September 17, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 37
NINE HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS FROM GEORGIA RECEIVE AFBF AWARD The American Farm Bureau Federation has honored nine Georgia members of the U.S. House and Senate with the Friend of Farm Bureau Award for the 113th Congress. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson were honored, as were Reps. John Barrow (D-12th District), Sanford Bishop (D-2nd District), Jack Kingston (R-1st District), Austin Scott (R-8th District), David Scott (D13th District), Lynn Westmoreland (R-3rd District) and Rob Woodall (R-7th District). “Georgia Farm Bureau has long enjoyed strong relationships with the state’s members of Congress, and we are blessed to have a group in Washington that understands agricultural issues and how laws affect farmers,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “We’d like to thank each of them for their support, and the Friend of Farm Bureau Award is one way we do so.” The Friend of Farm Bureau Award, established in 1996 for the 104th Congress, is given to individuals who have supported Farm Bureau issues, as demonstrated by their voting records, and who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureau and approved by American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, which selects the issues used to measure the voting records of nominated legislators. Additional criteria included number of bills each member sponsored or co-sponsored relating to Farm Bureau priority issues, specific leadership role in Congress on those issues and how accessible and responsive that member is to Farm Bureau members and leaders. Georgia Farm Bureau also has the opportunity to provide reasons why a specific member of Congress should receive the award. GFB will present the plaques to each of the recipients. Chambliss and Isakson will each receive the award for the seventh time, dating back to their service in the House of Representatives. Kingston is also being honored with the Friend of Farm Bureau Award for the seventh time. This is the fifth Friend of Farm Bureau Award for Bishop, and fourth each for Barrow and David Scott. “As the leading industry in Georgia’s vibrant economy, supporting our agriculture community has always been a top priority of mine,” Isakson said. “I’m proud to join Georgia Farm Bureau to represent such hardworking Americans, and I will continue to make decisions that strengthen our agricultural economy while also protecting its legacy.” Four Georgia members of Congress received the award in 2012, six in 2010, nine in 2008, 12 each in 2006 and 2004 and 11 in 2002.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 SOME CRP CONTRACTS CAN BE TERMINATED EARLY Producers who are enrolled in certain practices through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) can apply for early contract termination, as required by the 2014 Farm Bill, according to a a Farm Service Agency press release. The deadline to request early CRP contract termination is Jan. 30, 2015. The effective date for early termination is no earlier than Oct. 1, 2014. The CRP contract must been in effect for at least five years and other conditions must be met. The 2014 farm bfill identifies 10 exceptions whereby land will not be eligible for the early-out provisions. For a complete list of these exceptions, please view the program fact sheet online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/crp_opt_out_fact_sht.pdf. For more information on early termination of existing CRP contracts, please contact your local FSA office. For local FSA Service Center contact information, please visit: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app. ZOETIS GETS LICENSE FOR PEDV VACCINE The USDA has granted a conditional license to Zoetis Inc. for a vaccine to help fight porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) in pigs, according to a company press release. The two-dose inactivated vaccine, licensed for use in healthy pregnant female pigs (sows and gilts), is designed to help them develop antibodies that can be transmitted to their newborn piglets. Zoetis anticipates its vaccine will be available to veterinarians and pig farmers later in September. Zoetis is the second company licensed by the USDA to distribute a PEDv vaccine. In June, USDA granted a conditional license to Harrisvaccines. Georgia State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Cobb said Zoetis has applied to distribute the vaccine in the state, and that it would be approved for distribution to licensed veterinarians. Harrisvaccines has not yet applied. According to Cobb, no animals have tested positive for PEDv in Georgia, though the virus has been found in an environmental sample from a loading chute. “I wanted to have another tool in the toolbox for veterinarians if PEDv arrives in the state,” Cobb said. “We are currently working with our swine industry and with UGA to increase environmental sampling.” Cobb said the most likely way PEDv would arrive in Georgia would be through commingling of herds in fair or livestock show settings, and noted that swine owners who travel to and from states where the virus is prevalent to purchase hogs should take extra precaution. “We want them to make sure they’re washing the vehicles and trailers before they come back to keep PEDv out of Georgia,” he said. Cobb encouraged swine owners to consult with their veterinarian to determine if the use of the vaccine is appropriate for their herd. The Zoetis vaccine is given as a 2 mL intramuscular injection to sows or gilts prior to giving birth. Two doses given three weeks apart are recommended, with the second dose given two weeks before giving birth. Previously vaccinated sows should receive a single dose given two weeks before giving birth. On average, female pigs give birth twice each year. For more information about the new vaccine, veterinarians and pig farmers should contact their Zoetis representative or visit http://www.zoetispork.com/pedv. For more information about PEDv, visit http://www.aasv.org and http://www.pork.org.