GFB MEMBERS TAKE FARMERS’ NEEDS TO CAPITOL HILL
A group of 37 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members and staff visited Washington, D.C. April 9-11 to meet with members of the Georgia congressional delegation and hear updates from American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) staff.
In congressional visits, GFB members shared the organization’s policy stances on the Endangered Species Act, avian influenza and poultry health regulations, access to pesticides and needs they hope can be addressed in the new farm bill.
“When we can bring farmers who actually do what we do for a living to talk to the policy makers in Washington, it affects everybody, not only the ones that are here, but especially the ones that are back home and couldn't be here,” said GFB President Tom McCall.
In a meeting on April 9 at the AFBF offices, Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff gave a briefing on farm bill progress, and the GFB group heard from AFBF government affairs staff John Walt Boatright, Joe Gilson and Courtney Briggs and Economist Bernt Nelson.
Ossoff outlined some of the challenges to getting a new farm bill done.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that we’re on a glide path to getting a new farm bill done this fall,” Ossoff said
The first-term senator said he is not hearing much discussion on including ad hoc disaster assistance programs. Ossoff noted that while farmers’ losses like the late freeze that decimated the 2023 peach crop are a major concern, there are other ways he can help, including diplomatic trade efforts and contacting foreign consulates when visa issues hinder access to migrant labor.
“We want to strengthen the [commodity] insurance programs if possible,” Ossoff said. “I'm asking the agriculture committee to consider a pilot program that would present some remedies for U.S. specialty crop growers who are facing import competition where the competitive disadvantage that we have on wages and regulation is so significant that it's just very, very challenging to compete.”
AFBF’s Boatright gave an update on labor and showed results of a Gallup poll showing 71% of Republicans, 36% of independents and 19% of Democrats say they want decreased immigration
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Photo by Jay Stone April 17 , 2024 www.gfb.org Vol. 6 No. 8page 2 of 18
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“When members of Congress go home, across all political persuasions, no matter if they're talking to an independent or Republican or a Democrat, they're hearing an increasing amount from them that we need decreased immigration in the United States, and that doesn't help our cause when we start talking about the reforms that we need to see in the H-2A program,” Boatright said.
Boatright pointed out that inaction by Congress leaves federal agencies an opportunity for rulemaking.
“In the past 18 months, we've had eight different rulemakings that have occurred that affect agricultural employers, and in some cases specifically H-2A employers,” he said.
Gilson broke down what spending might look like in the next farm bill, saying that it needs to respond to a changing agribusiness environment.
“In 2018 when the farm bill was passed, farming looked a lot different than today,” Gilson said. He recognized the need for commodity assistance to evolve as farmers’ challenges evolve. “Our number one priority at Farm Bureau is to increase [commodity] reference prices.”
Gilson said the total spending in the farm bill could be $1.5 trillion, with approximately $1.2 trillion of that going to nutrition assistance programs.
Nelson reviewed factors affecting the U.S. cattle inventory in light of a National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) report in January showing the national cattle herd at its smallest number since 1951.
NASS to discontinue cattle report and cotton survey
While the GFB group was in Washington, NASS announced it would discontinue the July Cattle Inventory Report due to budget constraints. NASS is also halting the cotton Objective Yield Survey and all county estimates for crops and livestock beginning with the 2024 production year.
“When you're looking at our Price Loss Coverage or some of the insurance and county level data, that type of data is available through RMA (Risk Management Agency) rather than NASS,” Nelson said. “So that one has a bit of a replacement and that may be one of the reasons that cutting that July inventory report is a big deal. This includes county level estimates for both crops and livestock sector. Cotton can get it from RMA, but there’s other crops and cattle that we can't get that county level data anywhere else. We're going to be down to just one report on January first that reduces our ability to manage risk. Thisis a gargantuan blow to transparency and undoes so much of what the MS did with the cattle contract library.”
Update on federal water issues
Briggs reviewed the ongoing legal challenges surrounding water. While farmers were encouraged by the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA, which struck down the significant nexus test as a means for defining what constitutes a water of the United States, the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ updated rule to comply with the court’s order fell short of providing much-needed clarity.
“What the conforming rule didn't do was, it didn't give more clarification to what ‘relatively permanent’ means,” Briggs said. “That was a perfect opportunity for the agencies to do that. But they don't want to do that because when they leave these terms very ambiguously defined, again, it gives them more authority and ability to push to the outer bounds of what is legal. When you
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Continued from previous page don't give a clear definition of what relatively permanent means in the linchpin of how to regulate and establish jurisdiction, of course even the regulators are confused about how to implement this moving forward.”
Briggs noted that some states are starting to reassess what waters of the state are being protected and encouraged GFB members to keep an awareness of state actions pertaining to jurisdictional control over bodies of water.
HPAI CATTLE CASES REPORTED IN MORE STATES; VETS SUGGEST NEW NAME
On April 10, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd in North Carolina. On April 11, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources announced that NVSL tests confirmed HPAI was confirmed in a South Dakota dairy herd. HPAI has previously been detected in dairy herds in Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico, and Ohio.
