February 16, 2011
www.gfb.org
Vol. 29 No. 7
AG FORECAST MEETING SPOTLIGHTS CROP PRICES, IMMIGRATION, EPA A UGA economist indicated crop prices were likely to remain high through 2011 and into 2012 and Sen. Johnny Isakson said the federal government needs to step in to curtail illegal immigration during the 2011 Ag Forecast meeting at the GFB home office on Feb. 10. The last of five Ag Forecast meetings featured presentations from Dr. Scott Angle, dean of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Beverly Sparks, UGA associate dean for Extension, USDA Food and Nutrition Specialist Kirk Farquharson, Russell Johnston from Johnston Dairy and Dr. Don Shurley, UGA Extension economist. Shurley indicated that crop prices would continue drawing high prices through 2011 and into 2012, tempered by rising input costs for fuel, fertilizer and land rent. Shurley said overall, crop producers should enjoy profitability through this year, though the high commodity prices for crops translate to high input prices for livestock producers who depend on crops for feed grains. “What's good for the grain farmer in terms of high prices results in high feed costs for the livestock producer,” Shurley said. “So livestock prices are up, cattle prices are up. Milk will be up a little bit, broiler prices are up [and] the feed costs are going to increase. On the livestock side gross income will increase, but the big question is whether profitability will increase.” Sen. Johnny Isakson discussed coming federal budget cuts, noting that sacrifices are going to be required in most if not all government programs. The key for agriculture, he said, will be continued efforts to keep elected officials informed on its importance. “My plea to you is when we get to the farm bill, make your case,” Isakson said. He also discussed Congress’ approach to curtailing EPA regulations and immigration reform on the federal level. “I regret that states are having to try and deal with [immigration] because the federal government has not.” Sparks outlined the staffing changes being made to county extension offices. GFB President Zippy Duvall stressed the importance of the organization's partnership with UGA and the value the university’s research carries for Georgia farmers. He also urged attendees to continue monitoring developments on agricultural issues in Atlanta and in Washington. USDA Senior Program Specialist for the Food and Nutrition Service Kirk Farquharson discussed the USDA’s Farm to School program. Russell Johnston of Johnston Dairy Farm in Newborn talked about his experiences converting from only producing milk to bottling and marketing the farm’s milk directly to consumers.
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GA PEANUT GROWERS TO VOTE ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENT INCREASE During a mail referendum scheduled for March 15-April 15, Georgia peanut growers will determine whether to increase the $2 per ton assessment they currently pay to fund the Georgia Peanut Commission by $1 per ton. The commission’s board of directors decided to conduct the referendum after holding a public hearing in Tifton Feb. 9 regarding the proposal to increase the assessment to $3 per ton. The commission assessment has not been increased since 1980 when Georgia peanut producers voted to increase their assessment from $1 per ton to $2 per ton. Nine growers, one researcher, one UGA Extension administrator and one buying points representative spoke in favor of increasing the assessment, citing the benefits growers have received from the promotion, research and education programs the commission coordinates. One grower from Dougherty County expressed opposition to the proposal via a written statement that was read into the hearing records by a GPC staff member. The need to increase research funding was the main reason those speaking in favor of the assessment increase gave during their testimony. Larry Cunningham, GPC advisory board member, voiced the need to fund research on the burrower bug, which decreased the quality and value of a significant amount of Georgia’s 2010 peanut crop. Without research, he said, this bug could be as devastating to the industry as the boll weevil was to cotton. Decatur County peanut grower Judd Greene credited past commission-funded research that developed disease-resistant varieties, such as Georgia Green, with helping growers overcome tomato spotted wilt virus. He said new disease-resistant varieties, like Tiftguard, will be even more important as growers lose fungicides like Temik. “It is hard for farmers to commit to want to spend more money, but I’m going to encourage all of my neighbors and friends that we must support this checkoff. If you think about it, a dollar won’t buy today what it did in 1980,” Greene said. “The budgets are decreasing. Everything is getting higher and higher. The state of Georgia is broke. I don’t see how the government is going to come up with the money to supply the research we need. I think it’s up to us, the producers, to do it ourselves. This checkoff program is the best way I know to do it.” The peanut commission will mail ballots to all Georgia peanut producers on record by March 15 with voting instructions. If you are a peanut grower and do not receive a ballot by March 15, contact the Georgia Peanut Commission at 229-386-3470. For the referendum to pass, at least 25 percent of all producers on record must submit a ballot and at least 66 and 2/3 percent of the ballots cast must favor increasing the assessment. GEORGIA NATIVE NAMED VILSACK’S CHIEF OF STAFF Camilla native Krysta Harden has been named chief of staff for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Harden, who worked as an assistant secretary of agriculture for congressional relations since April 2009, succeeds Karen Ross. As chief of staff she will assist Vilsack in managing the USDA’s array of programs. Harden, a 1981 graduate of the University of Georgia, is the highest-ranked Georgian in a presidential administration since the Jimmy Carter presidency, according to the Albany Herald. Prior to joining the USDA, she was chief executive officer of the National Association of Conservation Districts from 2004 to 2009.