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 REGISTRATION OPEN FOR AMERICA’S FARMERS CHARITY PROGRAM Farmers in 34 Georgia counties have until Nov. 30 to register to win $2,500 for a charity of their choice in the 5th Annual America’s Farmers Grow Communities program sponsored by Monsanto. Suggested charities include local 4-H or FFA programs, fire departments, hospitals, libraries or schools. No purchase is necessary to win. Eligible counties are: Appling, Baker, Berrien, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Early, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Randolph, Screven, Seminole, Sumter, Tattnall, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth. Each of these counties planted at least 30,000 acres of corn, soybeans, cotton and/or vegetables in 2013. The program is open to farmers, age 21 and older in eligible counties, actively farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton or 40 acres of open field vegetables or at least 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers and/or cucumbers grown in protected culture. One winner will be drawn from each eligible county provided at least one entry is received from the county. Monsanto will announce winning farmers and their recipient charities in January 2015. Visit http://www.growcommunities.com or call 1-877-267-3332 to apply. Community non-profits that wish to encourage farmers to support their cause may do so at the aforementioned Web site. Charities must be recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under Section 501(c) (3) or as a unit of government under Section 170 (c) (1). NASS ADJUSTS CROP PROJECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER REPORT The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service NASS adjusted its forecast for the state’s major crops, indicating smaller crops in cotton and peanuts in its September Crop Production report, released Sept. 11. Georgia cotton producers are forecast to turn out 2.6 million 480-pound bales, 300,000 fewer than NASS projected in its August crop report. The state’s harvested acreage in cotton is forecast at 1.37 million acres, down from 1.44 million acres projected in the August report, and the expected yield is adjusted from 967 pounds per acre in the August report to 911 pounds per acre in the September report. The overall peanut production is forecast at 2.34 billion pounds, down 125 million pounds from the August projection but still 452 million pounds more than the final 2013 production. While the expected harvest acreage in peanuts is adjusted up 5,000 acres from the August forecast, the anticipated yield is 4,000 pounds per acre, 250 pounds per acre less than forecast in August. Producers of corn, soybeans and tobacco are projected to have larger crops than previously forecast. NASS adjusted the anticipated yield in the state’s corn crop from 162 bushels per acre in the August report to 167 bushels per acre in the September report. The state’s corn production is forecast at 55.95 million bushels, up 1.68 million bushels from the August forecast but down more than 25 million bushels from the state’s 2013 corn production. Georgia’s soybean production is forecast at 10.53 million bushels in the September report, up 540,000 bushels from the August forecast. The state’s tobacco growers were forecast to produce 32.2 million pounds in the August report, and NASS adjusted that projection to 35 million pounds due to expected higher yields.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 FEMALE LANDOWNERS FOCUS GROUP Researchers at Utah State University are seeking participants for a study centering on women who own agricultural land but are not actively farming. The study, coordinated by Dr. Peg Petrzelka at Utah State, includes a series of regional focus groups, including one for Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. The focus groups are designed to get input from female landowners about their experiences in renting out their land for agricultural operations. For more information contact Dr. Petrzelka at peggy.petrzelka@usu.edu. GEORGIA MILK PRODUCERS DISTRICT MEETINGS Sept. 18 Western Sizzlin’ 7 p.m. Dalton Sept. 19 Ryan’s Noon Commerce Georgia Milk Producers and the American Dairy Association of Georgia will hold elections, report on industry issues and promotional efforts and announce upcoming events. Dinner or lunch will be served at each meeting depending on the time the meeting is set to begin. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 18 10th District Jamestown Baptist Church 7 p.m. Waycross th Sept. 25 5 District Thomaston Civic Center 7 p.m. Thomaston Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. Note: These meetings are for Farm Bureau members only and are not open to the general public. GFB ACCEPTING POLICY DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Sept. 19 Deadline for policy resolutions Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting recommendations for changes to its policy as part of its annual policy development process. Through this process, GFB farmer members determine what stance the organization will take on issues related to agriculture. GFB is asking its county Farm Bureaus to consider issues of importance to their members and develop resolutions to address their concerns. Policy resolutions should be submitted to the GFB Legislative Department. For more information, contact the Legislative Department at 478-474-0679. IPM VEGETABLE TROUBLESHOOTING WORKSHOP Sept. 19 UGA Griffin Student Learning Center 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Griffin This program will cover integrated pest management ideas for identifying and controlling problems encountered in small commercial vegetable gardens, including diseases, insects and cultural issues. Five hours of commercial pesticide credit in Category 21 and one hour of private pesticide credit will be offered. Cost is $20, which covers lunch, refreshments and workshop supplies. Preregistration is required. To register online visit http://tinyurl.com/veggietroubleshooting. For more information contact Beth Horne at 770-2287214 or bhorne@uga.edu. SEPT. 21-27 IS NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK The 10 U.S. Agricultural Centers funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) urge everyone involved in agriculture to recognize National Farm Safety and Health Week (September 21-27) and promote awareness of safety solutions year round. The 2014 safety week theme is, “Safety Counts: Protecting what Matters.” The U.S. Agricultural Centers address that theme with their special regional and collective expertise. For more information on National Farm Safety and Health Week, and safety resources, visit the website of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, http://www.necasag.org/.