Georgia Farm Bureau's Oct. 23 GFB Field Notes

Page 1

October 23, 2019

www.gfb.org

Vol. 1 No. 8

U.S., CHINA MOVE FORWARD IN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS The Trump administration announced an agreement in principle with China in what was referred to as “phase one” of a trade deal that addresses several trade topics, among them exports of U.S. agricultural products to China. President Donald Trump said the two countries are in the process of committing the agreement to writing and that it could be signed as soon as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative Summit in Santiago, Chile, which both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to attend in mid-November. Trump held an Oct. 10 press conference with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He following a principal-level negotiating round between U.S. cabinet officials and their Chinese counterparts held in Washington, D.C. Trump said the deal includes provisions for China’s annual purchases of U.S. agricultural products to increase to between $40 billion and $50 billion within two years. “I’d suggest the farmers have to go and immediately buy more land and get bigger tractors,” Trump said, noting that Chinese buyers have already ramped up purchases of U.S. soybeans. A statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce called the discussions constructive and that the two countries “gained substantive progress” on agriculture, intellectual property, exchange rate and financial services, expanding trade cooperation, technology transfer and dispute settlement. Trump also indicated the U.S. would suspend further escalation of tariffs on imported Chinese goods. In addition to increased purchases, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the agreement updates sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules and biotechnology rules in ways that will make it easier for American farmers to ship their products to Chinese buyers. The American Soybean Association (ASA) expressed hope that the phase one agreement is an indication of de-escalation in the U.S.-China trade war. “While it is good news to hear the United States and China have reached a partial agreement in this conflict, ASA is still awaiting additional information on the initial agreement and the potential impact on U.S. soy growers,” the ASA said in a prepared statement. “ASA remains hopeful this is a step toward rescinding the tariffs and helping restore certainty and stability to the soy industry.”


GFB Field Notes page 2 of 12 GEORGIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL: BEWARE OF FAKE CENSUS TAKERS Following reports from Indiana and Oklahoma of people posing as United States Census takers visiting poultry farms and attempting to take photos of the farm operations, the Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) reported that a Georgia broiler farm was the subject of a similar attempt. The Georgia grower took appropriate action, denying access to the fake census takers and requested that they leave the farm immediately. The GAC warned that the fake census takers did not identify who they truly work for, and it is believed that they are employed by anti-animal agriculture organizations. The GAC recommended that other poultry growers, as well as dairy farmers, be notified of these activities. Here are some tips from the Animal Agriculture Alliance (https://www.animalagalliance.org) on how to verify if an individual is a Census Bureau employee: • The field representative will present an ID badge that includes: Their name, their photograph, a Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. • A field representative will be carrying an official bag with the Census Bureau logo or a laptop for conducting the survey. • The field representative will provide you with a letter from the Census Bureau on official letterhead stating why they are visiting your residence. • Field representatives conduct their work between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., local time. • Upon request, the field representative will provide you with their supervisor’s contact information and/or the phone number for your Census Bureau Regional Office. The Regional Office supervises the activities of all field representatives in your area. • To independently confirm that the person at your door is a Census Bureau employee, you can enter their name in the Census Bureau’s staff search website (https://www.census.gov/cgibin/main/email.cgi), or contact the Regional Office for your state (https://www.census.gov/about/regions.html). 44TH ANNUAL GA PEANUT FARM SHOW & CONFERENCE SET FOR JAN. 16, 2020 Don't miss out on the 44th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show & Conference, set for Jan. 16, 2020, at the UGA-Tifton Campus Conference Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Peanut farmers and those involved in the peanut industry will be able to learn more about the latest products, services and peanut research at the show, which is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission. More than 1,400 farmers are expected to attend and see more than 100 exhibits in the peanut industry. The event features the UGA Peanut Production Seminars and the industry-sponsored Peanut Seed Seminar, as well as the annual awards ceremony and door prizes for farmers. The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold a blood drive through OneBlood during the show. January is Blood Donor Month, so help save a life by donating during Farm Show. All donors receive a FREE gift and wellness screening including cholesterol, iron and blood pressure check. Give the gift of life - donate blood! Donors can stop by the blood mobile bus any time during the show. Exhibit space is still available and the deadline for the early-bird rate is Nov. 8. For more information visit https://gfb.ag/20GAPnutFarmShow or contact Hannah Jones at 229-386-3470 or hannah@gapeanuts.com.


