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Georgia
AG News
Inside Winter pruning Page 2 Prevent veg. diseases Page 3 Bird watch contest Page 11 Control wild flowers Page 13
Fr
ee
March 2013
North Georgia’s Agricultural Newspaper
Time again to prepare to ‘dig in the dirt’ By Barbara Olejnik Georgia Ag News Staff bolejnik@poultrytimes.net
GAINESVILLE — With longer days and mostly warmer weather, the itch to “dig in the dirt” begins to hit as thoughts turn to planting in the soil. But whether planting runs toward flowers and landscapes or visions of mouth-watering home-grown vegetables, a little preparation is always the best starting place. Preparation includes some spring cleaning. This means removing and composing any dead annual plants that remained over winter. Clean up all leaves that were missed over the fall and winter months. Prune fruit trees and any needled evergreens that need it. Fruit trees must be pruned while dormant. Cut out crossing, diseased or broken branches and water sprouts that have grown up over the past year. Get a jump start on weeding by removing the young seedlings before they have a chance
to grow and establish a root system. Discard the weeds from flower beds. And preparation also begins with the soil. But don’t get anxious and start working the soil too early. The soil needs to be damp but not soggy or sticky. A handful of soil made into a ball should fall apart easily when the hand is opened. The soil for a flower bed or a garden needs to be worked before any planting can begin. A good place to begin is a soil test to determine what nutrients might need to be added. Plants consume nutrients from the ground and the soil can become depleted over years. Plants also like a pH or acidity level of about 6.5. A soil test can identify both the nutrients and the pH levels in a garden. Fertilizers containing a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can also be added to the soil. A balanced fertilizer containing equal
See Garden, Page 14
Photo by David B. Strickland
Garden ready: Whether you grow flowers or vegetables, or both, it soon will be time to get in the garden, get your hands dirty, and get your plants and soil ready.
National Ag Day: a time to celebrate agriculture By David B. Strickland Georgia Ag News Staff
dstrickland@poultrytimes.net
GAINESVILLE — There has been a lot of agriculture news in the past year with record drought, corn and feed prices and more. But a day is set aside every March to look toward the positive, as well as vital contributions that agriculture makes to our lives.
National Ag Day — this year held on Tuesday, March 19 — is sponsored nationally by the Agriculture Council of America. The council notes that the annual event is a chance to pause and “recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture.” The celebration day is not only a time to note agriculture’s importance to the country, but also a
chance to recognize the importance of agriculture to our state. Georgia is a major producer of many crops, as well as being the number one producer of broiler chickens, peanuts and pecans. Agriculture firmly supports the economic shoulders of Georgia. Which is an aspect that Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black agrees with and supports. “Agriculture is Georgia’s largest
and oldest industry, contributing more than $68 billion annually to Georgia’s $719 billion economy,” Black said. “One in seven people in our state actually work in agriculture or a forestry related field,” he added. “Helping this diverse industry thrive is critical to Georgia’s economy, and families across the state.”
See Ag Day, Page 15
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
Plenty of activities are available for hunters this time of year By Caleb Copeland Special to Georgia Ag News
COLUMBUS — Well I haven’t been able to write a column in quite some time. I’ve had a lot going on in the last year or so. I took my dream job down in Columbus, Ga., where I get to do this hunting thing all the time now! I get to hang out with big names and hunt all the time . . . a pretty good life if you are me. Anyway, to get right to the point, my waders are still not dry from duck season and the weather al-
ready has turkeys gobbling. Maybe there is something to the global warming thing. Right now is the time for several things hunting related, and if you are like me then the focus is on deer year round. As far as deer go they should all be dropping or have already dropped their antlers all around North Georgia. If you want to find them, you need to have a few things going for you. One, you need a good pair of shoes because you are going to be doing some serious walking.
For poultry industry news visit www.poultrytimes.net
The second thing you are going to have to have is a good eye. We don’t grow the giant antlers that drop in states like Iowa, so you have to look hard. The last thing you have to have is some hustle. With all the squirrels and other animals that love to gnaw on fallen antlers you have to find them before all the critters do. Remember it’s the law of averages, we have less bucks and more does in the North Georgia area, so shed antlers are going to be super tough to find.
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putting out trail cameras and try to start locating those ol’ long beards. Starting in March they are going to be gobbling their heads off. Until next time, hunt safe and hunt hard and take a kid or someone that has never been outdoors with you so they can experience God’s wonderful creation. Caleb Copeland is an editor/producer with Sub-7, and executive producer of DRTHuntingTV. He can be reached by e-mail at caleb@ sub7.tv.
Winter is a great time to prune overgrowth Don’t trim those flowering soon
By Stephen Garton Serving the Poultry and Food Processing Industry Since 1976 Special to Georgia Ag News
Serving theCampbell, Poultry Diamond, Hersey, Featuring products by Apollo, Jet, Powers, Stockham andIndustry WilkersonSince to name a few. and Food Processing 1976
Another great thing about this time of year is that you can really learn a lot about your deer herd by going out and walking your property that you hunt. All this year’s signs are still there and you do not have to worry about going in and messing up your hunting area. Go look for those rubbed trees, those big scrapes, those heavily used trails and take notes for next year. For those of you that aren’t deer crazy like me, this is the time to start
CUMMING — January and February are ideal months for pruning overgrown trees and shrubs. However, avoid pruning shrubs and trees that flower in the spring like dogwoods, azaleas and native hydrangeas. These should be pruned after flowering — in late spring or early summer. Fruit trees should be pruned before new growth starts in the spring. The benefits of pruning include keeping plants attractive; maintaining safe and healthy conditions by removing branches that cross or rub against each other; removing obstructions to foot traffic or interference with safe operation of lawn mowers or other maintenance equipment; clearing blocked views of traffic at entrances to driveways; and removing limbs that are weak or infested with pests or diseases. Don’t cut too much Thoughtful pruning produces desirable, well-formed compact plants that fit into the appropriate scale of the landscape.