Meanwhile, because the HPAI virus generates symptoms in cattle that are different from those in birds, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) is recommending the disease in cattle be referred to as Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV). In both species, the virus is the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, but the high morbidity rate it causes in birds has not occurred in cattle so far.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 17 states have imposed restrictions on cattle importation from states where the virus is known to have infected dairy cows: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) indicated on April 2 it will not be issuing federal quarantine orders, nor is the agency recommending any state quarantines or official hold orders on cattle. APHIS did recommend minimizing movement of cattle as much as possible and urged stakeholders to take evaluate risk and factor it into cattle movement decisions.
Wild migratory birds are believed to be the source of avian flu infections in the herds in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico. The Michigan dairy farm with infected cattle had recently received cows from Texas before HPAI was detected in the state. USDA’s NVSL has confirmed that the strain of HPAI found in the Michigan herd is very similar to the strain initially confirmed on Texas and Kansas dairies (H5N1, Eurasian lineage goose) on March 25. In North Carolina, HPAI cases were confirmed in two commercial turkey farms in February and in one backyard poultry flock in March indicating the presence of wild birds in that state with HPAI.
Cows infected with HPAI are exhibiting symptoms that include: a significant decrease in milk production (10-30 lbs./cow), low appetite, and fever, according to the USDA. In dairy herds confirmed to have cattle with HPAI, the affected cattle are being isolated from the healthy cows and most have recovered with little to no deaths, the USDA reported.
Click here for more information from USDA on HPAI in dairy herds in the United. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/hpai-dairy-faqs.pdf.
Pasteurized Dairy Products, Cooked Eggs & Meat Safe for Consumers
While the USDA, FDA and CDC continue to work with state veterinary and public health
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Continued from previous page officials to investigate any reports of sick cattle and poultry, the USDA and Food & Drug Administration (FDA) continue to assure the public that the commercial supply of pasteurized milk and dairy products is safe that the dairy cattle with HPAI pose no risk to consumer health.
Likewise, the USDA reports that HPAI cannot be transmitted through safely handled and properly cooked eggs. There is no known risk related to HPAI associated with eggs that are currently in the market and no eggs have been recalled.
Federal and state food laws require dairy farms to send only milk from healthy animals into processing for human consumption; milk from the sick animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the food supply. In addition, pasteurization has continually proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Pasteurization is required for any milk entering interstate commerce.
FDA has a longstanding position that unpasteurized, raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to consumers.
As of April 2, milk loss resulting from the sick cows is too small to have a major impact on the U.S. dairy supply, so there should be no impact on the price of milk or other dairy products, the USDA reports.
The Meat Institute says properly prepared beef is safe to eat and is not a food safety risk to humans.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USDA food safety experts, properly prepared beef is safe to eat,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “HPAI cannot be transmitted to humans by eating meat or poultry products. The Meat Institute and its member companies will continue to be vigilant to aid in the efforts to stop the spread of the disease among animals in food production.”
On April 1, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that a person in Texas has tested positive for HPAI A(H5N1) virus; the CDC also stated in its announcement that this infection does not change the A(H5N1) bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low.
One farm worker diagnosed with HPAI
This person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses. The patient reported eye redness (consistent with pink eye), as their only symptom, and is recovering. The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for flu. People with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection. CDC has interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations of HPAI A(H5N1) viruses.
The NVSL has also confirmed that the strain of the virus found in subsequent states is very similar to the strain originally confirmed in cattle in Texas and Kansas that appears to have been introduced by wild birds (H5N1, Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b). Initial testing has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans.
Biosecurity resources for dairy farmers
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Continued from previous page continuing to work with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) Animal Health Division and the State Veterinarian’s office to monitor the situation. GMP and GDA are encouraging Georgia dairy farmers to follow these tips:
1) If you notice five or more dead birds on your farm, contact Georgia DNR or GDA Animal Health at 404-656-3667.
2) When disposing of dead birds or other wildlife, be sure to use gloves and other personal protective equipment that you can discard or disinfect. Bury any dead animals well to prevent other wildlife from finding it. Discard or disinfect anything that may have come in contact with dead animals before returning to barns or milking parlor.
3)Wash your hands and disinfect your boots often.
4)Disinfect equipment before and after working with animals.
5)Maintain good barriers & fences between cattle and surrounding wildlife.
6) Empty and clean water troughs frequently.
At this time it’s important for Georgia dairy farmers to:
1) Contact your veterinarian if you notice unusual or persistent illness and the following symptoms: reduced feed intake, reduced rumination, reduced milk production, abnormal milk, lethargy, fever, pneumonia, loose or abnormal feces, and dehydration.
2) Practice sound biosecurity practices including limiting access to dairy cattle to essential personnel only, using Personal Protection Equipment and disposing or sanitizing boots and any equipment when interacting with wildlife or moving from hospital pens to the rest of the herd.
3) Remember that the milk supply and dairy food chains are secure and food safety regulations (namely the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance) are designed to both prevent abnormal milk from entering the food chain and pasteurization processes are proven effective in eliminating pathogens in milk.
