January 22, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 3
GA. PEANUT FARM SHOW FEATURES AWARDS, EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS Sen. Saxby Chambliss became the fifth inductee into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame highlighting the awards given in a luncheon ceremony during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show, held Jan. 16 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. The event included updates from the UGA Peanut Team and a seed seminar, featured more than 100 exhibitors and drew more than 2,000 farmers. Appling County farmer Randy Branch was named the 2014 Georgia Outstanding Young Peanut Farmer. Branch received a sign to display at his farm and a trip to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. Retired Georgia Sen. John Bulloch and retiring Georgia Peanut Commission Assistant Executive Director Emory Murphy received the Distinguished Service Award. Murphy and Retiring UGA Peanut Agronomist Dr. John Beasley received the Research & Education Award. Reporter Irisha Jones accepted the Media Award on behalf of WALB-TV in Albany, and retired Georgia Farm Monitor reporter Rick Treptow received a Special Award in recognition of his years of media coverage of peanuts and farming. Five farmers were also honored as 2014 Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year. They were: District 1, Charlie Burch of Baker County; District 2, Jerald Carter, Worth County; District 3, Jimmy Blitch, Bulloch County; District 4, W. H. “Finn” Cross, Dooly County and District 5, Harold Israel, Sumter County. Each of the Farmers of the Year received a sign to display at his farm and a $100 gift card from Agri Supply. The show’s production seminar included presentations on insect management, disease management, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and peanut economics. The seed seminar highlighted peanut varieties available for 2014 and calcium applications for peanuts. UGA economist Dr. Nathan Smith discussed the outlook for peanuts in 2014, noting that exports are down because of a decline in sales to China, though production problems in Argentina could create opportunities for U.S. growers to export to European markets. Smith said that early contracts are for around $425 per ton, with some getting $50 per ton premiums for peanuts with high oleic content. He said $500 per ton contracts in 2014 do not seem likely. National Peanut Board President and CEO Bob Parker gave an update on NPB activities, revealing the promotional poster with the theme “Peanuts - The Power To Dig A Little Deeper.” Parker also reviewed research projects the NPB is funding, including studies into peanut allergies and production techniques. Dr. Glen Harris gave a presentation on the use of UAVs for detection of field problems and troubleshooting.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 8 CONGRESS PASSES FY 2014 APPROPRIATIONS BILL The U.S. House passed a $1.01 trillion spending bill on Jan. 15 by a 359-67 vote and the Senate passed it by a 72-26 margin on Jan. 16, providing funding for the federal government. The measure was sent to the president on Jan. 17. Included in the overall package were a number of agriculture-related items. According to a House Appropriations Committee press release, the bill provides $20.9 billion in funding for rural development, food and drug safety and nutrition programs, .$2.6 billion for ag research programs, including those conducted by the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The bill provides $1.5 billion for the Farm Service Agency to support the various farm, conservation, loan, and emergency programs for American farmers and ranchers, including loan authorizations in excess of $5.5 billion for farm ownership, farm operating, conservation and emergency loans. The legislation includes more than $1 billion for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, $19 million below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The funding provided will maintain more than 8,000 frontline inspection personnel for meat, poultry and egg products at more than 6,200 facilities across the country. The legislation also restricts the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration from implementing certain regulations that would allow harmful government interference in the private market for the livestock and poultry industry. The bill provides $826 million for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, virtually the same as the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The legislation contains discretionary funding, as well as mandatory funding required by law, for food and nutrition programs within the USDA, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill provides $82.2 billion in required mandatory spending along with requirements for the Secretary of Agriculture to help weed out and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the