November 25, 2015
www.gfb.org
WHAT WE’RE THANKFUL FOR … Georgia Farm Bureau leadership and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black take a moment to express the things in their lives for which they are thankful. From all of us at GFB, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! GFB President Zippy Duvall Hello, my name is Zippy Duvall and I’m president of Georgia Farm Bureau. As we enter into this week of Thanksgiving, I just thought I’d share a few moments with you and tell you what I am thankful for. Of course, I am thankful for my family and the opportunity to farm in Greensboro, Ga. It has truly been a treasured part of my life to be able to do that. But I’m also thankful for the job that I have, that I get to represent all of Georgia agriculture and all the farmers and ranchers across this state. They are good people. They work hard to supply what you will be eating at your Thanksgiving dinner table, and we hope you enjoy it. And then of course I’m very thankful to my Lord for giving me the opportunity to serve, and that’s the thing that I’m most thankful of. He allows me to serve some good people in this state. He allows me to work with some wonderful people in this building and across this state. I’m just
Vol. 33 No. 47
very thankful for that opportunity. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and we hope you think about the farmers as you partake in your Thanksgiving lunch! GFB First Vice President Gerald Long I guess first I want to thank my Lord and savior. Second, my family for the support they’ve given me through the years and also while I’ve been involved with Farm Bureau, they’ve been a great asset. I could not do it without my wife and my kids back home taking care of the farm. We have so much to be thankful for in a free country, freedom of speech, I just thank God for that. I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving, and let each one of us be thankful, stop and pause and be thankful for what we have. GFB North Georgia Vice President Bernard Sims First of all I’m thankful for my Lord and savior. I’m thankful for my family. I’m thankful for Farm Bureau. I’m thankful also for being able to work on the farm and make my living from the farm and work outside - more
GFB News Alert page 2 of 9 - Continued from previous page with nature. I just hope that everyone has a good Thanksgiving with their families and their friends. GFB Middle Georgia Vice President Robert Fountain Jr. In this Thanksgiving season I’m thankful for American farmers, especially, because of all the dedication and hard work that they put in producing the food and fiber not only to feed the people of this nation but also people around the world. I think that’s something that we often take for granted and I am very, very thankful that we have the dedicated men and women who do that. I’m thankful for family that supports me and has been such an important part of my life and has given me a solid foundation. I’m thankful for having had the chance to grow up and live on the family farm, which has been part of my family for three generations. I’m thankful for the heritage that has been passed on to me, and the responsibility for carrying that on. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season together with family and friends as they gather around the table. GFB 3rd District Director Nora Goodman I’m thankful for my good health, for my family and for my close friends. And the fact that we have freedom in our country that many countries do not have the opportunity to enjoy. I feel like we are very fortunate to have an organization like Farm Bureau to support agriculture, which is the largest industry in our state, but also is what provides a livelihood for people who
consume our food on a daily basis. I hope that everyone has a very good holiday, enjoys their family and food, and remembers that if it weren’t for the good Lord providing the weather that we are so fortunate with, we would not be in a position to enjoy it that day. Young Farmer Committee Chairman David Cromley I'm thankful for strong mentors and role models in my life who have encouraged and inspired me through good times and bad. GFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chairwoman Janet Greuel I’m thankful for my family, my good health, my savior, my country, my ability to live on a farm and take care of God’s animals. I’m thankful for the past year with Georgia Farm Bureau. It’s been awesome. The profession that I used to have, nursing. Take the time to stop and think about all the blessings that you have and be thankful for them. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black Every Thanksgiving, with less regularity than it surely deserves, we all collectively take a moment to express what we’re grateful for. Given all of the many blessings in my life, my list could and should be much longer than space will allow. But I will certainly give it a go… God’s grace. A patient wife. Healthy children. Baby calves. Sunset over a green pasture. The experience etched on a farmer’s face. The sparkle in the eyes of a 4-H or FFA member. I hope that this Thanksgiving you will take a little time from your hectic day to write your own list and truly give thanks for all of our many blessings.