October 14, 2015
www.gfb.org
Vol. 33 No. 41
APPEALS COURT ISSUES TEMPORARY STAY ON WOTUS RULE On Oct. 9, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay on the “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule adopted by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The ruling blocks the EPA and Corps from being enforced nationwide. The stay remains in effect until the court completes its review. Georgia Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) have opposed the WOTUS rule since the agencies first introduced it in early 2014. “We applaud the ruling for a stay,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “We’ve said from the start that the proposed rule infringes on the private property rights of farmers and landowners.” The request for a stay was made by 18 states, including Georgia, as part of a lawsuit to have the rule thrown out. The states contend that the rulemaking process used by the EPA and Corps of Engineers was flawed and violated the Administrative Procedures Act by including distance limitations in the final rule that were not part of the proposed rule subjected to public review and comment. In the majority opinion written by Judges David Keith and Richard Griffin, the court found that the states seeking a stay demonstrated a substantial possibility of success. The court also noted that while it has yet to decide if it has jurisdiction over the case, it still has authority to make orders to preserve the existing conditions while considering the question of jurisdiction. The court ruled that the EPA and Corps of Engineers did not show that distance-based limitations in the final rule were available for review and comment during the public comment period. “The judges expressed deep concerns over the basic legality of this rule,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “We’re not in the least surprised: This is the worst EPA order we have seen since the agency was established more than 40 years ago. The court clearly understood our arguments.” The WOTUS rule went into effect on Aug. 28 in 37 states after a North Dakota District Court issued an injunction against the rule in 13 states. Georgia was one of 18 states requesting the stay in multiple suits filed in U.S. district courts around the country. Those suits were consolidated before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. “I am pleased that the Sixth Circuit has granted a nationwide stay of the burdensome Waters of the United States rule,” Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens said in a statement. “Under this illegal rule, Georgia families, farmers, and businesses would be subject to excessive and intrusive federal regulation.”
GFB News Alert page 2 of 10 AGRICULTURE TAKES CENTER STATE AT GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR Visitors to the 26th Annual Georgia National Fair being held through Oct. 18 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry may only have food and midway rides on their mind when they arrive, but they’re most likely going to leave with a greater appreciation of Georgia agriculture. “The Georgia Department of Agriculture is committed to telling the story of Georgia agriculture through our Seasons & Faces of Georgia exhibit,” Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black said during opening day ceremonies at the Georgia Grown Building on Oct. 8. “We’ve added a milk video and more photos to the photo exhibit we unveiled last year. Although Georgia agriculture has a $72 billion impact on Georgia’s economy, we have a consuming public that doesn’t relate to pie charts, but they do relate to meeting the faces behind agriculture and that’s what we’re trying to show them.” Located just northwest of the clock tower at the center of the fairgrounds, the Georgia Grown Building showcases exhibits featuring numerous Georgia ag organizations, including Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB). For a second year, the building includes a photo exhibit, “Seasons & Faces of Georgia Agriculture,” that includes photos of numerous GFB members on their farms. The Rodgers Family, McDuffie County Farm Bureau members, star in the new “Milk Makers” movie, produced by Georgia Dept. of Agriculture employee Nathan Wilson. Free viewings of the 20-minute movie will be shown at the start of each hour and on the half-hour in the Georgia Dairy Farm Theatre located in the northwest corner of the Georgia Grown Building. Georgia Farm Bureau 1st Vice President Gerald Long and his granddaughter, Addie, are featured on the cover of the 2015 Georgia Grown magazine and were on hand to unveil the magazine cover. This issue also features numerous other GFB members. “Very few states have something comparable to the Georgia National Fair,” Gov. Nathan Deal said during his comments at the opening ceremony. “We should be proud of it and we should support it.” Georgia 4-H and FFA members are competing in livestock shows being held at the fair. Georgia Farm Bureau sponsored the grand champion prizes for the market goat wether and market goat doe awarded during the Junior Market Goat Show held Oct. 9 and 10. For the fifth consecutive year, Worth County FFA member Chase Roberts won the Grand Champion Market Wether prize of $1,500. Roberts, who started showing goats in 2005, is the son of Anita and Michael Roberts. He is a junior at Worth County High School. Dade County 4-Her Brett Dyer won the Grand Champion Market Doe prize of $1,500. Dyer, who has shown goats for 10 years is the son of Carla Dyer and the late Ted Dyer, He is a sophomore at Dade County High School.