January 23, 2020
www.gfb.org
Vol. 2 No. 2
U.S., CHINA SIGN PHASE ONE TRADE DEAL On Jan. 15, the United States and China signed a “Phase One” trade agreement that both countries say will lead to increased purchases of U.S. agricultural products by China. China will purchase at least $40 billion worth of agricultural products each of the next two years, according to a fact sheet from the office of the United States Trade Representative. As a result of the agreement the U.S. did not impose threatened tariffs on $160 billion of Chinese imports in 2019. “Today’s signing is an important step in giving America’s farmers and ranchers the ability to get back to business in the global market,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said. “China was once the largest market for U.S. agricultural products but has dropped to fifth largest since retaliatory tariffs were introduced. This agreement will help turn around two years of declining agricultural exports. The potential of tens of billions more in exports is welcome news for farmers who are eager to compete on a more level playing field.” According to a White House press release, the deal is fully enforceable and addresses a wide range of trade and investment barriers and includes dispute resolution measures. Other key agricultural components of the deal: • The two nations agreed to not implement food safety regulations or require actions of the other nation’s regulatory authorities that are not science- and risk-based and will only apply regulations and actions that are necessary to protect human life or health. In addition, China agreed to improve its food safety measures affecting a wide variety of products, which will facilitate exports of U.S. food and agricultural products to China. • China will expand the scope of beef products allowed to be imported, eliminate age restrictions on cattle slaughtered for export to China, eliminate unnecessary cattle traceability requirements, and provide for the establishment of maximum residue levels for three hormones legally used in the United States. • China also agreed to broaden the list of pork products that are eligible for importation to include processed products such as ham and certain types of offal. China agreed to conduct a risk assessment for the veterinary drug ractopamine, which may be used in U.S. beef and pork production. In a separate development, the U.S. Senate passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by an 89-10 vote on Jan. 16.
GFB Field Notes page 2 of 13 GFB MOURNS LOSS OF BONNIE DUVALL Bonnie Louise McWhorter Duvall, wife of former Georgia Farm Bureau President and current American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, died Jan. 18. She was 61. Mrs. Duvall was a lifelong resident of Greene County. She was born Nov. 4, 1958, to the late Charlotte Culberson McWhorter and James Hamilton "Hamp" McWhorter. She was also preceded in death by her stepmother, Betty Dickens McWhorter. Bonnie graduated from Nathanael Greene Academy in 1976 and was a graduate of the University of Georgia. She worked with her husband on the family farm where they raised their four children. She was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church in Greshamville. She was a member of the Greene County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and enjoyed accompanying Zippy on trips representing Farm Bureau across the country. “We are deeply saddened to learn of Bonnie’s passing. She was a strong Farm Bureau supporter and a true ambassador for the organization at all levels. Whether she was serving her local Greene County Farm Bureau or supporting Zippy while he served as Georgia Farm Bureau president and after he became the American Farm Bureau president, Bonnie was always at Zippy’s side providing a welcoming presence wherever they went. She was a lady in the finest sense of the word. The Farm Bureau family is praying for peace and comfort for the entire Duvall family in this time of loss.” Bonnie’s passing drew the attention of President Donald Trump, who offered condolences during his remarks at the 2020 AFBF Convention in Austin, Texas, on Jan. 19 “We want Zippy and his entire family to know we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers,” Trump said. “It was a very special relationship, and I just want to wish the family well.” In addition to Zippy, to whom she was married for 40 years, she is survived by the couple’s children, Lt. Colonel Vincent Mearl “Vince” Duvall Jr. and his wife, Erin, of Acworth; Corrie Terry and her husband, Jared, of Huntsville, Alabama; Zeb Duvall and his wife, Katie, of Buckhead; and Zellie Duvall of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren, Ava Duvall, Vincent Mearl “Tripp” Duvall III, Savannah Duvall, Jocee Terry, and Gus Terry; sister, Hannah Baynes and her husband, Scott, of Greensboro and a host of other relatives and many friends. “At moments like this our faith consoles us, knowing her soul is at peace, having gone on to our heavenly Father,” AFBF Vice President Scott VanderWal said. “We will forever be inspired by her sense of humor, love of farming and optimism in the face of adversity. She taught us all what it means to make every moment count.” The family requests that donations be made to Nathanael Greene Academy, P. O. Box 109, Siloam, GA 30665.
