Georgia Farm Bureau's Leadership Alert - July 7, 2010

July 7, 2010

www.gfb.org

Vol. 28 No. 27

GFB MEMBER TESTIFIES AT SENATE FARM BILL HEARING Having a stable and effective farm policy is crucial to the economic success of rural communities, Georgia Farm Bureau member and Worth County Farm Bureau Director Johnny Cochran said while testifying at the farm bill hearing held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in Washington, D.C., June 30. Cochran testified at the invitation of Sen. Saxby Chambliss, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“The production, processing and marketing of peanuts and cotton are the cornerstones of the economy in my rural home county,” Cochran, of Sylvester, said. “That’s why a predictable and stable farm policy is important to me and my neighbors.”

Cochran said that to be effective, federal farm policy must be market-oriented, allow for full production, provide a predictable, effective financial safety net, ensure the availability of competitively priced peanuts and cotton to domestic and international endusers and allow participation without regard to farm size or structure.

“The 2008 farm bill made historic changes to payment limitations and program eligibility. I understand these reforms, but commercial-size, [family-owned] farming operations like mine need to be eligible for farm programs,” Cochran said.

Cochran explained that the marketing loan program “gives lenders the confidence to provide operating loans, and it provides growers the opportunity to make orderly marketing decisions.”

During questioning, Cochran further explained, “Marketing loan programs for cotton and peanuts are very important to us because it allows us to market our crops over a ninemonth period and to have cash flow as we harvest our crops.”

Cochran asked the committee to include language in the next farm bill that will ensure the USDA implements the peanut marketing loan program as Congress intended it to.

“Unfortunately, the [peanut] marketing loan has not functioned as it was intended because USDA has not followed the Committee’s direction to consider international prices when calculating the peanut loan repayment rate,” Cochran said. “I ask the Committee to include language in the next farm bill that will assure that the prices our international competitors are selling peanuts for will be considered in establishing the repayment rate.”

Cochran also gave testimony regarding crop insurance saying, “Crop insurance is an essential risk management tool for producers. I believe crop insurance should always be considered a complement to good commodity programs, not a substitute.”

Leadership Alert page 2 of 4 NRCS MAKES FUNDS AVAILABLE TO EXPAND MIGRATORY BIRD HABITAT

In an effort to minimize the effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil catastrophe on birds engaged in seasonal migration, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making funds available for farmers, ranchers and other landowners to develop and enhance habitat for birds making their annual migration south toward the Gulf of Mexico this fall.

NRCS State Conservationist James E. Tillman Sr. said an estimated $150,000 will be available under the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI) for landowners in Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell, Webster and Worth counties.

Portions of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas are also targeted under the program.

“Millions of migratory birds traveling south this fall will instinctively head toward the marshes and coastlands of northern Gulf of Mexico,” said Tillman. “The Gulf area is already degraded and there is a potential for larger-scale oil impacts in the months ahead.

It is essential that we provide inland and coastal food, water and cover for migratory birds before they reach the oil-impacted areas.”

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is placing an emphasis on creating or enhancing habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl, including shallow water, mudflat and sandflat habitats, particularly agricultural lands with wetlands farmed under natural conditions and prior converted croplands. The USDA indicated that rice fields are well-suited for migratory bird habitat, as are catfish and crayfish farms.

The deadline to apply for assistance under the MBHI is Aug. 1. Interested producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. More information is available at www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov.

GEORGIA COTTON ACREAGE UP, CORN ACREAGE DOWN

Georgia farmers planted 17 percent fewer total acres of corn in 2010 than in 2009, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, while the state’s cotton acreage is up 25 percent from a year ago and peanuts are up 10 percent.

Cotton acreage grew to 1.25 million acres in Georgia, the highest total since 2006.

Nationally, cotton acreage is up 19 percent, to 10.9 million acres. Georgia farmers planted 560,000 acres of peanuts, up from 510,000 in 2009, part of a 16 percent nationwide growth to 1.29 million acres.

Georgia’s corn acreage, down from 420,000 in 2009 to 350,000 this year, bucks the national trend of increased corn acreage. Nationally, corn acreage is up by 1.4 million acres, though the growth is smaller than some forecasts.

The state’s planted acreage in sorghum rose by 27 percent, to 70,000 acres. Georgia’s planted acres of oats, rye, soybeans and winter wheat all decreased. Soybeans were down by 26 percent to 350,000 acres, while the state’s winter wheat plantings fell by 41 percent, to 200,000 acres. Expected harvested tobacco acreage in Georgia declined for the third straight year, to 11,000 acres, a drop of 21 percent from 2009.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 4

SUPREME COURT REVERSES BAN ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED ALFALFA In its first decision on a case involving genetically modified crops, the Supreme Court of the United States reversed a lower court’s injunction against the cultivation of alfalfa that is resistant to glyphosate. The Supreme Court sent the case of Monsanto vs. Geertson Seed Farms back to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to determine what measures can be implemented while the USDA completes an environmental impact study (EIS) on the biotech alfalfa.