Georgia dairy producers with any questions are encouraged to contact Bryce Trotter, GMP executive director, or GDA’s Animal Health Division at 404-656-3667 or animalhealth@agr.georgia.gov.
The National Dairy FARM Program (NDFP) offers several valuable biosecurity resources to provide dairy farmers with tools to keep their cattle and dairy businesses safe, including:
Everyday Biosecurity Reference Manual
Enhanced Biosecurity Prep Guide
Animal Movement Log
People Entry Log
If milk from cows showing symptoms of illness or exposed to those infected with avian influenza, is intended to be used to feed calves or other animals, FDA strongly encourages that it be pasteurized or otherwise heat treated to kill harmful bacteria or viruses, such as influenza, before feeding to calves. Food safety information from FDA, including information about the sale and consumption of raw milk, can be found here.
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ranches to help protect their herds. Information on animal health protocols and developing an effective biosecurity plan can be found at www.bqa.org Producers can access USDA info on how to manage wildlife to limit exposure to HPAI.
REGISTER FOR GFB YF&R CONFERENCE; ENTER GFB PHOTO CONTEST
Registration is now open for the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Summer Leadership Conference, and GFB is taking entries for its annual photo contest.
The Summer Leadership Conference will be July 17-20 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. This conference is open to any GFB member involved with YF&R between the ages of 18 and 35. A children’s program will also be provided for children going into the 4th grade and younger as a convenience for attendees competing or participating in sessions.
Please use this link to register by one of the deadlines listed below - https://gfb.ag/yfrslc
Early Registration – Deadline: April 30 – Registration Fee: $100 per attendee
Regular Registration – Deadline: June 1 – Registration Fee: $150 per attendee
Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Room blocks have been secured at select Jekyll Island hotels – please see the attached document for additional information regarding hotel reservations.
For more information, please contact your GFB District Federation Manager or county Farm Bureau office.
Enter GFB’s photo contest by June 7
The 2024 Georgia Farm Bureau Photo Contest is sponsored by the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee.
The contest is an opportunity for all GFB members to showcase agriculture and to encourage an appreciation of rural Georgia. This competition offers amateur photographers the chance to explore the many activities, seasons, triumphs, disappointments and faces of agriculture, our state’s key industry. The photos that win this competition will capture the image and spirit of agriculture and Farm Bureau in Georgia.
The grand prize winner will receive $150 and have their photo featured on the cover of the 2025 YF&R calendar. Eleven honorable mention winners will each receive $75 and have their photos featured inside the 2025 YFR calendar.
All photos must highlight Georgia agriculture and must have been taken in 2023 or 2024. An individual may enter up to three photos. Only those of highest quality will be considered. All digital photos must be in a .jpeg format and should be at least 1 MB in size
For complete rules and to enter the contest, visit https://gfb.ag/yfrphoto. The deadline for entries is June 7. For more information, contact Haley Darby at hadarby@gfb.org.
GEORGIA CHECKOFFS: VEGETABLE EXTENDED, WINE REJECTED
On April 11, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced that Georgia vegetable producers voted to extend the one-cent-per-marketing-unit checkoff fee on 14 key vegetable crops for another three years. The decision, supported by more than 90% of producers who returned their ballots, reflects their commitment to ensuring fresh, nutritious food for all Georgians.
The approved market order covers crops including cabbage, beans, greens, bell peppers, specialty peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, beets, cantaloupes, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and cucumbers, providing vital support for growers statewide.
Funds collected by the Georgia Vegetable Commission contribute to research initiatives conducted by the University of Georgia, focusing on production enhancement, disease control, and pest management. To participate, growers must produce 50 acres or more of designated crops annually.
Meanwhile, Georgia wine producers rejected a proposed market order for the Georgia Wine Commission, the GDA announced on April 5. The failed proposal would have set assessment rates of five cents per liter on retail wine sales and one cent per liter on wholesale sales. Of the ballots submitted, 39% were in favor of passage, falling short of the required two-thirds needed for passage. This is the second consecutive year the wine market order failed to pass.
GFA ANNOUNCES GREAT POTATO STEM CHALLENGE WINNERS
Georgia elementary students who participated in the Great Potato STEM Challenge have a new understanding of how potatoes used to make French fries grow. The competition, coordinated by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) in partnership with Georgia Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom program, is designed to let teachers and their students use science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to explore an agriculture-related subject.
During the 2023/2024 school year, students observed the growth patterns of a potato planted in soil, a potato grown hydroponically, and a control potato placed in a petri dish with no source of nourishment. Students recorded their observations in journals and created a video presentation discussing their findings.
The statewide competition is an outreach program of the GFA Georgia Ag Experience mobile classroom, which travels across the state visiting elementary schools to introduce third through fifth graders to agriculture using interactive computer displays and games.
The challenge was open to third through fifth-grade classes and to homeschool or after school groups for students in these grades. Each class that participated in the STEM challenge was asked to answer the question, “What can potatoes teach about soil, and how does soil interact with living and non-living things?”