GFB Field Notes page 3 of 12 EXPO SHOW GOES ON DESPITE THREAT OF WELCOME RAIN Rainy weather threatened to washout opening day of the 42nd Annual Sunbelt Expo on Oct. 15, but as it turned out, it didn’t rain on the show’s antique tractor parade or the day’s festivities. Attendees had raincoats and umbrellas handy, but they were only needed for a brief period of time early Tuesday. No one complained about the threat of rain as Georgia farmers need rain to quench drought conditions covering the state. Weather for the last two days of Expo were excellent. The damp conditions probably helped convince farmers to leave their fields to head to Expo and talk to some of the more than 1,200 exhibitors displaying farm equipment and supplies. Most of the Expo field demonstrations had to be put on hold Tuesday and Wednesday due to wet field conditions but were in full swing by Thursday with the exception of peanuts. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, members of the Georgia Grown team and Sunbelt Expo staff cut the ribbon for the Georgia Grown Marketplace housed in Expo’s Family Living Center. More than 30 exhibitors who market their Georgia-made products under the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown brand, had booths selling everything from jellies to bedsheets made with Georgia cotton. “What you are celebrating here today is that a lot of people had a dream. They’ve been making products that people have been telling them they ought to sell, and they followed that dream,” said Commissioner Black. “The Georgia Grown brand is about people being willing to dream and the partnerships between the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences’s Flavor of Georgia Contest and our department to highlight and market these businesses.” The Georgia Grown Marketplace included a cooking stage that hosted twice-daily cooking demos. First Lady Marty Kemp and Georgia Grown Executive Chef Holly Chute kicked the day off by showing breakfast doesn't have to be boring as they cooked Kale, Apple, Bacon & Egg White Breakfast Burritos. The recipe featured Georgia Grown or made products with kale from Baker Farms, bacon from Carroll’s Sausage, Jaemor Farms’ apples, Bootlikker Hot Sauce and tortillas made by Ole Mexican Foods, a Georgia-based company. Marty Kemp has made promoting the Georgia Grown program and Georgia ag products her primary platform as Georgia’s first lady. Expo also gained a new partner for its Sustainable Living Center, which highlights proper management of small farms and backyard gardens. Flint River Fresh, which is supported by the Flint River Soil & Water Conservation District (FRSWCD), used the center to highlight the work it’s doing to teach residents of urban areas who live in food deserts how to grow their own food. Representatives of Expo, Flint River Fresh, the Georgia Natural Resources Conservation Service and FRSWCD participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the new partnership. Flint River Fresh Executive Director Fredando Jackson, known as “Farmer Fredo,” and other program representatives were on hand throughout Expo to discuss the non-profit organization's mission to teach residents how to grow food. Over the three-day event, gardening experts delivered seminars on various types of irrigation systems for gardens, using two-wheel, walk behind tractors in small plots and soil testing. North Carolina displayed the best of its farms from the Mountains to the Sea and the diversity of its agriculture as the 2019 Expo Spotlight State. North Carolina Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten welcomed Expo attendees to the ribbon cutting for the state exhibit saying agriculture is -continued on next page


