COMMITEES GET UPDATES, BLACK HONORED AT COMMODITY CONFERENCE Former state veterinarian Dr. Carter Black received the 2012 GFB Commodity Award and GFB commodity committee members received updates on the United States Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, the state’s road safety rules, GFB legislative efforts and the state’s weather station network during the 34th annual GFB Commodity Conference, held Aug. 9 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry. During the one-day conference, members of GFB’s 20 commodity committees held meetings to kick off the 2012 GFB policy development process. Black, who was assistant state veterinarian from 1984 to 2007 and state veterinarian from 2007 until his retirement in 2011, was instrumental in developing Georgia’s brucellosis eradication programs for cattle and swine. “I appreciate this award,” Black said. “I often feel like I’m not as deserving as a lot of folks think I am. I’ve had a lot of success working with the livestock industry on eradicating these diseases but it’s because the department employees supported the efforts and the industry felt we were trying to help them.” Congressmen John Barrow (D-12th Dist.) and Austin Scott (R-8th Dist.) each made remarks during the opening session. Scott called for estate tax reform and stressed the need for passage of a long-term farm bill, while Barrow encouraged GFB members to support members of Congress who are willing to work across party lines to reach compromises for the good of the country. GFB Legislative Director Jon Huffmaster reviewed the organization’s successes in the 2012 Legislative Session, including HB 386, the tax reform bill that maintained existing sales tax exemptions for agriculture and expanded them. Capt. Gregg Willis of the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division gave a presentation covering the rules for vehicles transporting agricultural commodities. For an extensive collection of motor carrier fact sheets, which include information pertinent to transporting agricultural products, visit http://dps.georgia.gov/fact-sheets. UGA Climatologist Pam Knox reviewed the Automated Environmental Monitoring Network (AEMN), a collection of more than 80 weather stations around the state that provides archived and current weather data for users from agriculture and a variety of other industries. To view the network’s data visit http://www.georgiaweather.net/. Ladonna Lee of the USFRA’s Farmer, Rancher & Industry Engagement Task Force talked about the organization’s efforts to guide public discourse about farm-related issues. August 15, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 33 Black
Transcript
COMMITEES GET UPDATES, BLACK HONORED AT COMMODITY CONFERENCE
Former state veterinarian Dr. Carter Black received the 2012 GFB Commodity Award and GFB commodity committee members received updates on the United States Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, the state’s road safety rules, GFB legislative efforts and the state’s weather station network during the 34th annual GFB Commodity Conference, held Aug. 9 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry.
During the one-day conference, members of GFB’s 20 commodity committees held meetings to kick off the 2012 GFB policy development process.
Black, who was assistant state veterinarian from 1984 to 2007 and state veterinarian from 2007 until his retirement in 2011, was instrumental in developing Georgia’s brucellosis eradication programs for cattle and swine.
“I appreciate this award,” Black said. “I often feel like I’m not as deserving as a lot of folks think I am. I’ve had a lot of success working with the livestock industry on eradicating these diseases but it’s because the department employees supported the efforts and the industry felt we were trying to help them.”
Congressmen John Barrow (D-12th Dist.) and Austin Scott (R-8th Dist.) each made remarks during the opening session. Scott called for estate tax reform and stressed the need for passage of a long-term farm bill, while Barrow encouraged GFB members to support members of Congress who are willing to work across party lines to reach compromises for the good of the country.
GFB Legislative Director Jon Huffmaster reviewed the organization’s successes in the 2012 Legislative Session, including HB 386, the tax reform bill that maintained existing sales tax exemptions for agriculture and expanded them.
Capt. Gregg Willis of the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division gave a presentation covering the rules for vehicles transporting agricultural commodities. For an extensive collection of motor carrier fact sheets, which include information pertinent to transporting agricultural products, visit http://dps.georgia.gov/fact-sheets.
UGA Climatologist Pam Knox reviewed the Automated Environmental Monitoring Network (AEMN), a collection of more than 80 weather stations around the state that provides archived and current weather data for users from agriculture and a variety of other industries. To view the network’s data visit http://www.georgiaweather.net/.