However, pruning a vigorous healthy plant will stimulate vigorous, new growth from buds that were lying dormant on the lower parts of branches or limbs. These new buds may produce three or more, new shoots from a single branch within 6 to 8 inches of the cut. It may be necessary to reduce the number of branches that you allow to grow in order to prevent the development of branches that may shade each other and be weakly attached to the parent plant. Rub away tiny shoots Removal is very simple and can be done by rubbing the new developing buds with your fingers just as new growth begins. In vigorous plants such as crepe myrtles, buds may need to be removed over a period of several weeks to effectively control the development of too many shoots from a single pruning cut. Sharp, clean, pruning tools should be used to minimize damage and to make precise cuts that will seal and heal quickly. This will reduce the chances of microbes invading the wounds and causing decay. No other treatments are necessary to stimulate rapid closure of wounds. Do not paint the pruned surfaces
of branches or limbs with any type of sealant or wound treatment. A good quality pruning saw should be used to cut limbs that are greater that one-half to three-fourths of inch in diameter. Lopping shears and hand shears can be used to remove smaller diameter shoots. Keep tools clean Tools should be cleaned periodically to remove traces of sap and occasionally honed to maintain a very sharp cutting edge. Pruning with blunt or dirty tools will retard the wound healing processes at the cut surfaces. Before making any cuts on a tree or shrub it is essential to have a clear idea of why you are pruning and what changes you wish to see in the form of the plant. Consider what your needs are and prune to meet those needs. Pruning because your neighbor has started to trim trees and shrubs is rarely a good reason. For more information on pruning ornamentals, shrubs and trees, see the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension publication website at www.caes.uga.edu/Publications. Stephen Garton is the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension coordinator in Forsyth County.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
Preventing diseases in the home vegetable garden By Michael Wheeler
Special to Georgia Ag News
GAINESVILLE — An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This really applies to reducing disease problems in home vegetable garden. Anything you can do to make the plants healthier, the more they will produce. Also they will be able to defend against diseases, lessening your dependence on fungicides. Here are some tips to help reduce disease and promote Wheeler overall plant health as you start to work in your garden: Have a soil test done and follow the recommendations which accompany the test results to correct pH and nutrient balance. Test-
ing is $8 and results are normally in your hands with in seven to 10 days. Even though the turn around on getting your results in is quick, making adjustments to soil pH generally takes several months so the sooner you test the better off you will be. Rotate crops. Do not rotate with plants of the same family. In other words don’t plant tomatoes where pepper, potatoes or eggplant were grown last year. Other common vegetable families include crucifers. These are broccoli, cauliflower, turnips and greens. Cucurbits are another family (melons and squash) and then legumes (peas and beans). Buy certified disease-free seed or transplants. Choose varieties resistant to diseases and nematodes. Disease resistance is not a guarantee of not having a disease in your garden, but it will reduce the degree of infection. If the soil in your area contains a lot of clay and does not drain well, incorporate compost into the soil when preparing the bed to improve
drainage and aeration. Generally applying 2 to 3 inches of compost and incorporating it into the top 8 inches of soil will make a difference in soil texture. Space transplants or thin seedlings to promote good air circulation among the plants when they reach maturity. This will help keep foliage dry and reduce leaf spot problems. Mulch the surface of planted beds to help retain soil moisture and discourage soil erosion and weeds. Place mulch around plants but not right up against the stems. In addition to keeping plants and fruit clean, using mulch helps prevent dispersal of pathogens by water splash off the soil. If you are using planting beds, avoid stepping inside them. Doing so compacts the soil around the plants’ roots and interferes with oxygen exchange and flow of water through the soil. Don’t over water the plants! This is the primary cause of root rot diseases. Water only when the
Congressional Chicken Caucus re-organized for 113th Congress WASHINGTON — Members of the bipartisan Congressional Chicken Caucus for the 113th Congress have been announced by Congressman Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) and Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) Crawford and Bishop founded the Chicken Caucus in 2012 and will continue serving as co-chairmen of the caucus in the 113th Congress. “I want to thank Representatives Crawford and Bishop for their steadfast leadership and for once again taking the lead in organizing the Congressional Chicken Caucus,” said National Chicken
Council President Mike Brown. “As it did in the 112th Congress, the caucus will continue to give a united voice to the chicken industry as we navigate many issues in the two years ahead.” The bipartisan caucus will consist of members devoted to the various issues affecting the U.S. chicken industry, and will also provide a platform to discuss the role of government in addressing current and future industry challenges. “Working with caucus members, I plan to be a strong advocate for the 6,000 Arkansans who work in chicken production,” said Crawford. “I look forward to continue work-
ing with the Congressional Chicken Caucus in creating a forum where chicken producers, processors, consumers and retailers can provide members of Congress with their thoughts and suggestions on how to sustain and improve our poultry industries,” added Bishop. Other members of the Congressional Chicken Caucus are Reid Ribble (R-Wis.), Austin Scott (RGa.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Andy Harris (R-Md.), Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Alan Nunnelee (RMiss.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.).
soil is dry. Plants are better able to recover from under watering than over watering. Also avoid wetting the foliage when watering plants. Water only the soil as best you can. If you must use a sprinkler or other method of overhead watering, water early in morning after dew fall so the moisture can dry on the plants by mid to late morning. Stay out of the garden when plants are wet. Fungi and bacteria are easily moved in water droplets and can be spread from plant to plant as you move about the garden. Clean your tools when you are through working in the garden for the day. If you are working with diseased plants, disinfect the tools when you are working from plant to plant to avoid spreading disease. Severely infected plants should be removed entirely and disposed of away from the garden. Compost-
ing disease plant material is usually all right if you maintain an active, hot compost pile. Most people however, have a corner where plant debris is piled, but not truly composted. If this is your situation, bag up and remove diseased plants. As the season progresses, remove weeds and plant debris which can harbor pathogens and insect pests. Following these tips can make a difference in how much you harvest from a garden. If you have questions about gardening give your local county agent a call. We are always willing to help. Michael Wheeler is the Hall County Extension Coordinator and agricultural Extension agent. He can be reached at 770-535-8293; e-mail at wheelerm@uga.edu; or www.hallcounty.org/extension.
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Harold Whelchel started trend by owning 1st Barber College in Gainesville. (photo left) Son Buddy Whelchel continues the trend by opening the Thompson Bridge shop in 1970.
Celebrating 50 years in business
Walk-ins welcome
770-536-4939
Wilard Burke, Clyde Dacus Thompson Bridge Road, Robert Columbo & Kathy Gainesville, GA 30506 Stone are among the other Hours: Mon. Wed. Thurs. Fri. 8AM-5PM; barbers in the shop. Saturday 8AM-12PM Closed on Tuesday
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
AG News
Viewpoint
Dodge re-introduces Super Bowl viewers to the American farmer and rancher By Debbie Murdock
Special to Georgia Ag News
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Sunday, Feb. 2nd, more than 113 million Americans gathered around television sets to watch football in big cities and small towns around the country making Super Bowl XLVII the nation’s most watched event in television history. The game featured everything — a tight contest decided on the final play; two brothers opposing one another as head coaches; a thrilling one-hundred yard kick-off return; a halftime extravaMurdock ganza featuring Beyonce; and a power outage that lasted for more than half an hour. After two weeks of pre-Super Bowl build up, football fans were well aware of the many story lines and possible outcomes. But, when the game was over and the confetti cleared, the unlikely hero of Super Bowl XLVII was the American farmer. Thanks to a powerful ad developed for Dodge trucks featuring fabulous images of hardworking farmers and ranchers as well as their families coupled with the iconic voice of the late commentator, Paul Harvey, giving a speech he gave in 1978 at the Future Farmers Debbie Murdock is executive director of the Pacific Egg & Poultry Association with offices in Sacramento, Calif.
of America convention, Americans were reminded that we are fortunate to live in such a bountiful land that literally feeds the world. More importantly, viewers were provided a powerful image of God choosing farmers and ranchers as the caretakers for “his planned paradise.” How good was this commercial? According to USA Today’s annual Ad Meter, it ranked as the Super Bowl’s third best commercial trailing only a heart-tugging Budweiser Clydesdale commercial and Tide’s humorous Joe Montana stain. Now the question is how can we, in agriculture, leverage this positive attention to reconnect with our neighbors who have little or no exposure to farming? For years, our industry has heard from advertising, political and public relations consultants that Americans hold farmers and ranchers in high regard. Consumers consider farmers and ranchers to be honest, hard working and credible. Yet, thanks to the public relations efforts of many animal rights, environmental and consumer activist organizations, we have lost ground as a majority of the American public considers large farming businesses to be “evil factory farms.” Even some activist groups criticized the Dodge commercial for showcasing farmers and ranchers while “ignoring that the modern American food system is dominated by industrial agriculture.” However, the attacks by these activists against agriculture weren’t solely responsible for the change in consumer attitude. For too long our industry has resisted listening to consumer concerns believing instead that they simply “don’t understand how we do business.”