GFB Field Notes page 4 of 12 Continued from previous page North Carolina’s top industry and contributes $98.1 billion to the state's economy. North Carolina utilized virtual reality glasses and high-def TV screens to help Expo visitors experience beekeeping, raising pigs and growing row crops, including tobacco. Howling Cow ice cream made at NC State University was a big draw. Gov. Brian Kemp spoke at the Sunbelt Expo Farmer of the Year lunch saying, “Agriculture is the fabric of our state. It’s what keeps our economy diverse and makes our state a great state to raise our families.” In reference to all of the farmers at the lunch and show, Kemp said, “You are the heart and soul of our state and the Southeast United States. You are why we’re able to feed and clothe the world.” Rep. Robert Dickey, a peach, pecan and timber farmer from Crawford County, represented Georgia in the Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Contest. Michael McDowell, who raises registered Angus cattle and forages on a 1,200-acre farm in Virginia won the 30th Annual Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award. In addition to farming, McDowell is also a full-time pastor. “I think farmers are closer to God than any other profession. We’ve come to realize God is in control. We’ve come to realize there will be rain after drought and spring after winter,” McDowell said while accepting the award. For the first time in Expo history, all of the contestants in the show’s annual Milking Contest were women. Staff from the ag schools at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and the Universities of Auburn, Florida and Georgia competed against each other for bragging rights. Georgia had two contestants in the Expo Milking Contest – UGA’s Assistant Professor Jillian Bohlen, who teaches in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences’ Animal & Dairy Science Department and Allison Miller, a lecturer of animal science at ABAC’s School of Agriculture & Natural Resources. First place went to Florida Regional Extension Coordinator Colleen Larson who milked 1,020 milliliters. UGA’s Bohlen captured second place by milking 560 milliliters. Smitherman, senior manager of human resources at Auburn’s College of Agriculture, took third place with 480 milliliters while ABAC’s Miller was right behind her with 460 milliliters for fourth place. MOTORISTS, FARMERS ADVISED TO BE VIGILANT ON THE ROAD Colquitt County Farm Bureau member Jody Redding vividly remembers driving his tractor across a bridge, a seed drill in tow, when a tractor-trailer rig rapidly approached from the other direction. Only divine intervention, it seemed, prevented a catastrophic accident. “I didn’t think it was going to be able to stop in time,” said Redding, a field representative for Sen. Johnny Isakson. “I couldn’t have put my boot between my front tire and his front tire.” Redding acknowledged that he was fortunate, but too many times slow-moving farm vehicles end up in crashes with faster vehicles. Between 2014 and 2018, there were nearly 2,200 crashes in Georgia involving farm or construction vehicles, according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). In those accidents, 28 people died and 875 were injured. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the number of crashes involving farm and construction -continued on next page


GFB Field Notes page 5 of 12 Continued from previous page vehicles in Georgia has increased by 27 percent over the last five years. The GOHS, Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) held a joint press conference on Oct. 15 during Sunbelt Ag Expo to urge Georgia motorists and farmers to exercise vigilance on the road, particularly during harvest, when more farm vehicles must use roads to move between fields. GFB President Gerald Long noted that the margins for error on the roads have diminished. “In many cases, the roads are the same size as they’ve always been,” Long said. “Our farm equipment has gotten much bigger.” The GOHS and Department of Agriculture are pushing for increased road awareness with their “Increase Our Yield Behind the Wheel” campaign, asking drivers to reduce speed when approaching farm vehicles on the road and only pass in designated passing zones. “Too many people like to speed and drive distracted in rural areas because there are generally fewer vehicles traveling on these roads,” Allen Poole, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety said. “But rural roads are where our farmers work, and drivers need to obey the speed limit and watch the road so they can slow down and safely pass these vehicles.” While drivers are being encouraged to drive with care in rural areas, farmers should make sure their vehicles are properly marked and all safety equipment is working properly before getting on the road. Georgia law requires all farm vehicles and wagons on the road to have orange triangle-shaped signs. These signs let other drivers on the road know that the vehicle or wagon is traveling at a speed that is significantly slower than normal flow of traffic. “With the farming community and the driving public working together, we can prevent these crashes and ensure our farm workers can continue to do their jobs of getting food to our tables safely,” Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said. SEEDING RURAL RESILIENCE ACT TO HELP FARMERS COMBAT STRESS Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the Seeding Rural Resilience Act (S.2599), which is designed to help farmers respond to stress and decrease the stigma associated with mental health care in rural communities. According to a the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in April 2019, a strong majority of farmers and farmworkers say financial issues (91%), farm or business problems (88%) and fear of losing the farm (87%) impact the mental health of farmers and ranchers, and nearly half of rural adults (48%) say they are experiencing more mental health challenges than they were a year ago. The bill would implement an employee training program that requires the USDA to provide voluntary stress management training to Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service employees who work with farmers. The bill would form a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and USDA to create a $3 million public service announcement campaign to increase public awareness of farm and ranch stress and destigmatize mental health care in rural communities. The full text of the Seeding Rural Resilience Act is available at https://gfb.ag/19SRRAtext. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK, or 1-800-273-8255.