The challenge required participating teams to create a video presentation no longer than five minutes to demonstrate what the students learned about growing potatoes.
Congratulations to the third and fourth-grade classes at West Point Elementary in Troup County taught by Jannette Bryan for winning their respective grade divisions in the Great Potato STEM Challenge. McKibben Lane Elementary students taught by Cristina Johnson in Bibb County won the fifth-grade prize. The Rabun County Library’s Homeschool Ag Group won the home-continued on next page
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Continued from previous page school/after-school division. Rabun County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chairman Stephanie Branch leads the group’s twice monthly meetings with help from Rabun County Library Youth Services Coordinator Kim Cannon.
“The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture congratulates all of our team winners,” said Virginia Fulwood, GFA educational programs assistant. “It’s a pleasure for the foundation to coordinate a contest that connects students with agriculture as they utilize their STEM skills.”
Bryan’s Westpoint Elementary STEM students won their respective grade division awards for their creative and inquisitive thought processes. One class compared how potatoes grow to how peanuts grow; both classes used colorful journals to record the development of their class potatoes in real-time.
To see the West Point Elementary students’ winning videos visit www.gfb.ag/2024STEM3RD and www.gfb.ag/2024STEM4TH Bryan’s third graders named their team the Potato Patch Kids while her fourth graders called their team the Potato People.
The McKibben Lane students won the 5th-grade division of the contest for their detailed research, scientific approach and the creative methods they used to study the development and growth of potatoes. The McKibben Lane Lancers winning video may be viewed at www.gfb.ag/2024STEM5TH
The Homeschool Ag Group was recognized for using detailed analysis and out-of-the-box thinking to grow potatoes and learn about agriculture in their community. To see the Rabun Russetts’ winning video visit www.gfb.ag/2024homeschool .
Teachers interested in participating in the next STEM Challenge to be announced in the fall should visit www.gfb.ag/stemchallenge for more information from late August to earlySeptember. Teachers who register their classes will receive access to resources that equip the class to participate in the next Georgia Ag Experience STEM Challenge.
The purpose of the challenge is to encourage elementary teachers and students in grades 3-5 to explore aspects of Georgia agriculture by applying their STEM skills to solve real-world problems that farmers face in producing our food and fiber.
WHAT’S THAT SOUND? BROOD 19 CICADAS SET TO EMERGE ACROSS GA
By Jennifer WhittakerAny day now, chances are good that residents of 75 Georgia counties will start hearing raucous mating calls of male cicadas calling out to potential mates. These Romeos and their lady friends belong to the Brood XIX (Brood 19) of periodical cicadas, for which a new generation only emerges every 13 years.
Brood 19 males serenade their ladies during the day unlike the annual cicadas we’re used to hearing sing at night from summer into. Both types of cicadas “sing” by vibrating a membrane on the sides of their bodies.
Dr. Nancy Hinkle, a University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences professor of entomology, expects millions of the Brood 19 periodical cicadas will emerge across Georgia before Memorial Day.
“Brood 19 is Georgia’s only 13-year cicada,” Hinkle said. “It’s part of ‘The Great Southern Brood’ that covers at least a dozen states in the Southeast and is the largest periodical cicada brood
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According to research by the University of Connecticut, Brood 19 cicadas appear in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois and Indiana.
Hinkle says you can identify the Brood 19 cicadas by their black bodies, red eyes, and clear, orange-tinted wings. Annual cicadas are larger than periodical cicadas and typically have green bodies with black eyes.
“Periodical cicadas are perfectly harmless. They cannot bite or sting, and they are not poisonous,” Hinkle said.
Why are Brood XIX Cicadas expected in 75 counties?
Georgians last saw and heard Brood 19 cicadas in 2011. That March and April, UGA Extension entomologists recruited Georgians across the state to watch for the insects and report and document sightings by emailing photographs and/or mailing in specimens. A 2012 report compiled by Dr. Hinkle, Cecil L. Smith and Chip Bates details the efforts made to document where the Brood 19 cicadas appeared in Georgia in 2011.
Georgia residents submitted 1,397 cicada reports with 553 including photographs. More than 600 periodical cicada specimens from 25 counties were donated to the Georgia Natural History Museum in Athens.
After analyzing all the submitted data, the entomologists determined that Brood 19 cicadas were sighted in 75 Georgia counties based on submitted photos or specimens.
A Georgia map was marked to indicate the date the first cicada sighting was reported for each county. The earliest sighting reported was in Troup County on April 19, 2011. Ben Hill was the last county to report a sighting on May 27, 2011.
Before UGA’s 2011 survey, little was known regarding how widespread Brood 19 cicadas were across Georgia. A 1960 report by Hunter and Lund (J. Econ. Entomol. 53:961-63) said Brood 19 cicadas were observed in 14 Georgia counties in the 1959 emergence.
The Georgia Museum of Natural History only had Brood 19 specimens from 17 Georgia counties collected from the 1907 emergence through 1998, the last emergence before 2011.