SNAP program. USDA APPOINTS GEORGIANS TO COMMODITY BOARDS Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced appointments to the national boards for beef, cotton and pork, among them a number of Georgians. Vilsack appointed 41 members to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. All appointees will serve three-year terms. Among the newly appointed members representing cattle producers is Georgia Farm Bureau Middle Georgia Vice President Robert Fountain Jr. of Emanuel County. Georgians Dania DeVane of Randolph County and Markus E. Clemmer of Coffee County were among the 152 appointees to the National Pork Producers Delegate Body. The appointees were selected from nominees submitted by state pork producer association and importer groups and will serve a one-year term. Vilsack appointed 17 members and 17 alternates to the Cotton Board. James L. Webb of Leary, Ga., was reappointed and Benjamin R. Grimsley of Webster County is a newly appointed alternate. Jerome Tucker has been appointed as the new chair of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Committee in Georgia. Tucker, from Lowndes County, replaces Ronald Lee.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 8 GA. FARMERS INCREASE OUTPUT OF CORN, SOYBEANS AND HAY IN 2013 Georgia farmers produced 46 percent more corn and 12 percent more soybeans in 2013 than in 2012 according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service annual crop production report, released on Jan. 13. The state’s corn producers harvested 81.375 million bushels in 2013, up from 55.8 million bushels in 2012, due largely to an additional 155,000 harvested acres. The state’s soybean growers harvested 9 million bushels in 2013, up from 8.063 million bushels in 2012. Despite persistent problems with excessive rain throughout the year, Georgia hay growers increased their production from 1.45 million tons in 2012 to 1.566 million tons in 2013. The state’s signature field crops of peanuts and cotton saw significant declines. Georgia’s peanut producers harvested 304,000 fewer acres and saw a slight decline from the record yields of 2012. The resulting 2013 production of 1.887 billion pounds was 44 percent less than 3.343 billion pounds produced in 2012. Georgia’s cotton production in 2013 was 2.4 million bales, down from 2.91 million bales in 2012, a 17.5 percent drop due in large part to a drop in yields from 1,091 pounds per acre to 850 pounds per acre. The state’s sorghum growers fell from 2.2 million bushels in 2012 to 2 million bushels in 2013. Georgia’s tobacco production fell slightly, from 22.5 million pounds to 22.4 million pounds despite despite farmers harvesting 2,800 more acres in 2013. GFB MEMBERS NAMED TO AFBF COMMODITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES The American Farm Bureau Federation has chosen 17 Georgia Farm Bureau members to serve on its 2014 commodity advisory committees. The committees provide farmer input on AFBF policy and make recommendations about their commodities to the AFBF board of directors. The committees will meet for two days each the week beginning Feb. 9. GFB Cotton Committee Chairman Eddie Green of Dooly County will serve as chairman of the AFBF Cotton Committee. Other GFB members appointed to AFBF committees are: Brian Ogletree, Spalding Co., Feed Grains Committee; John Harrell, Grady Co., Peanut Committee; Neil Skipper, Bibb Co., Soybean Committee; Jerry Wooten, Jeff Davis Co., Tobacco Committee; Dr. James Strickland, Tattnall Co., Animal Health Committee; John Callaway, Troup Co., Beef Committee; Danny Hogan, Laurens Co., Equine Committee; Farrell Roberts, Tift Co., Hay and Forage Committee; Larry Cooley, Crawford Co., Poultry Committee; Greg Phillips, Whitfield Co., Sheep and Goat Committee; Terry Danforth, Berrien Co., Swine Committee; Matt Bottoms, Pike Co., Ag Nursery & Greenhouse Committee; Wesley Ham, Monroe Co., Aquaculture Committee; John Mixon, Pike Co., Forestry Committee and Bob McLeod, Wilcox Co., Horticulture Committee. GFB Feedgrains Vice Chairman James Gaston of Sumter Co. and GFB Soybeans Committee Vice Chairman Jesse Patrick of Putnam Co. will attend the AFBF committee meetings as alternates. Other GFB state committee chairmen are: Bud Butcher, Coweta Co., Dairy; B.J. Weeks, Cherokee, Honeybees; James Exum, Brooks Co., Pecans; Greg Murray, Decatur Co., Vegetables; Hal Haddock, Early Co., Water.