Georgia Farm Bureau News Alert - December 19, 2018

Dec. 19, 2018

www.gfb.org

Vol. 36 No. 25

CONGRESS PASSES 2018 FARM BILL The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have approved the 2018 farm bill. The final bill, which was completed by the Farm Bill Conference Committee, has been sent to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.

The Senate passed the bill on Dec. 11 by a vote of 87-13. The House passed it on Dec. 12 with a vote of 369-47. President Trump is expected to sign it as soon as this week.

Georgia Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue and Reps. Rick Allen; Sanford Bishop, Doug Collins, Drew Ferguson, Tom Graves, Karen Handel, Hank Johnson, John Lewis, Austin Scott, David Scott and Rob Woodall voted in favor of the bill.

The commodity title of the 2018 farm bill reauthorizes the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs through 2023 with enhancements, improves the dairy safety net (Dairy Margin Coverage), and continues several existing disaster programs, among other things.

Producers can choose between ARC and PLC on a crop-by-crop and farm-by-farm basis for 2019/2020 crop years. From 2021 forward, producers can make annual elections.

PLC reference prices were maintained at 2014 farm bill levels, but an Effective Reference Price was included, which will allow reference prices to rise up to 115 percent of statutory levels if commodity prices rise—meaning the peanut reference price, for example, could float as high as $615.25 (up from $535).

Beginning with crop year 2020, farm owners will have the opportunity to update program yields used to calculate PLC assistance (similar to the yield update in the 2014 farm bill). Yield update will be available for each covered commodity—up to 90 percent of the average yield per planted acre on farms from 2013-2017 times yield update factors.

Several targeted reforms were included to improve effectiveness of the ARC-CO program.

Marketing loan rates for certain commodities were increased in an effort to more accurately reflect current market prices.

For dairy producers, the bill increases coverage options and includes flexibility and reduced premiums.

The payment limits and adjusted gross income (AGI) eligibility requirements from the 2014 farm bill were maintained without modification.

The “actively engaged in farming” definition was expanded to help family farms. First cousins, -continued on next page

GFB News Alert page 2 of 12 Continued from previous page nieces, and nephews are now eligible for farm safety net programs.

ARC/PLC payments will be suspended on farms that have been entirely in grass/pasture since 2009. According to the conference committee, this change was made in an effort to ensure the farm safety net is targeted to farms that are producing covered commodities. Farms affected by this change will have the opportunity to participate in a five-year grassland incentive contract under the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) at a rate of $18 per acre.

The existing structure of crop insurance was maintained.

The Risk Management Agency (RMA) was directed to consider ways to improve crop insurance for those impacted by hurricanes/tropical storms and farms that utilize more efficient irrigation systems, among other things.

Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) discounts for beginning farmers were expanded to ten years (up from five years).

The bill included a $75 million feral swine eradication and control pilot program for threat assessment, control methods, and land restoration.

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage cap was increased to 27 million by 2023, but changes were made (reduced rental rates/incentive payments) to ensure CRP is not competing with farmers for productive land.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding was increased to $2.025 billion by 2023 and producer-focused flexibility was added.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) was continued with modifications and reduced funding (program savings were used to increase funding for EQIP and other conservation efforts) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) funding was restored to $450 million per year and additional program flexibility was included.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funding was increased to $300 million per year with additional program flexibility for NRCS and others partner organizations.

The bill included $225 million per year for Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation with a Priority Trade Fund of $3.5 million to be used for certain trade programs at the secretary’s discretion.

Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm ownership/operating loan limits were increased. FSA’s guaranteed loan limits were increased to $1.75 million, direct operating loan limits were increased to $400,000, and direct farm ownership loans were increased to $600,000.

The secretary of agriculture was provided new authority to make available rural broadband grants and loans/grants for “middle-mile” broadband projects, which are designed to link rural regions to existing high-speed internet connections.

The farm bill expands rural community access to credit to “build and upgrade essential infrastructure projects,” including water systems, schools, hospitals, and telecommunications systems, among other things.

Investments in land-grant universities were continued, as was language to streamline regulatory requirements and provide additional program flexibility.

-continued on next page

GFB News Alert page 3 of 12 Continued from previous page Funding was maintained for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative at $80 million per year.

Language was included to increase coordination of research efforts addressing biosecurity threats from pests, diseases, contaminants, and disasters.

The Timber Innovation Act—which seeks to advance tall wood building construction in the U.S.—was included, as was language to expedite environmental reviews on federal, state, and private forest lands.