GFB Field Notes page 3 of 13 TRUMP, PERDUE TALK TRADE AT AMERICAN FARM BUREAU CONVENTION Speaking at the annual American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention in Austin, Texas, on Jan. 19, President Donald Trump touted the phase one agreement the U.S. reached with China on Jan. 15 and of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Congress has passed. “Under this landmark agreement, China will now be purchasing $40 to $50 billion of American agricultural products every single year,” Trump said. The phase one agreement will open new markets for American beef, pork, poultry, seafood, soybeans, rice, dairy, infant formula, animal feed, biotechnology and more, and covers the next two years according to the office of the United States Trade Representative. “China has made substantial commitments regarding the protection of American ideas, trade secrets, patents, and trademarks. China has also pledged firm action to confront pirated and counterfeit goods,” Trump said. Trump said the phase one agreement with China is enforceable and promised his administration would “vigorously enforce its terms.” While addressing Farm Bureau members for the third consecutive year, Trump thanked America’s farmers for sticking with him during the past two years of negotiations. “On behalf of every American worker and family, thank you for standing strong for America. Thank you very much to the farmers and ranchers for standing with me,” Trump said. While discussing the new USMCA trade agreement that replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Trump said he will sign the agreement within a few days. The Senate approved the deal on Jan. 16, following House passage Dec. 19, 2019. Under USMCA, Trump said American dairy exports are set to increase by more than $300 million a year and U.S. poultry exports to Canada could increase by nearly 50%. He expects egg exports to Canada and Mexico to increase significantly and that Canada will give fair treatment to U.S. wheat. Trump said a recent trade deal with Japan resulted in Japan slashing tariffs on $7 billion of U.S. ag products and giving preferential treatment to more than 90% of U.S. ag exports to Japan. Trump reiterated his disdain for overreaching federal regulations, citing his administration’s work to repeal the Waters of the United States rule. While speaking at the AFBF convention on Jan. 20, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue reinforced many of the trade points the President made the day before. “New trade deals and strong consumer demand are a sign of brighter days ahead,” Perdue said. Perdue said the third round of a $16 billion trade aid package announced in May 2019 will be paid to farmers "imminently," but they should not expect a 2020 trade aid package. “Now let’s grow stuff. Let’s sell stuff. That’s what this trade deal was all about,” Perdue said. Perdue said the USDA will track the ag imports China buys and report the purchases to the president. GFB President Gerald Long, who introduced Sec. Perdue before President Trump’s speech on Sunday, said he is optimistic about both trade deals. “We don’t know everything about the trade deals yet, but it’s better than what we had so I’m very optimistic,” Long said. During the business session on Jan. 21, AFBF voting delegates adopted all 25 of the resolutions GFB submitted. GFB policy AFBF delegates approved included: farmers’ right to repair farm equipment, maintain component pricing for dairy farmers, and the need for support programs for all producers impacted by retaliatory trade tariffs. “The grassroots process was alive and well this week as Georgia Farm Bureau was able to secure passage on the national level of numerous policy positions, which surfaced from individual members at the county level. The nation’s largest farm organization will now lobby for these positions in Washington and throughout the world,” Long said. AFBF voting delegates also re-elected Zippy Duvall to another two-year term as AFBF president.