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 8 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ACCEPTING AG CDL EXEMPTION FORMS New federal highway funding legislation that went into effect on July 1 allows expanded exemptions for farmers transporting their own products, equipment or machinery, but a producer must carry a special tag or distinction on the vehicle to receive the exemption. The form may be accessed at http://gamccd.net/FarmVehicle.aspx. The form must be completed online, and the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the specific vehicle is required. No farm CDL exemptions are applicable without form TR0025 being in the vehicle. Additional information on the exemption for farm vehicles can be found at http://www.gfb.org/legislative/map21.html. SMALL FARM OPPORTUNITY WORKSHOP Jan. 23 Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve Sapelo Island This free event for current and potential agricultural producers runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will provide sessions on irrigation basics and services provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency, USDA Rural Development and the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission. Registration is required. Call 912-681-5241 or 913495-2070 to register. Note: Sapelo Island is only accessible by ferry. For more information, visit http://gaswcc.georgia.gov/region-iii#Coastal. GEORGIA WATERMELON ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 24-26 Sea Palms Golf and Tennis Resort St. Simons Island This event offers watermelon growers the opportunity to learn the latest trends and techniques in watermelon growing. It includes a trade show, networking opportunities and the Watermelon Queen Competition. The educational seminar begins at 8:00 a.m. on Jan. 25, with an informal breakfast. Followed by watermelon varieties updates led by N.C. State University Extension Leader Dr. Jonathan R. Schultheis. Dr. David Langston, UGA Tifton Plant Pathologist, will discuss phytophthora fruit rot and fusarium wilt in watermelons. The seminar closes with the Georgia Watermelon Association meeting led by GWA President Rich Chastain. The seminar is open to all growers and there is no registration fee. For more information, contact Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Watermelon Association, at (877) 994-3842 or chall@asginfo.net, or visit http://www.georgiawatermelonassociation.org. AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 24 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon Jan. 27 Georgia Center for Continuing Education Athens Jan. 28 Toombs County Agri-Center Lyons Jan. 29 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Jan. 30 Cloud Livestock Facility Bainbridge Jan. 31 Clarence Brown Conference Center Cartersville Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Seminar runs from 10 a.m. to noon followed by a networking lunch, with the exception of the Tifton and Bainbridge meetings, which feature breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by the seminar from 8 to 9:30 a.m. UGA economists will give the annual ag economic outlook and guest speakers, including experts on farm succession planning. For more information, visit http://www.georgiaagforecast.com, call 706-583-0347 or send an email to carlam@uga.edu. Follow the meetings on Twitter @GAagforecast and join the conversation with #agforecast.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 8 NW GEORGIA FORAGE WORKSHOP Jan. 28 Gordon County Ag Service Center 9:15 a.m. – 2:30 pm. Calhoun This free workshop includes continuing education units (CEU) for private and commercial pesticide applicators in category 21. Speakers include Dr. Dennis Hancock, who will speak about forage establishment, Dr. Patrick McCullough, who will speak about winter weed control and Dr. Will Hudson, who will discuss insects in forages. A sponsored meal will be provided. Please register by Jan. 24 by contacting the Gordon County Extension at 706-629-8685 or gbowman@uga.edu. OLD SOUTH FARM MUSEUM HOG KILLING DEMONSTRATION Feb. 1 Old South Farm Museum 8:30 a.m. Woodland This event will demonstrate how hogs were once harvested and the products made from them. Program includes a meat-cutting class and demonstrations on sausage making, making Brunswick stew, meat curing and more. 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 by Jan. 31. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com. 2013 BAYER CROPSCIENCE COTTON BELT CHALLENGE This achievement program recognizes growers who plant a minimum of 50 acres of FiberMax or Stoneville cotton seed. Growers enter by filling out an official entry form and submitting their gin receipts. Deadline to enter is Feb 3. Entry forms are available at http://tinyurl.com/md6oscb. Winners will be recognized in two categories: highest yield and highest quality, in 12 different regions, for both irrigated and dryland cotton. All regional irrigated and dryland winners in the yield and fiber quality categories will receive 10,000 Innovation Plus points – a $500 value. From those regional winners there will be two grand prize drawings – one for irrigated and one for dryland – for a custom 4WD Bad Boy Buggies Ambush vehicle. For more information visit http://www.cottonbeltchallenge.us. UGA COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE VETCAMP 2014 July 13-19 University of Georgia Athens Registration is being accepted through Feb. 5 for this camp, which is open to