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 CURT PATE STOCKMANSHIP & STEWARDSHIP SEMINAR Sept. 23 Calhoun Stockyard, 2270 Rome Rd. SW 1 p.m. Calhoun All cattle producers and anyone who handles or processes cattle are invited to attend this free seminar conducted by renowned stockman and Montana rancher Curt Pate. The seminar will cover topics including gathering cattle from pasture, working cattle in corrals and alleys, sorting and processing techniques, strategies for receiving cattle, low-stress loading procedures and proper use of equipment to assure low-stress handling. Sponsors include Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, Floyd County Cattlemen’s and Tri-State Cattlemen’s Associations. Attendance counts towards Beef Quality Assurance recertification or certification. For more information contact Jason Duggin at 706-728-4354. 2014 TRI-STATE PEANUT DISEASE TOUR Sept. 23-25 Georgia, Florida and Alabama The tour begins on Sept. 23 with a tour of the plots at the University of Florida’s Citra Research Center. Sept. 24 stops are on the UGA Tifton Campus, including the Lang- Rigdon Farm and the Black Shank Farm. Sept. 25 stops are at Auburn University’s Wiregrass Experiment Station in Headland, Ala. Contact Albert Culbreath at 229-326-7683 or spotwilt@uga.edu for more information. GEORGIA OLIVE GROWERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Sept. 25 The Threatte Center 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Lakeland This will be an opportunity to share a wide range of information with growers, potential new growers, researchers and developers, support industries and governmental agencies working in the expansion of the olive oil industry and Georgia and Southeastern US. There will be a demonstration of the New Commercial Olive Mill and Machine (OXBO) Harvesting at Georgia Olive Farms. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/oliveconf. 18th ANNUAL PLAINS PEANUT FESTIVAL Sept. 27 Downtown Plains Festival is highlighted with former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter. Onemile fun-run and a 5-K road race starts at 8 a.m. President Carter and Tyron Spearman, executive director of the National Peanut Buying Points Association (NPBPA), will be masters of ceremony for the parade beginning at 11 a.m. Visit the peanut pavilion to see national sponsors and get NPBPA’s hot, grilled PB&J's. To enter parade call 29-824-7477. DAWSON COUNTY FFA ANTIQUE TRACTOR AND ENGINE SHOW Sept. 27 Tractor Supply Company 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dawsonville Antique tractor enthusiasts are invited to bring their tractors for this free show. Tractors may begin to arrive at 8:00 am and all should be in place by 9:30 am. All makes and models of tractors are welcome! Anyone interested in participating may contact Tammy Wood Dawson County Farm Bureau (706-265-3350) or Josh Daniel at Dawson County High School (706 4261303). No pre-registration is required. The Dawson County FFA will be selling concessions and taking donations to raise funds to send FFA students to the National FFA Convention in October. The Dawsonville Tractor Supply Company is located at 6921 Hwy. 53 E., Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 FSA OFFERING DIRECT FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS Sept. 30 Deadline to apply Georgia farmers and ranchers still may apply for low interest 2014 loans available through FSA’s direct farm ownership program. Eligible producers can borrow up to $300,000 in direct farm ownership loans to buy or enlarge a farm, construct new farm buildings or improve structures, pay closing costs, or promote soil and water conservation and protection. The interest rate on select loans can be as low as 1.5 percent with up to 40 years to repay. For more information about the program and other loans administered by FSA, visit any FSA county office or http://www.fsa.usda.gov. 25th ANNUAL GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR Oct. 2-12 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The award-winning Georgia National Fair features livestock and horse shows, youth exhibits, home and fine arts competitions, family entertainment and Midway rides and games. Major concerts include Jennifer Nettles and Lady Antebellum. For more information visit http://www.georgianationalfair.com. 2014 SUNBELT AG EXPO Oct. 14-16 Spence Field Moultrie North America’s largest farm show features field demonstrations, the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year announcement, and more than 500 exhibitors. Tickets are $10 per person per day. Children under 10 are admitted free with parent. Multi-day tickets are $20. For more information visit http://www.sunbeltexpo.com. EPA ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON WATERS OF THE U.S. RULE The comment period for the “Waters of the United States” rule proposed by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ends on Oct. 20. Farm Bureau is urging its members to submit comments calling for the rule to be withdrawn. For more information about the proposed rule and to submit comments, visit http://www.gfb.org/ditchtherule. GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES TO HAY CONTEST AND HAY DIRECTORY Georgia Farm Bureau will again this year conduct the annual Bermuda grass Hay Contest and publish the GFB Quality Hay Directory for buyers and sellers of Georgia grown hay. Checks for both should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau and mailed to the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodities/Marketing Department. The cost for the contest is $15.00 per sample. Anyone entering the contest can receive a free listing in the hay directory. The directory will be distributed statewide. The cost for listing in the hay directory alone is $10. The deadline to submit entries for the contest and the directory is Oct. 31. For more information, please contact the GFB Commodities Department at 1-800-342-1196. GFB EQUINE COMMITTEE HOLDING RAFFLE TO BENEFIT 4-H The Georgia Farm Bureau Equine Advisory Committee will sell raffle tickets for a leather saddle during the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Oct. 2-12. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to fund scholarships for the Georgia 4-H Summer Horse Camp. Tickets will be sold in the Georgia Grown building at the booth co-hosted by the GFB Equine Committee and Georgia Equine Commission. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20.