January 29, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 4
OUTLOOK FOR AG LOOKS GOOD, FORECAST SPEAKERS SAY Farmers and agribusiness leaders attending the Georgia Ag Forecast meeting at the Georgia Farm Bureau office in Macon Jan. 24 heard 2014 economic outlooks for Georgia’s major commodities and learned about succession planning for family farms and agribusinesses. GFB President Zippy Duvall welcomed the crowd to the organization’s state headquarters saying GFB has been a long-time sponsor of the Ag Forecast meetings because Farm Bureau recognizes the value of the information the College of Agriculture provides farmers. “Our farmers are as good as they are because of the research being done by the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. We’re so appreciative of everything they do to help the farmer,” Duvall said. UGA Extension Economist Dr. Curt Lacy gave the economic outlook for Georgia’s livestock, honey and timber crops. Lacy said as the Lacy overall economy improves, demand for livestock and timber products should increase in 2014. He added that lower grain prices and increasing exports should support livestock and poultry prices. “I’m predicting that things will be as good as they can be this coming year,” Lacy said. “If you can’t make money this year, it’s a problem for you because things are going to be about as good as they can be.” UGA Extension Economist Dr. Don Shurley delivered the row crop economic outlook. He predicts Georgia farmers will plant less acres of corn and wheat, more acres of peanuts and soybeans, and cotton acreage will remain stable to up. On the bright side for row crops, Shurley predicted fertilizer prices will drop in 2014 but cautioned profit margins will be tighter. “We’ve enjoyed some very good years for corn and soybeans but a little bit of that shine is going to come off this year,” Shurley said. “We’re looking at corn prices in the $4.50 to $5 a bushel range.” Shurley said the decrease in corn prices is due to a record corn crop in 2013 and increased supply as ethanol use of corn flattens. Will Thompson, with the Macon law firm of James, Bates, Brannan, Groover LLP, discussed family farm and business succession planning. He said farmers and landowners often bear more of the tax burden because they reinvest their profits into their business to buy more land and equipment. Acknowledging that making succession plans can be sensitive, Thompson encouraged parents to start planning now and stressed the importance of communicating to family members why assets are divided in a certain way to avoid hurt feelings.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 7 DENNIS BLACK NAMED ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF GFB FIELD SERVICES DEPT. Dennis Black, who has served as the Georgia Farm Bureau 2nd District field representative since July 1996, has been promoted to associate director of the GFB Field Services Department, GFB President Zippy Duvall announced Jan. 24. “Dennis will join our Field Services staff at the home office filling the position formerly held by Andy Lucas,” Duvall said. “Dennis brings a strong skill set to this job from his past seventeen and a half years as a field rep, and I am confident he will apply his talents and energies to this important statewide position.” Black and his family raise breeder hens for Fieldale Farms, raise registered Angus cattle and grow hay for their cattle operation on their Stephens County farm. He is a member of the Stephens County Cattlemen’s Association and the Stephens County Young Farmers Association. Black is a graduate of the University of Georgia. “I’ve really enjoyed working with the county leaders, county staff and Black county volunteers in the second district during the years I was a field rep. I like working with our county volunteers developing our young farmers and our ag literacy presence in our counties,” Black said. “I love working with people, and I’m excited about getting to travel the state to work with county leaders, office managers and volunteers statewide.” Black and his wife, Teresa, have three adult children – son Chris and his wife, Coda; Ellen and Clay. The family attends the First Baptist Church of Toccoa. UGA DEDICATES CAMPBELL RESEARCH CENTER With the dedication of the J. Phil Campbell Sr. Research and Education Center in Watkinsville on Jan. 21, the University of Georgia is carrying on a legacy of agricultural and environmental research and outreach. Having served as a USDA Agricultural Research Service research station for 76 years, the 1,055-acre farm and laboratory complex was transferred to the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in fall 2013 to expand the college’s education, research and outreach programs. The agricultural research that UGA faculty will conduct at the center is key to feeding the world’s growing population and keeping the U.S. food supply safe and secure. The center was founded as the Southern Piedmont Research Conservation Center in 1937 at the urging of Georgia native and then assistant chief of the Soil Conservation Service J. Phil Campbell Sr. Campbell played a vital role in establishing the Cooperative Extension Service in Georgia before taking his role with the USDA in President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration. The center was renamed for Campbell in 1997. UGA gained management of the facility—formerly the J. Phil Campbell Sr. Natural Resource Conservation Center—as the USDA was moving to close similar sites around the nation. Congress approved a provision specifying 10 land-grant universities could take ownership of such facilities, provided they agree to utilize the property for agricultural research for a minimum of 25 years. UGA is the first land-grant university to complete the transfer process and take over management of a former USDA facility. For more information about the J. Phil Campbell Sr. Research and Education Center and the role it plays as part of UGA and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/center/campbell.html.