current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who would like to experience veterinary medicine as a potential career path. The on-site program offers participants opportunities for observation of and participation in the various services in the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center and the College’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. The students will learn about requirements for admission to the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, research opportunities, study abroad opportunities, the college’s veterinary curriculum, as well as underserved specialties in the field of veterinary medicine. Registration is $900, which includes lodging, meals, instruction and social activities. Scholarships or financial assistance are available to students with demonstrated need. Students who wish to be considered for the program must complete a registration packet that includes a registration form, a teacher/counselor recommendation form, and an essay; an official high school transcript must also be submitted. The packet may be downloaded from the VetCAMP website at http://www.vet.uga.edu/GO/camp. For more information about the program, contact Lakecia Pettway at lpettway@uga.edu or 706-542-8411, or see the program’s website.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 8 2014 SOYBEAN/SMALL GRAIN EXPO Feb. 7 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry Soybean and small grain producers, users and buyers are invited to this free event, which will provide up-to-date marketing projections and the newest production techniques, as well as remarks from University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences leaders. Presentations include a world outlook for Southern ag commodities from Dr. Nathan Smith, techniques in kudzu bug control from Dr. Phillip Roberts, a farm bill update from AFBF Economist John Anderson and a soybean production update from Dr. David Wright. The program is sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, Ogletree Farms, Georgia Seed Development, Tillman and Deal AG Services, AGSouth Genetics LLC, Heart of Georgia Peanut and Gin Co., Plantation Seed Conditioners Inc., Quality Gin Inc., Milner Farms and Syngenta. For more contact the Georgia/Florida Soybean Association at 706-542-3793. CSP APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEB. 7 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) new enrollments for fiscal year 2014 through Feb. 7. CSP is an important Farm Bill conservation program that helps established conservation stewards with taking their level of natural resource management to the next level to improve both their agricultural production and provide valuable conservation benefits such as cleaner and more abundant water, as well as healthier soils and better wildlife habitat. While local NRCS offices accept CSP applications year round, NRCS evaluates applications during announced ranking periods. To be eligible for this year's enrollment, producers must have their applications submitted to NRCS by the closing date. Learn more about CSP by visiting the Georgia NRCS website or a local NRCS field office. USDA FARM AND RANCH IRRIGATION SURVEY The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the national Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey. Farmers, ranchers and horticulture producers across the United States will begin receiving the survey today in the mail asking them to provide information about their water use and irrigation practices, with responses due by Feb. 10. NASS traditionally conducts the irrigation survey following each Census of Agriculture. Only those producers who indicated in the 2012 Census of Agriculture that they irrigate are eligible for sampling. The results of the survey help in the development of improved technology, better equipment and more efficient water use practices. The survey is conducted as part of the Census of Agriculture program, and just as with the 2012 Census, the responses are mandatory under U.S. law. The same law also ensures that NASS will maintain all individual responses completely confidential. For more information about the Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey, call 888-424-7828 or visit http://www.agcensus.usda.gov. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DAY AT THE CAPITOL Feb. 11 Georgia Depot and State Capitol 9:30 a.m. Atlanta Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol is a chance for Farm Bureau members to meet with legislators and other government officials. Orientation begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Blue Room of the historic Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, located next to Underground Atlanta. Free parking at Turner Field will be available with a shuttle service that runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information contact the GFB Legislative Department at 1-800-342-1911 or your local county Farm Bureau office.