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 9 AFBF: COST OF THANKSGIVING DINNER UP 70 CENTS The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 30th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $50.11, a 70-cent increase from last year’s average of $49.41. The big ticket item – a 16-pound turkey – came in at a total of $23.04 this year. That’s roughly $1.44 per pound, an increase of less than 9 cents per pound, or a total of $1.39 per whole turkey, compared to 2014. “Retail prices seem to have stabilized quite a bit for turkey, which is the centerpiece of the meal in our market basket,” AFBF Deputy Chief Economist John Anderson said. “There were some production disruptions earlier this year due to the highly pathogenic Avian influenza outbreak in the Midwest. Turkey production is down this year but not dramatically. Our survey shows a modest increase in turkey prices compared to last year. But we’re now starting to see retailers feature turkeys aggressively for the holiday. According to USDA retail price reports, featured prices fell sharply just last week and were actually lower than last year.” The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. There is also plenty for leftovers. Foods showing the largest price increases this year besides turkey were pumpkin pie mix, a dozen brown-n-serve rolls, cubed bread stuffing and pie shells. A 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix was $3.20; a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.61; and two nine-inch pie shells, $2.47. Items that declined modestly in price were mainly dairy items including one gallon of whole milk, $3.25; a combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (butter, evaporated milk, onions, eggs, sugar and flour), $3.18; a half pint of whipping cream, $1.94; and 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, $2.29. A one-pound relish tray of carrots and celery (79 cents) and one pound of green peas ($1.52) also decreased slightly in price. The stable average price reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks closely with the government’s Consumer Price Index for food eaten at home. For October, the most recent month available, the food at home CPI posted a 0.7 percent increase compared to a year ago (available online at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm). A total of 138 volunteer shoppers checked prices at grocery stores in 32 states. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free turkey. The AFBF survey was first conducted in 1986. While Farm Bureau does not make any scientific claims about the data, it is an informal gauge of price trends around the nation. Farm Bureau’s survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 9 FARM BUREAU CELEBRATING FARM-CITY WEEK Georgia Farm Bureau invites you to join in celebrating Farm-City Week, which began on Nov. 20 and runs through Nov. 26. Farm-City Week highlights the relationship between the state’s farmers and their partners in urban areas who prepare, transport, market and retail the food and fiber farmers grow for the American consumer. Kiwanis International began Farm-City Week in 1955 to increase the understanding of the partnership between urban and rural residents. Farm days at schools, farm tours, banquets and mayoral proclamations are just a few of the activities that will be held in communities across Georgia to mark this annual event. According to the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED), food and fiber production and related businesses represent the largest or second largest segment of all goods and services produced in two-thirds of Georgia’s counties. Food and fiber production and directly related processing directly and indirectly generated a total economic impact of $72.5 billion for Georgia and created more than 371,600 jobs in 2013, according to the CAED. One in seven Georgians works in agriculture, forestry or an ag-related job, and almost half of the state’s manufacturing jobs are in agribusiness. Georgia farmers lead the nation in producing blueberries, broilers, peanuts, pecans and spring onions, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics show. In 2013, the top ten commodities grown in Georgia were broilers, cotton, eggs, beef, timber, corn, peanuts, dairy, horses and pecans. Georgia agriculture also helps our nation have a positive agriculture trade balance, which means we export more agricultural products than we import. In 2014, Georgia companies exported $3.1 billion worth of farm products, according to the USDA, part of the $141.8 billion worth of American agricultural products exported around the globe according to the USDA. Farm-City Week is a great time to discuss how the economy impacts farmers and consumers. When you look at the price of groceries, remember that farmers receive only 16 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home, USDA statistics show. The rest of the food cost covers the expenses of wages and materials for food preparation, marketing, transportation and distribution, all of which have increased in price, too. As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year and list the things for which you’re thankful, consider adding the farmers and the urban agribusiness employees who helped get the food you will eat this holiday season to your table.