Ladonna Lee of the USFRA’s Farmer, Rancher & Industry Engagement Task Force talked about the organization’s efforts to guide public discourse about farm-related issues.
August 15, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 33
Black
Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVES SALE OF UGA PLANT SCIENCES FARM
During its Aug. 6 meeting, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the sale of UGA’s Plant Sciences Farm in Oconee County to the Townley Family Partnership.
“We needed to move off the Plant Sciences Farm,” UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean Dr. Scott Angle said. “That area around it is being urbanized. We knew someday, because of smells of the animals or noise of the tractors or chemicals that we spray, we were going to have to move off. I thought it was probably five years from now, but we had a very generous individual come to us and ask to buy the farm. It was frankly hard to turn down.”
The 522-acre Plant Sciences Farm was established in 1970 and has provided support for field research, demonstrations and a teaching laboratory. The sale of the farm is for a reported $11.4 million, and the agreement with the Townley Family Partnership allows UGA to use parts of the farm rent free until 2016 to complete research in progress. Angle said that a portion of the proceeds would be used to purchase a replacement farm designated for plant sciences research, and that the university is in negotiations to make that purchase.
“The advantage of this is the new farm is being sold at market value, so we will end up with better land, better water, closer to campus and a lot of money left over that we can then reinvest in other farms around the state,” Angle said. NASS CROP REPORT FORECASTS PEANUTS UP, COTTON DOWN
Georgia’s 2012 peanut production is projected to increase by 56 percent over the state’s 2011 crop, while cotton production is forecast for a slight decline in the August Crop Production report from the USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service.
The state’s peanut producers are expected to harvest 700,000 acres in 2012, up 51 percent from 2011. With an anticipated 4 percent increase in yields, peanut production is forecast at 2.55 billion pounds, up 919 million pounds over 2011.
Georgia’s cotton production is forecast at 2.4 million bales in 2012, down from 2.465 million bales in 2011, a decline of 4 percent. While the state’s cotton growers are expected to harvest 1.245 million acres, down from 1.495 million acres in 2011, yields are expected to increase by 17 percent, from 791 pounds per acre in 2011 to 925 pounds per acre in 2012.
The state’s soybean crop is projected to grow by 70 percent, from 2.97 million bushels in 2011 to 5.04 million bushels in 2012.
Georgia hay growers are expected to produce 1.475 million tons in 2012, an increase of 14 percent over 2011 production.
Georgia corn production is also expected to increase, from 42.66 million bushels in 2011 to 49.876 million bushels in 2012, an increase of 17 percent.
The state’s growers of winter wheat are expected to produce 8.8 million bushels in 2012, down from 11 million bushels from the state’s production in 2011.
Tobacco production in Georgia is forecast at 24.15 million pounds in 2012, down from 26.78 million pounds in 2011.
Persistent drought is causing major crop damage in other parts of the country, triggering concerns that large numbers of crop insurance claims will bring with them reviews by the insurance companies and in some cases the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA).
Because a high percentage of Georgia’s insured acreage is irrigated and some areas of the state have received rainfall, drought-related damage so far in 2012 has not been as severe as in other parts of the country.
“Irrigation definitely mitigates the crop losses because you’re able to provide water at times that are critical to the growth of the plants,” said RMA Valdosta Regional Office Director Diane Amera, whose office oversees RMA operations in Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina. “You don’t have to rely on natural rainfall. Of course, that varies depending on soil types and location and what crops a farmer is producing.”
Amera said water-related crop conditions in the region are not currently generating concerns that there will be widespread large-scale crop-loss claims.
“From the information we’ve received from our insurance providers, we don’t hear that there is this real sense of urgency with respect to the crop conditions like we have in other parts of the country,” she said. “Obviously we’re aware of the fact that we’ve got pockets of areas where we’re going to be seeing some losses higher than others.”