As a result, millions of agricultural dollars have been spent over the last few decades on marketing and education efforts to “teach” or “remind consumers” about the importance of agriculture. So how has that approach worked? Just in California alone, during the past 10 years, agriculture has witnessed the passage of Proposition 2 and other onerous laws as well as numerous local ordinances which make it difficult for farmers and ranchers to conduct their business. You could go all the way back to 1986 with the passage of Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, to witness when the tide began to turn. Now is the time for our industry to get back to the basic fundamentals or to borrow football terminology, the “blocking and tackling” of communications to reconnect with consumers and initiate a dialogue. In short, focus on the fundamentals, don’t assume our audience understands our business and prepare a game plan which will give us the greatest opportunity for success. While this Dodge commercial stood out to many for its earnest salute to a group of people few have any connection with these days, there was nothing new or remarkable about Mr. Harvey’s words to millions of senior citizens who grew up with a clear connection to and a deep appreciation for agriculture. For decades, our industry operated in virtual isolation from consumers as Americans trusted farmers and ranchers implicitly to provide safe food at an affordable price. But beginning with the Alar apple scare story on “60 Minutes” in 1989, the national media’s seemingly relentless focus on agriculture re-
“
‘Thanks to a powerful ad developed for Dodge trucks . . . Americans were reminded that we are fortunate to live in such a bountiful land that literally feeds the world.’ Debbie Murdock
Pacific Egg & Poultry Association
sulted in consumers questioning for the first time the practices required to produce our nation’s bounty of food. In the following years, a variety of high-profile food-related issues including a number of E coli deaths attributed to contaminated meat, leafy green vegetables and organic juice ratcheted up public
Corporate Headquarters
fears. Our own egg industry suffered through salmonella outbreaks and charges of animal cruelty complete with hidden videos, which generated additional national media attention and chipped away at our sterling reputation resulting in
See Murdock, Page 7 Account Executive Stacy Louis 770-718-3445 slouis@poultrytimes.net
Poultry Times P.O. Box 1338 Gainesville, Georgia 30503 Telephone: 770-536-2476; 770-718-3444 (after 5:30 p.m.) Fax: 770-532-4894
Account Executive Dinah Winfree 770-718-3438 dwinfree@poultrytimes.net
General Manager
Companion Publications: Poultry Times; A Guide to Poultry Associations; Poultry Resource Guide.
Cindy Wellborn 770-718-3443 cwellborn@poultrytimes.net
Editorial/Advertising Staff Editor David B. Strickland 770-718-3442 dstrickland@poultrytimes.net Associate Editor Barbara L. Olejnik 770-718-3440 bolejnik@poultrytimes.net
The opinions expressed in this publication by authors other than Georgia Ag News staff are those of the respective author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Georgia Ag News. Georgia Ag News assumes responsibliity for error in first run of an in-house designed ad only. Advertisers have ten (10) days from publication date to dispute such an advertisement. After ten (10) days, ad will be deemed correct and advertiser will be charged accordingly. Proofs approved by advertiser will always be regarded as correct.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
USPOULTRY Foundation receives $1 million endowment
ATLANTA — Tommy and Chantal Bagwell have presented a $1 million gift to the USPOULTRY Foundation to endow the Leland Bagwell Education and Innovation Fund. The fund is in memory of Leland Bagwell, founder of American Proteins and past chairman of Southeastern Poultry & Egg Association (now the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association), and recognizes the many contributions the former vocational agriculture teacher and leader made to the poultry industry. “My wife and I decided to focus most of our philanthropy on education issues so as to provide an opportunity for students. We established our own family foundation for this purpose. We normally do not give to endowments; however, we made an exception for the Harold E. Ford Foundation. The first reason concerns Harold Ford and my father, Leland Bagwell, and their friendship. The second, the poultry industry is where our family has made its living. Finally, we could not think of
ial c r e m Com tural ul Agric tial en Resid ial tr Indus
a better steward of these funds than people from the poultry industry,” said Tommy Bagwell, chairman & CEO of American Proteins. “We are honored and grateful to receive this $1 million gift. The endowment will help support the U.S. Poultry & Egg Harold E. Ford Foundation’s mission of continuing to attract young leaders to our industry, as well as fund research that will ensure the poultry and egg industry’s sustainability and prosperity in the future,” said Elton Maddox, president & CEO of Wayne Farms and treasurer of the USPOULTRY Foundation. “One of the keys to USPOULTRY’s success over the years has been tremendous industry leadership, such as Leland Bagwell provided. In fact, it was during Leland’s tenure that Harold E. Ford was named executive director of Southeastern Poultry & Egg Association. Coming so close to the recent loss of Mr. Ford, this outstanding gift from Tommy and Chantal is especially meaningful,” said John Starkey, USPOULTRY president.
Special
Foundation: Tommy Bagwell, second from left, chairman and CEO of American Proteins, along with his wife, Chantal, recently presented Elton Maddox, treasurer of the USPOULTRY Foundation, with a $1 million check on behalf of the Leland Bagwell Education and Innovation Fund.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
The importance of knowing your neighbors By Ken Gordon Special to Georgia Ag News
WASHINGTON — Stroll among the old farm equipment displays at a county or state fair, or at a special antique tractor show and there will be older farmers who can still describe what problems specific pieces of equipment solved on the farm in the early years. These men and women who plowed fields with horses, or were part of a threshing team, recall stories of hard work and fond friendships made during a time when people labored together to get the seeds in the ground and later harvested the rewards of those efforts. Farming 160 acres in the 1920s and 1930s was a big job and it took the help of neighbors to be successful.
