Georgia Farm Bureau's Leadership Alert - January 8, 2014

January 8, 2014

www.gfb.org

Vol. 32 No. 1

GFB BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVE 2014 PRIORITY ISSUES Water, taxes and budget, animal agriculture and general agriculture issues will be Georgia Farm Bureau’s priority issues in 2014. The Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors approved the priority issues during a meeting on Dec. 20.

“These are issues that have drawn attention from our membership,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “We will continue to pursue any issue that affects farmers as outlined by our official policy, which was adopted by our voting delegates.”

Specifically, the board indicated a desire to preserve farm sales tax exemptions, including the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program while making sure GATE continues to be administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The board remains committed to helping farmers with registration for the GATE program and working for ways to deliver the program to farmers in an efficient manner.

The taxes and budget area also includes protecting the integrity of the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) program, as well as preserving funding for agricultural institutions, agencies, and youth development programs. These include UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Extension and research, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission, the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center, FFA and 4-H. The board also committed to be engaged in any Flint River Drought Protection Act reform the Georgia General Assembly considers and to work to ensure that water legislation does not adversely affect agriculture.

GFB also resolved to support all reasonable means of water conservation while working to augment water supplies. GFB plans to continue active involvement with the Georgia Regional Water Councils and the Metro Water District.

The board agreed to assist in educating cattle producers about the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Beef. GFB also committed to work to block efforts to regulate animal agriculture at the farm level and work cooperatively with other animal agriculture groups.

GFB will also work to provide positive reinforcement to consumers about animal agriculture.

Among the general issues the board approved are seeking ways to help farmers in controlling nuisance wildlife, curbing theft on farms, including unauthorized timber harvest.

The board also resolved to give farmers support on commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations, work toward establishing long-term funding for the Georgia Weather Network and remain engaged on all issues affecting agriculture.

Leadership Alert page 2 of 8 BELIVEAU TO RETIRE, LUCAS NAMED NEW GFB PR DIRECTOR Paul Beliveau has announced his intent to retire as Georgia Farm Bureau Director of Information and Public Relations effective Feb. 7. Paul has led the department for more than 28 years. GFB’s Information and Public Relations Department has been recognized many times as a leader in reaching all of Georgia and the nation; The Georgia Farm Monitor is broadcast weekly on 13 Georgia stations and nationally on RFD TV and FamilyNet. In addition to TV, the Georgia Farm Radio Network has grown during Beliveau’s tenure from a few stations to 55 Lucas Beliveau statewide. GFRN makes seven agricultural reports daily.

Andy Lucas has been named Beliveau’s successor as director of Information and Public Relations. Andy and his brother Mike operate their family farm in Bleckley County. Andy graduated from Bleckley County High School in Cochran and Mercer University in Macon. Prior to his career with GFB, he worked many years in retail marketing and advertising. Lucas has served as the associate director of Field Services since 2010. He has also worked as the GFB Young Farmer Coordinator and in the Commodities Marketing department. Andy and his wife Kandace have one daughter, Lacy Kate.

Smith

SMITH JOINS GFB LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT Matthew Smith has joined Georgia Farm Bureau as a legislative specialist. His duties will include maintaining contact with members of the Georgia General Assembly to help keep them informed on agricultural issues.

A UGA graduate with a degree in business, Smith worked in real estate sales in the Athens area.

He is originally from Watkinsville and he and his wife Christine currently live in Athens.

FSA WAIVES LATE FILING FEES FOR ACREAGE REPORTS The USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced that “late-filed” fees will be waived for crops that had a Nov. 15, 2013, acreage reporting deadline if these crops are reported no later than Jan. 15, 2014. Crops with the Nov. 15, 2013, reporting date WILL be assessed the “late-filed” fee if reported after the Jan. 15, 2014, “waiver date.” Crops under this waiver include perennial improved grasses intended for grazing or haying.

The Risk Management Agency (RMA) did not grant a “reporting” waiver on the Pasture, Range, and Forage Land (PRF) insurance program.

The following 2014 acreage reporting dates are applicable for the entire state of Georgia: Jan. 15 - apples, all fall-seeded small grains, blueberries, canola, and peaches; March 15 - cabbage planted between Oct. 1, 2013 and Feb. 20, 2014, onions planted between Oct. 21, 2013 and Feb. 1, 2014, and pecans; May 15 - flue-cured tobacco, fresh market sweet corn planted between Aug. 26, 2013 and May 15, 2014, fresh market tomatoes planted between Aug. 16, 2013 and April 5, 2014; July 15 - corn, cotton, grain sorghum, peanuts, soybeans, and all others crops not shown with a specific reporting date; Aug. 15 - fresh market tomatoes planted July 1 and Aug. 15; Sept. 15 - fresh market sweet corn (planted between July 15 and Aug. 25; Oct. 15 - cabbage planted between July 16 and Sept. 30.

For questions regarding crop certification and crop loss reports, contact a local FSA office.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 8 REPORT: ANIMAL AG IMPORTANT TO GEORGIA ECONOMY, FOOD SUPPLY Georgia’s animal agriculture sector continues to help support the state’s economy by adding 6,000 jobs within the past decade, according to the recent United Soybean Board-funded Animal Agriculture Economic Analysis. A successful animal ag industry also benefits the soybean farmers who depend on animal ag as the biggest market for soybean meal.

The report outlines the economic benefits the poultry and livestock sectors provide at the state and national levels. In 2012, animal ag provided the following benefits to Georgia’s economy: support for 60,000 jobs; $13.7 billion in total economic output; a $2.5 billion impact on household incomes; $795 million in income and property taxes paid.

Nationally, the animal ag industry supported 1.8 million jobs and provided $346 billion in total economic output, according to the study. The sector also added $60 billion to American household incomes and paid $21 billion in income and property taxes.