GFB Field Notes page 4 of 13 YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS REPRESENT GA WELL IN AFBF COMPETITIONS Georgia Farm Bureau had a good showing in the Young Farmers & Ranchers contests at the 2020 AFBF convention. Colquitt County Farm Bureau members Preston and Kendall Jimmerson were named to the top 10 in the AFBF YF&R Achievement contest, which recognizes young farmers and ranchers who earn the majority of their income from farming. Judges interviewed each of the top 10 competitors and considered their written applications. The Jimmersons raise 1,600 acres of cotton, 475 acres of peanuts and 200 acres of corn. They also double-crop spring and fall cabbage on about 180 acres. Morgan County Farm Bureau members Jason and Rachel Kinsaul placed in the top 10 of the AFBF YF&R Excellence in Agriculture event. This competition recognizes young agriculturalists who work in the ag sector and earn the majority of their income from something other than farming. Rachel is an ag teacher/ FFA advisor at Morgan County High School. Jason is an ag lender for Rabo Agrifinance working with clients across the Southeast. For their event, the couple delivered a PowerPoint presentation describing their advocacy work for agriculture, their efforts to recruit and help young farmers through their jobs and their Farm Bureau activities. Morgan County Farm Bureau member Kaitlyn Marchant talked her way into the third of four rounds of competition in the AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet. The discussion meet simulates a committee meeting in which participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on predetermined topics. During her three rounds of competition, Marchant discussed how new food technology can be integrated into the market place without hampering the success of traditional products; how Farm Bureau can work collaboratively to combat the opioid crisis and mental health issues in rural America; and how agriculture can creatively and legally address its labor shortage. Marchant is an ag education teacher/FFA advisor at Morgan County High School. She grew up on a beef farm in Jeff Davis County. The national winners of the YFR contests were: Achievement Award – Braden and Jordan McInnis of Texas; Excellence in Agriculture – Kirby Green of Kentucky; and Discussion Meet – Sarah Rudolph of Virginia. During the opening general session of the national convention, GFB was recognized as an Awards of Excellence state for demonstrating outstanding achievements in all four member program areas recognized - advocacy; engagement/outreach; leadership/business development; and membership value. Smurf, the cattle collie owned by Morgan County Farm Bureau members Zach and Sydney Floyd, was one of four runners-up in the 2020 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest. He’ll receive $1,000, a trophy plate and Purina products. Flint, an Australian shepherd owned by Utah Farm Bureau members Rhett and Beth Crandall won the contest.
GFB Field Notes page 5 of 13 GFB APPOINTS 2020 COMMODITY COMMITTEES Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) has appointed the members of its commodity advisory committees for 2020. The committees provide guidance to GFB on topics relating to their commodities, including crop-specific government regulations, production practices and promotional approaches. GFB has 20 commodity advisory committees. The committee chairmen for 2020 are: Aquaculture – Terry Bramlett, Fannin County; Beef Cattle – Chuck Joiner, Carroll County; Cotton – Eddie Green, Dooly County; Dairy – Joel Keith, Troup County; Direct Marketing/Agritourism – Jim Steed, Columbia County; Environmental Horticulture – Mark Porter, Fayette County; Equine – Gary Walker, Tift County; Feedgrain/Soybean – Jesse Patrick, Putnam County; Forestry – John Mixon, Pike County; Fruit – Bob McLeod, Wilcox County; Goats and Sheep – Will Cabe, Franklin County; Hay – Tom Hamby, Fannin County; Honeybees – Ben Bruce, Clinch County; Peanuts – John Harrell, Grady County; Pecans – Garrett Ganas, Ware County; Poultry – Steven Green, Spalding County; Swine – Terry Danforth, Berrien County; Tobacco – Paul Folsom, Lanier County; Vegetables – Mitchell Pittman, Toombs County; Water – Lee Webster, Burke County. Eight GFB members have also been appointed to American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Issue Advisory Committees (IACs). The IACs provide guidance to AFBF on topics of interest to broad segments of agriculture. The Georgia appointees are: Agricultural Labor - Tim McMillan, Berrien County; Animal Care – Paul Johnson, Decatur County; Budget and Economy – Terry Bramlett, Fannin County; Energy – Jake Carter, Henry County; Environmental Regulations – Casey Cox, Mitchell County; Food Safety – Bob McLeod, Wilcox County; Market Structures – Andy Bell, Decatur County; Organic and Direct Marketing – Garrett Ganas, Ware County; Pests & Invasive Species – Eddie Green, Dooly County; Technology – Wesley Porter, Tift County and Water – Mark Masters, Dougherty County. GFB LAUNCHES ‘GROWING ON’ PODCAST Georgia Farm Bureau is excited to announce the debut of a brand new podcast covering all things agriculture. The pilot episode of the podcast, “Growing On,” was released on Jan. 14. In this inaugural episode, you’ll get a chance to meet the hosts, Katie Duvall, John Holcomb and Jay Stone. You’ll also hear from GFB President Gerald Long as he shares his journey to the top of the organization and insight on the importance of GFB to the state’s number one industry agriculture. Growing on will feature regular segments on GFB’s agricultural advocacy work with state and national lawmakers, farm safety and behavioral and emotional health and regular features from around the state. Episodes will be posted every two weeks at www.gfb.ag/GrowingOnPodcast. They can be found in the Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Spotify apps. We welcome your feedback, so please rate and recommend Growing On to your friends! The next episode will be released on Jan. 28.