Today 160 acres won’t support a family that grows traditional crops, and while farms have grown over the years, the idea of working together hasn’t changed that much. In the country, you’ll still find neighbors helping neighbors, and it’s that idea that sets farming apart from most other forms of neighbor interaction. Although the idea of knowing your neighbors may have started on the farm, that tradition carried into the city until technology forced people inside. Homes located in older neighborhoods have large front porches with detached garages usually located at the side of the home or in the back. Those homes recall a time when neighbors knew each other and children could play together, freely
running and playing in the area. People used their porches to catch a cool breeze or catch up on the latest happenings in the neighborhood. Today we don’t see our suburban neighbors too often. And two technologies, air conditioning and architecture, are largely responsible for people not knowing their neighbors in cities and suburbs. When central air conditioning was introduced to homes across America, the style of home changed as well. Front porches were eliminated in favor of a small door at the front of the home, and the garage moved from being detached at the rear of the house to being part of the home and usually located in the front. Now people only had to push a
button, drive into their garage, close the door and enjoy their sanctuary. It’s no wonder that people today don’t know their neighbors, and this is compounded by privacy fences. The idea of engaging with your neighbor is not just for farmers but should be for everyone, whether living in a city or the country. Making an effort to meet your neighbors can pay big rewards. People may be a bit surprised at first to be introduced to someone living alongside or across the street from them, but as time passes, the familiarity increases. Common interests are discovered, relationships develop and the true meaning of neighborhood is realized. One of the lasting benefits of knowing your neighbors is becom-
ing familiar with the routines of the neighborhood. It becomes a more secure living environment when neighbors know each other. An unfamiliar car or strange activity will go unnoticed in a group of houses, but it will stand out in a neighborhood. Knowing your neighbor may be a tradition originating from agrarian roots, but it also has a place in suburbia.
Ken Gordon, a public relations professional in Ohio with a long history in agriculture communications, is an occasional contributor to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Focus on Agriculture series.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
AAA study says E15 may damage vehicles Adds that sales should stop TAMPA, Fla. — A recent survey by AAA finds a strong likelihood of consumer confusion and the potential for voided warranties and vehicle damage as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent approval of E15 gasoline. An overwhelming 95 percent of consumers surveyed have not heard of E15, a newly approved gasoline blend that contains up to 15 percent ethanol. With little consumer knowledge about E15 and less than 5 percent of cars on the road approved by automakers to use the fuel, AAA is urging regulators and the industry to stop the sale of E15 until motorists are better protected. Only about 12 million out of the more than 240 million light-duty vehicles on the roads today are approved by manufacturers to use E15 gasoline, based on a survey conducted by AAA of auto manufacturers. AAA automotive engineering experts also have reviewed the available research and believe that sustained use of E15 in both newer and older vehicles could result in significant problems such as accelerated engine wear and failure, fuelsystem damage and false “check
engine” lights for any vehicle not approved by its manufacturer to use E15. “It is clear that millions of Americans are unfamiliar with E15, which means there is a strong possibility that many motorists may improperly fill up using this gasoline and damage their vehicle,” said Kevin Bakewell, AAA chief public affairs officer, The Auto Club Group. “Bringing E15 to the market without adequate safeguards does not responsibly meet the needs of consumers.” Unsuspecting consumers using E15 could end up with engine problems that might not be covered by their vehicles’ warranties. Five manufacturers (BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen) are on record saying their warranties will not cover fuel-related claims caused by the use of E15. Seven additional automakers (Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo) have stated that the use of E15 does not comply with the fuel requirements specified in their owner’s manuals and may void warranty coverage.
year and newer Porsches, 2012 model-year and newer GM vehicles and 2013 model-year Ford vehicles. These approvals extend only to cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles (SUVs). The use of E15 is expressly prohibited in heavy-duty vehicles, boats, motorcycles, power equipment, lawn mowers and off-road vehicles. “The sale and use of E15 should be suspended until additional gas pump labeling and consumer education efforts are implemented to mitigate problems for motorists and their vehicles,” added Bakewell. “Consumers should carefully read pump labels and know their auto manufacturer’s recommendations to help prevent any problems from E15.”
Flex-fuel The only vehicles currently approved by automakers to use E15 are flex-fuel models, 2001 model-
Educating consumers AAA urges fuel producers and regulators to do a better job of educating consumers about potential dangers before selling E15 gasoline. This outreach should include a consumer education campaign and more effective pump labels, among other potential safeguards to protect consumers and their vehicles. AAA also recommends additional testing to conclusively determine the impact of E15 use on vehicle engines
Now we have an opportunity as producers of food in this country to help unite instead of divide. It is time for all of us to stand up as Americans first. We can no longer tell consumers what we think they need. Instead, we must listen to their concerns and answer their questions. Times have changed and it is imperative that our industry change if we expect to survive. Failure to be a part of a workable solution will only result in our livelihoods being further dictated
by people with little or no understanding of our business. Thanks to the Dodge Corporation and its use of Mr. Harvey’s powerful voice and sterling essay, we have been presented with a unique introduction to the American consumer that could not have been imagined prior to Super Bowl Sunday. To borrow Mr. Harvey’s signature closing to his famous “Rest of the Story” segments, for all of us involved in American agriculture, Super Bowl XLVII will be remembered as a “good day!”
•Murdock (Continued from page 4)
the overwhelming passage of Proposition 2 in 2008. In the 24 years since Alar, consumers have literally moved farther away from any connection to the farm, while dramatically increasing their interest in the farm and animal practices used to produce their food. Yes, they want safe, affordable food but they also want to be confident that the animals, employees and the environment used to produce these products are treated responsibly.
and fuel system components. At least 10 gas stations currently sell E15 and that number is expected to grow, which means now is the time to suspend sales before more retailers begin offering the fuel. The EPA in June officially approved the sale of E15 after receiving a waiver request from producers interested in expanding the use of corn-based ethanol. Despite objections by auto manufacturers, the EPA approved the use of E15 gasoline in flex-fuel vehicles and 2001 model year and newer cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles and SUVs. AAA urges consumers to follow the recommendations of manufacturers to truly protect themselves from voided warranties or potential damage. AAA supports the development
and use of alternative fuels. More than 95 percent of the gasoline sold in the U.S. contains up to 10 percent ethanol. Lower ethanol blends should remain available to consumers while the challenges with E15 are addressed. The survey findings related to consumer knowledge of E15 are from a telephone survey conducted among a national probability sample of 1,012 adults comprising 504 men and 508 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental U.S. The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, travel, insurance and financial services offerings to approximately 8.8 million members across 11 states and two U.S. territories.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
Georgia in view . . . Okefenokee
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Okefenokee Okefenokee swamp -- the “land of trembling earth” -- is a more than 400,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in the southeastern corner of Georgia. Okefenokee is one of the “seven natural wonders of Georgia,” contains the headwaters of the Suwanee River and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, notably alligators. (Photos by David B. Strickland)
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
USDA offers loans to farmers who grow for locals The Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — With interest in locally grown food soaring, the federal government said on Jan. 15, it has created a small loan program to help community farmers who might not be able to borrow money from banks. Call it seed money. The low-interest “microloans” of up to $35,000 are designed to aid startup costs, bolster existing family-run farms and help minority growers and military veterans who want to farm. During the last three years, there has been a 60 percent increase in local growers who sell directly to consumers or farmers markets, U.S. Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack said. Kay Jensen, an organic farmer who grows broccoli, strawberries and tomatoes in Sun Prairie, Wis., saw two immediate benefits from the program — paperwork would go from about 30 pages to seven, and it would be easier to borrow a manageable sum. She said she might consider a loan for $3,000 to $10,000 to expand her irrigation systems. “A lot times what we need is just small amounts of money, but a lot of times the only funding available is large amounts of money,” she said. “This whole concept of a
microloan, where you’re looking at smaller, reasonable amounts of money, this really fits an incredible niche.” The loan can cover the costs of renting land, buying seed and equipment and other expenses. One goal is to create more opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment in the farming industry, Vilsack said. Another goal is to provide beginners a chance to build credit, so that they can eventually qualify for higher-value loans and expand. “It’s about making sure that we have diversity within agriculture, that we have a good blend of large production facilities, medium-sized operations and smaller operations,” Vilsack said. “It will help bolster the local and regional food system movement that is taking place.” Alan Wedemeyer, a farmer in northwest Iowa, was optimistic. He said banks tend to want to work with bigger farms because small farms have difficulty determining ahead of time what price they’re going to get for their crops. Wedemeyer’s farm, A & A Acres in Lake City, focuses on vegetables and poultry, and might consider applying for a loan to build a greenhouse system for year-round production. The “entrepreneurial side of it . . . that’s where this would really help
out, kind of seed money almost,” he said. The loans could help urban farmers who grow fruits and vegetables — or raise chickens for eggs or bees for honey — on lots that can be as small as one-eighth of an acre, said Chad Hellwinckel, a research assistant professor at the Agricultural Analysis Center at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. “These individuals lease city lots, so they need a small amount of startup capital,” Hellwinckel said. However, Iowa State University economist and local food researcher David Swenson said that $35,000 isn’t enough to significantly help a startup farm or “capitalize any kind of meaningful food production system.” He said materials and equipment were just too costly. Swenson also noted that local food production still makes up a very small percentage of the U.S. agriculture industry, despite its recent growth. Swenson said the loan program is a positive first step, but the prospects of local food being a viable economic engine for most regions is highly limited. “This is a policy area where community affection and political affection for the idea of local foods has gotten itself way out in front of the economics,” Swenson said.
