Georgia Farm Bureau's Leadership Alert - January 16, 2013

January 16, 2013

www.gfb.org

Vol. 31 No. 3

GFB MEMBERS ATTEND 94TH AFBF ANNUAL MEETING A group of 240 Georgia Farm Bureau members, along with Farm Bureau members from across the country, heard messages of triumph and challenges to come at the 94th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting, held Jan. 13-16 at the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

GFB Young Farmer Achievement Award winners Chris and Marilynn Hopkins of Toombs County qualified for the top 10 in the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award contest, while GFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet winner Matt Bottoms of Pike County advanced to the Sweet 16 round in the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet.

Bottoms and the other discussion meet contestants hashed over what might be included in a fair and balanced immigration policy in the first round of competition on Jan. 13. The second round featured a discussion of how Farm Bureau can reach out to associate members to enhance the value of their memberships. In the Sweet 16 round on Jan. 14, the contestants discussed what can be done to coax young farmers and ranchers to return home to the farm if it means living in a rural area.

Georgia Farm Bureau won AFBF Awards for Excellence in five categories in Group 6, which includes states with memberships of 300,000 or more. Georgia won awards for education and outreach, leadership development, member services, policy development and implementation, and pulbic relations and communications.

GFB President Zippy Duvall was re-elected to the AFBF Board of Directors on Jan. 15, representing the organization’s southern region. The event, which drew an estimated 6,000 Farm Bureau members from all 50 state Farm Bureaus, featured information seminars on crop insurance, agricultural transportation issues, a discussion of the U.S. crop outlook and a variety of other topics. AFBF pushed for a long-term farm bill and praised the passage of a permanent estate tax structure.

“That’s a huge accomplishment to get that word permanent put in there and make sure that we know as families what we’re going to have to do in the future to protect our farms,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “Now we know what we’ve got to do in the future so that we can leave our farms to our families.”

AFBF President Bob Stallman noted in his opening session address that the organization has plans to submit a new farm labor proposal. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke during the Closing General Session, emphasizing the elements he felt are essential in farm bill legislation.

The closing session was highlighted by a keynote address from Capt. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and husband of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Kelly shared his experiences as the son of a police officer, as a navy pilot and as commander of the last space shuttle mission.

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 GFB SETS 2013 PRIORITY ISSUES During the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn., the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors agreed to continue its work relating to the issues of water, taxes and budget, defense of animal agriculture and general agriculture issues.

“As always, the approval of priorities does not limit GFB’s interest in other issues,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “Our organization will continue to be involved with any issues that affect farmers as outlined by our official policy. However, these priority issues have surfaced as having particular interest within our membership.”

With recent droughts having far-reaching impacts on agriculture, GFB will continue to focus on ways water can be conserved and methods to augment water supplies while protecting agricultural water rights. While GFB’s efforts helped preserve sales tax exemptions on farm inputs, the organization continues to pursue funding for agricultural research and youth development programs. GFB will also continue working to block efforts to regulate animal agriculture at the farm level while defending attacks from groups opposed to animal agriculture.

2012 CROP PRODUCTION UP FOR MOST GA CROPS The USDA’s 2012 Georgia Crop Production report shows the state's major row crops had significant production increases from 2011.

Georgia’s soybean crop saw a production increase of 168 percent with 7.95 million bushels compared to 2.97 million bushels in 2011. In 2012, Georgia farmers planted 220,000 acres of soybeans and harvested 215,000 acres with an average yield of 37 bushels/acre, only 2.6 bushels lower than the national average. In 2011, growers planted 155,000 acres and harvested 135,000 acres with an average yield of 22 bushels/acre.

With a total production of 3.3 billion pounds (1,660,750 tons), Georgia peanut growers saw a 102 percent production increase above 2011.

Growers planted 735,000 acres last year, up from 475,000 acres in 2011, and harvested 730,000 acres compared to 454,000 in 2011. The average yield was 4,550 pounds/acre compared to 3,625 pounds/acre in 2011.

Georgia corn growers produced 55.8 million bushels of corn for grain, a 31 percent increase over 2011. Growers planted 345,000 acres both years, but harvested 310,000 acres in 2012 and 270,000 acres in 2011. Average yield per acre was 180 bushels in 2012 and 158 bushels in 2011.

Georgia cotton growers planted and harvested fewer acres in 2012 but saw a 12 percent increase in production as the crop had higher yields producing 2.75 million bales weighing 480 pounds. The 1.29 million acres planted in 2012, down from 1.6 million in 2011, and 1.28 million acres harvested in 2012, down from 1.5 million in 2011, had an average yield of 1,027 pounds/acre, up from 791 pounds/acre in 2011.

