July 24, 2024
www.gfb.org
Vol. 6 No. 14
YF&R’S HEAR ABOUT PERSERVERENCE, CONSERVATION AND SUCCESSION
The Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Summer Leadership Conference, held July 17-20 on Jekyll Island, provided opportunities to network and receive messaging from firstgeneration farm owners Kevin and Lydia Yon, Marine veteran and TV personality Johnny Joey Jones, the Farms Fund, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and succession planning expert Ron Hanson.
Conference attendees also pitched in some time to the Harvest for All project, assembling approximately 13,000 meals to be donated to Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, one of the regional food banks in Feeding Georgia’s network.
Yons share about perseverance and faith
First-generation farm owners Kevin and Lydia Yon of Ridge Spring, South Carolina, appeared as keynote guests during the Thursday opening session.
The Yons, who were named the 2018 Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmers of the Year, shared how their family and farming career have developed over time. Now, they farm a total of 5,000 acres with approximately 1,200 brood cows and 200 commercial cows.
The couple met as students at Clemson University, where they both studied animal science in the early 1980s. They landed a tandem internship/job managing a ranch near Columbia. That lasted seven years, but the ranch owner decided he did not want to have cows anymore. From there, the Yons moved to Ridge Spring to manage another family’s farm, with a deal in place that allowed them to start their own operation on 100 acres.
The Yons talked about debt, their faith journey and how they’ve handled having their nowgrown children come back to the family farm.
The Yons’ expanding farm came with taking on debt. While the couple knows that taking out loans is not the way some people want to operate, taking on debt has allowed them to establish themselves without inheriting family land.
“This is a pretty neat thing we get to do, isn't it?” Kevin said of the experience of farming with family.
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A chance to preserve farmland
Krisztian Varsa of the Farms Fund led a breakout session about the organization, which is an offshoot of The Conservation Fund. The Farms Fund creates a pathway to affordable land ownership for diverse next-generation farmers, Varsa said, by breaking down traditional barriers accessing capital, accelerating adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, permanently conserving farmland at risk of being lost to development and growing resilient local food systems.
Varsa pointed out that the 2022 Census of Agriculture documented about 3,000 fewer Georgia farms than the previous ag census in 2017.
“The number of farmers is going down and the average size of the farm is going up and the number of folks who are aging out of farming is increasing,” Varsa said. “The average age of the farmer went up again in the latest ag census, and that means that we have fewer farms and fewer farmers and at the end of the day, that's not going to work. We need food, we need fiber, we need materials. We need the things that farmers provide, and we don't have a system that makes sure that next generation farmers can get to the land and produce those things.”
The Farms Fund helps farmers acquire small to mid-sized tracts of farmland, invests in the development of farm infrastructure and coordinates various types of support to help the farmers achieve success.
Through the purchase of conservation easements, the farmland is permanently protected from being developed for non-farm uses like residential, industrial or commercial projects.
Varsa said the Farms Fund aims to establish a network of 80 farms serving metro Atlanta over the next 10 years.
To qualify, farmers must have three years of farm management experience, a desire to farm more than 20 acres, and have a viable business plan, among other things.
For more information about The Farms Fund, visit www.farmsfund.org or email Varsa at kvarsa@conservationfund.org.
Overcoming adversity and embracing sacrifice
Johnny Joey Jones, a Marine Corps veteran, best-selling author and contributor to Fox News, talked about his experiences growing up the son of a brick mason in Whitfield County. Jones also talked about serving in the Marine Corps’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and losing his legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) during a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
From his dad, Jones learned the importance of doing things right. Jones recounted the story of his father cutting his hand because he refused to wear gloves, reasoning that his ability to feel the brick and mortar helped him do a better job and would save someone else trouble later.
After high school, Jones joined the Marine Corps, working first as a radio technician and later as an EOD technician, finding bombs and then either defusing them or moving them to a place where they could be set off safely. In the explosion that cost Jones his legs, a fellow Marine and friend was mortally wounded when a wall fell on him.
In the hospital afterward, Jones asked a nurse where his friend was.