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 10 GFB POLICY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETS Georgia Farm Bureau’s Policy Development Committee met at the GFB headquarters in Macon Oct. 12 to review the organization’s current position on ag issues and to consider resolutions submitted by county Farm Bureaus in September. “This process started in August when our commodity committees met and reviewed our policy,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “This is a grassroots organization and what direction we take on legislative issues next year depends on the work you do here today.” The GFB Policy Development Committee consists of 30 county presidents (three from each district), the chairmen of each of the 20 GFB Commodity Advisory Committees, the seven GFB members serving on the American Farm Bureau Issue Advisory Committees and the GFB Board of Directors. In addition to reviewing GFB’s existing policy, the GFB Policy Development Committee reviewed 350 resolutions submitted by 80 county Farm Bureaus across Georgia. Based on the number of resolutions received, topics of concern to Farm Bureau members include High Pathogenic Avian Influenza, GATE & CUVA programs, nuisance wildlife, and access to drone technology on farms while securing the protection of private property rights. The committee will meet again on Nov. 2 to finalize the policy book that will be presented to the voting delegates at the GFB convention in December. GET OUTSIDE AND HAVE ON-FARM FUN AT GFB CERTIFIED FARM MARKETS With temperatures dropping to more comfortable levels, there’s no better time to get outside. Which begs the question: Where to go? One popular option is a visit to a local farm for some agri-fun, some fresh air and fresh fruits and vegetables. Georgia Farm Bureau’s 92 Certified Farm Markets (CFMs) across the state offer something for every taste and fun for all ages. “We have a lot of families that bring their children in to things that they know are going to be safe for their children to enjoy,” said Rita Douglas, who manages agri-tourism activities for Ottawa Farms in Chatham County. “It’s just like they’re in Grandma’s yard when they come here.” Ottawa Farms, locally famous for its strawberries in the spring, offers the chance to get lost in a corn maze beginning Oct. 3. This year’s design is a cowboy and a bucking bronco. “We have a corn crop that you would not believe,” Douglas said. “It is doing so well. It’s probably going to look like they’re in a pine forest when they get out there, it’s growing so tall.” The corn maze at Ottawa is one of 19 at GFB’s Certified Farm Markets, which also offer apples, a variety of other fresh fruits and vegetables and a wide selection of farm products like apple cider, jams and jellies and many more. “Each one of our Certified Farm Markets is unique,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “They all offer an on-farm experience and precious family time together. It’s hard to put a price tag on that.” For a complete listing of the GFB Certified Farm Markets, visit http://www.gfb.org/commodities/cfm/default.html.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 10 NASS ADJUSTS COTTON FORECAST, PEANUTS MAKING BIG GAINS The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) adjusted its forecast yield for Georgia-produced cotton and the state’s peanut and soybean crops are still expected to make big gains according to the agency’s October Crop Production Report. Georgia’s cotton crop is forecast to yield 995 pounds per acre, up from 951 pounds per acre forecast in the September report. The state’s production is forecast at 2.3 million bales in 2015, down from 2.57 million bales in 2014. Georgia’s peanut production is forecast at 3.43 billion pounds in 2015, up 41 percent from 2014, when the state produced 2.44 billion pounds. The state’s soybean growers are expected to produce 14.1 million bushels in 2015, up 21.4 percent from the 11.6 million bushels produced in 2014. Georgia hay yields are forecast at 3 tons per acre, resulting in an overall production of 1.62 million tons in 2015, which would be a seven percent increase over 2014, when the state’s hay growers produced 1.51 million tons. NASS predicts Georgia growers will produce 51.52 million bushels of corn for all purposes in 2015, down 2.7 percent from 2014. Georgia tobacco production is forecast at 27.3 million pounds in 2015, down from 34.5 million pounds in 2014. HOUSE AG COMMITTEE REVIEWS DIETARY GUIDELINES IN HEARING On Oct. 7 the U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review the development of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The committee heard from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell about the DGA, which are published jointly by the USDA and HHS every five years. DGA is intended to provide evidence-based food and beverage recommendations for Americans ages 2 and older to promote health, prevent chronic disease and help people reach and maintain healthy weight. DGA is used by public healthy agencies, educational institutions and care providers, and forms the basis of federal nutrition policy and programs. The 2015 DGA, which is scheduled to be released by the end of the year, included recommendations regarding sustainable food production practices and tax policy. House Ag Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-Texas) expressed concerns that the DGA advisory committee went beyond its scope in addressing these topics. “Consumers should be able to trust the science behind DGA without fear of political or personal bias influencing each recommendation,” Conaway said. According to a House Ag Committee press release, both Vilsack and Burwell acknowledged that the advisory committee exceeded its scope but gave assurances that the final guidelines will be based on sound science. The advisory committee’s scientific report was released in February and the USDA and HHS received more than 29,000 public comments. In April, Georgia Farm Bureau submitted comments, expressing concern over the sustainability information in the DGA as well as the fact that the 2015 DGA did not include lean meat as a part of a healthy diet.