Rick Hartmann of Small Potatoes Farm in Minburn, in central Iowa, said the program needs to be balanced with farming education and good business planning. “Access to capital is going to be very important for young and beginning farmers, as long as it’s tempered with other support,” he said. “That’s what’s going to make that capital return an investment back to the lender and to the lendee in the long run.” Vilsack announced the program a day after speaking at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting in Nashville. Since 2009, the federal government has increased the number of loans to beginning farmers and ranchers from 11,000 loans in 2008 to 15,000 loans in 2011. The interest rate for the new loan program changes monthly, and is currently 1.25 percent, according
to the USDA, and the loan does not have to be repaid for seven years. Karen Archipley of Archi’s Acres in San Diego said she and her husband, Colin, an Iraq vet and former Marine Corps sergeant, run a program on their 3-acre organic, hydroponic farm that teaches returning veterans how to be farmers and marketers of their own produce. She said they were recently contacted by one of the country’s largest distributors of organic kale about buying a large quantity. They have three new farmers who want to supply the contract, but they lacked the capital. “I’m so excited to hear about this because it impacts us directly,” Karen Archipley said. “We have some farmers working to get capital and they only needed $35,000 to set up crop production for organic kale.”
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Georgia’s 2013 Fishing Regulations available SOCIAL CIRCLE — Georgia anglers can find the new “2013 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations Guide” online and in print, notes the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “This guide is designed to help anglers find great places to fish and to educate them on Georgia’s fishing opportunities and regulations,” said John Biagi, fisheries management chief. “We advise new and experienced anglers alike to familiarize themselves with this publication before casting a line.” The “2013 Georgia Sport Fishing
Regulations Guide” provides helpful information, including color fish identification charts for both freshwater and saltwater fish, license purchasing information, contact information for WRD fisheries management offices and WRD law enforcement offices, trout stream listings, public fishing area information, state record fish listings and complete fishing regulations for Georgia. View, download and print the guide at www.gofishgeorgia. com/fishing/regulations; or pick up a printed copy at WRD fisheries management and law enforce-
ment offices and license vendors throughout Georgia. New information highlighted in this year’s guide includes: Saltwater Information Program (SIP) license required when fishing in saltwater; new license: a 1-day saltwater shore-based fishing license is available ($5 for residents or non-residents); kids’ fishing opportunities; and free fishing days for 2013. More information about Georgia’s fishing regulations or for information about where and when to go fishing visit www.gofishgeorgia. com.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
Event highlighted weather fighting tools for farmers By Clint Thompson
Special to Georgia Ag News
TIFTON — Adapting to unpredictable weather is part of Lamar Black’s job as a farmer in Jenkins County, Ga. Black grows cotton, corn and peanuts on more than 400 acres, so each year he plans for and adjusts to extreme temperatures and rain, or lack thereof. “We are in a changing climate, for whatever reason,� Black said. “It appears that we’re not getting the rainfall in the winter that we used to get. “We used to get a lot of rain in the wintertime. The last few years it hasn’t been. The summers seem to be hotter.�
Drought tops list The surge in temperatures from June until August is made worse by the drought-like conditions much of the state of Georgia is suffering through. “The drought has been the biggest concern,� Black said. “Back in ’11 it was extremely dry. Who knows what’s going to happen this year. We’re all hoping for the best.� Fortunately for Black, technological advances allow farmers to combat that unpredictability. Such advances include sensor-based irrigation management (sensors in
the field that help farmers deliver scheduled irrigation optimally), subsurface drip irrigation (a method of watering crops underground that requires less water than other irrigation systems and allows the soil surface to stay dry, reducing weeds) and AgroClimate (a Webbased system that helps producers plan for upcoming seasons using the best available forecasts about what the climate will do in the next few months). “I think it’s really critical, especially when we’re in periods of drought to be able to look at technologies and implement them so that producers can have the yields that they’re accustomed to,� said George Vellidis, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences professor on the Tifton campus.
Climate trends Vellidis was one of the presenters at the Climate Adaptation Exchange event in Tifton on Feb. 8. The event featured management strategies like variable-rate irrigation, primed acclimation, sod-based rotation, conservation tillage and high-residue cover crops and energy efficiency alternatives. “I think weather is unpredictable,� Vellidis added. “I think we have a better grasp on what longterm climate trends will be. For ex-
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ample, three months ahead or four months ahead, I think we know now, to some level of comfort, we are going to be able to say what’s going to happen. We can say it’s going to be drier than normal, wetter than normal, hotter than normal and so on. “We can’t predict day to day . . . but we can understand the trends.� The trend during the past couple of weeks has been a steady dose of rainfall in parts of the Southeast. “We’re in a really wet pattern right now,� said Pam Knox, a CAES agricultural climatologist, referencing weather maps at the Climate Adaptation Exchange event. “They still have that area of above-normal rainfall continuing for the next couple of weeks. That’s good if you want the water in the soil but maybe not so good if you’re trying to get out in the fields. Just like everything else, it’s a mixed blessing.� However, farmers’ spirits could soon be dampened by the prospect of drier conditions in the upcoming months.