“She wiped my forehead, my mouth and my face. And then she said, ‘Don't worry, you're going -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page to walk again,’” Jones recalled. “She knew if she told me the answer to the question I was asking, the guilt and sadness might dictate that journey for the rest of my life, that in that moment she had the opportunity to tell me what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it, even when that wasn't what I was asking for.”
Jones told the young farmers and ranchers that he sees sacrifice in their chosen profession and he emphasized that there is nobility in it.
“You're here because you've chosen a harder road than most, but one that's worth it, that comes with fulfillment. You're here because you've chosen to take responsibility for your life and earn a living to do it for those you care about and have responsibility to,” he said. “You're here because you want to be here. You're here because you have a love for life that others don't. And now you have a chance to share it.”
Getting a food safety license
Allison Strickland, the Georgia Department of Agriculture South Georgia district manager for retail food safety, walked conference attendees through licensing categories for selling food to the public. Generally, the type of license required depends on where the food product is to be consumed. Retail food products are sold directly to the consumer and are consumed off premises. Manufactured food products are those that are distributed to stores, restaurants, or for interstate/intrastate commerce or exports. Manufactured food products include shellfish but do not include meat products, which are subject to the GDA meat inspection program or USDA licensing.
For detailed information about food safety licensing under the Georgia Department of Agriculture, visit https://agr.georgia.gov/food-and-fuel
Passing
it
on: Succession planning dos and don’ts
University of Nebraska Professor Emeritus Dr. Ron Hanson led two breakout sessions covering succession planning. In the first session, he covered common mistakes to avoid. In the second session, he discussed key steps in mapping out a succession plan.
Hanson consults with families seeking to pass their farms from one generation to the next. He said that 70% of farmland ownership will change ownership within the next 15 years.
“Most family operations start out with the very, very best of intentions, hopes, dreams, promises, and then something happens, and we have a train wreck,” Hanson said. “What are those consequences of failing to implement that transition plan? The family ag business ends up being dissolved and the farm itself ends up being divided or split apart.”
The seven common mistakes Hanson discussed include:
- Not making succession planning a priority
- Keeping everything private with too many secrets for fear of losing or sharing managerial control
- Failure to communicate
- Lack of definition for goals and expectations
- Sidestepping issues to avoid confrontation
- Indecision and poor plan execution.
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In the second session, Hanson began with the main thing that tests family farming relationships: Family wealth. He noted that only 30% of family farming operations will make it past a second generation without a transition plan. Of those only 12% will make it past the third generation without a plan. And of that number, only 3% will make it past a fourth generation without a plan.
“When you get down to it, money, wealth, property and particularly land ownership really puts families to the test,” Hanson said. “Families fighting over money and land ownership destroys relationships. All the more reason you've got to plan and have that transition plan in place that's documented and discussed so everyone knows what is going to be done and how it's going to be done.”
Hanson listed five strategies to ensure effective succession planning:
- Insist that all family members participate in the planning process and establish priorities
- Identify list of goals and expectations, including personal wishes and fears
- Focus on family core values and be sure all voices are heard and respected
- Be persistent, set deadlines and follow through
- Ask the difficult family questions. Be honest and transparent to achieve clarity and understanding.
Finally, Hanson emphasized the importance of designating a facilitator – a “take charge” person and family member leader who all family members respect, trust and look to for direction.
For more information about Hanson’s consulting services, visit www.passingonthefarm.com
Hanson may be contacted at ron@passingonthefarm.com.
ANDERSON, MARCHANTS, THURMOND WIN GFB YF&R COMPETITIONS
Cason Anderson, Kaitlyn and Kaleb Marchant and Cain Thurmond emerged as the winners in the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) competitive events. The winners were announced during closing session of the 2024 YF&R Summer Leadership Conference, held July 17-20 on Jekyll Island.
Anderson, from Houston County, won the GFB YF&R Achievement Award, given to recognize farmers and ranchers aged 18-35 who earn the majority of their income from production agriculture. Other finalists for the Achievement Award were Chris and Paige Little of White County and Luke and Alley Andrews of Lamar County. The finalist families were selected from all submitted applications and were interviewed by judges on July 17 at the conference.
The Marchants, from Oglethorpe County, won the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award, given to recognize agriculturalists aged 18-35 who earn the majority of their income from something other than production agriculture. Other finalists were Bryan and Addie Tucker of Wilcox County and Austin and Shelby Waldroup of Troup County. The finalists gave their final round presentations to judges on July 17.