GFB Field Notes page 6 of 12 AFBF RELEASES MILK PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS The American Farm Bureau Federation released a proposal for the future of U.S. milk-pricing provisions and marketing-order reform on Oct. 21. The recommendations aim to bring more democracy and a more equitable program for all dairy farmers. Although federal milk marketing orders (FMMOs) have been a pillar of the dairy industry for more than 80 years, the program has not undergone substantial change in nearly two decades. A working group consisting of Farm Bureau grassroots leaders and other contributors from the Farm Bureau family prepared the report after broad consultation with industry and academia. The Farm Bureau Federal Milk Marketing Order Working Group recommendations are contained in the report “Priorities, Principles and Policy Considerations for FMMO Reform.” Key recommendations would: • Give every dairy farmer a voice by eliminating the ability of co-ops to vote on behalf of member-producers on changes to federal milk marketing orders (bloc voting); • Improve risk sharing across the supply chain in the product pricing formulas by adjusting the “make allowance” (a fixed deduction or credit for processing milk into finished dairy products) to be variable on a commodity-by-commodity basis; • Collect more robust pricing information by significantly expanding the Agriculture Department’s mandatory price reporting survey; and • Simplify milk pricing rules in the Southeast by aligning the qualifying criteria for pooling and eliminating transportation subsidies. Farm Bureau leaders will convene in January at the AFBF Convention to consider and vote on these priorities and policy recommendations. Based on the outcome, Farm Bureau staff will work with stakeholders in the dairy industry and policymakers to advance the recommendations. The working group was formed in January 2019 when AFBF’s voting delegates recommended the formation of a dairy task force to review methods to restructure and modernize the current FMMO system. FLORIDA, GEORGIA TAKE WATER CASE BEFORE SPECIAL MASTER NOV. 7 Note: This article ran in the Oct. 10 GFB Field Notes, at which time we had not learned the hearing was moved from Oct. 17 to Nov. 7. On Nov. 7, representatives of Florida and Georgia will each have 45 minutes to present their state’s case to Special Master Paul Kelly regarding the Florida-Georgia water lawsuit. In the suit Florida filed against Georgia in the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013, Florida claims overuse of water by Georgia resulted in diminished fresh water downstream in the Apalachicola River and ultimately the Apalachicola Bay, causing harm to the oyster industry there. Georgia contends that overfishing resulted in the oyster losses. “Judge Kelly is expected to issue his ruling in late winter to early spring, so the earliest the U.S. Supreme Court will get the case is in 2020. I expect a decision from the Supreme Court in early 2021,” Georgia Environmental Protection Division Rick Dunn said while giving a status update on the suit at the Georgia Joint Agriculture Committee Chairmen Ag Issues Summit held Sept. 27 in Perry. The Supreme Court appointed Kelly, a judge with the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Mexico, as special master to the case Aug. 9, 2018, after original special master Ralph Lancaster -continued on next page


