November 26, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 47
AFBF: THANKSGIVING MEAL COST INCREASES LESS THAN 1 PERCENT The national average cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 10 increased less than 1 percent this year from last, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 29th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey. The informal survey, conducted from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 by 179 volunteer shoppers from 35 states, shows the national retail cost of menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner is $49.41, a 37-cent price increase from last year’s average of $49.04. That makes the cost per person $4.94, less than the cost of most fast-food meals. A total of 22 shoppers from across Georgia participated in this year’s survey. The average cost for a Thanksgiving meal in Georgia came in at $47.72, which is $1.69 less than the national average. The shopping list for the AFBF survey included the following items in quantities sufficient to serve 10 people with plenty of leftovers: turkey, bread stuffing, cranberries, green peas, rolls, a relish tray of carrots and celery, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie with whipped cream and beverages of whole milk and coffee. Survey participants were asked to look for the best possible prices without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals. Farm Bureau does not make any scientific claims about the data but uses it as an informal gauge of price trends across the nation. The national average price of the big-ticket item – a 16-pound whole turkey – came in at $21.65 this year, contributing the most to the cost of the meal, but 11 cents less than last year. The Georgia shoppers paid an average of $20.16 for a 16-pound turkey. Nationally, foods showing the largest increases this year were sweet potatoes, dairy products and pumpkin pie mix. Sweet potatoes came in at $3.56 for three pounds. A half pint of whipping cream was $2; one gallon of whole milk, $3.76; and a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix, $3.12. A one-pound relish tray of carrots and celery ($.82) and one pound of green peas ($1.55) also increased in price. A combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (butter, evaporated milk, onions, eggs, sugar and flour) rose to $3.48. Visit http://www.gfb.org/agnews/story.asp?RecordID=5168 to see how Georgia prices compared to the national prices. The national average cost of the dinner has remained around $49 since 2011. The stable average price reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the government’s Consumer Price Index for food eaten at home, which indicates a 3-percent increase compared to a year ago.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 8 MEETINGS PROVIDE FARMERS WITH DETAILS ON STAX PROGRAM Cotton growers have a choice between the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) and the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) in the 2014 farm bill’s cotton program. While the options are clear-cut, arriving at which to choose could pose a challenge. According to National Cotton Council Senior Governmental Relations Representative Robbie Minnich, cotton growers can use online decision tools and input from their crop insurance agent, county Extension agent, Farm Service Agency (FSA) office and other advisors to help them make the right choice for their farms. “In the past a lot of these decisions have been fairly ‘cookie-cutter,’” said Minnich, who reviewed the farm bill’s commodity programs in a Nov. 19 meeting at the University of Georgia’s Tifton Campus. “Now they’re highly detailed, there’s a lot of dials and levers that can be moved and so I think one of the things we’re going to have to do is look at some of these resources that are out there.” The meeting in Tifton was one of two in Georgia and 25 information sessions across the Cotton Belt conducted by the NCC. The STAX program, administered by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), will be available in 95 percent of the U.S.’ cotton-producing counties. To be eligible as a stand-alone county, a county must have at least 10 years of cotton production history, 10,000 or more acres in the past five years and 20 or more producers in the past five years. Minnich said about 80 percent of cotton-producing counties meet this criteria. Counties that do not meet this criteria may be combined with a bordering stand-alone county or a group of counties surrounding a stand-alone county in order to achieve eligibility. STAX, which is designed to complement existing coverage, may be purchased as the only insurance policy covering cotton acres. It covers losses between 10 and 30 percent based on county level revenue and yield statistics, minimizing losses that are not covered by individual crop insurance policies. Farmers can tailor the STAX portion of their insurance portfolio to meet their farm’s needs. They may choose the coverage level in five-percent increments in that 10 percent – 30 percent band. Growers have the opportunity to include the Harvest Price Option, which bases indemnity payments on the harvest price if it is higher than the expected price in cases where payments are triggered by yield losses. Farmers who enroll in STAX also must choose a protection factor, which is used to calculate the level of coverage. The protection factor will be between 80 and 120 percent. The higher the percentage, the higher the premium payment will be. Premium payments are subsidized under the STAX program. SCO, which provides coverage for a portion of the producer’s deductible, must be purchased with an underlying policy and cannot be purchased on acres covered by STAX. Cotton growers have until the sales closing date, Feb. 28, 2015, to make their decisions on coverage. Minnich strongly encouraged farmers to use all the tools available to reach crop insurance enrollment decisions, particularly through consulting with their crop insurance agent. Also available are online decision tools created by Texas A&M (https://decisionaid.afpc.tamu.edu/ registration required) and the University of Illinois (http://farmbilltoolbox.farmdoc.illinois.edu/), as well as the RMA’s farm bill page at www.rma.usda.gov/news/currentissues/farmbill/index.html.