Thurmond, from Jackson County, won the YF&R Discussion Meet. The discussion meet is a series of committee-style meetings in which contestants hash over issues and solutions related to a specific ag-related topic. Thurmond emerged from a field of 29 contestants from across the state. -continued on next page
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The entire competition was held at the conference. In the first of two preliminary rounds on July 18, competitors talked about how Farm Bureau can continue to provide value and opportunity to welcome members from across the broad diversity of modern agriculture.
In the Final Four, which featured the winners of each of four Sweet 16 rooms, the discussion centered on how Farm Bureau can work with energy companies, local governments and rural communities to increase domestic energy production, minimize loss of agricultural land and protect private property rights
The winners in each competition receive a John Deere Gator, sponsored by Lasseter Equipment Company, a cash prize and an expense-paid trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau convention in San Antonio, Texas, in January. The finalists in each competition received cash prizes.
Torrie Reed of Gilmer County won the YF&R Collegiate Discussion Meet, prevailing against Jesse Cronic of Jackson County, Joey Blackstock of Jackson County and Adam Caudell of Habersham County. They were the top four collegiate contestants in the YF&R Discussion Meet and competed in the first-ever GFB Collegiate Final Four.
Bryan Bledsoe of Pulaski County won the YF&R Photo Contest with his aerial photo of two tractors digging peanuts. The photo contest was decided through online voting during the conference. The top 12 photos will be featured in the 2025 GFB YF&R calendar, and Bledsoe’s photo will be the cover.
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU ACCEPTING HAY CONTEST ENTRIES UNTIL OCT. 31
Georgia Farm Bureau members who grow any variety of dry Bermudagrass hay have until Oct. 31 to enter the organization’s 33rd Annual Quality Bermudagrass Hay Contest. The contest winner will receive the free use of a Vermeer mower-conditioner for one year. The winner will have the option to buy the equipment at a reduced price at the end of that year. This is the 26th year that Vermeer has sponsored GFB’s hay contest.
Hay entered in the 2024 GFB Quality Bermudagrass Hay Contest will be tested at the UGA Feed & Environmental Water Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which provides an analysis of the nutritional value of hay.
Additional prizes will be awarded to the top five producers. Winners will be determined by the RFQ analysis and announced in December at the GFB Convention.
Entry forms and complete contest rules may be picked up at your county Farm Bureau office or downloaded at www.gfb.ag/HayContest. You may also contact the GFB Public Policy Department at 1-800-342-1192 if you have any questions about the contest.
Important rules to note include: Only hay grown in Georgia by a GFB member is eligible; hay samples must be taken from fields with a minimum maturity or regrowth of at least 25 days to ensure fair competition; hay must have been dried in the field and should not be artificially dried by fans or forced air in a barn; forage samples must be collected with a hay probe. Any samples with moisture above 18% or nitrates above 4500ppm will be disqualified.
There is a $25 fee for each entry to cover the cost of the lab test. Producers may enter more than -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page one sample. Checks should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau.
Contest participants will receive a detailed copy of their hay analysis and may choose to have a free listing in the 2024/25 online GFB Hay Directory available at https://www.gfb.org/join/hay . Producers must be a GFB member to enter the contest or list hay for sale in the hay directory. The cost to list hay in the directory alone is $10 and may be submitted at any time.
If you aren’t a Farm Bureau member, you may join at the county Farm Bureau office of your choice or at https://www.gfb.org/join/join-today
Previous first place winners are not eligible to win any prize category for a period of five years from the year they won the contest. A previous first place winner may enter his/her hay sample for the purpose of having it officially graded. Any producer submitting more than one sample can only place in the Top 5 with one sample – their highest scored sample – but will receive analysis for all submitted samples.
GFB’s annual hay contest encourages quality hay production, which leads to higher quality livestock and more return to Georgia hay producers. Producers who have their hay tested every year can see improvements they make in managing their hay fields by looking at multi-year analysis. RFQ is the best method to compare forages. RFQ provides a number that gives producers a measure of the digestible nutrient content in their hay.