GFB Field Notes page 7 of 12 Continued from previous page asked to be removed. Lancaster subsequently died in January. Lancaster recommended in 2017 that the court dismiss the case because Florida failed to show that imposing a cap on Georgia’s water use from the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers would provide the relief Florida was seeking. Lancaster noted that he could not provide sufficient relief to Florida because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which controls flows on the Flint and Chattahoochee, was not a party to the lawsuit. The Supreme Court sent the case back to Lancaster noting that he applied too strict a standard in concluding that Florida failed to demonstrate that the Supreme Court could reach a fair ruling. Dunn highlighted the questions Kelly has asked the states to answer: 1) Has Florida suffered harm as a result of decreased water flows? 2) Has Florida shown Georgia has taken more than its fair share from the Chattahoochee & Flint River Basins? 3) Has Georgia’s water use harmed Florida? 4) Would a cap on Georgia’s water use lead to increased flow to Florida? 5) How much would a cap on Georgia’s water use harm Georgia? Since 2004 Georgia has been collecting water use data on ag irrigation pivots in Southwest Georgia. “The [irrigation] mapping efforts and water data collected is helping us determine that some of the numbers Florida has thrown out are not real,” said Cliff Lewis, who works with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s ag water permitting and metering programs. “We’ve determined there’s not the significant amount of irrigation happening in some areas that Florida claimed there are.” Marjie Dickey, EPD ag water project manager, outlined steps the agency has taken to ensure the meters are in place and in good working order. “We want to make sure we have the most accurate data possible,” Dickey said. Georgia Rep. Tom McCall praised the water metering program for showing farmers are using water responsibly as they irrigate their crops. “I know there was some heartburn by farmers when we started putting meters on 15 years ago, but without the data we have collected we would be in a whole lot worse shape with Florida than we are now,” McCall said. “This was one of the best things we’ve done [to protect farmers’ right to water].” GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR ATTENDANCE TOPS 565,000 The Georgia National Fair set multiple attendance records during its run October 3-13. Attendance totaled 565,533 over the 11-day run of the 30th Anniversary Georgia National Fair, a new overall record and a 5% increase over 2016, when the fair drew 536,840 visitors. In addition, the fair broke single-day attendance records. Oct. 10 (66,314), Oct. 11 (74,199) and Oct. 12 (96,910) were the highest-attended days in the history of the fair. “Our mission for the 30th Anniversary Fair was to offer something for everyone in the family to come and enjoy each and every day,” said Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Executive Director Stephen Shimp. “We offered more discounted admission days, promotional offers via our food vendors, 11 free concerts and the list goes on. In addition to the 30th anniversary celebrations we had wonderful weather during the second half of our event which encouraged fair -continued on next page


GFB Field Notes page 8 of 12 Continued from previous page goers to come and enjoy the fall festivities.” Georgia Farm Bureau’s partnership with the Georgia National Fair allowed patrons to attend all the concerts with no additional cost to regular fair admission. This year the main focus centered on celebrating 30 years of family fun and the fair did it in a big way. In addition to a new concert lineup the fair offered more than $750,000 in free entertainment for all ages to enjoy during those 11 days. Livestock competitions, the Georgia Living Program, the Baby Barn exhibit, school groups, rallies, and the traditional components such as the Midway rides and food vendors all offered a unique perspective to those who visited the Fairgrounds. The 31st Annual Georgia National Fair is scheduled for Oct. 8-18, 2020. For more information about the fair, visit www.georgianationalfair.com. GEORGIA’S NEWEST CENTENNIAL FARMS HONORED AT GA NATIONAL FAIR Seventeen family farms were honored during the 26th Annual Georgia Centennial Farm Awards Ceremony at the Georgia National Fair in Perry. Farm owners and their historic properties were recognized in an event hosted by the Georgia Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Farm Bureau Federation, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia EMC, Georgia Forestry Commission, and Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, on the first day of the 2019 Georgia National Fair. Farms hold a central role in the heritage of our state, having formed the economic, cultural, and family foundation for generations of Georgians. All farms earning recognition have continuously operated for 100 years or more. More than 565 farms have been recognized through the Georgia Centennial Farm Program since its inception in 1993. Recognition is given to farm owners through one of three distinguished awards: the Centennial Heritage Farm Award honors farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more and listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Centennial Farm Award does not require continual family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old and listed in the NRHP. The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are not listed in the NRHP. This year’s honorees: 2019 Centennial Farm Awards - Lamb Family Farm, Candler County. 2019 Centennial Family Farm Awards - Chambers Family Farm, Banks County; Benjamin, David and Annie Brannen Nessmith Family Farm, Bulloch County; Bell Plantation, Calhoun County; Edwards Family Farm, Cherokee County; W.T. Willis Homeplace, Colquitt County; Moss Farms Inc., Colquitt County; W.P. Sloan, Sr. Farm, Colquitt County; Fort Padgett, Cook County; Blevins Farm, Dade County; Gaines Place/Eavenson’s Farm, Elbert County; Green-Pettit Family Farm, Hall County; Pretty Pond Plantation, Inc., Mitchell County; Thompson Farms, Richmond County; Mayo Cattle Company, Stewart County; Jimmy F. Daniels Farm, Sumter County and Wiley Farm, Walton County. Anyone interested in nominating a farm for recognition should visit www.georgiacentennialfarms.org to download an application or contact Allison Asbrock at 770389-7868 or allison.asbrock@dnr.ga.gov. The postmark deadline for applications is May 1 each year.