GFB News Alert page 5 of9 UGA NAMES FINALISTS FOR CAES DEAN POSITION Five finalists for the position of dean and director of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will visit campus in December to meet with members of the university community. A committee chaired by Sheila Allen, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, conducted a national search to identify the finalists. The committee was assisted by the UGA Search Group in Human Resources. Each finalist will make a public presentation in Masters Hall of the UGA Hotel and Conference Center. The finalists are: Kendall Lamkey, professor and chair of the department of agronomy at Iowa State University; Gary Pierzynski, university distinguished professor and head of the department of agronomy at Kansas State University; Samuel Pardue, alumni distinguished undergraduate professor of poultry science and associate dean and director of academic programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University; David Gerrard, professor and head of the department of animal and poultry sciences at Virginia Tech and Michael Vayda, professor of plant pathology and dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas. The curriculum vitae of the finalists and candidate feedback forms are available at http://provost.uga.edu/index.php/CAES_dean_finalists. SENS. URGE USDA TO ADJUST INDEMNITY RULES FOR POULTRY GROWERS In a Nov. 5 letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a group of U.S. senators requested adjustments to indemnity rules that apply for outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The letter was signed by Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue of Georgia, where the poultry industry has a $28 billion economic impact. “Georgia is the number one broiler producer in the country, which means one case of avian influenza could greatly impact our state’s economy,” said Perdue. “Fortunately, we have not seen an outbreak this migration period. I will continue working with USDA and Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, who has led the effort in Georgia on biosecurity, communication, and preparedness, to make sure Georgia’s poultry industry is prepared should we find ourselves dealing with the worst-case scenario.” According to the letter, which was signed by both Georgia Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, current regulations for HPAI do not allow for splitting indemnity payments between owners and growers. Contract growers, who own the poultry house facilities but not the birds, are left vulnerable in the event of an outbreak, since they are liable for the facilities in which birds are produced. The senators noted that the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is drafting an interim rule to allow split indemnity payments. The letter urged the USDA to consider down time compensation for operations that have their supply of chicks interrupted because of an HPAI outbreak in a hatchery. The senators also asked that the USDA develop guidelines for FSA direct and guaranteed loan programs that would allow restructuring of existing loans to give flexibility to growers affected by HPAI.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 9 GEORGIA, FLORIDA AGREE TO MEDIATION IN SCOTUS WATER CASE Georgia and Florida have agreed to seek mediation in the suit Florida filed with the Supreme Court in late 2013, according to court documents. Florida alleges that Georgia’s use of water from the Chattahoochee River has resulted in reduced flows downstream into the Apalachicola River, which feeds the Apalachicola Bay, and has caused increased salinity levels that have affected aquatic habitats for oysters in the bay. Georgia noted in a Nov. 6 case status report that the state had reached out to Florida and suggested mediation following June meetings between Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Florida Gov. Rick Scott. In its status report, Georgia asserted that the best way to advance the process is to find a mediator acceptable to both sides and move toward settling the dispute. The two states sought guidance from Special Master Ralph Lancaster on selecting a mediator. Lancaster, appointed by the Supreme Court to manage the case, has repeatedly urged the two states to reach a settlement. During a Nov. 10 conference call, Lancaster noted that the two states’ taxpayers are footing the bill for what he called astonishing expenses for the litigation. “As I have said from the start, if there’s anything, any way at all – any way at all – that this can be settled, it ought to be done,” Lancaster said. HEALTHY ANIMALS ARE BASIS FOR SAFE FOOD SUPPLY With Consumer Reports set to publish the final installment of a three-part series alleging overuse of antibiotics in meat and poultry production, food animal producers in the beef and poultry industries maintain that judicious use of medications help in production of healthy animals and a safe food supply. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor of the Beef Checkoff, emphasized that farmers, veterinarians and animal health experts work together to make sure they’re using antibiotics responsibly in order to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance. For information about how antibiotics are utilized in beef cattle production visit http://tinyurl.com/beefmeduse. In a Nov. 18 statement, National Chicken Council spokesperson Tom Super said the poultry industry is taking steps to limit antibiotic use, and he emphasized that proper handling and cooking can prevent consumer exposure to harmful bacteria. “Whatever chicken that consumers choose to purchase with their food dollars, they can be confident in its safety – Americans eat about 160 million servings of chicken every single day, and virtually all of those are consumed safely. Any possible bacteria, antibiotic resistant or not, is killed by proper cooking.” For information about how antibiotics are used in poultry production visit http://tinyurl.com/poultrymeduse.