Hinkle says if a mature tree wasn’t in place 13 years ago for a female cicada to lay its eggs in, one shouldn’t expect Brood 19 cicadas to emerge this year. If a tree that has been nourishing cicadas was cut down in the past 13 years, it’s likely the cicada nymphs feeding on its roots died
“No Brood XIX have ever been reported from the Atlanta metro area,” Hinkle said.
It’s believed Brood 19 cicada populations in the Atlanta area died out as trees were cut down, the ground was bulldozed, and much of the land was paved.
What happens when Brood 19 cicadas emerge?
After living below ground for 13 years, sucking sap from hardwood tree roots, Brood 19 cicada nymphs (stage between egg & adulthod) emerge, Hinkle says, when soil temperatures reach about 64 degrees F˚.
Georgetown University insect ecologist Martha Weiss told Scientific American https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-periodical-cicadas-know-when-to-emerge/ that periodical cicadas appear to count each spring when the xylem sap they feed on becomes
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briefly richer in amino acids as it moves from the tree’s roots to its canopy.
Hinkle says cicada nymphs typically rise from the ground at night to avoid predators, climb up the nearest tree trunk, and hook their claws into the bark. The skin along the nymph’s back splits, and an adult cicada comes out the slit.
The just molted adult cicada spreads its wings. Once the wings dry, the cicada can fly. By daylight, most of them are flying up into the treetops.
As the sun warms the male Brood 19 cicadas, they begin to sing to attract a female, Hinkle said. Once a female is attracted to a male, she and the male flick their back wings together to mate.
Then the female goes to the end of a tree branch to lay her eggs. She inserts the tip of her abdomen under the bark near the end of a branch and deposits her eggs between the wood and flexible bark. Soon after the adult cicadas die.
A month or so later, the cicada eggs hatch and the nymphs emerge from under the bark and fall to the ground. They burrow into the soil, find a tree root, insert their mouthparts and start sucking root sap.
Brood 19 cicadas live underground feeding on tree roots until it’s time for them to emerge in 13 years. Hinkle says they all come out within a month of one another to maximize the chance of finding a mate.
Enjoy the show
“Periodical cicadas are not pests and there is no need to attempt to control them,” Hinkle says. “Most of them will be dead in a couple of weeks. Use this opportunity to teach your kids and grandkids how cicadas aerate the soil, recycle nutrients, and foster environmental health.”
Hinkle encourages people to watch how their pets respond to the novel cicadas.
“Dogs may gorge on them, vomit them up and then resume eating them,” Hinkle says. “Cicadas make great cat toys; they make noise, they spin across the floor when you bat them.”
And, if you’ve ever thought about eating insects, now is the time.
“Humans can eat cicadas. They’re like softshell crab,” Hinkle says.
She says it’s important to harvest them while they are still soft, before their skin hardens.
“Go out very early in the morning, before dawn, and collect newly emerged adults that have just come out of their nymphal skins,” Hinkle advises. “Remove the legs and wings. Sautee them in garlic butter and serve hot. Recipes can be found online.”
Families can use this rare event as a conversation starter to ask older generations what was happening in their lives in 2011, 1998, 1985, 1972, 1959, 1946, 1933 or 1920. If you don’t have family members who were alive in the earlier years, discuss important U.S. or world events that happened in those years.
After the show
Weeks after all the Brood 19 cicadas have died, Hinkle says to look for tree branch tips that turn brown and fall off. This is where the cicada eggs were laid.
“This is harmless. In fact, it is beneficial to the tree, it’s Nature’s pruning service,” Hinkle said. “Next winter there will be less risk of ice damage because the weak branch tips have been removed.”
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Report your Brood 19 sighting
The University of Georgia and the University of North Georgia are collaborating on research regarding Brood XIX distribution in Georgia, emergence times, and genetic relatedness of populations throughout the state.
Georgians willing to collect and submit samples of Brood 19 exoskeletons (the hard shell the cicadas emerge from) and/or dead cicadas may mail the specimens to:
Dr. Evan Lampert/ 3820 Mundy Mill Road/Oakwood, Ga. 30566.
Georgians willing to collect and submit cicada samples are asked to contact Dr. Evan Lampert at Evan.Lampert@ung.edu for information on how best to submit their specimens.
Another way to report a Brood 19 sighting is via the iNaturalist app (https://www.inaturalist.org ) . You can download the app onto your smartphone or other devices from the Apple app store or in Google Play.
It’s important that Georgians across the state report any sightings of Brood 19 cicadas so there’s an accurate record of the 2024 population for historic and scientific purposes.
FARM BUREAU AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE CONTESTANTS VIE FOR $100,000
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 11th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
The overall winner of the competition will receive $100,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will be awarded $25,000 and two additional business owners who advance to the final four round will each receive $10,000.
“Imagine what $100,000 could do for your business,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’ve doubled the prize and doubled the impact.”
Farm Bureau is offering a total of $145,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition. After the application period closes, 10 semi-finalist teams will be selected and announced on Sept. 3. Next, the 10 semi-finalist teams will pitch virtually to compete for a spot in the final four round of the contest.