The USDA was sued in the District Court in 2006 for not completing the EIS before granting deregulated status to alfalfa that is glyphosate-tolerant, or Roundup Ready as it is commonly called, and allowing it for commercial sale. Environmental groups and organic alfalfa farmers claimed that through cross-pollination genetically modified alfalfa would cause extensive environmental harm.

The District Court found that the USDA’s decision to deregulate glyphosate-tolerant alfalfa violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and banned the planting and sale of the alfalfa nationwide. Monsanto, Forage Genetics International and the USDA appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where the District Court ruling was upheld.

The Supreme Court found that the District Court went beyond the limits of its discretion in issuing the injunction rather than allowing the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) proposed partial deregulation.

FDA URGES REDUCING ANTIBIOTIC DRUG USE IN FOOD ANIMALS Sparking concerns from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week issued a draft guidance that recommends limiting the uses of antibiotic drugs in food animals to those that are necessary to maintain the animal’s health. The draft also suggests veterinary oversight for the administration of antimicrobial drugs.

The agency contends that the use of antibiotic drugs for growth-enhancing purposes facilitates bacterial resistance to the drugs and poses a threat to human public health.

“This guidance could eliminate certain antibiotics that are extremely important to the health of animals,” said NPPC President Sam Carney. “FDA didn’t present any science on which to base this, yet it could have a tremendous negative impact on animal health and, ultimately, the safety of food. As we know, healthy animals produce safe food, and we need every available tool to protect animal health.”

In a release, the NPPC pointed out that scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the National Institutes of Health have stated there is no study linking antibiotic use in food animal production with antibiotic resistance diseases in humans.

The FDA is accepting public comments until Aug. 30. To submit a comment, visit www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480b09048 and click the “submit comment” link.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 4 UPCOMING EVENTS

GEORGIA PEANUTS ARE NO. 1!

Receiving 43 percent of the online poll votes, Georgia peanuts were named the best peanuts in America through The Great American Peanut Debate. At the congressional baseball game at Nationals Park June 29, Sen. Johnny Isakson and Reps. Jack Kingston and Jim Marshall were presented with The Great American Peanut Debate trophy. Thanks to everyone who voted!

2010 SUNBELT AG EXPO FIELD DAY July 8 Spence Field Moultrie Trams begin departing for field tours at 8:30 a.m., but visitors are encouraged to arrive early.

Attendees who register by 8:15 a.m. will be entered in an early bird drawing for $100.

More than 140 varieties of cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans and grain sorghum from 25 companies will be on display. The field day will also feature plots of energy grasses including switchgrass, biomass sorghum, sweet sorghum and miscanthus. Attendees will also be able to see the alfalfa forage plots of Bulldog 805 and 505 that are thriving in the south Georgia climate.

The research plots of the University of Georgia’s Cotton and Peanut Teams will spotlight the latest pesticide and irrigation technology research. Certified crop advisor credits will be given for attending the event. Lunch will be served around noon. Visit www.sunbeltexpo.com or call 229-985-1968 for more information.

GFB AG IN THE CLASSROOM PLU COURSE July 13-15 FFA/FCCLA Camp Covington This fun three-day course, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day and is matched to state standards provides two Professional Learning Units for teachers upon completion. It gives teachers a variety of classroom resources. Cost is $39 and includes lunches. To register, contact Donna Rocker at dhrocker@gfb.org or 800-898-1911, ext. 5365.

SOUTHEAST BIO-ENERGY & RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE Aug. 3-5 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This 5th annual event includes sessions on the topics of rising gas prices, development of energy market jobs, wood pellet production and many other topics. For information visit www.sebioenergy.org or contact Evelyn Folds at 229-386-7274 or efolds@uga.edu.

UGA TURFGRASS FIELD DAY Aug. 4 UGA Griffin Campus 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Griffin This event will present the latest research information on management of turfgrass varieties grown in Georgia. The morning sessions will also be offered in Spanish. Participants can earn four hours of Georgia Pesticide License Credit in category 24 and four hours in category 21. Registration fee is $50 until July 21 and $65 after July 21. For information or to register, visit www.GeorgiaTurf.com or call 770-229-3477.

PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE SAFETY DAY Aug. 28 Habersham County Fairgrounds Clarkesville This event, which lasts from 8 a.m. to 5p.m., is open to children ages 5 – 13 and utilizes interactive activities to teach kids about farm and rural safety. Topics include snake and wildlife safety, ATV safety, chemical safety, meth awareness, and tractor/PTO safety. Children ages 9 and under must be supervised by an adult. For information or to register please contact the Habersham County Farm Bureau at 706-776-6739 or jhcanup@gfb.org.