Georgia farmers produced 1.45 million tons of hay in 2012, a 12 percent increase above 2011.

Acres harvested in 2012 were slightly less at 580,000 acres compared to 590,000 acres in 2011, but yields were higher in 2012 at 2.5 tons/acre up from 2.2 tons/acre in 2011.

Georgia tobacco production declined by 16 percent from 26.7 million pounds in 2011 to 22.5 million pounds in 2012. The decrease was due to fewer planted acres as yield/acre remained the same at 2,250.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 USDA DESIGNATES 92 GEORGIA COUNTIES AS DISASTER AREAS On Jan. 9 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack designated 92 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to drought and heat, making all qualified farm operators in the areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans.

The Georgia designation was part of a nationwide designation that covered 597 counties in 14 states. These are the first disaster designations made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2013.

The 597 counties have shown a drought intensity value of at least D2 (Drought Severe) for eight consecutive weeks based on U.S. Drought Monitor measurements, providing for an automatic designation.

A natural disaster designation makes all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency loans. During times of need, USDA has historically responded to disasters across the country by providing direct support, disaster assistance, technical assistance, and access to credit. USDA’s low-interest emergency loans have helped producers recover from losses due to drought, flooding and other natural disasters for decades.

The interest rate on emergency loans currently stands at 2.15 percent, providing a competitive, much-needed resource for producers hoping to recover from production and physical losses associated with natural disasters.

Visit http://www.usda.gov/drought for the latest information regarding USDA’s drought response and assistance, including a complete list of the designated counties.

RMA CHANGES TOBACCO QUALITY AND ROTATION REQUIREMENTS The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced quality adjustment changes and a crop rotation requirement for flue cured and burley tobacco beginning with the 2013 crop year.

Quality adjustment factors were modified for the least valuable grades of flue cured and burley tobacco. Producers are no longer required to destroy tobacco assigned these grades to qualify for quality adjustment. Producers can choose to destroy the least valuable graded tobacco resulting in no production to count, or sell it and have 20 percent of that production count toward their insurance guarantee. This allows producers flexibility in marketing or disposing of their tobacco while retaining the maximum value of their crop insurance benefits.

Beginning in 2013, flue cured tobacco in all states, and burley tobacco planted in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are subject to a crop rotation requirement to be eligible for crop insurance. Tobacco will not be insurable on any acreage on which tobacco was planted in the two previous crop years. Producers should review their cropping history and plan accordingly to ensure that their acreage is eligible for tobacco crop insurance.

Tobacco producers are encouraged to visit with their crop insurance agent to learn specific details for the 2013 crop year. Federal crop insurance policies are sold and delivered solely through private insurance companies and agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers in the United States or on RMA’s web site at http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 BEEKEEPING SHORT COURSE Jan. 19 Atlanta Botanical Garden Day Hall 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Atlanta This one-day course will provide everything beginning beekeepers need to know to get started in urban beekeeping. Topics include the life cycle of the honeybee, bee biology, varroa mites, honey harvest and more. The $95 registration fee includes admission to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a light breakfast, lunch, parking, supplies and presentations. For more information, visit http://www.metroatlantabeekeepers.org/shortcourse.htm.

GA CLEAN DAY CHEMICAL DISPOSAL Jan. 31 McGill-Woodruff Ag Center Washington, Ga. Residents of Elbert, Glascock, Greene, Lincoln, McDuffie, Oglethorpe, Taliaferro, Warren and Wilkes counties have the chance to legally dispose of old pesticides through this program coordinated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the UGA Extension offices in the nine targeted counties. Those wishing to participate in the program must register with their local Extension office by Jan. 21. Pesticides will be collected from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 31. No fees will be charged to participate in the program. Contact an Extension office in one of the nine eligible counties for more information.

2013 SOYBEAN/SMALL GRAIN EXPO Jan. 24 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The Expo will provide soybean and small grain producers with up-to-date marketing projections and the newest production techniques. The event will also feature presentations from UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences professors on kudzu bug control, soybean breeding and the world outlook for southern commodities and others. Pesticide credits are available. For more information, contact the Georgia/Florida Soybean Association at 706-5423793.