The Specialty Crop Block Grants Program was funded at $85 million per year.

The production of hemp as an agricultural commodity was legalized and hemp was made eligible for crop insurance.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was directed to exclude from the added sugar declaration on nutrition labels any single ingredient products—including honey.

The definition of livestock under the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act was amended to include live fish, crawfish, and llamas (adds clarity for federal transportation regulations).

For more details on the farm bill, visit https://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill/.

YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS COMPETITORS HEAD TO NEW ORLEANS Georgia Farm Bureau members Will and Heather Cabe, Becca Creasy and Caroline Lewallen are preparing for national competition at the 100th Annual American Farm Bureau Convention, to be held Jan. 11-15 in New Orleans.

The Cabes, members of Franklin County Farm Bureau, are vying for the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, which recognizes farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18 and 35 who earn the majority of their income from production agriculture. The Cabes partner with Will’s parents, Chan and Lou, raise poultry, Angus/Simangus cattle and hay on their farm in Carnesville, where they live with their two sons, Deacon and Teller, and daughter Emersyn.

Heather serves as the chairwoman of the FCFB Women’s Leadership Committee.

Lewallen is preparing for national competition for the Excellence in Agriculture Award, which recognizes agriculturalists between the ages of 18 and 35 who earn the majority of their income from something other than production agriculture. She serves as chairwoman for the HCFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. She is the marketing and agritourism coordinator for Jaemor Farms. She and her husband, Kyle, are developing a direct-to-consumer beef cattle ranch.

Creasy will compete in the AFBF Discussion Meet, which simulates committee meetings and searches for ideas to address farm-related issues. Creasy is a regional sales manager for Bayer in Southeast Georgia. She and her husband Jarrod run 920 Cattle Company in Statesboro, selling farm-fresh beef to area restaurants and individual customers.

The Cabes, Lewallen and Creasy won the Georgia Farm Bureau competitions during the GFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in July.

The winners of the AFBF Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet will receive a new Ford truck. The three runners-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor. Third-place finalists will receive a Case IH 40-inch Combination Roll Cabinet & Top Chest and a $500 parts card, as well as $2,000 of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise. Fourth-place finalists will receive a Case IH 40-inch Combination Roll Cabinet & Top Chest and a $500 parts card.

GFB News Alert page 4 of 12 GFB BOARD SETS 2019 PRIORITY ISSUES The Georgia Farm Bureau Board of Directors established the organization’s priority issues for 2019 during its December meeting. These are key areas of interest that the board identified as needing particular attention in the coming year. GFB will continue to consider other issues as they arise.

The 2019 priority issues are taxes and budget, natural resources and environment, animal agriculture and general ag issues.

Within the taxes and budget category, GFB seeks to preserve sales tax exemptions of farm inputs through active maintenance of the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption program while working with legislative and regulatory authorities to ensure a simple and user-friendly program is maintained for agricultural producers. GFB also seeks to protect the program from improper use and ensure that the GATE program remains under the oversight of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

GFB also seeks to protect the integrity of the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) program, advocate for funding of agricultural institutions, agencies, youth development programs and their essential staff to meet industry needs, and serve as an education resource to farm businesses navigating complex tax regulation.

With respect to natural resources and environment, GFB seeks to preserve and enhance “right to farm” laws that shield producers from frivolous nuisance lawsuits filed by individuals who move into rural areas where normal farming operations exist. The organization intends to continue its work to ensure water policy and regulations do not adversely affect agricultural water supply, allowing Georgia farmers to remain competitive with farmers in neighboring states. GFB also plans to seek disaster relief funding for producers severely affected by Hurricane Michael, and to seek a state-level cost-share program to enhance agricultural conservation and promote on-farm conservation practices.

Under animal agriculture, GFB seeks to protect consumers and farmers from false or misleading labeling of cell-cultured proteins, vegetable-based meat substitutes and non-dairy products. GFB supports and promotes biosecurity practices to minimize prevalent threats, and seeks to limit regulation of animal agriculture at the farm level, and promote positive messages to consumers about animal agriculture.

The organization seeks to ensure new technologies remain available while promoting responsible use, implement common-sense policy to allow farmers the right to repair their equipment, advocate for legislative initiatives that support rural communities and coordinate with regulatory agencies to implement effective control strategies to protect farmers’ crops and land from destructive nuisance animals.

CHINA RESUMES PURCHASES OF U.S. SOYBEANS Chinese importers have begun buying U.S.-produced soybeans again, according to published reports. The purchases followed an agreement between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Dec. 1 to delay escalation of tariffs in the growing trade dispute between the two countries.