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 9 EMERGENCY MANURE SPILL RESPONSE DEMONSTRATION Dec. 1 UGA Coastal Plain Experiment Station 1 p.m. Tifton The University of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Agriculture have organized this educational opportunity for a live action manure spill emergency response demonstration, the first demonstration of its type to be held in Georgia. Kevin Erb from the University of Wisconsin Environmental Resources Center will conduct this activity. The demonstration will feature a controlled spill of manure across the soil surface and demonstrate several actions that can be taken to stop the flow of manure into sensitive environmental areas. The event will include two lagoon agitation boats to allow producers to see how the boats can be utilized in their manure management system. For more information visit www.aware.uga.edu. 2015 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL CONVENTION Dec. 6-8 Jekyll Island Convention Center Jekyll Island Gov. Nathan Deal and former Senator Saxby Chambliss are slated to speak on Dec. 7 and GFB President Zippy Duvall will give his annual address. Other events at the GFB Convention will include commodity conferences for Georgia’s 20 major commodities on Dec. 7, announcements of the 2015 state award winners on Dec. 6 and the annual trade show Dec. 6-7. Voting delegates will adopt the organization’s policy for 2016 on Dec. 8 and elect the 2016 GFB Board. For more information contact your county Farm Bureau office. GFB AG FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER BREAKFAST Dec. 7 Jekyll Island Convention Center, Ballroom G-H Jekyll Island This breakfast, part of the 2015 Georgia Farm Bureau Convention, begins at 6:45 a.m. Program includes an update on the GFB Foundation for Agriculture and will highlight the children’s book Bacon County Farm Bureau published this year about blueberries. Tickets are required for entry and are $25 per person. Seats are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Checks for tickets should be sent to: GFB Foundation for Agriculture, P.O. Box 7068, Macon, GA 31209. For more information, contact the GFB Foundation for Agriculture at 478-474-8411 or by email at jcevans@gfbfoundation.org. FSA COUNTY COMMITTEE ELECTIONS The USDA begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the 2015 FSA County Committee elections on Nov. 9. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 7 to ensure that their vote is counted. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office. One-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. Voters who do not receive ballots can pick one up at their local FSA office. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 7. Newly elected committee members and their alternates will take office Jan. 1, 2016. For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. You may also contact your local USDA Service Center or FSA office. Visit http://offices.usda.gov to find an FSA office near you.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 9 GEORGIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION FORESTRY FORWARD SERIES Dec. 9 Interfor Southeast Region Office Peachtree City Dec. 10 James-Bates-Brannan-Groover LLP Macon Dec. 15 TOOHOLLY Tree Farm Oliver Dec. 17 Location TBD Rome Jan. 7, 2016 Oxbow Meadows Columbus Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) members and those who depend on Georgia’s working forests are encouraged to attend the local, reception-style events to learn more about the priorities of the GFA and the challenges facing working forest landowners and the forest industry. GFA is also partnering with Dr. Dale Greene, dean of the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, for the Athens and Columbus events. Attendees at those events will have the chance to meet Dr. Greene and learn about the future of the Warnell School. Space is limited at each event. To RSVP visit www.eventbrite.com/o/georgia-forestry-association-7811066383. WETLANDS, AG CONSERVATION EASEMENTS The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting enrollment for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). To be considered for the fiscal year 2016 program, applications must be submitted by December 18. ACEP, created through the 2014 farm bill, has two components, known as Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). ACEP combines NRCS’ former Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The WRE applications are accepted directly from producers on eligible lands. These easements would restore and enhance wetlands and improve habitat. Applications for ALE are accepted from eligible partners. These eligible entities may submit proposals to NRCS to acquire a conservation easement on eligible agricultural land. Some examples of eligible entities include county boards of commissioners, land trusts and land conservancies. Approved ALE easements would prevent productive working lands from being converted to non-agricultural uses and maximize protection of land devoted to food production. Applications are available at your local USDA Service Center and at www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. For more information about ACEP and other farm bill programs in Georgia, visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov. GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW Jan. 21, 2016 UGA Tifton Conference Center Tifton This annual event organized by the Georgia Peanut Commission runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendees will have the chance to view more than 100 exhibits in the trade show, attend educational sessions, earn pesticide application certification and win numerous door prizes. A free lunch will be provided. Call 229-386-3470 or visit www.gapeanuts.com for more information.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 9 2016 AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 21 Carroll County Ag Center Carrollton Jan. 22 Unicoi State Park Cleveland Jan. 25 Cloud Livestock Facility Bainbridge Jan. 26 UGA Tifton Conference Center Tifton Jan. 27 Blueberry Warehouse Alma Jan. 29 Georgia Farm Bureau Macon This annual series is supported by an endowment from Georgia Farm Bureau with support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Agribusiness Council. The keynote topic will be a discussion of sales tax distribution patterns and how tax reform programs, such as the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) and the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT), have affected Georgia counties. A study released by UGA earlier this year shows GATE has had little impact on most counties. UGA economists will also provide an economic outlook for 2016. 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 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 Facebook.com/UGACAES or on Twitter @UGA_CollegeofAg and join the conversation with #AgForecast. GA COTTON COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING & UGA COTTON WORKSHOP Jan. 27, 2016 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This event begins at 8 a.m. and includes updates from state and national cotton organizations. The annual Georgia Quality Cotton Awards will be announced after lunch. For more information call 478-988-4235 or visit http://www.georgiacottoncommission.org.