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 8 OBAMA ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION On Nov. 20 President Barack Obama announced an executive action to address the issue of undocumented immigrants in the United States. The order, which Obama described during a 15minute address on national television, would beef up security on the U.S. border with Mexico and remove the threat of deportation for millions of immigrants. Farm Bureau has urged Congress to pass agriculture labor reform with both short-term and long-term stability. “In practical terms, we do not expect the president’s initiative to help America’s farmers deal with the real labor challenges they face. Our nation loses millions of dollars in fruit and vegetable production every year because farmers cannot find labor to harvest everything they grow. This order will not change that,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. “Farmers and ranchers need a new, flexible visa program that ensures long-term access to an expanding workforce by allowing foreign-born workers to enter the U.S. We also need to permit some current workers, many of whom have helped sustain our operations for years, to remain working in America.” The order allows undocumented immigrants who have been in the U.S. for more than five years, or those who have children who are American citizens or legal residents, to stay in the U.S. temporarily without being deported. They would be required to register, pass a criminal background check and be willing to pay taxes. GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION NOMINATION MEETINGS SET Nomination meetings to fill two positions on the Georgia Peanut Commission Board of Directors will be held Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. in Swainsboro and Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. in Colquitt. The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation will conduct the meetings to fill terms, which expire Dec. 31, in the Commission’s Districts One and Three. The Georgia peanut production area is divided into five districts based on acreage distribution and geographical location with one board member representing each district. Each nominee must produce peanuts and live within the district for which he is nominated. The District One nomination meeting will be held at the Miller County Extension office in Colquitt on Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. Tim Burch of Baker County is the incumbent in this district. Counties in District One include: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell and Seminole. The District Three nomination meeting will be held at the Emanuel County Farm Bureau office in Swainsboro on Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. Joe Boddiford of Screven County is the incumbent in this district. Counties in District Three include: Appling, Bacon, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Washington and Wayne. Any producer living in the district may be nominated or make nominations at the meeting. Incumbents are eligible for renomination. If more than one person is nominated, an election will be conducted by mail ballot. Commission by-laws state that a person must receive a majority of the votes cast for a position in order to be elected to the commission board. If only one person qualifies for the position, no election is required, and the nominated person automatically becomes a member of the commission board. Commission members serve terms of three years. If multiple people are nominated for a GPC seat then the current director will continue to serve until the election is completed.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 8 CONAWAY TO CHAIR HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) has been named chairman of the House Committee for Agriculture during the 114th Congress. Conaway succeeds Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), whose tenure as Ag Committee chairman ended under GOP term limit rules. “I represent, and love, rural America. It’s the backbone of our country. The values and concepts that make America great are stored in rural America, and I want to protect that. There are fewer and fewer voices representing rural America, and I am honored to be one of those voices. That is my overarching drive as the committee moves forward,” Conaway said in a press release. Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) is the committee’s ranking member. Georgia’s Tom Price (R-6th District) was selected to chair the House Budget Committee. COUNTY FARM BUREAUS CELEBRATE FARM-CITY WEEK County Farm Bureaus around the state have held activities in celebration of Farm-City Week, Nov. 21-27. Farm-City Week highlights the relationship between the state’s farmers and their partners in urban areas who prepare, transport, market and retail the food and fiber farmers grow for the American consumer. Kiwanis International began Farm-City Week in 1955 to increase the understanding of the partnership between urban and rural residents. Farm days at schools, farm tours, banquets and mayoral proclamations are just a few of the activities that will be held in communities across Georgia to mark this annual event. According to the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED), food and fiber production and related businesses represent the largest or second largest segment of all goods and services produced in two-thirds of Georgia’s