Agroclimate AgroClimate, which features seasonal forecasts, predicts a muchdrier pattern across the southern part of the country during the upcoming months, through April. As the drought lingers for Black and his fellow farmers, there are in-
Clint Thompson/UGA
Weather tools: Calvin Perry, superintendent at the University of Georgia Stripling Irrigation Research Park, gave a presentation on variable-rate irrigation at the Climate Adaptation Exchange event held Feb. 8 in Tifton.
novative options for producers to use. Chuck Von Glahn teamed with Vellidis to discuss sensor-based irrigation management. It’s one strategy Von Glahn has worked with while farming in Mitchell County, Ga. “I would say as a farmer, it is a bit of a challenge with utilizing different resources to try to save here and there,� Von Glahn said. “With
irrigation management, the way that we plant, strip-till, that kind of thing, it’s allowed us to venture into different areas to conserve.� For more information about AgroClimate, visit the program’s website at www.agroclimate.org. Clint Thompson is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences based in Tifton.
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Performance award: Cobb-Vantress Inc. recently presented Fieldale Farms of Baldwin, Ga., with its Breeder Flock Performance Award for the Southeast Region. The annual flock performance award is based on Total Eggs/Hen Housed for COBB 500 or COBB 700 flocks in six regions in the U.S. Pictured are, left to right, Jeff Steed, Cobb Technical Service; Charlie Westbrook, Cobb S.E. sales manager; Sid Ray, Fieldale Farms breeder manager; and Daniel Dorsey, Fieldale Farms assistant breeder manager.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
Georgia’s youth birding competition yields benefits SOCIAL CIRCLE — Georgia’s Youth Birding Competition turns eight this year, and coordinator Tim Keyes is seeing plenty of evidence the event is making an impact for conservation. Keyes mentions early participants now studying biology in college and former birding novices who as veterans are mentoring children in bird watching. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch that,” he said. The rewards for competitors and organizers continue April 13-14, when the 24-hour statewide birdathon for teams varying in ages from kindergarteners to high school seniors returns. The deadline to register is March 31. Complete details are at www.georgiawildlife.com/ youthbirdingcompetition. The competition and an accompanying T-shirt Art Contest are sponsored by DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, The Environmental Resources Network Inc. (TERN) and other partners. A banquet and awards ceremony will be held April 14 at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield. Teams register by one of four age divisions and compete against other groups their age. Participants can also volunteer to raise money for conservation organizations. The Youth Birding Competition is free, fun and geared to youth of
all skill levels, WRD said. Those new to birding can take advantage of mentoring opportunities offered through the competition. Contestants spotted 209 bird species and raised $1,178 for conservation last year. The 2013 competition starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 13, and ends at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 14. Groups may use as much or as little of that time to count as many birds as possible throughout Georgia. Although teams can start birding anywhere in the state, they must turn in their checklists at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center by 5 p.m. on April 14. While judges examine and score checklists, participants are treated to a live animal show followed by an awards banquet packed with prizes. The Youth Birding Competition also includes a T-shirt Art Contest (entries due by March 4). Participation in the birding competition is encouraged but not required to enter the T-shirt Art Contest. There is no charge for either contest, aside from the optional cost of overnight lodging at Charlie Elliott. Event sponsors include Atlanta Audubon Society and the Georgia Ornithological Society. New this year: Teams can share photos and updates on what birds they’re seeing or hearing on the
Johnny N. Dell/Bugwood.org
Brown Thrasher: The Brown Thrasher, the state bird of Georgia, would be a nice species to spot for those participating in the upcoming Youth Birding Competition — a statewide, 24-hour youth bird watching contest sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division.
Wildlife Resources Division’s Twitter account — tweet @GeorgiaWild with the hashtag #YBC2013. More information can be obtained at www.georgiawildlife. com/youthbirdingcompetition or contact Alesia Rast at Charlie Elliott Conference Center at 770-7843152 or by e-mail at alesia.rast@ dnr.state.ga.us; or Tim Keyes: 912262-3191, tim.keyes@dnr.state. ga.us.
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USDA announces request for Farm to School grants WASHINGTON — U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan has announced the release of a request for applications (RFA) for the latest round of USDA’s Farm to School grants. These grants help eligible schools improve the health and well-being of their students and connect with local agricultural producers. “USDA’s Farm to School grants connect schools with their local farmers, ranchers and food businesses, providing new economic opportunities to food producers and bringing healthy, local offerings into school cafeterias,” Merrigan said. “USDA continues to make im-
provements to the nutrition of food offered in schools, and investing in farm to school programs is yet another important opportunity to encourage our nation’s kids to make lifelong healthy eating choices.” This year, three different kinds of grants will be available. Planning grants are intended for schools just getting started on farm to school activities, while implementation grants are available for schools seeking to augment or expand existing efforts. Additionally, eligible non-profit entities, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies and agriculture producers or groups of producers may apply for support
service grants in order to conduct trainings, create complementary curriculum, or further develop supply chains, among other activities. Proposals are due at midnight (EST), April 24, 2013. To assist eligible entities in preparing proposals, USDA will host a series of webinars related to the application process: March 5, 2013, 1 p.m. – Planning Grants March 6, 2013, 1 p.m. – Implementation Grants March 7, 2013, 1 p.m. – Support Service Grants More information can be obtained at www.usda.gov.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
Univ. of Mo. research leads to soy chicken product COLUMBIA, Mo. — A soybased chicken substitute developed by Fu-Hung Hsieh, a professor of biological engineering at the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, is being manufactured just a few miles from where it was developed. Savage River Farms, a Marylandbased company that specializes in healthy food products, announced it opened a 16,000-square-foot production facility in northeast Columbia that went online last fall. It will employ 60 people and represents a $5 million investment by the company.
Technology Founder Ethan Brown licensed the technology from MU in 2009.
The company has financial backing from The Obvious Corp., which includes Twitter co-founders as owners, and the venture capitalist firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. MU’s licensing agreement stipulated that Savage River Farms must establish a financial presence in Missouri within five years, a new tactic for the university and a trend nationwide, said Rob Duncan, MU vice chancellor for research. Hsieh’s product not only replicates the taste of chicken, which is fairly easy to do, but mimics its fibrous texture and appearance, which is difficult. Hsieh and Research Specialist Harold Huff have spent more than 20 years researching the product, which uses heat and an extruder to convert powdered soy into a substance that tastes and feels like
chicken breast meat. The product will be called Chicken-free Strips and will be marketed under the Beyond Meat brand, said Brown.
‘Chicken’ strips He said the meat substitute is so similar to an Oscar Mayer chicken strip that it is difficult to tell the difference between the two. The strips have been test marketed in Northern California for more than a year. The product is now being introduced to the northwestern states. Midwest sales will begin when the Columbia production facility goes into operation. Nationwide distribution is being forecast to begin sometime in 2013. Hsieh’s creation has been garner-
ing national attention. It has been featured in Time magazine, the New York Times, NPR and ABC News.