Fully mature alfalfa is given a base point of 100. Since the base price for hay sales and auctions in many parts of the world is the value of poor-quality alfalfa, RFQ provides a mechanism for indexing quality to value.
RFQ for Bermudagrass in Georgia typically ranges from 75 to 120 or higher. If a hay producer sells their hay based on its RFQ, a higher price can be demanded for the higher quality. Livestock producers are more likely to pay these premiums as this hay will yield higher weight gains and require fewer supplements. With quality in mind, it is a good management practice to test your hay after baling. RFQ and other analytical data can help you manage potential problems with moisture, nitrates or poor digestibility, especially in years with adverse weather.
GA FARMERS INCREASE ACREAGE FOR PEANUTS, HAY AND OATS
Georgia farmers devoted more land to peanuts, hay and oats in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the June Acreage Report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). These increases offset decreases in acreage planted in cotton, corn and winter wheat. (All acreage numbers referenced here are estimates.)
Georgia growers planted 850,000 acres in peanuts in 2024 up from 775,000 in 2023, an increase of 9.6%. Nationwide, the USDA estimates 1.757 million acres of peanuts have been planted up from the 1.645 million planted last year.
Oats were planted on 60,000 acres(add) in 2024, up from 55,000 in 2023, an increase of 9%. USDA estimates 2.299 million acres of oats were planted this year nationwide, down from the -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page 2.55 million planted in 2023.
Georgia cotton growers planted 1.1 million acres in 2024, down 10,000 acres from 2023, when they planted 1.11 million acres. Nationwide, the USDA estimates 11.7 million acres of cotton have been planted, up 14% from the 10.2 million acres planted in 2023.
Corn is planted on 440,000 acres in 2024, down from 485,000 acres in 2023, a drop of 9% for Georgia - add. The USDA estimates 91.5 million acres of corn have been planted nationwide, down 3% or 3.17 million acres from last year.
Winter wheat was planted on an estimated 145,000 acres statewide in 2024, down from195,000 acres in 2023, a decline of 26%. The 2024 planted acreage in winter wheat is the state’s lowest since 2019. Nationwide, all wheat planted for 2024 is estimated at 47.2 million acres, down 5 percent from 2023.
Georgia’s soybean acreage held steady at 160,000 acres in 2024, with no change from 2023. U.S. soybean planted acreage for 2024 is estimated at 86.1 million acres, up 3 percent from last year.
The state’s tobacco acreage, which is historically detailed in NASS’ June Acreage Report, is no longer being counted by the agency. UGA Extension Tobacco Specialist Dr. J. Michael Moore estimated Georgia farmers have planted 7,500 acres in 2024. NASS reported 6,500 acres planted in tobacco in 2023.
AFBF ANNOUNCES VETERAN FARMER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
The Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence is a new recognition program launched by the American Farm Bureau Federation with support from Farm Credit. AFBF and Farm Credit will recognize one individual who has served or is currently serving in the U.S. military and is actively involved in agriculture and their community. Applicants will be evaluated based on excellence in farming and community impact.
The award winner will receive $10,000 plus reimbursement of up to $5,000 in travel and other expenses incurred for the recipient and a guest to attend the American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, Texas, Jan 25-27
“This award elevates and celebrates those who have served our country and continue to do so through their involvement in agriculture and local communities,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Their sacrifices make it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we have in our country, and they should all know how much we value and appreciate them.”
Veterans or service members may apply for the award online through Aug. 30. The application consists of both short-answer and essay questions covering two main focus areas: how the applicant has exhibited excellence in farming or agriculture, and how the applicant has impacted their community in a positive way.
Applications for the award submitted on behalf of worthy recipients also will be considered; if chosen, however, the recipient must be willing to be acknowledged publicly. Farm Bureau membership is not required to apply for the award.
The national award recipient will be recognized by AFBF in a variety of ways and should be -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page willing to share his or her story and represent the veteran farmer community.
The recipient of the 2024 AFBF Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence will be notified in midSeptember.
The award winner will be announced on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Complete details, including eligibility and requirements, are available online. Applications must be received by Aug. 30 for consideration.