Leadership Alert page 7 of 8 GEFA OFFERS SECOND ROUND OF IRRIGATION MOTOR REBATES The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) is offering a second round of the Georgia Agricultural Irrigation Motor (AIM) Program, an incentive program designed to help Georgia farmers become more energy-efficient, save money on fuel costs, and reduce emissions. The Georgia AIM Program will provide farmers with a rebate to replace inefficient diesel irrigation engines with energy-efficient electric irrigation motors. The rebates will cover 25 percent of eligible project costs, with a $10,000 maximum rebate available. The application period for the program, opens online at http://www.gefa.org, ends Feb. 15. Available funding is limited and rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The first round of the program awarded 34 farmers throughout the state with rebates totaling $154,309. The new installations are projected to reduce annual diesel fuel consumption by 217,029 gallons. IFYE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR EXCHANGE PROGRAM Young adults age 19 and over are encouraged to apply for the 2014 International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) Program. Individuals who have developed leadership skills in programs such as Young Farmers & Ranchers, 4-H, FFA or similar organizations, as well as those with a background in various agriculture-related fields and consumer sciences are particularly well suited for a primarily rural living experience. Successful applicants will participate in various young adult programs abroad such as Young Farmers, Rural Youth, etc. Participating countries in 2014 may include Austria, Botswana, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Wales. Additional countries may be added. For further information, please contact Alan Lambert, National IFYE Program Director, at 605-366-6107 or by email at alanelambert@gmail.com. Completed applications are due by Feb. 15. Visit the IFYE website at www.ifyusa.org/ to learn more about the program and obtain an application. PRECISION AGRICULTURE WORKSHOP Feb. 25 NESPAL, UGA Tifton Campus Tifton Participants in this free workshop will receive briefings from UGA and Auburn crop and soil science experts. Much of the focus will be on precision irrigation, and irrigation specialists from Germany, Greece and Italy will make presentations on irrigation research in Europe and how it has developed to accommodate environmental concerns, as well as the economics of precision agriculture at the farm level. The workshop also includes hands-on precision farming-related exercises. While the workshop is free, registration is required. Participants are asked to RSVP by Feb. 18 by sending an email to yiorgos@uga.edu. GEORGIA PORK CONGRESS Feb. 18 Georgia Farm Bureau 2 p.m. Macon The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2015 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting of Georgia Pork Producers Association. All Georgia pork producers are invited to attend. Any producer age 18 or older who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff was deducted. For more information, contact Georgia Pork Producers Association, P.O. Box 1566, Bainbridge, Ga. 39818 or call 229-246-8297.
Leadership Alert page 8 of 8 FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS The USDA has announced the availability of nearly $10.5 million in Value-Added Producer Grants, intended to help agricultural producers create new products, expand marketing opportunities, support further processing of existing products or goods, or to develop specialty and niche products. They may be used for working capital and planning activities. The maximum working capital grant is $200,000; the maximum planning grant is $75,000. Grant applications are due by Feb. 24. For more information about how to apply visit http://tinyurl.com/mc3ncwc or contact any USDA Rural Development state office. USB’S A SOYBEAN’S JOURNEY: SEE FOR YOURSELF PROGRAM The United Soybean Board (USB) invites soybean farmers to participate in this program, which provides farmers with the chance to learn about and evaluate specific investment areas of the soy checkoff, such as international marketing, animal agriculture, industrial uses and soybean farmers’ freedom to operate. All U.S. soybean farmers over the age of 18 can apply now for the seventh annual See for Yourself program. To apply, visit the USB website, http://www.UnitedSoybean.org/SeeforYourself, through April 4. A group of 10 U.S. soybean farmers will first travel to St. Louis to witness firsthand the operations of the checkoff and visit local sites related to domestic uses for soybeans. Then, since about half of the soy produced in the United States is exported, participants will travel internationally to experience how international customers use soy. The program is scheduled to take place Aug. 15-22 and USB will cover all related rooming, meal and travel expenses.