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 10 FDA, AG ORGANIZATIONS RELEASE VFD COMPLIANCE RESOURCES The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and multiple agricultural stakeholder organizations have published resources to help guide livestock producers on compliance with the FDA’s updated Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rule, which became effective Oct. 1. VFD drugs were established under the Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996, and the current FDA focus is on antimicrobial medications that are considered medically important for human treatment. VFD drugs are drugs intended for use in or on animal feed and limited to use under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the VFD rule and FDA guidance documents end the use of medically important antimicrobials to enhance livestock performance and transitions many of the feed medications that are available over-the-counter into the VFD category. The rule requires producers to obtain written VFD orders from a licensed veterinarian to purchase and utilize the VFD antimicrobials on or in feed. Under the rule, labeling and advertising for VFD drugs, combination VFD drugs and feeds containing VFD drugs must include a statement indicating the drugs are restricted to use under orders from licensed veterinarians. To view the FDA’s compliance guide, visit http://tinyurl.com/fdavfdguide. For a VFD fact sheet produced by Alabama A&M and Auburn University, visit http://tinyurl.com/auburnvfdfacts. For the Texas A&M fact sheet on the VFD rule visit http://tinyurl.com/tamuvfdfacts. PORT OF SAVANNAH RECEIVES FIRST CITRUS IMPORTS FROM PERU The first containers of imported produce to undergo cold-treatment have arrived at the Port of Savannah, carrying tangelos from Peru, according to a Georgia Ports Authority press release. The tangelos, moved from Andean Sun Produce farms in Ica, Peru, are part of a USDA pilot program in which citrus, grapes and blueberries are chilled for at least 17 days prior to entry into the U.S. to protect against fruit flies. Removing potential pests via cold treatment reduces the need for pesticides. The Port of Savannah’s capability of receiving and storing the produce speeds delivery times to destinations in the Southeast. The process may be done in producing countries – including Peru, Chile and Brazil – or at transshipment points such as Panama. The fruit will move in refrigerated containers held just over freezing during transit aboard cargo vessels, effectively cutting the time fruit must remain stationary for treatment. Savannah’s Garden City Terminal offers 84 refrigerated container racks and 733 chassis plugins, powering 2,749 refrigerated boxes at a time. Another 20 racks should be complete by the end of the year, adding 480 refrigerated container slots. With more than 722,000 square feet of private cold storage surrounding the port, the GPA and private industry have the infrastructure to support the growing cold cargo business moving through Georgia. Besides faster delivery, the USDA program also cuts logistics-related emissions by reducing truck miles and allowing more efficient shipments. Previously, deliveries of South American produce were made to Northern U.S. ports, and then trucked down to states like Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 10 See page 9 for a list of ongoing Farm Bureau-affiliated farmers markets! YOUNG, BEGINNING, SMALL AND MINORITY FARMERS WORKSHOP Oct. 15 North Georgia Technical College 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Clarkesville Sponsored by AGAware, this workshop is designed to assist young, beginning, small and minority farmers with developing a strong farm plan. Topics include income statements, applying for financing, preparing a business plan, risk management and federal government programs through the USDA, the Small Business Administration and other agencies. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/agawarewkshop. PESTICIDE SAFETY AND HANDLING TRAINING Oct. 23 St. Simons Island Casino, 550 Beachview Dr. St. Simons Island Five hours of Georgia Commercial Pesticide Credits are available in 15 categories, as well as five hours of International Society of Arborculture (ISA) Credit. Training lasts from 8:40 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Cost is $55 until Oct. 15 and $65 afterward. Lunch and breaks are sponsored by FIS Outdoor Inc. For an agenda and registration form, visit http://tinyurl.com/SSI10-23. For more information call 770-229-3477 or send an email to conteduc@uga.edu. REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Oct. 16 Signup deadline Individuals in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin can enroll in the Regional Conservation Partnership Program until Oct.16. The goal of the ACF project is to enhance water conservation and water quality in the basin. The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide financial and technical assistance to producers and landowners in the ACF basin through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). For more information or to apply, visit a local NRCS office or contact the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District at 229-351-4728 or info@flintriverswcd.org. TRACTOR SUPPLY 4-H PAPER CLOVER CAMPAIGN Through Oct. 18 Tractor Supply, Del’s Feed and Farm Supply stores Tractor Supply Company and Del's Feed and Farm Supply customers have the opportunity to purchase paper clovers for $1 or more during checkout. At the end of the campaign, 70 percent of the funds raised will benefit state and local 4-H youth development program activities, such as local camps and after-school programs, and grant scholarships for 4-H youth in the communities where Tractor Supply and Del’s stores are located. The remaining 30 percent of the total funds are donated to National 4-H Council to help connect more young people across America to highquality 4-H youth development programs. For more information visit www.tractorsupply.com/content_landing-page_4H.html. 26th ANNUAL GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR Through Oct. 18 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The award-winning Georgia National Fair features livestock and horse shows, youth exhibits, home and art competitions, family entertainment and Midway rides and games. Concerts include shows by Rascal Flatts. Visit www.georgianationalfair.com for more information.
