more information. The farm is located at 2660 Adair Mill Road, Cleveland, Ga, 30528.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 7 STOCK HORSE OF GEORGIA VERSATILITY EVENT Aug. 27-28 Quercus Cattle Co. Arena Gay Brian Sumrall, president of the Stock Horse of Texas and Dr. Dennis Sigler, vice president of the American Stock Horse Association (ASHA), will lead the clinics on Saturday, which run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $60 for Stock Horse of Ga. members and $85 for nonmembers. Participants must pre-register by 5 p.m. on Aug. 22. The ASHA will hold a show on Aug. 28. For more information visit http://www.littlecreekquarterhorses.com or contact Amanda Johnson at 817-706-6669 or Amanda@ajperformancehorses.com. GEORGIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REGIONAL FORESTRY MEETING Aug. 30 Potter Community Center 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Albany The public is invited to attend GFA’s Dublin Regional Forestry meeting to be held at the Potter Community Center on August 30, 2011. The event includes keynote speakers Vicki Lambert of the Georgia Department of Revenue to speak on “FLPA (Forest Land Protection Act” and Lori Eckhart of Auburn University speak on “Pine decline in the Southeast”. In order to attend this meeting you must pre-register by 8/25. To pre-register and be included in the meal count, call Michele Lawson at 478-992-8110 or send an email listing the attendee’s names to michele@gfagrow.org. A payment of $10 (Cash or Check only) per person will be taken at the door the night of the meeting. NATIONAL ANGUS CONFERENCE & TOUR Sept. 6-8 The Classic Center Athens Sponsored by Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC, this tour includes two days of ranch visits and presentations from industry representatives and Georgia Ag Commissioner Gary Black. Registration fee is $175. For information, visit http://www.nationalangusconference.com, call 816-383-5100 or email sstannard@angus.org. 4TH ANNUAL UGA COTTON & PEANUT RESEARCH FIELD DAY Sept. 7 Tifton The tour will begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude with lunch. The Georgia Cotton Commission and the Georgia Peanut Commission are sponsoring the field day. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FALL FIELD DAY Sept. 8 UGA Tifton Campus 8 a.m. Tifton This free event will feature a review of the latest insect, disease, fertilizer, and breeding research by UGA pecan researchers including Jim Dutcher, Tim Brenneman, Lenny Wells, and Patrick Conner. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Janice Dees at georgiapecan@gmail.com. OLD SOUTH FARM CAMP Sept. 12 – Nov. 20 Old South Farm Museum & Ag Learning Center Woodland Each of this series of three-day camps begins at 7 p.m. on the first day with supper and orientation and ends by 11 a.m. on the third day. It includes six or more classes on a variety of topics ranging from milking a cow to lye soap making and more. Fee is $200 per person, including meals, housing, transportation and class materials. Each session will have between 20 and 40 campers. Pre-registration is required. For registration information and specific camp dates call Paul Bulloch 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 7 FORT VALLEY STATE AG FIELD DAY Sept. 15 Agricultural Technology Conference Center Fort Valley Event will cover livestock grazing systems, aquaculture systems, organic vegetable and fruit systems and include a bioenergy crops showcase, food preservation demonstrations and goat and lamb samples. Conference center is located at 46 Camp John Hope Road in Fort Valley. For more information call 478-825-6268. BROOKS COUNTY SKILLET FESTIVAL Sept. 17 Brooks County Courthouse Square Quitman This farm, food & arts festival will highlight the area’s abundant agriculture and fine southern cuisine. The one-day event will feature the “Cast-Iron Man,” a 5k road race and 1m fun run, vendors on the courthouse square, the “Cast-Iron Chef” cooking competition, a skillet throwing contest and an evening with local musicians. Visit www.skilletfestival.com for more information or contact Lauren Basford at 229-305-7822. AGRIBUSINESS WORKSHOP Sept. 21 Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro Workshop will cover new business models, social media, farm-to-table opportunities, risk management and agritourism. Interactive sessions will be led by panelists who have local, regional and national expertise including chefs, agribusiness/agritourism owners, loan and insurance experts, organic farmers and farm agency representatives. Registration is $65 per person and includes a hot lunch prepared with local food. Online registration begins July 29 at www.ogeecheetech.edu and www.georgiamicrobiz.com. For more information or to inquire about exhibitor opportunities call 912-688-6098. WILLIAM HARRIS HOMESTEAD HERITAGE DAY..... A CALL TO ARMS Sept. 24 3636 Ga. Hwy. 11 Monroe This event, which runs from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m, offers fun for the entire family. There will be reeneactments to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, tours of the 1825 log house and outbuildings, demonstrations of 1800's crafts, plowing with the Old Time Georgia Plow Club, antiques, children's 1800's games, petting zoo, agricultural displays, great food and entertainment all day. General admission is $10, $5 for children 5-12 and children under 5 are free. For more information contact Judy Hardegree at 770-867-2449 or judyhardegree@yahoo.com. 2011 ANNUAL PEANUT TOUR Sept. 27-29 Various locations Southwest Ga./Bainbridge The 2011 Peanut Bus Tour of South Georgia, sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission, begins in Bainbridge on Sept. 27, with an early-bird hot topics session at 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Bainbridge. Presentations will include economic and food issues by University of Georgia faculty and USDA scientists on U.S. peanut program and policy, processing, quality, nutrition and uniform peanut performance tests. Registration begins at 8 a.m on Sept. 28 at the Holiday Inn Express. Tour highlights include production research at the Attapulgus Research farm, on-farm demonstrations, equipment manufacturing, peanut handling, grading and shelling, and product processing facilities. Bus seats will be reserved on a first-come basis, with international visitors being given priority. For more information, contact Rebecca Whitehead at 229-386-3470 or email rebecca@gapeanuts.com
Leadership Alert page 7 of 7 SEPT. 30 DEADLINE TO SUBMIT GFB POLICY Georgia Farm Bureau’s annual policy development process is underway. Sept. 30 is the deadline for county Farm Bureaus to submit policy recommendations to the state policy development committee. The state committee will meet this fall to consider the recommendations submitted by county Farm Bureaus and GFB’s commodity advisory committees. Contact the GFB Legislative Department for more information. WOMEN AND HISPANIC FARMERS CAN APPLY FOR A USDA CLAIMS PACKAGE USDA recently announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans. Those wishing to register to receive a claims package or to request more information can visit www.farmerclaims.gov or can call the Farmer and Rancher Call Center at 1-888-508-4429. USDA cannot provide legal advice to potential claimants. Persons seeking legal advice may contact a lawyer or other legal services provider.