Reuters reported on Dec. 12 that Chinese firms had purchased 1.5 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, worth an estimated $500 million. Additional purchases were reported on Dec. 18.

GFB News Alert page 5 of 12 EPA, CORPS OF ENGINEERS PROPOSE NEW WATERS OF THE U.S. DEFINITION On Dec. 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) proposed a new definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act, according to an EPA press release. The proposal which would replace the 2015 WOTUS rule, contains a straightforward definition that would result in significant cost savings, protect the nation’s navigable waters, help sustain economic growth, and reduce barriers to business development.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the newly proposed Clean Water Rule would empower America’s farmers and ranchers to protect the nation’s water resources and provide much-needed regulatory clarity to guide those stewardship efforts.

The agencies’ proposed rule would provide clarity, predictability and consistency so that the regulated community can easily understand where the Clean Water Act applies—and where it does not, the release said.

Under the agencies’ proposal, traditional navigable waters, tributaries to those waters, certain ditches, certain lakes and ponds, impoundments of jurisdictional waters, and wetlands adjacent to jurisdictional waters would be federally regulated. It also details what are not “waters of the United States,” such as features that only contain water during or in response to rainfall; groundwater; many ditches, including most roadside or farm ditches; prior converted cropland; stormwater control features; and waste treatment systems.

The EPA and the Army will also hold an informational webcast on Jan. 10, 2019, and will host a listening session on the proposed rule in Kansas City, Kansas, on Jan. 23, 2019.

More information including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice, the supporting analyses and fact sheets are available at: https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule.

RMA ANNOUNCES NEW COVERAGE OPTION FOR CROP INSURANCE Farmers now have a low-cost option for insuring small parcels of land in one county by combining them into a single enterprise unit with land in a neighboring county under their crop insurance, according to a release from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA).

RMA is offering the new endorsement known as the Multi-County Enterprise Unit for farmers interested in covering two counties in the same state under their crop insurance policy.

The endorsement is available for spring crops with a November 30, 2018, and later contract change date. Initially targeted crops include coarse grains (corn, grain sorghum, soybeans), cotton, canola, peanuts, rice, small grains (barley, wheat), and sunflowers.

To qualify for the endorsement, one county must qualify independently for an enterprise unit and the other county must not qualify for an enterprise unit. Both county crop policies in the multicounty enterprise unit must be with the same approved insurance provider and have the same elections for multi-county enterprise units, insurance plan, coverage level, and enterprise unit by practice. Interested farmers should contact their crop insurance agent to discuss options.

More information on the Multi-County Enterprise Unit endorsement can be found on the RMA website at www.rma.usda.gov.

GFB News Alert page 6 of 12 76 GA COUNTIES DESIGNATED AS PRIMARY DISASTER AREAS On Dec. 17, the USDA designated 76 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas due to damage from Hurricane Michael. Producers who suffered losses due to the hurricane may be eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.

The counties in the primary damaged area are Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Candler, Charlton, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Grady, Hancock, Houston, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Long, Lowndes, Macon, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Peach, Pierce, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Ware, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkinson and Worth in Georgia.

This designation by Secretary Perdue allows FSA to extend emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts.

Producers in 19 contiguous Georgia counties of Baldwin, Bryan, Camden, Chattahoochee, Effingham, Glynn, Greene, Jones, Liberty, McDuffie, McIntosh, Marion, Monroe, Putnam, Richmond, Talbot, Taliaferro, Upson and Warren are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.

The deadline to apply for these emergency loans is Aug. 12, 2019.

FSA has a variety of additional programs to help farmers recover from the impacts of this disaster. FSA programs that do not require a disaster declaration include: Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program; Emergency Conservation Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Livestock Indemnity Program; Operating and Farm Ownership Loans; and the Tree Assistance Program.

Farmers may contact their local USDA service center for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at https://www.farmers.gov/recover.

WHITLOCK FINISHES IN TOP 10 OF AFBF AG INNOVATION CHALLENGE Coweta County’s Josh Whitlock led one of 10 semifinalist teams in the American Farm Bureau Federation Ag Innovation Challenge.

Whitlock leads the Pasture Labs/Tracter project, a logistics tracking system for fresh produce that allows food safety traceability from the farm to the store shelf. According to the company’s website, the system allows growers, shippers and buyers to make real-time data-based decisions.