The final four teams will be awarded $10,000 each and participate in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in January 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, to win:
Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, $90,000 (total of $100,000)
Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, $15,000 (total of $25,000)
Farm Bureau is proud to recognize these innovative businesses, in partnership with sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services and T-Mobile.
Recent winners of the Ag Innovation Challenge include Barn Owl Precision Agriculture, a company that manufactures a fully autonomous robot that supports farmers as they plant crops, control weeds and collect soil samples (2024 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner) and NORDEF, a company that developed technology to produce diesel exhaust fluid at the point of use (2023 Ag
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Innovation Challenge Winner). Other examples of successful Ag Innovation Challenge participants, as well as detailed eligibility guidelines and the competition timeline, can be found at www.fb.org/challenge.
Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can visit https://www.gfb.org/join/join-today to become a member.
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 15.
AGRICULTURE EMISSIONS FALL TO LOWEST LEVELS IN 10 YEARS
America’s farmers and ranchers are leading the way in greenhouse gas emission reduction through voluntary conservation efforts and market-based incentives. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the 1990-2022 Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks. The report shows American agriculture reduced emissions by almost 2% from 2021 to 2022, the largest decrease of any economic sector.
American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the data in their latest Market Intel article, noting, “U.S. agriculture represents just under 10% of total U.S. emissions when compared to other economic sectors… By EPA’s own methodology, emissions from agriculture totaled 634 million metric tons in CO2 equivalents, or 9.99% of all U.S. emissions, during 2022. This represents a decrease of 1.8%, or 12 million metric tons, from 2021… 2022 marks the lowest U.S. agricultural greenhouse gas emissions since 2012.”
“The latest numbers demonstrate farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to growing the food and fiber America’s families rely on while improving the land, air and water, a benefit to the farm and the climate,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The drop in agricultural emissions highlights the success and importance of voluntary and market-based programs that support farmer efforts in sustainable agriculture practices. The latest numbers should also serve as inspiration to lawmakers who can build on this progress by passing a farm bill, which not only provides a safety net for farmers, but also helps them meet sustainability goals.”
Other highlights specific to the agricultural sector in the Market Intel include:
• 12-million-metric-ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;
• 2.1% reduction in livestock GHG emissions;
• 1.7% reduction in crop cultivation emissions; and
• 1.2% reduction in fuel combustion emissions.
Read the full Market Intel here
GFB
Notes page 13 of 18
SIGN-UP OPEN THROUGH MAY FOR SUSTAINABLE U.S. PEANUTS PROGRAM
From the American Peanut Council
The American Peanut Council is taking grower enrollments for the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative's (SUSP) 2023 crop through May 31. In its third year, SUSP is an industry-supported data-collection platform for growers to voluntarily input information on their individual farming practices, such as crop rotation, cover crops, water usage, and breeding and nesting habitats, just to name a tew.
Never before has collecting information on growers' sustainability practices been so important. Not only are consumers demanding sustainable food production practices, but manufacturers, retailers and even our international trading partners are increasingly having the same expectations. SUSP is supporting America's peanut farmers with metrics on the most efficient use of on-farm resources, as well as encouraging farm operation sustainability practices that will help meet these expectations, lead to increased demand for peanuts and set the stage for long-term economic viability.
Growers can enroll in SUSP by completing an annual self-assessment (20-40 minutes) and fieldlevel survey (20-30 minutes). Subsequent years’ enrollments are much faster after a grower’s initial enrollment. If a grower is already enrolled in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, they can join that account with SUSP to streamline their enrollment. Growers can enroll through May 31 at www.sustainableuspeanuts.org, or by contacting Allie Randell via email at arandell@peanutsusa.com
EPD MEETINGS REGARDING SOUTHWEST GA WATER WITHDRAWAL PERMITS
April 18 Charles H. Kirbo Regional Center, 2500 E. Shotwell St., 39818 Bainbridge
May 23 Candy Room, 125 Pine Ave., 31701 Albany
June 13 Goolsby Farm Supply, 2943 Callis Rd., 39842 Dawson
Meeting registration begins at 9:30 a m Meetings will start at 10 a m The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is modifying the 2012 agricultural permitting suspension in Southwest Georgia to allow new and modified surface water withdrawal permits in the Suwannee and Ochlockonee portions of the suspension area. EPD is holding public meetings to receive feedback from stakeholders on potential changes to the 2012 suspension. More information about agricultural water withdrawal and the 2012 suspension is available at https://epd.georgia.gov/waterwithdrawal-permitting.
CHEROKEE COUNTY CANDIDATE FORUM
April 25
Historic Cherokee County Courthouse 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Canton
This forum is sponsored by Cherokee County Farm Bureau. All local, state and national candidates running for office are invited to attend. Each candidate will have the opportunity to speak if they have opposition. Candidates running unopposed will be introduced. Current elected officials will also be introduced. Meet and greet opportunities will be available before and after the event. Water will be provided by Cherokee County Farm Bureau. The Historic Cherokee County Courthouse is located at 90 North St. in Canton. RSVP by April 5 to the Cherokee County Farm Bureau office by sending an email to dbforward@gfbco.org or calling 770-479-1481, ext. 0.
