Georgia Farm Bureau's Leadership Alert - December 23, 2013

December 23, 2013

www.gfb.org

Vol. 31 No. 52

SUCCESSION PLANNING A FEATURED TOPIC AT 2014 AG FORECAST University of Georgia economists will break down the complicated web of factors that impact the state’s agriculture and give farmers and business leaders a preview of the 2014 growing season during the series of 2014 Georgia Ag Forecast seminars to be held Jan. 24-31.

The Ag Forecast meetings are scheduled for Jan. 24 at Georgia Farm Bureau in Macon, Jan. 27 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, Jan. 28 at the Toombs County Agri-Center in Lyons, Jan. 29 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Jan. 30 at the Cloud Livestock Facility in Bainbridge and Jan. 31 at the Clarence Brown Conference Center in Cartersville.

In addition to the annual Ag Forecast overview, Macon attorney Will Thompson of JamesBates-Brannan-Groover LLP will speak on farm succession planning and offer advice for farmers and agribusiness owners on how to pass their businesses on to the next generation.

Registration for the series is open at http://www.georgiaagforecast.com. Fees are $30 for individuals and $200 for a table of eight.

The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Department of Agriculture sponsor the annual seminar series, and its attendance grows every year. The 2013 Georgia Ag Forecast drew almost 1,000 business people, farmers and community leaders.

“We have some of the best and most productive farmers in the world right here in Georgia,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “Our goal is to give them business tools to maximize their farm’s outputs. The Ag Forecast meetings present them with a lot of good information that will help them toward that goal.”

“The main objective of the Ag Forecast is to provide Georgia’s producers and agribusiness leaders with information on where we think the industry is headed in the upcoming year,” said Kent Wolfe, director of the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. “It helps farmers plan what they’re going to plant in the next year, but it’s also good for bankers and other businesspeople who do business with farmers or who will impacted by the farm economy.”

Economists from the center and the UGA Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics will deliver the forecasts, which look at Georgia’s major commodities and the way that global markets, weather patterns and historical trends will affect them.

For more information on the 2014 Ag Forecast, visit http://www.georgiaagforecast.com or follow @UGA_CollegeofAg on Twitter.

Leadership Alert page 2 of 7 CORRECTED FSA COUNTY COMMITTEE BALLOTS MAILED – FSA County Committee Elections began Dec. 20, with the mailing of ballots to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices is Jan. 17, 2014.

Producers have been instructed to destroy the FSA County Committee Election ballots (FSA-669’s) mailed on Nov. 4. The new ballots mailed to producers will have the word “corrected” printed on the outside of the mailing, the ballot and the return envelope. Producers must complete and return the corrected FSA-669 to have their vote counted. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the coming week can obtain one from their local USDA Service Center. Newly elected committee members and their alternates will take office Feb. 18, 2014.

To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm may also be eligible to vote.

County committee members provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs, conservation programs, incentive indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities, emergency programs and eligibility.

More information on county committees can be found on the FSA website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or at a local USDA Service Center.

FDA RELEASES ANTIMICROBIAL USE PLAN FOR LIVESTOCK – Saying the use of some antimicrobial drugs can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is implementing a plan to help phase out the use of what it calls medically important antimicrobials in food animals for food production purposes, such as to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency. The plan would also phase in veterinary oversight of the remaining appropriate therapeutic uses of such drugs.

In a final guidance issued on Dec. 11, the FDA laid out a road map for animal pharmaceutical companies to voluntarily revise the FDA-approved use conditions on the labels of these products to remove production indications. The plan also calls for changing the current over-the-counter (OTC) status to bring the remaining appropriate therapeutic uses under veterinary oversight.

Once a manufacturer voluntarily makes these changes, its medically important antimicrobial drugs can no longer be used for production purposes, and their use to treat, control, or prevent disease in animals will require veterinary oversight.

In order to help phase in veterinary oversight of those drugs covered by the guidance that are intended for medically appropriate uses in feed, the FDA also has issued a proposed rule to update the existing regulations relating to Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) drugs. The use of VFD drugs requires specific authorization by a licensed veterinarian using a process outlined in the agency’s VFD regulations.

The guidance for animal pharmaceutical companies is now in final form, and the proposed VFD rule is open for public comment for 90 days starting on Dec. 12. To electronically submit comments on the proposed VFD rule, go to http://www.regulations.gov and insert docket FDA2010-N-0155. Send written comments to the Division of Dockets Management, Food and Drug Administration, Room 1061, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 7 GFB COMMITTEES HEAR UPDATES ON COMMODITIES – A collection of 40 speakers presented commodity-specific information to members of Georgia Farm Bureau’s 20 commodity committees during the 2013 GFB Convention held Dec. 8-10 on Jekyll Island.

While speaking at the GFB Peanut Committee meeting, Bob Parker, president and CEO of the National Peanut Board, discussed steps the board is taking to address peanut allergy issues. Parker said the board is working to educate school officials that a complete ban on peanut products isn’t necessary to protect children with a peanut allergy because the aroma of peanuts or being in the same room as peanuts will not induce anaphylaxis. Parker also announced the NPB is launching a new ad campaign with the slogan “The Perfectly Powerful Peanut.” The new campaign will emphasize that peanuts are a plant-based protein and educate consumers about peanut plants.

McWilliams Dr. Scott Tubbs, UGA peanut research agronomist, also spoke in the peanut meeting, giving an overview of the management practices and new varieties that have allowed Georgia peanut farmers to produce 4,500 pounds/acre in 2013.