GFA PICNIC ON THE FARM PROMISES FUN FOR EVERYONE
Are you looking for a fun outing suitable for families, couples, college students or a girls’ trip? Take a step back in time on Saturday, Sept. 14, with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture for its 2024 Picnic on the Farm at ABAC's Georgia Museum of Agriculture (GMA). Each year this unique picnic event explores a different aspect of Georgia agriculture at a special location. This year, the foundation is celebrating Georgia's agricultural history at the GMA in Tifton!
The picnic, set to run from 1 – 4 p.m., will feature picnic baskets packed with delicious Southern cuisine, actors dressed in period costumes doing historical craft demos, family-friendly games and activities, tours of the Historic Ag Village, a cash bar that includes wine slushies, and the chance to watch plein air painters capture the event as it happens. Megan Fowler, two-time Georgia Female Country Artist of the Year, will provide live music.
Tickets are $50 for students ages 21 and under, $75 general admission and $150 for VIP admission.
General admission and student tickets include a traditional southern picnic lunch, a picnic blanket to sit anywhere on the grounds, access to the museum and historic village (steam train, playground, exhibits and other museum attractions).
VIP tickets include regular ticket perks plus a designated picnic area, drink tickets, and early entry to the event at noon. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.gafoundationag.org/picnic24.
Event attire is comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities and walking on grassy or uneven terrain.
All event proceeds will benefit the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA). The GFA is committed to preparing the next generation of Georgia agricultural leaders for success. The GFA relies on events like this to raise funds and awareness for its projects. Visit www.gafoundationag.org to learn more about the foundation.
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UGA EXTENSION OFFERS CONTROL OPTIONS FOR FALL ARMYWORMS
By Lisa Baxter UGA Extension Forage Specialist
The fall armyworm is by far the most important caterpillar pest in pastures and hayfields. These pests can quickly decimate a field of any forage crop, often selecting higher quality material first. If not controlled, the armyworms can cause severe economic damage and total forage loss. Fall armyworms are being reported across the Southeastern U.S.
Identification
Small fall armyworms tend to stay down in the canopy during the day, and their feeding is less damaging and harder to see. The youngest larvae do not eat much but the mature larvae can eat more than all other ages put together. Large fall armyworms are fairly easy to find because of their size. They are typically most active in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler but will feed throughout the day. Most producers will identify fall armyworms at the fully grown larvae stage. They can be up to 1.5 inches long and are light green to nearly black with light and dark stripes that stretch horizontally along the body of the worm. One of their most distinct characteristics is an inverted Y-shape on the head of the worm.
Scouting for fall armyworms and their damage
Careful scouting is the best way to prevent economic losses. The University of Georgia Extension Service recommends using an insect sweep net to identify low populations of fall armyworms before significant feeding damage occurs. Sweep samples should be collected in the early in the morning and late in the afternoon when the fall armyworms are more prevalent. Some birds such as geese or cattle egrets may serve as an indicator of armyworm activity, but this is not always guaranteed especially in the Coastal Plains where the birds are always present.
Unfortunately, fall armyworms usually go unnoticed until feeding damage occurs. Damage can appear differently depending on the forage type and conditions. Fall armyworms prefer highquality, well-maintained forage and they will select high quality pastures and hayfields first. Most damage begins with ragged leaves or areas with stripped stems. In hayfields or pastures with tall growth, damage can be devastating with nearly all tender green vegetation being removed.
Damage may appear as thinned out grass and brown spots in overgrazed pastures which may be misdiagnosed as drought damage. The damaged patch will usually increase in size as the fall armyworm population builds. The brown color results from dehydration of plant tissues following fall armyworm feeding. Often the only vegetation left in the field after a severe fall armyworm infestation will be tough stems. Fall armyworm outbreaks are more prevalent during drought because some of their natural enemies are less active under these adverse conditions.
Prevention and Control
Textbook treatment thresholds are typically recommended at three fall armyworm larvae per square foot, but weather and forage demand may dictate a more conservative threshold. Harvesting a hay crop may be the best option for armyworm control if hay is close to cutting time and the fall armyworms are at the fully grown larvae stage.