GFB Field Notes page 14 of 18
FERAL SWINE WORKSHOPS AND TRAPPING DEMONSTRATIONS
April 25
Terrell County 4-H Pavilion, 2674 Albany Hwy. 5 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Dawson
May 22 Madison Co. High School, 600 Madison St. 5 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Danielsville
Feral swine have become increasingly detrimental in Georgia, causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources throughout the state. The economic impact of damage caused by feral swine in Georgia is estimated at $150 million. 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. Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations to be followed by a question-and-answer panel of experts. Each workshop will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration. Partnering agencies for this effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required. More details and registration information are available at www.GACD.us/events
KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB TRAIL RIDE & LUNCH
April 27 10 a.m. South Oconee Co. Hwy. 441
Watkinsville
The Kel-Mac Club invites riders to bring their horses to enjoy a meet & greet trail ride and lunch at Heritage Park. The park, located at 2543 Athens Hwy (441) south of Watkinsville, has easy and beautiful trails. Contact Sharon Wood at bullet2525@aol.com to reserve your lunch and for more details about this event.
U.S. CLIMATE SMART COTTON & U.S. COTTON TRUST PROTOCOL PROGRAMS
April 30
Deadline to enroll in ’24 U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Climate Smart Programs Launched in 2020, the Trust Protocol was designed to set a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton. Producers enrolled in the voluntary Trust Protocol are eligible to participate in the Climate Smart Cotton Program, which will provide technical and financial assistance to 1,650 U.S. cotton farmers with acres available for Climate Smart practice changes. Growers also receive personalized data that can be used to help improve their sustainability efforts and yield, as well as gain closer communication with their end customer. Data growers provide is secure and remains confidential. It is used only in aggregate form. Crop consultants can be authorized to enter information on the grower’s behalf. Additionally, the John Deere Operations Center can prepopulate up to 40% of the data needed to complete the fieldprint analysis for those who utilize the platform. Growers can enroll and complete their data entry at TrustUSCotton.org. Enrollment for the 2024 crop is open. For help enrolling, contact info@trustuscotton.org
GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATIONS
May 1 deadline to apply
Centennial Farm applications are open to all qualifying candidates. Farms play a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of our state, serving as the bedrock for economic, cultural, and familial traditions for generations of Georgians. Several farms boast a legacy spanning more than a century, and Georgia recognizes their historical significance through the Georgia Centennial Farm program. Nominees 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 farmgenerated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years or be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Qualifying Georgia Centennial Farms are honored each October at an awards ceremony at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. The Georgia Centennial Farm program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia EMC; Georgia National Fair and Agricenter; and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information, please contact Rose Mayo, Historic Preservation Division Outreach Coordinator, at 770-855-2586 or rose.mayo@dca.ga.gov. The postmark deadline for applications is May 1, 2024. Applications are available online at https://gfb.ag/centennialfarmsapply (https://www.dca.ga.gov/georgia-historic-preservation-division/historicresources/centennialfarms)
PECAN TREE GROWERS CROP INSURANCE
May 15 deadline to enroll/renew
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia pecan tree growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2024 crop year is May 15. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the May 15 sales closing date to do so. 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 pecan trees 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 2024 crop year. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at https://rma.usda.gov. The Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company contracts with three companies - Rain & Hail, Sompo, and Crop Risk Services to offer crop insurance. GFB has more than 70 experienced crop insurance agents (and growing) across the state to help their members protect their investment. Find your local agent and learn more at www.GFBInsurance.com or email crops@gfbinsurance.com for more details. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
GFB Field Notes page 16 of 18
GFB SPRING SHOOTOUT
May 17 Cherokee Rose Sporting Clays
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Griffin
Tickets for the GFB Spring Shootout are now available for purchase! Don't miss out, join us for a day of friendly competition, outdoor fun, and supporting agricultural education, scholarships, and farmer mental health through the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with a 9:45 a.m. safety meeting. Tournament begins at 10 a.m., with lunch and awards scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Cherokee Rose Sporting Clays is located at 895 Baptist Camp Road in Griffin. Regular Team Tickets are $550 for a team of four shooters, including event participation, equipment rental, breakfast, and lunch. VIP Team Tickets: $700 with additional perks such as tshirts, preferred parking, priority course access, and post-event beverages. Extras Available: Enhance your experience with optional add-ons like raffle tickets, practice shots, mulligan shots, gun rental, ammo, and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://gfb.ag/24GFBShootout The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is still accepting station sponsorships. As a sponsor, your company will not only be aligning itself with a worthwhile charitable organization, but also gaining exposure to a passionate and engaged audience. With various levels of sponsorship available, there is an option for every budget. From t-shirts and signage recognition on the day of the event to branding on our website and social media channels, we are committed to ensuring that our sponsors receive maximum exposure and recognition. Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your brand and make a positive impact in Georgia agriculture! For more information, visit https://gfb.ag/24GFBShootoutSponsors
KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
May 18, Sept. 7 & Oct. 5 Morgan Co. Ag Center Madison
These shows are open to equestrians of all ages and experience levels. Classes include hunter/jumper, western, gaited, trail obstacles, ranch riding, ranch reining, dressage on the rail, halter/showmanship, “small fry” and more. All shows begin at 9 a.m. - rain or shine. Show participants will enjoy an exciting jumping course and pattern changes, re-themed jumps and online registration/payment. Entry fee per class is $10 regular class and $12 for championship classes. Stall fees are $15 for club members & $20 nonmembers. All overnight stalls are $25. For more information about the shows, visit the KelMac Saddle Club Facebook page, or www.kelmac.com or call Arlene Williams at 706-431-8600. General admission is free and concession food and drinks will be available. The Morgan County Ag Center is located at 2380 Athens Hwy (441), north of Madison. These volunteer-run shows generate funds to benefit Kel-Mac’s equestrian related charities. The Kel-Mac Saddle Club has donated more than $167,500 back to Georgia’s Piedmont region during its 48 years including: the Georgia Equine Rescue League, ReDux Equine Rescue, Sweet Olive Rescue, the Barbara Cumming Scholarship, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Empty Stocking Fund, and the equestrian facilities of state & county parks such as A. H. Stephens, Hard Labor Creek, and Heritage Park.