Lee Beckmann, manager of government affairs for the Georgia Ports Authority, gave an overview of the shipping activities at the Brunswick and Savannah ports. Brunswick is the top auto importing facility in the U.S. serving as the entry port for foreign brands such as Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz.

Brunswick also serves as an export port for Ford, GM, Mercedes, Toyota and Subaru cars manufactured in the U.S. Savannah is the most inland port of all ports on the Southeastern coast and is geographically best suited to serve the 44 percent of the U.S. population living in the Southeast, Beckmann said.

Russ Pennington, director of policy & public affairs for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, discussed the lawsuit Florida recently filed against Georgia over water use and pending state legislation to change language of the Flint River Drought Protection Act. GFB Beef Committee Chairman John Callaway presented information about the upcoming referendum on whether to fund the Georgia Beef Commission with an assessment of Georgia’s beef producers.

During the GFB Beef Committee meeting, State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Cobb talked about federal animal identification under new traceability rules.

In the GFB Forestry Committee meeting, Georgia Forestry Association President and CEO Steve McWilliams shared the functions of the GFA and provided details of a proposed bill expected to be introduced in the 2014 Georgia General Assembly to address timber theft and timber security.

COTTON PRODUCTION ESTIMATES FALL – Georgia cotton growers are expected to produce 2.35 million bales according to the December crop report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, down from a projected 2.5 million bales in November.

The decline is due to a drop in yields, from an expected 899 pounds per acre in November to 845 pounds per acre on the December report. Growers in some parts of the state continued harvesting cotton well into December.

The projected 2.35 million bales represents a 19 percent drop from Georgia’s cotton production in 2012, when the state’s growers turned out 2.91 million bales.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 7 GEORGIA BEEF REFERENDUM PROCESS UNDERWAY Georgia cattle producers have until Dec. 31 to sign up with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to receive a ballot to vote in a state referendum that will determine if an assessment of up to $1 per head is collected to fund the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Beef. The proposed assessment is separate from the National Beef Checkoff (NBC). For the referendum to be valid, at least 25 percent of the total number of producers who receive ballots must vote. For the referendum to pass, two-thirds of those who vote must vote in favor of the commission. To request a ballot, visit http://agr.georgia.gov/beef-commission.aspx. Those without access to the Internet may contact their county Farm Bureau office for assistance in signing up for a ballot.

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. Beginning January 1, 2014, 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.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR OUTSTANDING YOUNG PEANUT FARMER Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer. The winner will be announced at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, in Tifton. The award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and Bayer CropScience. The award is open for any active Georgia peanut farmer who is not over 45 years of age, as of January 16, 2014. An individual may receive the award only once. There is no limit on the number of applicants from each county in Georgia. Applications are due to the GPC office by Jan. 3, 2014. The award application is available online at the GPC Web site, www.gapeanuts.com or by contacting Joy Crosby at 229-386-3690 or joycrosby@gapeanuts.com.

BLUEBERRY MEETING Jan. 8, 2014 Ga./Fla. Tobacco Exchange Warehouse 10 a.m.

Alma This meeting is designed for blueberry growers, county agents, and industry representatives.

Topics include sprayer coverage field day results, a spotted wing drosophilia update, current disease issues, new research and a horticulture update from UGA Blueberry Specialist Dr. Erick Smith. Lunch is sponsored by BEI International and BBC Technologies. Commercial and private pesticide credits will be given To register, call 912-632-5601 or email uge4005@uga.edu.

LOW-STRESS CATTLE HANDLING SEMINAR Jan. 8, 2014 Gerald Long Farms/Brimberry Farms 10 a.m./2 p.m.

Bainbridge This free seminar, presented by the Safe Cattle Marketing Group, will be led by low-stress cattle handling expert Curt Pate. The 10 a.m. session at Gerald Long Farms will focus on cattle handling on foot. The 2 p.m. session at Brimberry Farms will focus on cattle handling from horseback. The program qualifies for two hours of BQA continuing education credit. A noon lunch ($10) at the Decatur County Ag Center is also scheduled. For more information, contact Ernie Ford at 229-357-0703 or erniefordfarms@windstream.net.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 7 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONFERENCE Jan. 9-12, 2014 International Trade and Convention Center Savannah This annual conference features 10 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, 2014 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, 2014 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.

METRO ATLANTA BEEKEEPING SHORT COURSE Jan. 18, 2014 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.

2014 GEORGIA DAIRY CONFERENCE Jan. 20-22, 2014 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, 2014 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.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 7 AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 24, 2014 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon Jan. 27, 2014 Georgia Center for Continuing Education Athens Jan. 28, 2014 Toombs County Agri-Center Lyons Jan. 29, 2014 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Jan. 30, 2014 Cloud Livestock Facility Bainbridge Jan. 31, 2014 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.

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, 2014. 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, 2014 University of Georgia Athens Registration is being accepted through Feb. 5, 2014, 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.

Registration is $900, which includes lodging, meals, instruction and social activities.

Scholarships or financial assistance are available to students with demonstrated need. For more information, contact Lakecia Pettway at lpettway@uga.edu or 706-542-8411, or see the program’s website.

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 application period for the program, opens online at http://www.gefa.org, ends Feb. 15, 2014. 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, 2014. Visit the IFYE website at www.ifyusa.org/ to learn more about the program and obtain an application.

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, 2014. For more information about how to apply visit http://tinyurl.com/mc3ncwc or contact any USDA Rural Development state office.

Merry Christmas from Georgia Farm Bureau!