GFB Field Notes page 9 of 12 NASS UPDATES CROP PRODUCTION FORECAST Georgia corn and cotton growers are still forecast for significant production gains while the state’s peanut, soybean and tobacco production are forecast for declines in the October Crop Production Report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) NASS revised its corn area planted for all purposes in Georgia up to 390,000 acres, a 10,000 acre increase from September’s forecast. With yield forecast at 168 bushels per acre, corn for grain production is at 58.0 million bushels, up 16% from 2018. NASS’ forecast cotton production for 2019 remains at 2.70 million bales, up 38% from last year. Georgia peanut production is forecast to fall to 2.77 billion pounds, down 4% from 2018. Soybean planted acreage is revised down 10,000 acres to 100,000 acres, the lowest since 1959. Yield at 28 bushels per acre is down 5 bushels from last month and if realized will be the lowest since 2011. Soybean production is forecast at 2.66 million bushels, down 48% from 2018 and the lowest production since 1963. Tobacco production remains at 18.0 million pounds, down 24% from last year. Pecan production is forecast at 76 million pounds, an increase of 9% from last year. EPA PROPOSED RFS RULEMAKING DRAWS CRITICISM FROM AG GROUPS Less than two weeks after the Trump administration’s well-received promise to address the devastating impact small refinery exemption (SRE) waivers were having on renewable fuel demand, the EPA on Oct. 15 released a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking for the Renewable Fuel Standard program, which received a much less favorable response. EPA’s initial statement, in which Administrator Andrew Wheeler said farmers could count on the 15-billion-gallon ethanol requirement for 2020 under the RFS statute, was somewhat vague, but still widely interpreted by the biofuel and agriculture industries as a step in the right direction. A week and a half later, many of the same groups that had applauded the administration’s RFS efforts were expressing consternation at the agency’s actual proposed plan. The consensus among the industry is this plan did not reflect the original announcement to project SREs in future years by using a three-year average of past SRE allocations, and instead proposed weighting SREs by partial exemption recommendations made by Department of Energy scores – ultimately likely to reduce SRE projections and undermine the compromise between the biofuel and crude oil sectors weeks ago. This recent proposal falls short of EPA’s initial announcement by not adequately addressing the harm caused by the SREs, and it is understandable that so many are frustrated by what now appears to be a bait and switch. The U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard includes a provision to temporarily exempt small refineries from their renewable fuel volume obligations. A small refinery is defined as having an average crude oil input of less than 75,000 barrels per day. Refiners submit a petition for exemption to EPA. The agency may grant the permit only if, using evidence provided in the petition for exemption, it determines that “disproportionate economic hardship” exists for the refinery in that year. Congress provided all small refineries with a temporary exemption from the RFS from 2007 through 2010, and that exemption was later extended by two years in connection with a DOE study on the issue. The supplemental notice does not change the proposed RFS volumes for 2020 and 2021. Instead -continued on next page


GFB Field Notes page 10 of 12 Continued from previous page it seeks comment on adjustments to the way annual renewable fuel percentages are calculated. The initial announcement hinted that EPA would project the volume of gasoline and diesel that would be exempt in 2020 due to small refinery exemption based on a three-year rolling average of exemptions. While the three-year average would not totally reallocate the lost gallons, it was a step in the right direction and was supported by the biofuels and agricultural industry stakeholders. The biofuel and agriculture industries’ attitude changed from one of praise in anticipation of the administration’s expected action to address the harm caused by SREs, to outright dismay less than two weeks later when EPA released its supplemental notice. By proposing to utilize DOErecommended exemptions instead of actual exemptions in accounting for the billions of gallons of ethanol lost to SREs, this fix does little to restore the demand destruction caused by SREs and further undermines the RFS. Many in the industry feel that this supplemental notice was equivalent to a bait and switch and does not live up to the promises made in the administration’s initial announcement. The next step in this process is for biofuel and agricultural industry stakeholders to engage with the EPA through the public comment process which is expected to open soon and close at the end of November. Following the public comment period, EPA will issue updated standards for 2020 and 2021 RVOs – one that many in the biofuels and agriculture industry – including corn-state lawmakers -- hope will revert back to original balanced approach to account for SREs by fully capturing historical SREs granted. To read AFBF’s full Market Intel report on the EPA’s supplemental notice, visit https://gfb.ag/19RFSsuppnotice.