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UGA STUDY GAUGES NON-TIMBER FOREST BENEFITS AT $37 BILLION In a ceremony inside the Georgia state capitol Feb.9, the results of a UGA study were revealed on the economic value of the ecological benefits derived from the state’s privately owned forests. Dr. Rebecca Moore, an assistant professor in the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources who studied the 22 million acres of privately owned forestland in the state, estimates that Georgia residents annually receive more than $37 billion in environmental benefits from Georgia's forestland in addition to the $28 billion worth of products the forestland generates yearly. Georgia Farm Bureau was one of 21 sponsors of the study, which lasted three years and focused on six “passive,” or non-use, benefits derived from forest ecosystems: gas and climate regulation; water quantity and quality; soil formation and stability; pollination; wildlife habitat and aesthetic, cultural and passive use. Collectively, Moore refers to these as ecological services. “Understanding the value of these benefits is important,” Moore said, “because it allows us to make better land use decisions. The ecological services forestlands provide are incredibly beneficial to Georgia, and you receive these benefits whether or not you own forestland. Many people think of them as free, but if we lose forestland, we risk losing these benefits.” A symbolic check for $37 billion was presented from the study’s stakeholders to the citizens of Georgia. The ceremony included speeches from Gov. Nathan Deal, Georgia Conservancy President Pierre Howard, Sen. Ross Tolleson, Georgia tree farmer and noted keyboardist Chuck Leavell and Wesley Langdale, president of The Langdale Company. Leavell called forests Georgia’s most important natural resource, and Tolleson said the study results could have a profound impact on the state. “The money that has come into the state from forest products, that’s been a huge factor in helping the state get through these tough times,” Tolleson said. “The forests have given us not only jobs and economic opportunity, but they have also improved our quality of life.” PEACHES, BLUEBERRIES AT RISK FOR FREEZE DAMAGE Georgia State Climatologist David Stooksbury said that because of an unusually cold winter, Georgia’s peach and blueberry crops are at risk of damage from a late freeze. Most varieties of the two crops generally require between 400 and 700 chill hours - hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit - to break dormancy and bloom. Stooksbury indicated that most of the state has already had more than 1,000 chill hours since Nov. 1, 2010. A period of warm weather like Georgia is experiencing this week will lead to early blooming. After peaches and blueberries bloom, a late freeze could destroy the crop for the year. Georgia’s blueberry crop is worth $102 million annually, and the state’s peach crop is worth $60 million annually. With no way to forecast the date of Georgia’s last freeze, Stooksbury advised producers to consider appropriate frost-protection strategies for the next several weeks. Information on chill hours and the state’s weather can be found at http://www.georgiaweather.net.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 5 21st GEORGIA NATIONAL RODEO Feb. 17 – 19 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and features specialty acts plus contestants from across the country competing in: saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding, and barrel racing. Points earned at the Georgia National Rodeo qualify riders for the National Finals Rodeo held every December in Las Vegas. Visit http://www.gnfa.com to purchase tickets or call 1-800-987-3247 for more information. GEORGIA JUNIOR NATIONAL LIVESTOCK SHOW Feb. 17 – 20 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry Open to all Georgia 4-H and FFA students. Features breeding & commercial dairy heifer, breeding ewe, market hog, market steer, marker lamb and market goat shows. For more information, visit http://www.georgia4h.org/livestock/state_livestock_show.htm. DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FLAVOR OF GA CONTEST IS FEB. 18 Judges are looking for market-ready foods - either commercially available or prototypes – in the following categories: barbecue and hot sauces, confections, dairy products, meat products, snack foods, and jams, jellies and sauces. Entries will be judged on flavor, best use of Georgia ingredients, Georgia theme, unique or innovative qualities, commercial appeal and originality. The University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED) will reveal the winners of the 2011 Flavor of Georgia contest during Georgia Ag Day March 22. Semifinalists will be announced in February. Final judging will be March 21 at the Freight Depot in Atlanta. Register online at www.flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu. For more information, call Sharon Kane at (706) 542-9809 or e-mail spkane@uga.edu. ANTIQUE TRACTOR AND ENGINE SHOW Feb. 19 Gordon County Fairground Calhoun The Gordon County Antique Engine and Tractor Club (GCAEATC), in conjunction with Tractor Supply Company, will host an Antique Tractor and Engine display to celebrate the grand opening of the new Tractor Supply retail store in Dalton, Ga. There will be a selection of historic and antique tractors on display, from a wide