2013 AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 25 Ga. Center for Continuing Education Athens Jan. 28 ECO Center Rome Jan. 29 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon Jan. 30 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Jan. 31 Decatur Co. Livestock Complex Bainbridge Feb. 1 Toombs Co. Agri-Center Lyons UGA economists will give the 2013 ag economic outlook and guest speakers will discuss international trade and how the global economy impacts local businesses. Check-in for all sessions, except Tifton, begins at 9:30 a.m. Seminars run from 10 a.m. to noon followed by lunch. The Tifton event is a breakfast that runs from 7:30 a.m to 10 a.m. Cost is $30 per person or $200 for a table sponsorship, which includes eight seats. Advance registration is required by January 23. For more information or to register, visit http://www.georgiaagforecast.com call 706-583-0347 or email carlam@uga.edu. These meetings are a UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences program endowed by Georgia Farm Bureau and supported by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture and Georgia Agribusiness Council.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 NORTHEAST GEORGIA BEEF CATTLE SHORT COURSE Feb. 1 UGA Livestock Instructional Arena 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Athens This one-day course will cover minerals, weed control, reproduction, forage quality, cattle handling, toxic algae in ponds and marketing. Cost is $15, which includes lunch and instructional materials. Door prizes will be given away. Deadline to register is Jan. 25. For more information contact your county extension office or call 1-800-ASK-UGA1.

GA COTTON COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING & UGA COTTON WORKSHOP Jan. 30 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Event begins at 8 a.m. Speakers for the Georgia Cotton Commission’s annual meeting include: Southern Cotton Growers, Inc. President Mike Tate, Cotton Incorporated VP of Agricultural & Environmental Research Dr. Kater Hake, Cotton Council International Executive Director Kevin Latner and National Cotton Council President & CEO Mark Lange. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop will provide updates on research funded by cotton growers through the Commission checkoff. Event is free but pre-registration is strongly encouraged to help with meal plans. To register visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/external/tccc/ select Registration & then click on event or call 229-386-3416. For more information contact the Cotton Commission at 478-988-4235.

OLD SOUTH FARM MUSEUM HOG KILLING DEMONSTRATION Feb. 2 Old South Farm Museum, 8750 Manchester Hwy. Woodland This event will demonstrate how hogs were once harvested and the products made from them.

The program begins at 8:30 a.m. and includes a meat-curing class and demonstrations on making various pork products. The fee to observe and receive free sausage is $12 per person. To participate in the workshop, gain hands-on experience and receive pork products, the fee is $35.

Registration is required. Deadline to register is Jan. 28. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION WORKSHOP Feb. 8 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tifton This free one-day workshop, sponsored by the Southeast Climate Consortium, the Florida Climate Institute and the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, will bring together experts from the University of Georgia, the University of Florida, and Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Florida A&M to discuss the latest techniques for helping farmers manage unpredictable weather conditions. Producers will also be on hand to talk about how new irrigation systems, crop varieties and land management techniques have worked on their farms.

Sessions will be offered on sensor-based irrigation management, variable rate irrigation, drip irrigation, sod-based rotation, conservation tillage, cover crops and energy efficient farm systems. For more information or to register visit www.agroclimate.org/seclimate/events.

FLAVOR OF GEORGIA FOOD PRODUCT CONTEST The UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development sponsors this annual contest, designed to help Georgia-based food entrepreneurs showcase their products. Contestants may submit as many products as they like. The categories are: barbecue and hot sauces; jams, jellies and sauces; confections; meat products; dairy products and snack foods. Registration is open and runs through Feb. 8, 2013. Finalists will be invited to take part in a final judging on March 11, 2013 and a public tasting on March 12 at Ag Awareness Day in Georgia event, when the winners will also be announced. For more information about the contest, including registration information, visit http://www.flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.ed or call 706-583-0347.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 GA PORK PRODUCERS MEETING & PORK ACT DELEGATE ELECTION Feb. 12 Georgia Farm Bureau Home Office Macon Georgia pork producers will elect delegate candidates as outlined in the Pork Act for the 2014 National Pork Forum at 1:30 p.m. along with a meeting of the Georgia Pork Producers Association Board of Directors. Producers should bring a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff was paid to be eligible as delegates or candidates or participate in the election. This meeting will follow the 2013 Georgia Pork Congress that begins with the meeting at 8:30 a.m. For information, contact the Georgia Pork Producers Association at 229-246-8297.

2013 FOREST BIOENERGY CONFERENCE Feb. 21 Central Georgia Convention Center 7:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m.

Forsyth Interest in forest biomass as a potential feedstock for renewable energy facilities has been especially keen for the past several years and much of the activity has been centered in Georgia.

While many issues are becoming clearer, much uncertainty remains with regard to government policy and market prices for fossil fuels. This conference is an excellent opportunity to hear from some of the players on the front lines of developing markets, influencing government policies, and conducting research on how these changes may impact our wood supply system.

The conference is sponsored by the Georgia Forestry Association and the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. For more information please visit www.gfagrow.org or call 478-992-8110.