GFB Field Notes page 6 of 13 PEANUT GROWERS GETTING SOLID RETURN ON NPB INVESTMENT National Peanut Board (NPB) Communications Director Lauren Highfill Williams shared the results of the NPB’s recent return on investment study and outlined a pair of initiatives the NBP will be focusing on in 2020. Williams, who spoke during the annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Jan. 16 in Tifton, said the peanut growers get back $9.74 for every dollar spent on the NPB, which conducts a return on investment study every five years. “We’re really happy with those numbers, but we’re not resting on our laurels,” Williams said. “We’re continuing to push really hard and work really hard for the American growers and the American peanut farmers.” The NPB plans to launch a new marketing campaign called “Spreading Good” on Jan. 24, which is National Peanut Butter Day. Williams said the campaign will target the millennial generation, which collectively values actions that have a positive effect on their families, communities and the wider world. The NPB is also planning enhanced efforts to communicate the value of introducing peanut butter to babies as a way to prevent peanut allergies. The work will include continued outreach to new parents and medical professionals. Among peanut seed varieties, there is no question which is preferred by Georgia peanut growers. Virtually any way peanut seed performance is measured, the Georgia 06G variety of peanut seed is at or near the best. It has the lowest incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus, second lowest incidence of disease occurrence, third highest total sound mature kernels, the second-largest seed size and the second highest value per acre. In 2019, Georgia growers chose 06G for 86.7% of their planted acres, according to UGA peanut breeder Bill Branch, who presented seed variety information to growers during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show Seed Seminar. During the seminar, peanut farmers also heard tips from UGA Extension Peanut Specialist Scott Montfort, who advised growers to take soil samples, make sure they buy quality seed, ask about germination percentages and check seed in the bag before planting. He also encouraged growers to pay attention to their equipment setup and to make sure they are adjusting planting depth and tractor speed accordingly. The planting period with the highest yield potential, he said, is from late April until May 12. Georgia Crop Improvement Association Executive Director Terry Hollifield told growers that 2019 was the first year in his career that GCIA heard no complaints about peanut seed. He said that despite a smaller crop in 2019, there would be plenty of quality seed available for planting in 2020. The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) presented its annual awards during lunch. Retiring Sen. Johnny Isakson was named to the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame for his career-long advocacy in Washington for Georgia agriculture. Washington County Farm Bureau Director Jonathan Hitchcock received the 2020 Outstanding Young Peanut Farmer of the Year Award. The GPC presented Special Awards to Peanut Butter & Jesus, a Tifton-based outreach -continued on previous page
GFB Field Notes page 7 of 13 Continued from previous page organization, and Southern Ag Carriers. Media Awards went to David Maxwell and the late John Leidner. Maxwell is the managing editor of the Donalsonville News. Leidner, who passed away in June 2019, worked as the Southeast Regional Editor for Progressive Farmer magazine and worked closely with Sunbelt Expo. Retiring UGA-Tifton Campus Administrator Joe West was presented with the Distinguished Service Award. The GPC also presented five Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmer of the Year awards, one for each district: District 1, Jud Green (posthumously), Brinson; District 2, Charles Paulk, Ocilla; District 3, Wade McElveen, Brooklet; District 4, Ronney S. Ledford Sr., Vienna; and District 5, Mike McLendon, Oglethorpe. SATSUMAS: KIDS LOVE’EM, BUT GREENING IS LIKELY ON THE WAY HERE The early returns show that satsuma oranges developed for production in South Georgia’s climate are immensely popular with kids. “They love them,” said Ware County Farm Bureau Director Garrett Ganas. “How do you say, ‘no, stop eating them?’ Son, you want to sit down and eat a bag of oranges? Sure. Go ahead.” Likewise, Lowndes County Extension Coordinator Jake Price let his children take some to school. They shared them with classmates and came back asking for more. With the fruit still in development, supplies were limited. The demand, though, was readily apparent. “They’re easy to peel, seedless, they’re like Cuties and Halos, but they’re grown here in Georgia, and they can tolerate cold weather,” said Price, who spoke about satsuma research in Lowndes County during the Southeastern Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Citrus Conference on Jan. 10. “That’s why we’re starting the satsumas and the cold-hearty varieties that we can do up here.” Price offered tips for growers like Ganas who are interested in adding citrus groves or expanding their existing ones. Price said growers should have a marketing plan before planting trees, even though the trees can take four or five years to reach full fruit-bearing maturity. Then, take steps to protect them from cold temperatures. The Georgia varieties, once mature, can withstand short periods of temperatures as low as 10 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit, but taking steps to mitigate the cold will help the trees reach maturity. For instance, knowing that winds usually break on the north and west side of hills, producers should plant satsuma trees on south-facing slopes. “There’s a lot of little things you can do to kind of help your site before you plant,” Price said. So far, Georgia growers have planted satsumas as far north as Statesboro. “People are rolling the dice a little bit, but so far so good. There’s no sure thing in farming,” Price said said, though mature trees tend to handle cold temperatures better than younger ones. After taking weather trends into consideration, the other key threat to the oranges is citrus greening caused by bacteria spread by Asian citrus psyllids, small insects that eat stems and leaves of citrus trees. Georgia doesn’t have a greening problem yet, Price said, though the psyllids have been found in residential trees along the Georgia coast. Price emphasized purchasing trees from a reputable source, including Florida-based USDA-continued on previous page
GFB Field Notes page 8 of 13 Continued from previous page approved nurseries, where the young trees are grown inside to limit exposure to the psyllids. “You don’t want to buy trees from roadside gas stations, anything grown outside in Florida where there’s threats of citrus greening, or on the coast of Georgia and the Gulf Coast areas, where they have greening and the psyllids will transmit the greening. Don’t bring in trees from one of those areas,” Price said. Early preparation for greening is critical to satsuma growers’ success, he said, noting that Georgia’s producers can benefit in part from the experience Florida growers have had with citrus greening. More is known now about the disease and how it spreads. “It’s probably inevitable that we’re going to get greening in commercial groves,” Price said. “Know the ins and outs of greening because you’re going to get it.” Ganas, a long-time pecan producer who expects to have his first marketable citrus crop in fall 2020, wanted to diversify his farm. And while the new trees present a number of challenges, the fruit seems to sell itself. “There’s a lot of attention being paid to the health benefits of it,” Ganas said. “You’ve got something that is very attractive to mothers and children. An aspect of it that has not been spoken of much is elderly people, because of how easy the fruit is to peel. That’s not been hit on very much, but I think it could be a huge selling point for some fruit.” AG FORECAST: UNCERTAINTY ABOUNDS IN 2020 By major indicators, Georgia’s economy appears to be in good shape, according to Georgia State Economist Jeff Dorfman. Unemployment is historically low. Employment is historically high. And, especially encouraging for rural Georgia, 70% of new manufacturing plants set to open in the near future are outside metro Atlanta. Dorfman, the featured speaker at the opening session of the 2020 Georgia Ag Forecast Series, tempered those trends with these caveats: It’s tough to improve on the highest-ever employment, Georgia’s economy, particularly its agricultural economy, is heavily dependent on trade, and the state’s farmers continue to struggle with recovery from Hurricane Michael 15 months later while waiting on the arrival of disaster assistance funding. With each of those three factors, there is significant