GFB Field Notes page 17 of 18
AFBF WHITE-REINHARDT GRANT APPLICATIONS
June 14 application deadline
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is accepting applications for its 20242025 White-Reinhardt school year project grants. These grants fund projects that will increase agricultural literacy. County Farm Bureaus may apply for $1,000 grants for education programs for grades K-12 to initiate new ag literacy programs or expand existing programs. Organizations and individual schools can work with their local Farm Bureaus to apply. Grants are available on a competitive basis. Grant funds cannot be used for consumable items like food or paper, transportation, wages or safety programs. Grant payments can only be made to a state or county Farm Bureau. Grant applications are due June 14. To learn more about the White-Reinhardt Fund and apply for the 2024-2025 school year grant click here. For more information email foundation@fb.org .
https://www.agfoundation.org/grants-awards/white-reinhardt-grants
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP
June 19-24 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton
May 1 registration deadline
The Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) is available to Georgia’s Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. This workshop focuses on the value, protection, and conservation of Georgia’s wildlife, forestry, soil, and water resources, including conservation in Georgia’s mining industry. The workshop gives students a taste of college life while delivering valuable insight into careers through their counselors and instructors. The workshop features field trips, classroom instruction, and recreational activities. Students scoring well on the workshop exam may be awarded a college scholarship. A limited number of scholarships are awarded based on exam scores and specific scholarship guidelines and criteria. Sponsorships are available through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts for students to attend at no cost. Transportation options are also available. Registration is available through May 1 at www.abac.edu/nrcw
UGA CITRUS ORCHARD NUTRITIONAL SURVEY
For the past three growing seasons, the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Labs (AESL) has been conducting a foliar nutrient survey of Georgia's citrus industry with funding from the USDA and Georgia Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. One of the conditions of the project’s grant funding is that researchers seek stakeholder feedback on the effectiveness of the program, and how this work may influence future grower decisions. The project researchers ask that you please complete this short (7 questions, 3-5 minutes) Citrus Nutrition Questionnaire here.
(https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bgr8t6TWhUKNJ4i) These results will help UGA researchers demonstrate the importance of this work to their sponsors, which increases the likelihood of future funding in this area. If you would like to learn more about this project and the results of the study, please visit the project website.
GFB Field Notes page 18 of 18
PIEDMONT CONSERVATION DISTRICT FERAL SWINE CONTROL SERVICES
Ongoing
The Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has acquired a trapping system to provide control services throughout Piedmont SWCD which includes Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Putnam, Hancock, Baldwin, and Jones Counties. If you are interested in feral swine control services, please contact the District’s Hog Control Custodian, Kris Pope at kmpope@bellsouth.net or 404-402-2207.More information can be found at www.gacd.us/piedmont
GFB HAY DIRECTORY
GFB is accepting listings for its online hay directory. Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or who offer custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list their hay and/or services in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website. Hay for sale or services can be listed or removed from the directory throughout the year. To be included in GFB’s online hay directory, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed. Listings can be updated in the directory throughout the year as hay inventories change. Hay producers who entered the 2021 GFB Quality Hay Contest receive a free listing in the online GFB Hay Directory.
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER FERAL HOG CONTROL SERVICES
For a list of feral hog control services available in each GACD Conservation District, visit https://gfb.ag/feralhoggacdresources.
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OFFER NO-TILL EQUIPMENT FOR RENT Ongoing
Local Conservation Districts and their partners help farmers try a number of conservation practices by purchasing equipment and making it available to rent. Some districts offer no-till drills, PVC pond pipe systems and repair parts, as well as geotextile fabric for agricultural and road use. To see what equipment is available in your conservation district, click here.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE OFFERS SUPPORT
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 or chatting on 988lifeline.org 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. You don’t have to be suicidal to reach out. 988 trained crisis counselors can help you through whatever mental health challenges you are experiencing.