The partnership between soybean farmers and the animal ag sector helps sustain local farms and produces safe and reliable food for the rest of the world.

According to the study, broilers are the biggest soybean meal eaters in Georgia, consuming 86 percent, followed by egg-laying hens at 5 percent.

Poultry, swine and other livestock consume about 97 percent of the supply of U.S. soybean meal every year in their feed. Last year in Georgia, animal ag used an estimated 2.05 million tons of soybean meal, or the meal from more than 85 million bushels of soybeans. Overall, U.S. poultry, livestock and fish farmers used more than 30 million tons (the meal from 1.26 billion bushels) in the 2011/12 marketing year, which is an increase of 1 million tons (meal from 42 million bushels) from the previous year.

USDA ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON ARKANSAS PEANUT STATUS The USDA has issued a proposed rule and invites comments on adding the state of Arkansas as a primary peanut-producing state under the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order, which is administered by the National Peanut Board with oversight by USDA. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by Jan. 22.

Under the order, primary peanut producing states must maintain a three-year average production of at least 10,000 tons of peanuts. Arkansas’s peanut production meets this requirement.

Primary peanut-producing states also have a seat on the National Peanut Board, and this proposal would add a seat on the board for the state of Arkansas. The Board recommended this action to ensure that the board’s representation reflects changes in the geographical distribution of the production of peanuts.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments online at http://www.regulations.gov; by mail to the Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; or by fax at 202-205-2800.

All comments should reference the document number (AMS-FV-13-0042) and the date and page number of the issue of the Federal Register (77368) and will be made available for public inspection, including name and address, if provided, in the above office during regular business hours or it can be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov.

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, 2013, 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.

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONFERENCE Jan. 9-12 International Trade and Convention Center Savannah This annual conference features 10 different crop-specific workshops plus workshops on roadside markets, business operations and food safety. Attendees will also have the chance to receive legislative updates from Washington and Atlanta. For more information or to register, visit http://www.seregionalconference.com.

BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 15 Ramada Conference Center Meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. Call 229-469-4038 to RSVP or for more information.

Perry

2014 GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW Jan. 16 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This annual event, presented by the Georgia Peanut Commission, will be held in Tifton for the second straight year. The Peanut Farm Show features more than 95 free exhibits, nearly $40,000 in door prizes, a free farmer lunch and pesticide applicator certification classes. For more information, visit www.gapeanuts.com.

NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL ACREAGE SURVEY All U.S. cotton producers are encouraged to respond to the National Cotton Council’s annual survey of 2014 planting intentions. The survey’s questionnaire was recently distributed to upland and extra-long staple producers through a combination of regular mail and e-mail with the intent of reaching all cotton farms. Growers who did not receive a questionnaire may contact the NCC via e-mail at econsurvey@cotton.org for survey 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. Survey results will be presented during the Joint Meeting of Program Committees on Saturday morning, Feb. 8. To enhance the survey’s accuracy, producers are encouraged to respond by the Jan. 17 deadline.

METRO ATLANTA BEEKEEPING SHORT COURSE Jan. 18 Atlanta Botanical Garden 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Atlanta This complete beekeeping course includes presentations for beginning and experienced beekeepers, covering entomology and botany, as well as displays of beekeeping equipment.

Educational materials will be included.

To register, visit http://www.metroatlantabeekeepers.org/sc_register.php. The registration fee is $95, which includes lunch and a parking pass. For more information send an email to shortcourse2014@gmail.com or call 678-597-8443.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 8 2014 GEORGIA DAIRY CONFERENCE Jan. 20-22 Savannah Riverfront Marriott Savannah This annual conference will provide dairymen and managers significant and practical “takehome� information about a variety of on-farm and dairy business practices. A discounted room rate of $119 for single and double occupancy rooms is available, with no parking fees. Contact the hotel at 912-233-7722 or 800-285-0398 to make reservations and mention that you are with Georgia Milk Producers to get the discount. To register, please contact Farrah Newberry at 706310-0020 or gamilkproducers@gmail.com.

GA. COTTON COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING & COTTON WORKSHOP Jan. 22 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Production workshops will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. followed by the Cotton Commission Annual Meeting, presentation of the Georgia Quality Cotton Awards during lunch and more production workshops in the afternoon. For more information call 478-988-4235 or visit http://www.georgiacottoncommission.org.

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 federal and state agencies.

Registration is required. Call 912-681-5241 or 913-495-2070 to register. Note: Sapelo Island is only accessible by ferry. For information, visit http://gaswcc.georgia.gov/region-iii#Coastal.

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.

Registration fee is $30 per person for $200 for a table of eight. Advance registration is required

by Jan. 22, 2014. For more information or to register, 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.

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 includes variety updates, a discussion of diseases affecting watermelons and much more. 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.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 8 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.

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. 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.

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 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, firstserved basis.

Leadership Alert page 7 of 8 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.

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.

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.

Leadership Alert page 8 of 8 YOUNG FARMERS TRIP TO WASHINGTON March 4-7 Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the GFB Young Farmer Committee, this trip is an excellent opportunity for young farmers to learn about how the federal government operates and how Farm Bureau works to lobby for agriculture in our nation’s capitol. Cost is $725 per person, which tentatively includes round-trip airfare, three nights lodging at the Holiday Inn Capitol (double occupancy), transportation to and from the airport and two planned meals. Participants must be Farm Bureau members between the ages of 21 and 35. For more information or to register, visit http://www.gfb.org/programs/yf/default.html or contact GFB Young Farmer Coordinator Jed Evans at jcevans@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5230. This trip usually fills up quickly, so register soon!

USB’ 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.