GFB News Alert page 7 of 10 2015 SUNBELT AG EXPO Oct. 20-22 Spence Field Moultrie North America's largest farm show features field demonstrations, the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year and more than 1,200 exhibitors. Tickets are $10 per person per day or $20 for multi-day tickets. Children under 10 get in free with a parent. For more information visit www.sunbeltexpo.com. LEMMON CATTLE ENTERPRISES ANGUS BULL SALE Oct. 23 Lemmon Cattle Enterprises Noon Woodbury Lemmon Cattle Enterprises will be selling 100 registered angus bulls. Bulls are performance tested with complete, up-to-date EPDs. For more information visit http://www.lemmoncattleenterprises.com/sale.html or call 706-553-3911. 2015 YOUNG CATTLEMEN’S SHORT COURSE Oct. 24 ABAC/UGA Tifton Campus 9 a.m. Tifton Cattle experts will review low-stress handling, hay quality, rumenology, live animal evaluation, beef cattle marketing and more at this one-day course. Pre-registration fee is $10 and registration at the door is $15. Lunch is included. For more information or to register, contact Dr. Jacob Segers, UGA assistant professor and Extension beef cattle specialist at Jacobs@uga.edu or 229386-3214. FOREST INSIGHT CONFERENCE Oct. 27-29 Rainwater Conference Center Valdosta International Forest Company (IFCO), Dougherty & Dougherty Forestry Services, Inc. (DDFSI) and the Forest Landowners Association (FLA) are hosting the second annual Forest inSight Conference, which seeks to connect forest resource owners and stakeholders with leading-edge updates on the sustainability, productivity and profitability of the forest management sector in the southeast. On the last day, each attendee will also have an opportunity to participate in a field tour of advanced pine plantation management on Superior Pines Forestland in Fargo, Georgia. Cost registration is $100 per attendee for the conference only, $120 for the conference and field tour and $50 for the field tour only. A total of 13.5 continuing education credits are pending approval for the conference and 4.5 credits are pending for the field tour. For more information or to register visit www.forestinsightconf.com. For more information, contact Sabra Rockwell at srockwell@progressiveforestry.com or 706-795-0055. GFB TAKING ENTRIES FOR HAY CONTEST, HAY DIRECTORY Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members who grow Bermudagrass hay are encouraged to enter the GFB 2015 Quality Hay Contest. GFB is also accepting entries for its 2016 Quality Hay Directory. The deadline for submissions for both the contest and the directory is Oct. 30. Hay entered in the contest will be tested at the UGA Testing Lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which predicts fiber digestibility and likely animal intake of hay. There is a $15 entry fee for each sample entered in the contest to cover lab costs. Applications and instructions for submitting samples, as well as updated contest rules, are available at county Farm Bureau offices or may be downloaded at the GFB website http://www.gfb.org/commodities/hay_contest.html.