uncertainty. Trade, for instance, is affected by the economies in other countries. Several of the U.S.’ top trading partners are currently in recession. “We do a lot of international trade business,” Dorfman said via teleconference from Atlanta. “If the rest of the world is doing badly, that tends to slow the Georgia economy down more than it does most other states.” The Ag Forecast Series featured presentations of information from UGA economists about the economic conditions affecting Georgia’s major commodities. For cotton, decreasing demand is expected in part because of uncertainties related to trade negotiations and a slowing global economy. UGA Economist Adam Rabinowitz said optimistic price expectations could fall in the 67-75 cents per pound range, while pessimistic expectations could range from 62 to 65 cents per pound. Peanut demand has remained flat for the past four years according to UGA, and Rabinowitz said production would have to decrease for prices to increase. Farm gate prices are expected to hover -continued on previous page
GFB Field Notes page 9 of 13 Continued from previous page near $400 per ton in 2020. Corn prices are expected to increase and resolution of trade disputes could produce opportunities for corn, soybean and wheat growers. Rabinowitz said Georgia corn growers could expect prices between $4.48 and $4.52 per bushel. Rabinowitz cautioned that the expected soybean prices of $8.83 per bushel are highly dependent on resolution of the trade dispute with China and increased competition from Brazil. Wheat prices are expected to hover around $4.82 per bushel. The beef cattle cycle between liquidation and expansion seems to be nearing the end of expansion. Rabinowitz pointed out that the outbreak of Asian swine flu has hit China’s pork industry hard, and Chinese consumers are turning to beef as an alternative. Plus, while it is unknown the extent of losses in Australia’s beef and dairy sectors due to the historic bush fires there, it could be significant. Australia, through the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is a major supplier of beef to China. These factors may extend the U.S. beef sector’s growth phase. To review all of the information in the 2020 Georgia Ag Forecast, visit www.agforecast.caes.uga.edu. DAIRY SUES WHOLE FOODS FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT An Augusta-area group of dairies filed suit against Whole Foods for breach of contract, alleging the organic foods retailer failed to purchase an agreed-upon amount of organic milk and then terminated the agreement. The Atlanta Business Chronicle detailed the suit in a story published Jan. 3. According to the suit, in 2015 Hart Agriculture entered into a supplier contract with Whole Foods Market Group Inc. and its then-supplier AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery. The agreement called for the grocery chain to purchase 30,000 gallons of milk per week for seven years. Whole Foods was to place its orders with AtlantaFresh, which would then purchase the milk from Hart Agriculture. Hart allegedly invested more than $1 million to redevelop one of its farms, Newberry Farm near Augusta, to specifically meet the demands of the agreement with Whole Foods. This involved putting into place procedures to meet certification requirements for grass-fed, non-GMO dairy production, including hiring and training personnel, growing more than 12,000 tons of certified non-GMO feed and acquiring and enrolling 800 cows in the certified non-GMO program. Whole Foods, which operates more than 500 stores in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom, fell short of ordering 30,000 gallons of milk per week from the outset, the suit alleges. On Aug. 15, 2017, Whole Foods terminated its supplier agreement with AtlantaFresh. At the same time, Amazon.com was in the process of purchasing Whole Foods, a transaction completed on Aug. 28, 2017. In the months before and after the Amazon/Whole Foods deal, Whole Foods terminated numerous supply arrangements across the country. AtlantaFresh closed in 2018. Hart says that the termination was without cause, and that at no point during the time milk was being delivered did Whole foods complain about the quality of Hart’s milk, the timeliness of its delivery or any other aspect of the dairy’s performance. Hart is seeking compensation for lost revenues and profits, lost investment in the redevelopment of Newberry Farm, court costs and attorney fees.