As a semifinalist, the company receives $10,000 in start-up funds. Funding for the Ag Innovation Challenge was provided by Farm Credit, John Deere, Country Financial, Farm Bureau Financial Services and Farm Bureau Bank.

The competition provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations in agriculture. This is the fifth year of the challenge, which is the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching food and agriculture businesses.

GFB News Alert page 7 of 12 USDA LAUNCHES SECOND ROUND OF TRADE MITIGATION PAYMENTS On Dec. 17, the USDA launched the second and final round of trade mitigation payments aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to trade retaliation by foreign nations, according to a USDA press release. Producers of certain commodities will now be eligible to receive Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments for the second half of their 2018 production.

In September, the USDA initiated three programs to aid American agriculture in sustaining the short-term damage associated with the trade disputes and securing long-term, stable export markets. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has been administering MFP to provide the first payments to almond, corn, cotton, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, fresh sweet cherry, and wheat producers since September 2018 for the first 50 percent of their 2018 production.

Producers need to sign up once for the MFP to be eligible for the first and second payments.

The MFP sign-up period opened in September and runs through January 15, 2019, with information and instructions provided at www.farmers.gov/mfp. Producers must complete an application by January 15, 2019 but have until May 1, 2019 to certify their 2018 production. The MFP provides payments to almond, cotton, corn, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, fresh sweet cherry, and wheat producers who have been significantly impacted by actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of traditional exports. The MFP is established under the statutory authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation CCC Charter Act and is under the administration of USDA’s FSA. Eligible producers should apply after harvest is complete, as payments will only be issued once production is reported.

For farmers who have already applied, completed harvest, and certified their 2018 production, a second payment will be issued on the remaining 50 percent of the producer’s total production, multiplied by the MFP rate for the specific commodity. Here are the payment rates by commodity and the total amounts designated for each commodity under the MFP: Almonds (shelled), $0.03 per lb., $63.3 million; cotton $0.06 per lb., $553.8 million; corn $0.01 per bushel, $192 million; cairy (milk) $0.12 per cwt., $254.8 million; pork $8.00 per head., $580.6 million; soybeans $1.65 per bushel, $7.26 billion; sorghum $0.86 per bushel, $313.6 million; sweet cherries (fresh), $0.16 per lb., $111.5 million; wheat $0.14 per bushel, $238.4 million; total payments, $9,57 billion.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is administering a food purchase and distribution program to purchase up to $1.2 billion in commodities unfairly targeted by unjustified retaliation. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is distributing these commodities through nutrition assistance programs, such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program and child nutrition programs. So far, USDA has procured some portion of 16 of the 29 commodities included in the program, totaling more than 4,500 truckloads of food. AMS will continue purchasing commodities for delivery throughout 2019.

Through the Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program, $200 million is being made available to develop foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products. The program will help U.S. agricultural exporters identify and access new markets and help mitigate the adverse effects of other countries’ restrictions. The application period closed in November with more than $600 million in requested activities from more than 70 organizations.

FAS will announce ATP funding awards in early January.

For more information or to locate and contact local FSA offices, interested producers can visit www.farmers.gov.

GFB News Alert page 8 of 12 DAVIS, MATHIS NAMED TO GA COTTON COMMISSION BOARD, WEBB HONORED The Georgia Commodity Commission Ex Oficio Committee met to make appointments to the Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors. GCC Chairman Bart Davis, a cotton, peanut, corn, and cattle farmer from Doerun, was reappointed to another term on the board. Chad Mathis, a cotton, peanut, and corn farmer from Arlington, succeeds Jimmy Webb of Calhoun County. At the GCC’s December board meeting, Webb was honored for his fifteen years of service to Georgia’s cotton producers.

Davis operates Davis Farms with his wife, daughter, and two sons. Davis is a longtime supporter of FFA and holds a State FFA Degree as well as being named Georgia Star Farmer. Davis has also been named Farmer of the Year at the Annual Peanut Festival in Sylvester. In addition to serving as the Georgia Cotton Commission’s Chairman, Davis serves as chairman of the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation of Georgia, a delegate to the National Cotton Council, a director for Southern Cotton Growers, and is an alternate director for Cotton Incorporated.

Chad Mathis is a partner in Mathis Farms General Partners along with his father and brother.

He graduated from Valdosta State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and returned to the farm in 1998. He has three sons who attend Southwest Georgia Academy in Damascus.

Webb is a cotton, peanut, and corn producer from Leary. Webb had served from 2000-2011 and 2015-2018 on the GCC Board of Directors. He will continue to serve the industry as treasurer of the Cotton Board and as a director of Staplcotn. Webb has three adult children and two grandchildren.