GFB Field Notes page 11 of 12 ENHANCING FARM DIVERSITY FOR PEST MANAGEMENT Nov. 6 Gwinnett Technical College 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lawrenceville Learn more about the common natural predators and parasitoids that eat crop pests, and how improving predator habitat can improve crop production. Gwinnett Technical College is located at 5150 Sugarloaf Pkwy. The workshop is in Building 200, Room 104. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 30. Space is limited, so register early! Please register online at https://tinyurl.com/GANRCSIPM. ENTER GFB HAY CONTEST, SUBMIT INFO FOR HAY DIRECTORY BY OCT. 31 Georgia Farm Bureau is calling all members who grow Bermudagrass hay to enter its annual hay contest by Oct. 31! Hay entered in the 2019 GFB Quality 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 the hay. For contest rules and to access the entry form, visit www.gfb.ag/haycontest. GFB is also 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 participate, complete a submission form by visiting your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. For more information about the contest contact Jeremy Taylor in the GFB Public Policy Department at jrtaylor@gfb.org. PLANTING FOR POLLINATION & PEST MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP Nov. 4 Georgia NRCS office, 705 College Ave. 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Blackshear Learn how planting for pollinators also supports natural enemies (predators & parasitoids) of crop pests. Lunch is included, but pre-registration is required by Oct. 31. Space is limited, so register early! Register by phone at (912) 449-5303 Ext. 3 or email Kaitlin.McClellan@gacd.us. AG LABOR RELATIONS FORUM Nov. 5-6 UGA-Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Sponsored in part by Georgia Farm Bureau, this event offers producers information about employing agricultural laborers, including how to navigate the federal H-2A visa program and how to comply with various laws governing agricultural labor use. Visit www.georgiaaglaborforum.com for more information or to register. GFB ACCEPTING RENEWALS, NEW APPLICATIONS FOR CFM PROGRAM Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting applications for new member farms and renewals for existing ones in the 2020 Certified Farm Market program. The purpose of the Certified Farm Market program is to directly connect consumers to farmers and provide specialized support to farmers who sell directly to consumers and welcome the public to see their farm operation in person. The deadline to join or renew is Nov. 15. To learn more, visit www.gfb.ag/cfmfarmer or contact GFB CFM Coordinator Kelly Thompson at kathompson@gfb.org.


GFB Field Notes page 12 of 12 CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE NEARS FOR PRF, HONEY PRODUCERS Georgia forage, livestock and honey producers have until Nov. 15 to apply for crop insurance coverage or make changes to existing coverage. Acreage intended for grazing and hay is insurable under the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) program. Colonies of bees are insurable under the Apiculture program. The PRF and Apiculture programs fall under the Rainfall Index insurance plan and coverage is available in all Georgia counties for both programs. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2020 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers by visiting the RMA agent locator at www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov. CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE NEARS FOR GEORGIA FRUIT PRODUCERS Georgia farmers who produce apples, blueberries and peaches have until Nov. 20 to apply for crop insurance coverage or make changes to their existing coverage. 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 apples in Fannin, Gilmer and Rabun counties. Coverage is available for blueberries in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Brantley, Burke, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Long, Pierce Ware and Wayne counties. Coverage is available for peaches in Bacon, Banks, Bleckley, Brooks, Crawford, Dooly, Hall, Henry, Macon, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Oconee, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Schley and Taylor counties. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered. Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2020 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers by visiting the RMA agent locator at www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov. FFA ALUMNI/DAWSON COUNTY FARM BUREAU TRACTOR SHOW & AG DAY Nov. 23 Tractor Supply 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dawsonville This event provides support for the Dawson High School FFA Chapter. Trophies will be awarded for Best in Show and FFA Favorite. All tractors and all vendor booths will need to be in place by 9 a.m. the day of the event. Contact Tammy Wood at Dawson County Farm Bureau for tractor reservations at 706-265-3350 or tewood@gfb.org. Drive-ups welcome, but advance reservations are preferred. To reserve vendor booths contact Kim Glaze at 706-265-6555, kim.glaze@newname.cc or kpankey@dawson.k12.ga.us.


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