GFB Field Notes page 10 of 13 CORN, COTTON INCREASE PRODUCTION IN GA; OTHER CROPS DOWN IN ’19 Georgia corn and cotton growers achieved significant production gains while peanut and soybean production declined in 2019, according to the Annual Crop Production Report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Georgia corn production for grain in 2019 totaled 56 million bushels, an increase of 5,480 bushels (11.6%) over 2018. Georgia cotton production at 2.65 million bales is up 35.5% from 2018 (1.955 million bales), when the crop was heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael, resulting in 125,000 acres of abandoned cotton. Peanut production in Georgia, at 2.77 billion pounds in 2019, was down 3.6%from 2018 due to a decline in yield. Georgia’s peanut yield was 4,200 pounds per acre in 2019, down from 4,390 pounds per acre in 2018. With soybeans planted at 100,000 acres, the lowest level in Georgia since 1959, production in 2019 totaled 2.70 million bushels, the lowest production since 1963. Georgia soybean production declined 47.5% from 2018, when growers produced 5.14 million bushels. With tobacco harvested acres at their lowest level since 1918, production in 2019 totaled 18.9 million pounds, the lowest since 1932 and down 20.4% from 2018. NASS also released its Winter Wheat Seedings forecast. Georgia farmers are expected to seed 160,000 acres in winter wheat for the 2020 crop, up 7% from 2018, when they seeded 150,000 acres.
BRADLEY, CUEVAS-ESPELID APPOINTED TO GA VETERINARY BOARD On Jan. 16, Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Dr. Matthew Bradley and Dr. Wendy Cuevas-Espelid to the Georgia Board of Veterinary Medicine. Drs. Beckey Malphus and Larry Corry were reappointed. Bradley graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, and he currently practices at Clairmont Animal Hospital in Decatur. He is a member of the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association and serves on the Student Relations Committee. He is also an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Atlanta Humane Society. Cuevas-Espelid earned a bachelor's degree in Biology and Geology from the University of Rochester in 1993, a BVSc degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Liverpool in 2002, a master's degree in Public Health from Emory University in 2001, and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine in 2014. Dr. Cuevas-Espelid worked in a private practice in England, Florida, and Georgia for ten years, becoming an associate state veterinarian with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Currently, she is the Director of Veterinary Services for the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. She serves as a liaison with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency during emergencies/disasters affecting Georgia, and she is a member of the bioterrorism preparedness group, Antibiotic Resistance Stewardship Committee, companion animal welfare group, United States Animal Health Association, and the Georgia Beekeepers Association.
GFB Field Notes page 11 of 13 2020 GEORGIA AG FORECAST SERIES Jan. 28 Toombs County Agri-Center 9 a.m. Lyons Jan. 30 Decatur County Ag Center 9 a.m. Bainbridge Jan. 31 UGA Tifton Campus Conf. Center 7 a.m. Tifton This annual seminar series is presented by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. UGA economists will provide an outlook of agricultural markets for the coming year. Participants will network with UGA faculty and UGA Cooperative Extension agents, local producers and other stakeholders. All the meetings except the one in Tifton begin with on-site check-in and coffee at 9 a.m., followed by seminar presentations at 10 a.m. and a networking lunch at 11:30 a.m. The Tifton event begins with 7 a.m. check-in and coffee, followed by a 7:30 a.m. breakfast buffet and the seminar presentations beginning at 8 a.m. For more information or to register, visit http://agforecast.caes.uga.edu. Event sponsors are: Georgia Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Association of Georgia, Georgia Agribusiness Council & Georgia Department of Agriculture. 2020 UGA GRASSMASTERS SERIES Jan. 27-March 9 Ben Hill County Senior Citizen Center Fitzgerald The GrassMasters program is a seven-week series of educational workshops that focus on forage production. Workshops are held every Monday at 6 p.m. beginning on Jan. 27. This program is an introduction to forage production systems and is highly recommended for those “just getting their feet wet� when it comes to planning or improving a forage system. Programs will be taught by the UGA Forage Team members as well as NRCS staff. For more information or to register, click here. CROP INSURANCE DEADLINES NEAR FOR GA TOMATO AND PECAN GROWERS Georgia tomato and pecan producers have until Jan. 31 to apply for crop insurance coverage or make changes to existing coverage for the 2020 crop year. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage is available for fresh market tomatoes in Colquitt, Decatur, Grady, Mitchell, Seminole and Tift counties. Coverage is available for pecans in select Georgia counties. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2020 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers by visiting the RMA agent locator at www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov. OLD SOUTH FARM MUSEUM HOG KILLING Feb. 1 Old South Farm Woodland The Old South Farm Museum will hold an old-fashioned hog killing for demonstration purposes. This event will include sausage making, meat curing, making Brunswick stew, meat skins, smokehouse and more. Interested persons must register to participate. To register, visit www.oldsouthfarm.com for the form. Completed forms should be sent to Old South Farm, 8570 Manchester Highway, Woodland, GA, 31836 by Jan. 27. For more information contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136.