Good for you Hsieh’s research is directed at making soy protein into a consumer-acceptable product that can be eaten by vegetarians or people wanting the heart health benefits of a soy diet. Soy provides important bio-active components, such as isoflavones, which help maintain healthy bones, and prevent prostate, breast and colorectal cancers. Soy foods are a good source of essential fatty acids and contain no cholesterol, the researchers noted. Eating soy protein may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol and increasing the flexibility of blood
vessels. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved a health claim stating that “25 grams of soy protein in a daily diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can help reduce total and LDL cholesterol that is moderately high to high.” Meat alternatives are becoming an increasingly big part of the world’s diet. The Soyfoods Association of America says such meat substitutes are purchased by vegetarians, chefs wanting faster preparation time, people with food allergies and shoppers looking for a cheap source of high quality protein. Powdered soy protein is inexpensive, slow to spoil and can be easily transported — making it suitable for use in poor countries where animal protein is rare.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
One man’s wild flower is another man’s weed By Paul Pugliese Special to Georgia Ag News
CARTERSVILLE — There’s nothing more beautiful than a wild flower, unless it’s in the wrong place. Wild violets are among some of the toughest, most difficult lawn weeds to control. Violets are a diverse group that includes both winter annual and perennial species. The perennial violets have deep underground root structures called rhizomes and stolons. These root structures allow wild violets to persist in lawns for many years and make them difficult to control. Often, pulling out these weeds is both very difficult and futile. While weeding violets, people usually break off part of the rhizome underground, which is enough to allow the plant to regenerate. One of the more familiar forms of wild
violet has heart-shaped leaves on long stalks arranged in a rosette near the soil. Flowers range from purple or pink to white or yellow, usually with five petals. Some might consider these “pretty flowers” until they start growing somewhere in unwanted locations. The flowers bloom between spring and into early summer. These flowers produce seeds that help propagate and disperse the plant. Controlling them before they flower can reduce the number of weeds that return. Wild violets have a wide range of distribution from Canada to Florida and can tolerate many different types of environments. However, they tend to be more prolific in their preferred habitat, mostly in shady spots and areas that stay moist for extended periods. Quite often, these are areas that are not well suited to growing grass. Therefore, the grass cannot compete with the better-adapted weeds in these areas. One strategy for managing wild violets includes
correcting any soil drainage problems and thinning tree limbs to allow more sunlight for your lawn. Areas that receive less than four hours of sunlight will not sustain grass and should be landscaped with shrubs or groundcovers adapted to shade. There are several selective herbicides that can be used to control wild violets without damaging your lawn. However, even the best broad-leaf herbicide will take repeated applications to achieve decent control of wild violets. You must be both patient and persistent with herbicide applications for violets. Some of the best products on the market contain the active ingredients 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba or triclopyr. Depending on the mixture, they may only be labeled for use on certain grasses, so be sure to read the label and check the type of grass in your lawn to avoid potential damage.
As with all herbicides, be sure to read and follow all labeled application instructions and safety precautions. Many lawn herbicides on the market today contain two- and three-way mixtures of these chemicals in the active ingredient, which allows them to control more wide-ranging weed problems. These products are commonly found at many local garden centers and farm supply stores. More herbicide options are available for wild violet control, but are limited to use only by licensed commercial lawn companies. For more information, see the University of Georgia Extension publication “Weed Control in Home Lawns” online at: http://t.uga. edu/9V. Paul Pugliese is the agriculture & natural resources agent for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office in Bartow County.
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
Vegetable growers’ workshop set
Make it at Home recipe Turkey Pastrami Sandwich on Irish Soda Bread
National Turkey Federation Servings: 4
slaw, divided 12 oz. turkey pastrami, thinly sliced
Directions: Cut Irish soda bread in half lengthwise. On each half of bread, spread 1/3 cup dressing. Layer bottom of loaf with 1/3 of cole slaw and 1/2 plastic wrap. Refrigerate of the pastrami. overnight.
Repeat layering with 1/3 of To serve, cut sandwich into cole slaw, 1/3 cup dressing, four wedges. 1 loaf (8-inch) Irish soda remaining pastrami and remaining 1/3 cole slaw. Cover More information and recbread with top half of loaf. ipes can be obtained from the 1 bottle (8 oz.) thousand National Turkey Federation island dressing Wrap sandwich tightly in at www.eatturkey.com. 4 cups prepared deli cole-
Ingredients:
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GRIFFIN — A workshop for home gardeners and small scale farmers interested in growing and marketing vegetables is set for March 15 on the University of Georgia campus here. Taught by UGA Cooperative Extension vegetable horticulturist Bob Westerfield, the class will cover the basics of how to begin earning extra income by growing and selling vegetables. Topics will include which vegetables to grow, how to grow them, developing a marketing plan and selecting equipment. The workshop is designed for beginning growers or homeowners who would like to sell their produce at a farmers market, at a roadside stand or to individuals. The program will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the UGA Research and Education Garden off Ellis Road in Griffin. The cost of the workshop is $45, which includes all materials, lunch and break refreshments. For more information or to register, call Beth Horne at 770-228-7214.
Gainco appoints sales director GAINESVILLE — Gainco Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of weighing, packaging, food inspection and other yield enhancement systems for the meat, poultry and seafood processing industries, has appointed John Daley as the company’s new director of sales & marketing. Daley will direct Gainco’s worldwide sales and marketing activities, including the development of sales strategies, business development efforts and key account support. He brings nearly 25 years of sales strategy and business development
experience to his new post. Prior to joining Gainco, served as the southeast area sales manager for GEA Food Solutions (formerly CFS). Daley also served as a managing director of Matrix Packaging Machinery. He also held several domestic and international sales positions at Kliklok Corp. Daley holds a bachelor of science degree in electronic engineering technology from Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga., and an master of science degree in management from Georgia State University in Atlanta.
for these zones. Early flower may include petunias, diantuhus, snapdragons, sweet alyssum and lobelia. Some vegetables that like the early, cool weather of spring are asparagus, lettuce, peas, rhubarb and spinach. Later vegetables include cauliflower, cucumber, pole beans, lima beans, collards, eggplant, broccoli and watermelon. Tomato plants can be set out in the garden from mid-March to early May after any danger of frost has passed. They grow best at temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees F and require six to eight hours of sunlight. They also need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week depending on the
type of soil they are growing in. On days when it is just too nasty to go “dig in the dirt,” there are other ways to prepare to make working in those spring gardens more enjoyable. This involves making sure that tools needed are in good repair. Clean and sharpen blades on hand tools and have the mower serviced. In addition, the garden shed can be organized, outdoor furniture could be cleaned and repaired and gardening supports for peonies and tomatoes can be built or purchased. A little early spring preparation can make flower and vegetable gardening a pleasing and satisfactory endeavor.