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 7 GOV. DEAL SIGNS ORDER PROHIBITING PROPANE PRICE GOUGING Gov. Nathan Deal signed an executive order Jan. 27 in coordination with Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black prohibiting price gouging for propane. Georgia’s continued period of cold weather has increased the demand for propane causing a substantial price increase in recent days. Deal also recently ordered restrictions on propane transport be eased to help increase the state’s supply of propane. “Our families, farmers and small businesses are worried about getting the heat they need during times of frigid weather,” Deal said. “They shouldn’t have to worry about price gouging, and we aim to prevent that.” According to a statement released by Deal’s office, if weather conditions do not improve in coming weeks, Deal will revisit state actions. “Many Georgia farmers, especially poultry producers and nursery growers, rely on propane to keep their animals and crops protected during cold weather,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said. “We appreciate Gov. Deal recognizing the situation farmers face and taking steps to help alleviate it.” The U.S. Department of Energy has said the cold weather has led to record-high propane withdrawals nationwide. The Georgia and Tennessee propane associations have an online “find a dealer” application, which searches for propane availability by ZIP code. Farmers seeking refills may find more dealer options by searching for residential refills than commercial refills. Visit http://www.usepropane.com/fpr.aspx. COTTON GROWERS GET INDUSTRY UPDATES, STAX REVIEW Georgia cotton growers received updates on research and promotion activities by state, regional and national cotton organizations during the 7th Annual Georgia Cotton Commission Meeting and UGA Cotton Production Workshop. The meeting, held Jan. 22 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, drew more than 300 farmers and cotton industry stakeholders. In addition to the industry updates, the production workshop covered the latest information on economics and marketing, insect pest management, cotton varieties in development, irrigation technology and plant pathology. National Cotton Council Vice President for Cotton Policy and Economics Dr. Gary Adams provided an update on farm bill negotiations in Congress, focusing on the Stacked Income Protection Adams Plan (STAX), a crop insurance program designed specifically for cotton growers. Adams said that most growers carry insurance for around 70 percent of their crop, and STAX would provide government premium assistance, allowing them to increase their coverage to up to 90 percent. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black spoke during the lunch meeting, urging farmers to be responsible in how they use the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption. Black also mentioned that the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission was being moved under the Department of Agriculture in an administrative move for budgetary reasons. Sharon Kane of the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development shared the results of a study CAED conducted into the economic contributions of cotton into Georgia’s economy. Cotton had an overall economic contribution of $2.5 billion.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 7 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. 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 5 of 7 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. 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 stauces, beverages, confections, dairy products, jams and jellies, meat and seafood products, sauces and condiments, snack foods and miscellaneous. Registration runs through Feb. 7. Fees are $75 per product entry for online registrations and $100 for registrations received by fax or mail. Finalists will be invited to take part in a final judging on March 17 and a public tasting on March 18 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.edu or call 706-583-0347. PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED TOBACCO ASSESSMENT REFERENDUM Feb. 10 Coffee County Agricultural Center 2 p.m. Douglas This hearing will be held for the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Tobacco to receive comments on a proposal to increase the assessment paid by tobacco growers to a maximum of 75 cents per hundred pounds. If the referendum passes, growers would be assessed 50 cents per hundred pounds and the assessment would not be further increased without producer input. Written comments may also be submitted by mail to Nathan Wilson, Commodities Promotion Manager, Georgia Department of Agriculture, 19 MLK Jr. Dr. SW, Room 324, Atlanta, GA 30334 or by email to Nathan.wilson@agr.georgia.gov. Written comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 in order to be considered.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 7 PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED PECAN ASSESSMENT REFERENDUM Feb. 11 Tift County Extension Office 10 a.m. Tifton This hearing will be held for the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Pecans to receive comments on a proposal to increase the assessment paid by pecan growers from the current half-cent per pound to 1 cent per pound. Written comments may be submitted by mail to Nathan Wilson, Commodities Promotion Manager, Georgia Department of Agriculture, 19 MLK Jr. Dr. SW, Room 324, Atlanta, GA 30334 or by email to Nathan.wilson@agr.georgia.gov. Written comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 in order to be considered. 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 3 p.m. For more information contact the GFB Legislative Department at 1-800-342-1192 or your local county Farm Bureau office. 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.
Leadership Alert page 7 of 7 IFYE ACCPETING 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. 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. 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. 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.