January 7, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 1
GFB BOARD APPROVES 2015 PRIORITY ISSUES On Dec. 19 the Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors approved the organization’s priority issues for 2015.The priorities are related to taxes and budget, water supply, 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.” GFB’s goals under taxes and budget are to preserve the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program, which exempts farmers from sales taxes on equipment and products they need to conduct farm business; maintain the integrity of the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) by limiting changes that undermine the program’s intent; and support funding for agricultural institutions, agencies and youth development programs. The board committed to pursue legislation and regulations pertaining to water that do not adversely affect agriculture while assisting the effort to find long-term solutions for drought protection in the Flint River Basin. The board also expressed its intent to be engaged in initiatives to obtain additional water reserves and continue involvement with the regional water councils and the Metro Water District. With respect to animal agriculture, the board agreed to seek ways to maintain food safety and consumer confidence in the food supply, work to limit liability of livestock owners, block efforts to regulate animal agriculture at the farm level, work cooperatively with other animal agriculture groups and provide consumers with positive reinforcement regarding animal agriculture. Under the category of general agriculture issues, the board agreed to seek ways to assist farmers in controlling nuisance wildlife, guard against mandatory labeling requirements on genetically modified products, work to ensure the proper use of new seed technologies and ensure that farm interests are properly addressed in transportation planning.
GFB News Alert page 2 of 6 NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL CONDUCTING PLANTING SURVEY The National Cotton Council (NCC) is conducting its 2015 survey of planting intentions. The survey was recently distributed to upland and extra-long staple cotton producers across the Cotton Belt. The current survey’s questionnaire was distributed through a combination of regular mail and email with the intent of reaching all U.S. cotton farms. Growers who did not receive a questionnaire may contact the NCC via email at econsurvey@cotton.org for instructions. The survey, conducted each year to aid with industry planning and policy deliberations, provides the basis for the economic outlook presented to delegates during the NCC Annual Meeting in early February. The deadline to respond to the survey is Jan. 16. USFRA LAUNCHES HOW-TO VIDEO SERIES ABOUT FARMING AND RANCHING Milking 1,200 cows. Gathering 50,000 eggs. Cleaning barns for 7,000 pigs. One day’s work for America’s farmers! People can now learn how farmers do it through U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) new online “How To Farm” video series that launched Dec. 29 on USFRA’s website, www.FoodDialogues.com. Hosted by blogger Kelly Snyder (www.ReDefinedMom.com), USFRA’s online video series illustrates different farming practices. The educational videos, which range between two to four minutes, highlight the daily activities of farmers and ranchers across the nation who grow and raise our food. The first four videos give viewers an up-close look at just how farmers grow and raise food, including: How To Milk 1,200 Cows, filmed with Brian Rexing at New Generation Dairy in Indiana; How To Care for 7,000 Pigs, filmed with Art Braundmeier at The Maschhoffs in Illinois; How To Use Trash to Help Crops Grow, filmed on Len Corzine’s farm in Illinois and How To Gather 50,000 Eggs A Day, filmed with Ron Campbell at Opal Foods in Missouri. “People know what farmers generally do, but not exactly how they do it. The opportunity to spend time on a farm alongside a farmer is not one that most people get,” said Randy Krotz, CEO of USFRA. “This new online video series brings the farm to your living room, office, kitchen, classroom, mobile device -- anywhere you are. Americans have so many questions about food production and the first videos in this series can help address some of those by showing just how farmers are growing and raising food.” The series is available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/usfraonline and in the “Videos” section of USFRA’s FoodDialogues.com website in the “How To Farm” section . OREGON AVIAN INFLUENZA INCIDENT PROMPTS TRADE RESTRICTIONS Countries around the globe have placed import restrictions on poultry and eggs produced in the U.S. after a positive detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Oregon in midDecember. South Korea banned all imports of raw U.S. poultry, eggs, live chicks and hatching eggs effective Dec. 20 for poultry slaughtered and eggs laid after Nov. 25. The European Union, South Africa, Thailand and others have also imposed restrictions on imports of U.S. poultry and eggs. For updates on countries that have recently changed their import requirements, visit http://tinyurl.com/exportupdates. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5N8 avian influenza in guinea fowl and chickens from a small backyard poultry flock in Winston, Ore. In a Dec. 18 stakeholder statement, APHIS emphasized that the H5N8 virus has not been found in commercial poultry anywhere in the U.S. and that there is no immediate public health concern. APHIS also noted that poultry, poultry products and wild birds are safe to eat as long as they are properly handled and cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 6 USDA PROPOSES EXPANSION OF ORGANIC CHECKOFF EXEMPTION The USDA is proposing expanding the organic exemption from assessments under various commodity promotion programs administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The changes are directed by the 2014 farm bill, according to an AMS press release. This action would apply the exemption from assessments to producers, handlers, marketers, or importers of “organic” and “100 percent organic” products certified under the National Organic Program. The exemption would apply regardless of whether the person requesting the exemption for organic products also deals with non-organic products. Currently, the exemption only applies to entities that solely produce, handle, market, or import products that are certified 100 percent organic. The proposed rule would increase the number of organic industry entities eligible for assessment exemptions. There are 22 national research and promotion programs. Under these programs producers of a particular agricultural product pay assessments to fund marketing campaigns and research initiatives that benefit their industry (for example, the well-known “Got Milk” campaign was developed with the dairy industry’s promotion program, funded by assessments from dairy producers). Under the proposal announced on Dec. 15, eligible producers, marketers, and importers would be exempt from paying assessments for these promotion programs on products certified as “organic” or “100 percent organic.” Under federal marketing order programs, eligible handlers would be exempt from the portion of the total assessment that is designated for market promotion activities. There are 23 marketing order programs that have market promotion authority. Notice of the proposed changes was published in the Dec. 16 Federal Register. The deadline to comment is Jan. 16. To make a comment visit http://tinyurl.com/orgnccomment. USDA EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD ON CSP CHANGES The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is extending the public comment period on the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) interim rule. Public comments will be accepted through Jan. 20. Official notice of the change can be found in the Federal Register. Comments may be submitted online at http://tinyurl.com/cspcomment. Comments also can be hand carried or mailed to Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. NRCS-2014-0008, Regulatory and Agency Policy Team, Strategic Planning and Accountability, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Building 1-1112D, Beltsville, Md. 20705. NRCS administers CSP, which helps participants improve their conservation performance. Through CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil, water, and air quality; water quantity; plant and animal resources; and energy conservation. Nearly 70 million acres have been enrolled in the program since its launch in 2009. Please visit summary of changes or http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/FarmBillRules for more information on the CSP statutory changes.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 6 2015 GFB FARM TOUR Jan. 9 Deadline to register Georgia Farm Bureau is offering a tour of some of South Carolina’s premier agricultural destinations. Tour stops include the Clemson University research facility, Strawberry Hill U.S.A in Chesnee, McLeod Farms in McBee, Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant and the Charleston Tea Plantation. The trip departs from Macon at 8 a.m. May 19 and returns 5:30 p.m. May 21. Cost of this all-inclusive trip covers round-trip bus transportation from Macon, hotels and all meals except Wed. dinner when trip participants will be free to explore Charleston at their leisure. Tour rates are: $676 per person; $1,082 for two; $1,446 per three & $1,849 per four based on number of people sleeping in hotel room. Visit http://www.gfb.org/SCfarmtour to see tour brochure and print the registration form. A check made payable to GFB Inc. with a completed registration form must be received by GFB Field Services by Jan. 9 to hold a spot on the tour. For more information, call 478-474-0679, ext. 5231 or email mmakers@gfb.org. SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONFERENCE Jan. 8-11 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. 2015 AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 14 Brenau Georgia Mountains Center Gainesville Jan. 15 Clarence Brown Conference Center Cartersville Jan. 16 Cloud Livestock Facility Bainbridge Jan. 21 Toombs County Agricenter Lyons Jan. 22 UGA Conference Center Tifton Jan. 23 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon This series, supported by an endowment from Georgia Farm Bureau with additional support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture, 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 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Cost is $30 per person or $200 for a table of eight. 