counties. Food and fiber production and directly related processing directly and indirectly generated a total economic impact of $76.9 billion for Georgia and created more than 375,000 jobs in 2012, according to the UGA CAED. One in seven Georgians works in agriculture, forestry or an agrelated job, and almost half of the state’s manufacturing jobs are in agribusiness. Georgia farmers lead the nation in producing broilers, peanuts and pecans, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics show. In 2012, the top ten commodities grown in Georgia were broilers, cotton, peanuts, eggs, beef, timber, corn, horses, dairy and greenhouse/nursery plants. Georgia agriculture also helps our nation have a positive agriculture trade balance, which means we export more agricultural products than we import. In 2013, Georgia led all other states in exports of meat, poultry, and peanuts. Last year, Georgia companies exported almost $5 billion worth of meat and forestry products, part of the $144.1 billion worth of American agricultural products exported around the globe according to the USDA. Farm-City Week is a great time to discuss how the economy impacts farmers and consumers. When you look at the price of groceries, remember that farmers receive only 16 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home, USDA statistics show. The rest of the food cost covers the expenses of wages and materials for food preparation, marketing, transportation and distribution, all of which have increased in price, too.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 8 USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON NEW CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP RULE The USDA has announced proposed changes to the Conservation Stewardship Program, one of thedepartment’s largest conservation programs for working agricultural lands. The rule establishes the role of CSP as one of the programs to help the Regional Conservation Partnership Program accomplish its purposes. The USDA published an interim final rule containing the statutory changes to CSP in the Federal Register on Nov. 5. USDA is seeking public comment on the rule through Jan. 5, 2015. The public comments will be used to finalize the interim final rule. The CSP interim final rule can be viewed at www.nrcs.usda.gov and in the Federal Register at http://tinyurl.com/lqfetpo. The USDA will publish a final rule, which will establish the program's policy for the life of the 2014 farm bill. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers CSP, which pays participants for conservation performance — the better the performance, the higher the payment. In CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil, water, and air quality; water quantity; plant and animal resources; and energy conservation. More than 64 million acres have been enrolled in the program since it began in 2009. For more on technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or a local USDA service center. GOLDEN PEANUT ACQUIRES HARRELL TREE NUTS, CHANGES LOGO Golden Peanut Company LLC, a subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland Company, recently announced that it has acquired the processing facilities and some assets of the Harrell Nut Company, one of the country’s leading processors and shellers of pecans. Reflecting the company’s continuing expansion of its product portfolio, Golden Peanut also announced today that it is changing its name to Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts. “By expanding our product portfolio, we are improving our ability to serve our customers while taking another step in our efforts to reduce earnings volatility,” said Kris Lutt, president, Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts. “Our diversification into tree nuts began earlier this year, when we acquired 50 percent ownership of South African Pecans. We’re taking another step today. The acquisition of Harrell Nut Company moves us into the U.S. pecan market—a market that we expect will see increasing consumer interest in the coming years.” Harrell Nut Company is a major domestic pecan processor, with facilities in Camilla, El Paso, Texas and Monticello, Fla. It serves both domestic and international markets. In addition to the name change, Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts is introducing a new logo that reflects the company’s expanded product offerings.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 8 LANDSCAPING GREEN TEAM UPDATE Dec. 4 Houston Co. Extension Office 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Perry This workshop is geared for landscape professionals and those who hold pesticide applicator licenses. Workshop topics to be covered include "Turfgrass Weed Identification” with Patrick McCullough, “From Reviled to Revitalized Landscape without Breaking the Bank!” with Bodie Pennisi, “Planning Your Insect Pest Management Calendar for Spring” with Kris Braman, “Weed control in the Landscape” with Mark Czarnota, and “Pruning of Ornamentals” with Bob Westerfield. The registration fee is $45 per person, which covers all instructional materials, break refreshments, and lunch. You may register with a credit card online at http://t.uga.edu/154 or you may call 770-228-7214 or email bhorne@uga.edu to receive a registration form to register with a check. If you have further questions, please contact the Houston County Extension Office at 478-987-2028. CALHOUN PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE Dec. 5 NW Ga. Research & Education Center Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-624-1403 or jduggin@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu. 2014 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL CONVENTION Dec. 7-9 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island Gov. Nathan Deal and Senator-elect David Perdue are scheduled to speak on Dec. 8 and GFB President Zippy Duvall will give his annual address and voting delegates will adopt the organization’s policy for 2015. For more information contact your county Farm Bureau office. Events at the GFB Convention will include a screening of “Farmland,” commodity conferences for Georgia’s 20 major commodities, the final round of the Young Farmer Discussion Meet, announcements of the 2014 state award winners and the annual trade show and elections for GFB district directors. 