If insecticides are required, be sure to follow all label instructions. Insecticides are labelled for -continued on next page
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Continued from previous page specific life stages of the fall armyworm. In general, small caterpillars are easier to control than larger ones and insecticides are only recommended when the fall armyworms are less than ¾” long. Several insecticides are available for young larva, but we should pay careful attention to grazing or harvesting restrictions related to these products. The products recommended for use in Georgia are listed in the graphic below. You may want to consider a residual control option. Products vary in their length of residual control and application cost, so you will need to determine the potential returns on this investment. For more specific insecticide recommendations for your area, please consult with your local Extension Agent.
NOTE: This article appeared in the July 18 edition of Morning Ag Clips
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GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR TO HOLD 35-HOUR FLASH SALE
2024 concert lineup unveiled
To celebrate its 35th anniversary, the Georgia National Fair is offering an exclusive 35-hour flash sale from July 25 at 9 a.m. to July 26 at 8 p.m.! For a limited time, you can purchase your fair ticket for only $10, allowing access to more than a million dollars' worth of entertainment!
This world-class fair features 21 incredible artists and bands, a dazzling circus, nightly fireworks, thrilling stunt shows, mind-blowing magic acts, adorable animal shows, premier livestock and horse shows, stunning fine art and photography exhibits, shopping, and so much more all for just $10 with the purchase of your Flash Sale ticket!
This unbeatable deal is only available online at www.georgianationalfair.com. Don’t miss out this is the best offer of the season!
The Georgia National Fair takes place from Oct. 3-13 in Perry. Regular price tickets will be available for purchase online and at the GNFA box office starting Sept. 3
For more information about the 35th Annual Georgia National Fair, visit www.georgianationalfair.com. Follow the fair on Facebook and Instagram @GeorgiaNationalFair for updates on the flash sale, new entertainment, special deals, and more!
The fair has also announced a powerhouse lineup of musical acts for 2024.
Headlining concerts are nightly at 7:30 p.m. and are located on the outdoor Georgia National Stage. Performers span all genres and eras, making concerts the perfect family-friendly event!
Here is the headline concert schedule: Oct. 3, Bellamy Brothers; Oct. 4, Josh Turner; Oct. 5, Grapevine; Oct. 6, Southside Worship; Oct. 7, West Love & The 478 Band; Oct. 8, Warrant; Oct. 9, Ginuwine; Oct. 10, Cooper Alan; Oct. 11, Yachtley Crew; Oct. 12, Purple Xperience; Oct. 13, Rumba Latina.
Check out the official Georgia National Fair playlist on Spotify featuring hits from this year’s artists including “Your Man” (Josh Turner), “Cherry Pie” (Warrant), “Differences” (Ginuwine), and so many more timeless hits! All Georgia National concerts are free with price of admission. Admission ranges from $10-$15. Seniors are just $10 every day and kids 10 and under are always free. Find the playlist, and learn more about fair entertainment, tickets, and deals at www.GeorgiaNationalFair.com
BRANTLEY INDUCTED INTO GA HEREFORD ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME
The Georgia Hereford Association (GHA) inducted lifelong cattle producer Bobby Brantley into its Georgia Hereford Hall of Fame during the Southeastern Regional Jr. Hereford Show held June 13-16 in Perry. Bill Sims of Commerce and Tommy Johnson of Warrenton nominated Brantley for the honor.
“Since meeting Bobby, he has been like a second father to me and helped me get started in the polled Hereford business,” Johnson said. “He has always been very helpful when I had a question or needed to know something. Bobby has always supported sales put on by the Georgia Hereford Association, and he served on the Georgia Hereford Association Board. Bobby has always tried to -continued on next page
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help anyone who called on him in any way he could and is very honest and trustworthy.”
Brantley, who is a Washington County Farm Bureau director, began raising cattle as an eightyear-old when his dad gave him a heifer in 1947. He raised commercial cattle for years. Then in 1980, he sold off part of his commercial herd and bought five registered polled Herefords to begin his seedstock Hereford herd. Since then, Brantley has raised heifers and bulls that other Hereford producers buy to improve the genetics of their herds.
In addition to being a member of the GHA, Brantley has been active in the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association since the 1960s and served as president of the Washington County Cattlemen’s Association for more than 10 years. He has served on the Georgia Farm Bureau Beef Advisory Committee and is a member of the National Cattlemen’s Association.