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. GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW & CONFERENCE Jan. 15 UGA Tifton Conference Center 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tifton This annual must-go event features 100 exhibits, nearly $40,000 in door prizes, a free farmer lunch and educational sessions, including pesticide applicators 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.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 6 BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 15 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. UGA DAIRY HEIFER SHOW Feb. 6-7 UGA Livestock Arena Athens State Junior Commercial Dairy Heifer Show rules and regulations apply. Entry fees are $12 per heifer and entries must be postmarked by Jan. 15. All heifers entered must have been individually tagged by Nov. 14. A contest to design the show t-shirts is being held, with a $50 prize to the winner. Entries for the t-shirt design contest are also due Jan. 15. A dairy judging contest for FFA and 4-H students will be held Feb. 6. Entry fees for the judging contest are $5. For a printable entry form visit http://tinyurl.com/ugadairyheifer. For more information contact Dr. William Graves at wgraves@uga.edu. VETERANS AND SMALL FARMERS WORKSHOPS Jan. 22 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Feb. 19 Fort Valley State University Pettigrew Center Fort Valley March 12 Gwinnett Technical College Busbee Center Lawrenceville These one-day workshops are designed to provide veterans and small farmers with knowledge of funds and programs available to them. Each workshop begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and runs through 4:30 p.m. Topics include the 2014 farm bill, micro-irrigation, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) veteran ranking process, small vs. large farms, organic certification, seasonal high tunnels, and more! Early registration and payment of the $20 fee can be completed online at http://conta.cc/1vjYPvM or call 678-376-9518 with any other questions. Please select specific workshop location under session section of link. GCC ANNUAL MEETING & UGA COTTON PRODUCTION WORKSHOP Jan. 28 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8 a.m. Tifton Featured speakers for the Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting are Mark Messura, Senior Vice President for Global Marketing, Cotton Incorporated; John Maguire, Senior Vice President of the National Cotton Council, and a representative for Southern Cotton Growers. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop, conducted by the Research & Extension Cotton Team, provides the latest technical production strategies from the researchers whose projects were funded by the Commission using growers’ dollars. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online at www.ugatiftonconference.org or call 229.386.3416. For more information call 478-988-4235 or visit http://tinyurl.com/cottonmtg. 2015 GA/FLA SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION SOYBEAN/SMALL GRAIN EXPO Feb. 5 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The Expo 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. The registration fee is $10 for advance registration or $20 on the date of the Expo. On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program starts at 9:30 a.m. Make checks payable to the Georgia /Florida Soybean Association, mail to 2425 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30605. For more information contact the Georgia/Florida Soybean Association at 706-542-3793 should you have questions or comments.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 6 OLD SOUTH FARM MUSEUM HOG KILLING DEMONSTRATION Feb. 7 Old South Farm Museum 8:30 a.m. Woodland This event will demonstrate how farmers once slaughtered hogs on their farms for their families and the many products made from hogs. Program includes a meat-cutting class and demonstrations on making various products from pork including sausage, Brunswick stew, meat skins and lye soap. Classes run from 8:30 a.m. into the afternoon. Breakfast and lunch will be sold at the museum. The fee to observe and receive free sausage is $12 per person. The fee is $35 to participate in the workshop demonstrations with hands-on experience and receive pork products. Feb. 2 is the deadline to pre-register. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit www.oldsouthfarm.com to print the registration form to be mailed with payment to Bulloch. UGA ACCEPTING CAES ALUMNI AWARD NOMINATIONS The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Alumni Association invites you to make nominations for its Young Alumni Achievement Award, Alumni Award of Excellence and the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame. The Young Alumni Achievement Award is for alumni who are 35 years old or younger and who have achieved excellence in their chosen field and/or in their community. The CAES Alumni Award of Excellence recognizes extraordinary CAES alumni 36 years or older. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize individuals making unusual and extraordinary contributions to agriculture and agribusiness industries in Georgia. The Young Alumni Achievement and Alumni Excellence awards must be received by Feb. 28. Hall of Fame nominations must be postmarked by March 15. For more information or to make nominations for these awards, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/CAA/scholarships.html.