variety of manufacturers including John Deere, Farmall, Ford, Allis Chalmers, and many others going back as far as the early 1930’s. For more information visit http://www.gcaeatc.com/ or contact Kim King at 706-346-1690. DEADLINE FOR UGA CAES ALUMNI AWARDS FEB. 20 is the deadline to nominate alumni of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences for the CAES Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Achievement Award or Award of Excellence. The Young Alumni Achievement awards is for CAES alumni 35 years old and younger who have achieved excellence in their chosen field and/or in their community. The Award of Excellence recognizes extraordinary CAES alumni 35 years or older. To make a nomination visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/applications/CAESAlumniNomination/?public=nominationForm. GEORGIA VEGETABLE COMMISSION REFERENDUM DEADLINE February 21 is the deadline to return a ballot in the mail ballot referendum currently in progress to reaffirm the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission. The Agricultural Commodity Commission for Vegetables Marketing Order assesses growers who annually produce 50 acres or more of beans, bell pepper, cabbage, cantaloupe, cucumbers, leafy greens, squash, sweet corn and tomatoes or have a combined annual production of 50 acres of these crops. The assessment is one cent per marketing unit. The Commission committed that at least 75 percent of collected funds each year be used for vegetable research. Since its inception in 2008, the Commission has approved more than $330,000 dollars for various research projects. If you should have received a ballot and have not, please contact Marcia Crowley at (404) 656-3678.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 5 LONGLEAF PINE WORKSHOPS Feb. 22 FSA Service Center Statesboro Feb. 23 Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center Vidalia Feb. 24 Waycross College Waycross This series of technical workshops is for landowners, agency personnel and private natural resource professionals. Registration for each workshop begins at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop ends at 4:30 p.m. Sessions cover a variety of topics, including prescribed burns, native seed mixes, insects, diseases, herbaceous release and more. Cost is $20 at the door and includes lunch. For more information, visit http://www.longleafalliance.org or contact Vickie Stallings at 334-427-1029 or by e-mail at Vickie@longleafalliance.org. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEB. 25 Ten high school seniors will be awarded scholarships. The top three students will each receive a one-time scholarship of $3,000. The remaining seven students will each receive a one-time $750 scholarship. For more information, contact your county Farm Bureau office or visit http://www.gfb.org, select GFB Programs and then FB Women. Winners will be announced in May 2011. TIFTON BEEF CATTLE SHORT COURSE March 1 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Registration starts at 9 a.m. For more information Contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706-542-6627 or via email at lawtons@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or via e-mail at ptcannon@uga.edu. TIFTON PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE March 2 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Dr. Ronnie Silcox at 706-542-9201 or via e-mail at rsilcox@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or via e-mail at ptcannon@uga.edu. NRCS CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM DEADLINE IS MARCH 2 The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Innovation Grants program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation practices and technologies. Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process. For more information, visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig.html. NRCS HIGH TUNNEL PILOT STUDY APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 4 The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for the 2011 High Tunnel Pilot Study. Georgia has designated $100,000 for this initiative. NRCS will fund one high tunnel per farm/applicant. For more information, contact your local NRCS office. Visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov to download an application. NRCS PIGWEED CONTROL PROGRAM SIGNUP DEADLINE IS MARCH 4 The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide $150,000 in financial incentives for a project to control pigweed in the Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District (Bibb, Crawford, Dooly, Houston, Macon, Peach, Pulaski, Taylor and Wilcox counties). Participants will work with NRCS to design a conservation plan and agree to implement pigweed control practices. The payment rate will be up to $75 per acre for two years. Interested producers should contact their local USDA Service Center for additional information.Visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov for more information. SUBSCRIBE TO THE MARKET BULLETIN The Georgia Department of Agriculture is urging readers of its Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin to pay their $10 subscription fee by April 20 to ensure the biweekly publication continues to be printed. Subscription forms are available at every county Farm Bureau office. Please pay with checks or money orders made payable to: Market Bulletin.