•Garden (Continued from page 1)
amounts of the three nutrients can help jump-start a spring garden. The site for a vegetable garden should be one that receives at least eight to 10 hours of sunlight a day and one that is located near the house with an available water supply. A convenient location makes working in and enjoying the garden easier. Georgia is in zone 7 and 8 of the USDA hardiness zone map, meaning the average minimum temperature ranges between zero and 15 degrees F. When choosing spring annuals, perennials and vegetables, check the package instructions for specific planting recommendations
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
Resistant varieties saved Georgia tomatoes from wilt virus By Clint Thompson
Special to Georgia Ag News
TIFTON — Once a major threat to the tomato industry, the thripsvectored tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) has been unable to penetrate the vegetable’s latest line of defense — resistant cultivars. Scientists from the University of Georgia, University of Florida, Clemson and North Carolina State Universities have collaborated during the last two decades in an effort to try to alleviate what had become a deadly problem. The results have proven to be beneficial and profitable for tomato growers. “If we didn’t come up with a solution, it would have killed the tomato industry in Georgia,” said David Riley, a professor of entomology with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in Tifton. Riley is the team leader of the RAMP (Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program) Project, which compiled data showing that an estimated $9 million was lost in tomato and pepper from 1996 to 2006. The spotted wilt virus had a disastrous effect on the vegetable industry. “It was bad. If you go back 10 years ago, there were fields that had complete yield loss,” Riley said. “Once you get so much damage in a field, at some point, it becomes
uneconomical to go in and harvest it. With a tomato crop, nearly half of your production cost is tied up in that harvest cost. Once your production goes down too low from disease, they’ll just cut it loose and not even go in there. So, not only do the growers lose their tomato crop, temporary workers lose jobs.” Ten years ago, the tomato crop in Georgia would have been wiped out if resistant varieties weren’t available, he said. Today, Georgia’s vegetable industry, including the state’s tomato and bell pepper fields, is worth $781 million and accounts for about 10,200 jobs across the state, according to the most recent Georgia Farm Gate Value Report. TSWV dates back almost 40 years when it was discovered in peanuts in Texas. It was later found in Louisiana and Alabama. In the 1990s, the virus was detected as a major problem in such Georgia crops as peanuts, vegetables and tobacco. Eventually, resistant cultivars (tomato varieties that possess the resistant gene) stopped almost all losses from the disease. Based on a 2008-2009 survey conducted by Riley and his team, 75 percent of farmers in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina were
using an improved method of growing tomatoes, which included resistant cultivars. Seventy-one percent of those responding were satisfied with their crop’s production. According to the USDA TSWV RAMP Project website (www.tswvramp.org) resistant cultivars prevent plants from wilting, which greatly increases the crop’s yields. These cultivars also reduce irregular ripening of fruit. Controlling the TSWV is a step in the right direction for tomato growers, but it didn’t totally solve the problem of thrips, the small insects that can transmit the virus. “There’s still a little bit of a problem left with thrips themselves because western flower thrips can come in late season and feed directly on the fruit,” Riley said. “Even if it’s a resistant cultivar, you can still have some virus symptoms show up on the fruit. For the most part, the problem of major yield loss in tomato has been solved in Georgia.” Riley added that the best way to control late-season western flower thrips is achieved with products like spinetoram.
generation of food and farming.” “This is undoubtedly the most important Ag Day program in our history,” Jenny Pickett, Agriculture Council of America president, said in a statement. “Our goal is to ensure the eyes of the nation are on the contributions American agriculture makes not just here in the United States, but also around the world. That’s the message we’re taking to the ‘Hill,’ and the message that will be carried through communities across America.” The council adds that, “Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis,
and is increasingly contributing to fuel and other bio-products.” “A few generations ago, most Americans were directly involved in — or had relatives or friends involved in — agricultural-related endeavors,” the council noted. “Today, that is no longer the case. That is why it is so important that we join together at the community level . . . our voices, in concert, become a shout that carries our message a great deal further than any one of us can do alone.” More information about National Ag Day can be obtained at www. agday.org.
Clint Thompson is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences based in Tifton.
•Ag Day (Continued from page 1)
40th anniversary This year also marks a special anniversary for National Ag Day. Begun in 1973, this year is the 40th annual event. For this year, the Agriculture Council of America could not even contain the one-day event to one day. On March 18 and 19, the council has made plans for meetings, discussions and more in Washington, D.C., with sessions ranging from panel discussions on “farm to fork politics,” to dialogues on the “next
Sharon Dowdy/UGA
Wilt virus: Green tomatoes infected with tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV).
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GEORGIA AG NEWS, March 2013
IPPE set an attendance record this year ATLANTA — The 2013 International Production & Processing Expo had record attendance with 26,393 poultry, meat and feed industry leaders from all over the world. The expo is the world’s largest annual poultry, meat and feed industry event of its kind and is one of the 50 largest trade shows in the United States. In fact, in the August 2012 issue, Trade Show Executive ranked the expo as No. 35 in its “Fastest 50 Trade Shows” listing for percentage of growth in net square feet of paid exhibit space. The event is sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), and the American Meat Institute (AMI). There were 5,448 international visitors from 111 countries represented at the expo. The largest group from a single country outside
the United States was Canada with 916 visitors. The largest region represented was Latin America/Caribbean with 2,394 visitors. “The number of attendees on the exhibit floor exceeded our expectations, and we are very pleased. We had an exceptional turn-out this year,” said 2013 USPOULTRY Chairman James Adams, Wenger Feeds, Rheems, Pa. “Feedback from attendees has been very positive in terms of the education programs and time spent on the trade show floor. Many are looking forward to 2014,” said 2013-13 AFIA Chairman, Alan Gunderson, Vita Plus Corp. Madison, Wis. “The record attendance numbers serve as further confirmation that the 2013 IPPE was a rousing success,” said AMI President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle. “With a year’s experience at the show, we expect next year will be even more valuable for attendees and exhibitors alike.”
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The main attraction was the large exhibit floor, covering more than 430,000 net square feet. With 1,189 exhibitors presenting the latest advances in equipment, supplies and services, attendees were able to view and experience all phases of the poultry, feed and meat industry, from live production and processing to further processing and packaging. Helping drive the attendance, a week-long schedule of education programs complemented the exhibit floor by keeping industry management current on the latest issues. The education line-up included 15 sessions: the long-standing International Poultry Scientific Forum; Pet Food Conference; Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit; International Feed Education Program; Recalls and Public Health Investigations; Improving Food Safety, Sanitation and Maintenance; Animal Care and Handling: Focus on Poultry Processing; Meat
Photo by David B. Strickland
IPPE 2013: The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s 65th annual International Poultry Expo was held recently in Atlanta. This year marked the first joint meeting of the IPE, the International Feed Expo and International Meat Expo — as the International Production & Processing Expo. More than 1,100 exhibitors and 26,393 attendees took part in this year’s event.
and Poultry Processing: A Global Perspective; Consumer Trends; Plant Operations and Management; Antibiotics Conference — Current Issues for the Poultry & Egg Industry; The Future of the U.S. Egg Industry; Meat & Poultry Research Conference; Media Training for the Meat & Poultry Industry; Poultry
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Handling and Transportation Quality “Train the Trainer” Workshop; Poultry Market Intelligence Forum and the International Rendering Symposium. The next IPPE will be held Jan. 28-30, 2014. More information will be available at www.ippexpo.org.