Through the years, Brantley has hosted interested adults and children to visit his Double B Farms near Tennille to learn more about Herefords and raising cattle. He has spoken to numerous civic clubs to educate “city folk” about the cattle business. He has also served on the advisory boards of the Washington County FFA and 4-H/Extension.
The GHA established its hall of fame in 2004 according to Diann Strickland, chairman of the association’s hall of fame committee. A plaque with the names of the Georgia Hereford Association Hall of Fame members is located at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA) Court of Honor. You can find the Court of Honor east of the GNFA clocktower in the middle of the paved walkway between the Multipurpose Livestock Exhibit Building (located behind/east of the Foster Rhodes Beef & Dairy Arena) and the Covered Horse Arena (behind/east of Reaves Arena).
Members of the GHA interested in nominating a Hereford producer for the GHA Hall of Fame may contact Strickland at 912-288-0024. Nominees must have been a member of the GHA for a minimum of five years and have two GHA association members submit a letter of nomination.
GCC SEEKS NOMINEES FOR COTTON LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
In July, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will convene a caucus of certified producer organizations representing cotton producers in Georgia to nominate individuals to serve as members and alternates on the Cotton Board, which administers the Cotton Research & Promotion Program, for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025, as current board members’ terms expire on Dec. 31, 2024.
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) is seeking nominees for vacant positions. The GCC is focused on helping the USDA fully realize its commitment to ensure that boards reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies and other distinguishing factors, including by not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities.
In addition, the GCC is seeking nominees to represent Georgia as delegates and alternates to the National Cotton Council of America, board members and alternates to Cotton Incorporated, and board members of Southern Cotton Growers. Each of these organizations serves cotton producers and the overall industry in unique ways and requires well-rounded producer leaders to creatively ensure that each organization accomplishes their aims and purposes. Interested individuals should email the GCC office at info@georgiacotton.org
FINANCIAL WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNING & UNDERSERVED FARMERS
July 26 Jackson Co. Ag Facility 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Jefferson Are Your Farm Finances on Course? As a farmer (and CEO of your business), managing your finances can be a challenge, but for long-term success, it is the most important thing you do. AGAware Workshops give you the necessary tools to keep better records and know your profit margins so that you can make informed farming decisions. You’ll gain a fundamental understanding of balance sheets, income statements, business planning, risk management, accrual income, financing, Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Small Business Administration programs, and more. Additionally, attendees will earn FSA Direct Borrower Training Credits. To register, click here
AGL ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS, APPLICATIONS
July 31 deadline to apply
Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry (AGL) is accepting nominations and applications for its 2025-2026 class through July 31. AGL is an adult leadership development program for professionals in agriculture, forestry, natural resources and allied sectors. The program aims to educate, empower and connect individuals to become more dynamic leaders in their industry. AGL is a two-year commitment that includes five Georgia institutes, one Washington, D.C. institute and an international tour. Visit https://site.caes.uga.edu/agl/ to apply or learn more.
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SWEET CORN & PEPPER CROP INSURANCE
July 31 deadline to enroll/renew
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia fresh market sweet corn and pepper growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2025 crop year is July 31. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the July 31 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 fresh market sweet corn in Colquitt, Decatur, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Tift, and Worth counties. Coverage is also available for peppers in Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Thomas, Tift, Ware, and Worth counties. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2025 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.
UGA MIDVILLE AGRONOMIC FIELD DAY
Aug. 7 UGA Southeast Research & Education Center 9 a.m. Midville
This annual event is an open-house tour of UGA research projects on cotton, peanuts, soybeans, corn, small grains and cover crops. Topics include variety selection, insect management, disease management and weed management, a seeding drone demo and precision ag recommendations. To register, click here.
REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES FOR BEEF CATTLE CONFERENCE
Sept. 4 &5
Classic Center Athens
The Beef Reproduction Task Force, a multi-disciplinary group formed by research and Extension faculty members from universities across the U.S. with a focus on beef cattle reproduction, management and reproductive technologies, is hosting this conference. Workshop topics will include: using reproductive technology to increase profitability, strategies to maximize production using natural service, cow herd nutrition: impact on subsequent fertility and offspring performance, implementing estrus synchronization plan for small & large herds, factors that influence pregnancy success in embryo transfer programs, impact of temperature & stress on reproductive efficiency, nutritional management of heifers. For more information or to register click here.