2015 GFB DISTRICT II YOUNG FARMER STEER AND HEIFER SHOW Jan. 17, 2015 White County Agr-Science Center Cleveland This one-day show features cash prizes and plaques, as well as a $250 scholarship for the 12thgrade showmanship winner. Check-in runs from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. State show rules apply. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 22, 2014. Entry fee is $20 per animal for Georgia Farm Bureau members and $30 per animal for non-members. Show is open to junior beef cattle exhibitors from Union, Towns, Rabun, Lumpkin, White, Habersham, Hall, Banks, Stephens, Franklin, Jackson, Madison and Elbert counties. For more information contact Will Cabe at 706-988-0018 or willcabe@yahoo.com, Matthew London at 706-969-9284 or mlondon9284@gmail.com, or Clay Talton at 706-988-0153 or cstalton@gfb.org. 2014 GATE CARDS EXPIRE DEC. 31 The Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) program is an agricultural sales tax exemption certificate issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture that identifies the card holder as an ag producer qualified for the tax exemption. All 2014 GATE cards expire Dec. 31. To renew your card visit http://forms.agr.georgia.gov/gate/ or call 1-855-FARM-TAX (855-327-6829) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. There is a $20 fee for online applications and a $25 fee for applications made via mail or phone. Many county Farm Bureau offices will assist their members with online signups or renewals.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 8 INAUGURAL ABAC YOUNG FARMERS STEER AND HEIFER SHOW Jan. 23 & 24, 2015 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This show, organized by the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Farm Bureau chapter, is open to all 4-H and FFA members in Georgia in grades 4-12. Georgia show rules and regulations apply to all entries. Entry fees are $35 per exhibitor and entry forms must be postmarked by Jan. 3, 2015. Late entries will be accepted with a $10 late fee. T-shirts will be given to all exhibitors. For more information contact Charlsy Anesetti at 770-490-6391 or canessett@stallions.abac.edu or Johnathan Barrett at 706-499-3456 or j24barrett@gmail.com. AG SAFETY GROUP OFFERING GRANTS Jan. 7, 2015 Deadline to apply Grants of up to $10,000 are being offered by a national coalition of agribusinesses, producer organizations and safety professionals in order to foster new champions of agricultural safety and health. Information regarding eligibility, priorities, application instructions and frequently asked questions is available at http://www.ashca.org. SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONFERENCE Jan. 8-11, 2015 International Trade and Convention Center Savannah This annual conference features nine crop-specific workshops plus workshops on roadside markets, business operations and food safety. New for 2015 are the Southeast Farm Market Bus Tour on Jan 8 and the National Vegetable Grafting Symposium, and the always-popular trade show with more than 200 exhibitors. For more information or to register, visit http://www.seregionalconference.com. AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 14, 2015 Brenau Downtown Center Gainesville Jan. 15, 2015 Clarence Brown Conference Center Cartersville Jan. 16, 2015 Cloud Livestock Facility Bainbridge Jan. 21, 2015 Toombs County Agricenter Lyons Jan. 22, 2015 UGA Conference Center Tifton Jan. 23, 2015 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon This series, supported by an endowment from Georgia Farm Bureau with additional support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Agribusiness Council, focuses on how technology is being used to solve problems for the ag industry along with the 2015 economic outlook for agricultural commodities. Check-in for all of the meetings, except Tifton, begins at 9 a.m. with seminars starting at 10 a.m. followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. Check-in for the Tifton event starts at 7 a.m., breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. followed by the seminar from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Advance registration is required. For more information or to register, visit http://www.georgiaagforecast.com, call 706-583-0347 or email carlam@uga.edu. Follow the meetings on UGA CAES Facebook or on Twitter @GaAgForecast and join the conversation with #AgForecast. BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 15, 2015 Holiday Inn Express (1502 Sam Nunn Blvd.) Perry Meeting, which begins at 1 p.m. will provide a program update for 2015. Call 1-800-269-9926 to RSVP or for more information.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 8 GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW & CONFERENCE Jan. 15, 2015 UGA Tifton Conference Center 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tifton This annual event features 100 exhibits, nearly $40,000 in door prizes, a free farmer lunch and educational sessions, including pesticide applicator certification classes. For more information contact the Georgia Peanut Commission at 229-386-3470 or info@gapeanuts.com, or visit the GPC website at www.gapeanuts.com. GCC ANNUAL MEETING & UGA COTTON PRODUCTION WORKSHOP Jan. 28, 2015 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. For more information call 478-988-4235 or visit www.georgiacottoncommission.org.
Tifton