Still, in instances where large claims have to be filed, farmers face the potential for farm record reviews. Amera encouraged farmers to be familiar with the reporting requirements. According to the 2012 Standard Reinsurance Agreement, insurance companies are required to conduct actual production history (APH) reviews for claim amounts of $200,000 or more. When a claim exceeds $500,000 for a single crop within a single county, the companies are required to stop the adjustment process and refer the claim to the RMA, which then has the option to participate in the review.
Amera stressed the importance of record-keeping, noting that in general, third-party, verifiable records that include the farm/field location, production (weight/bushel), and/or quality are required. For specific crop requirements, farmers should contact their agent or adjuster. For more information on crop insurance requirements, the SRA handbooks can be accessed at http://www.rma.usda.gov/handbooks/14000/. WITH HSUS SUPPORT, KANSAS RANCHER SUES USDA OVER CHECKOFF
Kansas rancher Mike Callicrate filed suit on Aug. 9 in the U.S. District Court for Kansas asking for a permanent injunction against the Beef Checkoff. Callicrate, who is vice president for the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM), claims the Beef Checkoff has been improperly using money collected from ranchers by providing funding for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), which OCM characterizes as a policy and lobbying group. The plaintiff is requesting that checkoff dollars be permanently withheld from the NCBA. The suit names as defendants the USDA, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, the Beef Promotion Marketing Committee and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
According to published reports, the Humane Society of the United States partnered with OCM to provide funding for the lawsuit.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 UGA CONDUCTING FOOD HUBS NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences is conducting a statewide needs assessment survey to determine how many farmers are interested in the development of regional food hubs and what infrastructure is needed for the creation of food hubs. The 15-question survey is voluntary. Individual and farm identification and contact information will not be shared with other groups. To take the survey online, visit https://ugeorgia.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4MFtvNeUFIHcCu8. Questions about the survey should be directed to Katherine Munden-Dixon (706-542-8084 or [email protected]) or Julia Gaskin (706-542-1401 or [email protected]). PEANUT & COTTON FIELD DAY Aug. 16 UGA SW Ga. Research and Education Center 8:30 a.m. Plains This free event includes a presentation on peanut cultivar response to calcium, peanut breeding programs, an update on cotton insects and kudzu bugs, weed control strategies and much more. For more information call 229-824-4375. BROOKLET PEANUT FESTIVAL Aug. 18 Downtown area Brooklet The 23rd Annual Peanut Festival includes the 5k Peanut Run, which begins at 7 a.m., the parade at 10 a.m., arts and crafts, exhibits and entertainment. This year’s theme is “Brooklet’s Path to Progress.” Visit http://www.brookletpeanutfestival.com for more information. ROW CROP FIELD DAY Aug. 22 UGA SE Georgia Research & Education Center 8:30 a.m. Midville This event provides updates on variety trials for corn, soybeans and peanuts. Lunch will be provided. For more information call Anthony Black at 478-589-7472. FALL VEGETABLE GARDENING CLASS Aug. 23 Houston County Extension Office 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Perry The Houston County Extension Office is offering a Fall Vegetable Gardening class to area homeowners who want to know how to double their growing season and enjoy fresh vegetables year round. The class will be taught in the Extension Office Multipurpose Room located on the top floor of the old courthouse in Perry. Cost for the class is $10 per person. Registration and payment is required by Aug. 17. Jeff Cook, UGA Extension agent, will be discussing cool weather crops, planting times, and pests. For a registration form, email [email protected] or download one from the Extension website at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/houston/news.html. GARLICFEST 2012 Aug. 25 LoganBerry Heritage Farm 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cleveland This annual celebration of the Garlic harvest is a free and fun family event. It includes lots of garlic, chefs, creative food, cooking demos, tastings, live music, artisans and animals. For more information, contact LoganBerry Heritage Farm at 706-348-6068 or visit http://www.loganberryheritagefarm.com.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 OLD SOUTH FARM CAMP September – November Old South Farm Woodland These three-day camps, which typically will run from Friday through Suday, include a variety of vintage farm activities, including milking cows, making butter and buttermilk, a session on honeybees and much more. Registration is $200 per person and discounts are available for multiple members of the same family. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com. GEORGIA PECAN GROWERS FALL FIELD DAY Sept. 6 USDA-ARS Research Lab 8 a.m. Byron This free event includes an orchard tour and a complimentary lunch. An orchard tour will be held before noon and a barbecue lunch will be provided. For more information contact Janice Dees at 229-382-2187 or [email protected]. USFRA SEEKING THE “FACES OF FARMING AND RANCHING” Farm Bureau members can apply to become one of the national U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) “Faces of Farming and Ranching” representatives. The Faces of Farming and Ranching will serve multiple roles with the USFRA, including giving national media interviews, participating in panel discussions and web chats, being featured in advertising and other activities. Each representative will have a tailored media plan to ensure optimal use of the 2013 winners. Entries will be accepted through Sept. 8. All travel costs will be provided for the winners, each of whom will also receive a $10,000 stipend, $5,000 to donate to an agriculture charity and spokesperson training. To find out more, please contact GFB Commodities Assistant Director Joe McManus at 478-474-0679, ext. 5250, or [email protected]. To access the entry forms visit http://www.fooddialogues.com/faces-of-farming-and-ranching. UGA COTTON AND PEANUT RESEARCH FIELD DAY Sept. 12 Coastal Plain Experiment Station 8:30 a.m. Tifton This event, sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission and the Georgia Peanut Commission, includes lunch. For more information call 229-386-3328. 16th ANNUAL PLAINS PEANUT FESTIVAL Sept. 15 Plains The annual Plains Peanut Festival is centered around one of the Sumter County community's claims to fame, its peanut production, and former President of the U.S., Jimmy Carter. One-mile fun run and a 5-K road race starts at 7 AM. All-day event with educational exhibits & vendors. For info, call Better Home Town Program at 229-824-5373 or http://www.plainsgeorgia.com/peanut_festival.html. 2012 GEORGIA GRAZING SCHOOL Sept. 18-19 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This two-day workshop will focus on soil fertility, forage crop establishment, plant growth, animal nutrient requirements and management-intensive grazing. Registration is now open, and interested persons are encouraged to register as soon as possible. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/c6dhtb9. [http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/forages/events/GS12/GS12.html.]
Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 2012 AGROFORESTRY AND WILDLIFE FIELD DAY Sept. 20 University of Georgia Griffin Campus 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Griffin Registration is now being accepted for this unique educational event, sponsored by UGA, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Fort Valley State University, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the NRCS. The field day will provide information on ways land value can be enhanced. More than 25 topics will be showcased, including wildlife opening management; pond management; management for wild turkeys, doves and quail; selling and marketing timber; prescribed burning, cost-sharing assistance programs, GPS/GIS use in managing land and invasive insects, disease and plants. Registration is $25 before Sept. 3 and $35 after. Fee includes lunch, and those who register in advance will receive an Agroforestry & Wildlife Field Day baseball cap. For more information, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/events/awfd/index.html. UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: Sept. 30 Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Dates vary Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), check with FSA service center for dates) and Crop Insurance (Contact a crop insurance agent or the regional Risk Management Agency (RMA) office.) For more information about FSA programs visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov. HAWKINSVILLE HARVEST FEST/PIGS & PRODUCE BARBECUE CONTEST Oct. 26 & 27 Courthouse Square Hawkinsville Better Hometown of Hawkinsville will host the annual Harvest Fest featuring the Pigs and Produce barbecue competition, an official contest sanctioned by the Georgia Barbecue Association. Along with some great professional barbecue teams and some very interesting ancillary categories, Hawkinsville will host two very unique events at this festival: The first ever Georgia State Boiled Peanut Championship sponsored by Hardy Farms Peanuts and the Old vs. New Faceoff. This head-to-head contest will be held on the courthouse square in downtown Hawkinsville between barbecue legend Myron Mixon of Jack’s Old South and his son, Michael Mixon of Jack’s New South. For more information, please visit http://www.hawkinsvilleharvestfest.com.