(https://beefrepro.org/arsbc/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3NDhSuMdVmn3Uw8axCldJYS3k16znnJAIqAfLr9H94nWK1gnd8H54u9Q_aem_eLCAlV6Qu2zKw0X2-9Y5vg)
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GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE PICNIC ON THE FARM
Sept. 14 Georgia Museum of Agriculture
1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Tifton
Take a step back in time with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture at ABAC's Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton for its 2024 Picnic on the Farm. Each year this unique “pop-up” picnic event explores Georgia agriculture throughout the state at a different location. This year, the foundation is celebrating Georgia's agricultural history at the GMA! The picnic will feature Southern Fixins’ picnic baskets, an immersive art experience, live history actors, historical crafts demos, live music by Megan Fowler, family friendly activities, tours of the Historic Ag Village, a cash bar and Plein Air painters. Tickets are $50 for students ages 21 and under, $75 general admission and $150 for VIP admission. To buy tickets, click here.
36TH ANNUAL GEORGIA PEANUT TOUR
Sept. 17-19
Various locations
Americus
The tour offers the latest information on peanuts while giving a firsthand view of industry infrastructure from production and handling to processing and utilization. Tour stops will be made in several peanut-producing counties in South Georgia. Attendees can expect to see nearly every aspect of peanut production in the state. This year’s tour includes many exciting stops including on-farm harvest demonstrations and clinics, as well as research at the University of Georgia Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center and the USDA-ARS National Peanut Research Lab. For specific tour info or details, contact David West at 229-386-3475. Registration is $125 until Aug. 2 and $150 after. Visit www.georgiapeanuttour.com for more info. To register, click here
HEREFORDS IN THE COVE
Aug. 3
Walker Co. Civic Center & Ag Center
Rock Springs
Onsite registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. Program begins at 2 p.m. Topics to be covered include Understanding EPDs; Hereford research that pertains to the South; Feeding cattle to become freezer vs. replacement heifers & bulls; How to bring the next generation back to the farm. Event will include a program for Jr. Hereford members. There will also be a social hour and meal along with entertainment and an auction. Cost is $25/person for those ages 10 & up. Cost is $10 for those under 10. For more information about this event, contact Wes Smith at 706-601-9527 or Cody Cleveland at 229-254-0399. If attending, please RSVP to Cody Cleveland. For information about the Jr. Hereford program, please contact Shelly McQuaid at 229-402-7232. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hampton Inn in Ringgold 706-935-4800 for a rate of $119/night plus tax.
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GACD ANNUAL MEETING
Aug. 4-6 Chateau Elan Resort Braselton
GACD’s Annual Meeting provides a conversation platform for Conservation Districts and likeminded resource conservation partners to share updates. Georgia’s 40 Conservation Districts are units of state government that provide locally-driven conservation solutions across the state. Meeting attendees include state and federal agencies representing all counties of Georgia. Registration until July 26 is $425. Click here to register. (https://form.jotform.com/241235580036147)
FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP AND TRAPPING DEMONSTRATION
Aug. 20 Burke County Office Park Auditorium, 715 W. 6th St. 5 p.m. Waynesboro
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. A meal will be provided and 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. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited and re-registration is required. More details and registration information are available at www.GACD.us/events
GEORGIA AG LABOR RELATIONS FORUM
Aug. 20-21 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton
The Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum offers a comprehensive two-day program of updates and discussions tailored for agricultural employers. About this event: This event brings together regulators and renowned experts from the ag labor industry. The forum's format and design encourage active engagement, enabling ag employers, HR managers, and administrators to collaboratively tackle the ongoing and dynamic challenge of securing and sustaining a reliable workforce within a complex regulatory landscape. Who should attend: Owners, operators, office managers, personnel managers and service providers for the produce, nursery, landscape, dairy, cotton, and any other agricultural professional dealing with agricultural labor relations. To register, click here
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KEL-MAC SADDLE CLUB HORSE SHOWS
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.
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://ugeorgi a.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.
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.
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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 2023 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.