By Jay Stone ___________________________________ The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Beef (ACCB) received statements of support during a hearing Feb. 28 at the Macon State Farmers Market regarding its proposal to establish a $1 per head assessment to fund research, education and promotional efforts for Georgia’s beef industry. As an industry we need to step up and fund a program that would help not only research but education, and invest in the things that will help our industry move forward,” said cattle producer Steve Blackburn, of Waynesboro, who compared current prices of consumer items to 1980s prices to illustrate the diminished value of the dollar from when the National Beef Checkoff (NBC) began. The current NBC only funds efforts to promote beef meat while the proposed Georgia checkoff could be used to fund Georgia research and education programs in addition to promoting beef. ACCB Chairman John
Callaway said that most other states around Georgia either have their own assessment or are working toward one. “I think this is the way that it’s happening nationally. More and more states are putting it upon themselves to come up with a state assessment,” Callaway said. Following the hearing, the ACCB board – Chairman Callaway of Troup County, Kenneth Murphy of Meriwether County, Ernie Ford of Calhoun County, Jeff Duncan of Madison County and Alan Wiggins of Turner County - met and chose to move forward with the referendum process. Ballots were mailed on March 12 to Georgia beef producers who registered with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) by Dec. 31 to vote in the referendum. The ballots must be postmarked by midnight April 15. State law requires a minimum of 25 percent of the ballots issued must be returned for the ballots to be counted. At least 66.67 percent of the ballots cast must be affirmative for
Photo by Jay Stone
Georgia Beef Commission holding assessment referendum Appling County cattleman Chris Taylor spoke at the Georgia Beef Commission assessment hearing on Feb. 28.
the referendum to pass. Should it pass, the assessment would be in effect for three years beginning July 1. The assessment would be collected when cattle are sold. Cattle that sell for less than $100 per head would be exempt, as would cattle owned for 10 days or less. If Georgia cattle producers approve the assessment, state law requires the GDA to hold a referendum every three years for the assessment to continue. Per state law, the ACCB ex officio members appointed the current ACCB board members. Georgia cattle producers will have the opportunity to nominate future board members.
Monroe County H.E.R.D. Sale on MAY 3, 2014 • 12:30 p.m. Selling 85 Bred Heifers
Sleepy Creek Farm near Forsyth, GA Data Available: • A.I. Breeding & Sire EPD’s • Pelvic Area • Frame Score • Disposition Score • Weight per Day of Age • Average Daily Gain
All heifers will sell confirmed safe in calf to calving ease Angus Bulls. All heifers will be bred A.I. at least once to Sydgen Trust 6228 or PA Safeguard 021. For more information or to receive a catalogue, call the Monroe County Extension at (478) 994-7014. Web info at http://www.ugaextension.com/monroe/ Email uge2207@uga.edu; type HERD in the subject line.
Georgia Farm Bureau News April 2014 / 11