GFB Field Notes page 12 of 13 GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION 12TH ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 29 UGA-Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton The Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting is held in conjunction with the UGA Cotton Production Workshop conducted by the UGA Research & Extension Cotton Team. The workshop will feature breakout sessions where attendees will learn the latest technical production strategies from researchers whose projects are funded by the Commission’s research program. The Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting will follow the breakout sessions and feature speakers from several industry organizations. Following the program, the GCC will host a lunch where door prizes will be given away. The meeting, production workshop, and lunch are open to cotton growers and anyone interested in the cotton industry. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop breakout sessions will be repeated after lunch. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. To register, call (229) 386-3416. GEORGIA FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP Jan. 30 Lanier County Extension Lakeland A group of agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering to bring Georgia’s top experts on feral swine together in a series of educational workshops for farmers and landowners. This is the first of eight workshops and trapping demonstrations throughout the state. Four of these workshops will be held in Southeast Georgia and four in Northeast Georgia. Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, public health and regulations to be followed by a question and answer panel of experts. Each workshop will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration. There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Other dates and locations are TBA. For more information or to register, visit www.GACD.us/events. USDA 1890 NATIONAL SCHOLARS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY The 2020 scholarship application cycle is open for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. The program aims to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and other agriculture-related disciplines. All application materials must be postmarked by Jan. 31. Visit www.gfb.ag/1890hsapp for the 2020 high school application and www.gfb.ag/1890sophapp for the 2020 college application. For other questions, email 1890init@usda.gov. GACD OFFERING $1,500 SCHOLARSHIP Feb. 1 deadline to apply The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) awards one $1,500 scholarship each year to a student majoring in, or intending to major in, a soil and water conservation-related area. The applicant may be a high school senior, or a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student from Georgia at any accredited college, school, or university in the United States. Applicants in their first semester of college should send their high school transcript and proof of college enrollment. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 and need financial assistance. There will be no discrimination on basis of race, sex, or religion. To apply, please fill out the following scholarship application and email to info@gacd.us. Applications are due by Feb. 1, 2020. To access the application visit www.gfb.ag/2020GACDscholarship.
GFB Field Notes page 13 of 13 WEST GEORGIA SMALL FARM CONFERENCE Feb. 26-27 West Georgia Technical College Waco This event, free to the first 120 to register, is co-hosted by the Chestatee RC&D Council, Carroll County Young Farmers and the UGA Cooperative Extension in Carroll and Haralson counties. Featured exhibits include small ruminants, crop scheduling, honeybees/pollinators, business practices and more. Todd Anduze of the UGA Small Business Development Center will give the keynote address. For more information or to register call 770-836-8546. The deadline to register is Feb. 17. GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIPS March 1 deadline to apply The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, formerly the Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, is committed to investing in students pursuing careers in agriculture or a related field. For 2020, the foundation is offering scholarships for graduating high school seniors, rising college juniors and seniors, technical college students and UGA College of Veterinary Medicine students specializing in large/food animals. Visit www.gfb.ag/scholarships for a list of eligible majors/schools, application instructions and to apply. Applications must be submitted online only by March 1. Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be uploaded into the application.