GFB News Alert page 8 of 10 SOUTH EFFINGHAM FFA ALUMNI GOAT SHOW Nov. 7 Effingham County Fair Grounds Springfield This show is open to youth from age four through 12th grade. Exhibitors may show only wethers or does that are dehorned or have tipped horns. All goats must have current Georgia health papers and must have an ear tag matching the number on the entry form. Entry fee is $20 per goat entered by Oct. 30 and $25 for late entries. Cash prizes will be given for first through fifth place. Goats will be weighed by show officials at check-in and divided into weight classes as equal in number as possible. Showmanship classes will be determined based on exhibitor’s age as follows: Class 1: age 4 years - 2nd grade; Class 2: 3rd – 5th grade; Class 3: 6th-8th grade; Class 4: 9th-12th grade. Check in for the show begins Nov. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. and continues Nov. 7 from 7 to 9 a.m. Pens are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Exhibitors are responsible for their own bedding in pens. To obtain an entry form or more information about the show, contact Diane Parks at mommyx3ms@yahoo.com or call 912-6313043. AFBF FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE BULLETIN BOARD CONTEST The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s ag-themed bulletin board contest for teachers is open for submissions through Oct. 31. The winner receives a copy of “Farm a Month,” the Foundation’s activities kit about agriculture across America, plus the 12 books that accompany it. To enter, visit http://www.agfoundation.org/projects/bulletin-board-contest. FSA TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR BCAP Enrollment is underway for farmers and forest landowners seeking financial assistance for growing new sources of biomass for energy or bio-based products within designated project areas. The funds are available from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Biomass energy facilities or groups of producers may submit proposals for new BCAP project areas. Proposals will be accepted on www.grants.gov through Nov. 6. FREE BQA CERTIFICATION PERIOD Through Nov. 20 online Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica will pay the $25-$50 online training fee for every person completing the Beef Quality Assurance training through Nov. 20. Individuals who work with beef cattle or dairy cattle are eligible. Visit www.bqa.org to take advantage of the open certification period. MM CATTLE COMPANY AND CALLAWAY BULL SALE Nov. 21 Carroll County Livestock Sales Barn noon Carrollton Sale includes 50 Angus and SimAngus bulls and more than 40 commercial replacement heifers. For more information contact Mike McCravey at mmcattle@yahoo.com or 770-328-2047 or John Callaway at callawaycattle@gmail.com or 770-355-2165.
GFB News Alert page 9 of 10 ONGOING FARMERS MARKETS NOTE: Schedules are subject to change according to produce availability SHIELDS-ETHRIDGE HERITAGE FARM CULTIVATORS’ MARKET Oct. 17 Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2355 Ethridge Rd. Jefferson Jackson County Farm Bureau (JCFB) is sponsoring this open-air market that allows local farmers and entrepreneurs to sell products they make or grow in a festival atmosphere. The market will include live music, games and exhibitions of farming practices to entertain and educate visitors as they shop. Market will be held rain or shine. Please leave pets at home. Vendors will be selected based on quality and originality of product according to the theme of homesteading practices. If you are interested in having a booth at the market, contact JCFB Office Manager Denise Temple at dftemple@gfb.org or call 706-367-8877 or visit www.shieldsethridgefarminc.com to complete an application online. UNION COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET Tuesdays through Oct. 27 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 31 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. 148 Old Smokey Road Blairsville This market, supported by the Union County Farm Bureau, offers locally grown produce, farmfresh eggs and meats, artisan cheeses, breads, jams, jellies, honey and other delicious prepared foods. The market also features handmade crafts such as pottery and paintings. Special event days are: Ramp (Wild Onion) Day May 9, Strawberry Day May 23, Greenbean Festival July 25 & Tractor Show/Parade Sept. 5. For more information contact Mickey Cummings or Kristy Peney at farmersmarket@uniongov.com PAULDING COUNTY FARM BUREAU FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Paulding County High School Paulding County Farm Bureau is accepting vendors for its weekly farmers market that will be held each Thursday from April 16 to Nov. 20. There is no fee to participate but vendors must be Farm Bureau members so that the market qualifies as a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market. If you would like to participate in the PCFB Farmer’s Market, please contact Tracy Grice at Paulding County Farm Bureau at 770-445-6681 or email her at tcgrice@gfb.org. Vendors may sell locally grown produce or other ag commodities or homemade crafts. PCFB is teaming up with the Paulding County High School this year to host the market in the north parking lot of the school located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy., Dallas, Ga. 30132. HINESVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET Thursdays until Nov. 19 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Downtown Hinesville This market, sponsored by the Liberty County Farm Bureau, offers customers fresh local produce and other farm items, cut flowers, plants, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, and original crafts. Market is held in Bradwell Park on Commerce St. across from the Hinesville City Hall. To apply to be a vendor or for more information call the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority at 912-877-4332.
GFB News Alert page 10 of 10 ROCKDALE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Through Nov. 21 Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon, Thursdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Rockdale County Extension office, 1400 Parker Road Conyers Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau manages this market with support from the Rockdale County Extension, set up to allow farmers to sell locally grown products directly to the public. Farmers wishing to participate can sign up at the Rockdale/DeKalb Farm Bureau office. Vendors must be current Farm Bureau members in order to participate. For more information or to receive a vendor application contact the RDCFB office at 770-922-3566.