U.S., CANADA, MEXICO SIGN TRADE DEAL At a ceremony during the G20 Summitt in Buenos, Aires, Argentina, on Nov. 30, President Donald Trump, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade pact that replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the USMCA not only locks in market opportunities previously developed with our North American neighbors, but also builds on those trade relationships in several key areas: • U.S. producers gain new market access for dairy and poultry products in Canada and maintains the zero-tariff platform on all other ag products and on all ag products to Mexico; • Canada agreed to end its Class 7 dairy pricing scheme; • U.S. dairy products gain access to an additional 3.6 percent of Canada’s dairy market, a move that is even better than terms under TPP; • Canada agreed to treat wheat imports the same as domestic wheat for grading and pricing, and Mexico and the U.S. agreed that all grading standards for ag products will be nondiscriminatory; • Provisions that enhance science-based trading standards among the three nations as the basis for sanitary and phytosanitary measures for ag products, as well as progress in the area of geographic indications.

GFB News Alert page 9 of 12 EPA FINALIZES 2019 RFS AND 2020 BIOMASS-BASED DIESEL VOLUMES On Nov. 30 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that establishes the required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2019, and biomass-based diesel for 2020. The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set the volumes of use of these fuels each year.

“Conventional” renewable fuel volumes, primarily met by corn ethanol, will be maintained at the implied 15 billion-gallon target set by Congress for 2019.

Advanced biofuel volumes for 2019 will increase by 630 million gallons over the 2018 standard.

Cellulosic biofuel volumes for 2019 will increase by almost 130 million gallons over the 2018 standard.

Biomass-based diesel volumes for 2020 will increase by 330 million gallons over the standard for 2019.

The National Corn Growers Assocation (NCGA) applauded the new standards but said the EPA did not account for fuel refineries’ waivers from adhering to the standard volumes. The NCGA said the growth established in the new standards will only be realized if the EPA does not grant additional RFS exemption.

“We are pleased the EPA maintained the implied conventional ethanol volume of 15 billion gallons and increased the total 2019 renewable fuel volume as intended by the RFS. However, EPA granted refineries 2.25 billion gallons in RFS waivers over the past year but did nothing to account for those lost volumes. If EPA continues to grant large amounts of waivers in this manner, the volumes set in this final rule cannot be met,” said NCGA President Lynn Chrisp.

In comments on the rule, NCGA and its grower members urged EPA to take steps to maintain the integrity of the RFS, including projecting 2019 waivers and accounting for those gallons to keep the RFS volumes whole. By failing to account for waivers in this final rule, EPA ensures that any 2019 exemptions will reduce the volumes the agency set.

GFB News Alert page 10 of 12 GFB DISTRICT 2 STEER & HEIFER SHOW Jan. 19, 2019 Habersham County Ag Center Mt. Airy This show is open to all junior beef cattle exhibitors in the counties of Georgia Farm Bureau's 2nd District. Those counties include: Banks, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White. The one-day show begins with check-in at 7 a.m. The barn will be open Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. for early arrivals. Show begins at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 19 with showmanship classes. State show rules apply and the show committee has the right to make any changes. Entries are due online by Jan. 4, 2019. To enter, visit https://rebrand.ly/19Dist2steerheifer. Entry fee is $25 per animal for Farm Bureau members, $35 for non-members. Membership can be obtained at your local County Farm Bureau office for $25.

There will be a $5 per head late fee for late entries. Entries are non-refundable/non-returnable.

Premiums will be paid and mailed out to participants after the show. Please be sure mailing addresses are given. Please list email contact information if available for confirmations. The Habersham County Agriculture Center is at 2059 Old Hwy 197 S, Mt. Airy, GA 30563.

FERAL SWINE WORKSHOPS AND TRAPPING DEMONSTRATIONS Jan. 7, 2019 Brooks County Ag Building 8:30 a.m.

Quitman Jan. 29, 2019 Pulaski County Recreation Building 8:30 a.m.

Hawkinsville Join wildlife experts for four upcoming free Feral Swine Workshop and Trapping Demonstrations.

Topics include wild pig biology, regulations and laws, effective control techniques and more.

Q&A sessions follow presentations. Speakers include representatives from Ga. Wildlife Resources Division, University of Georgia, Ga. Department of Agriculture, Ga, Association of Conservation Districts, and USDA Wildlife Services. Lunch is included. For more information about feral hogs or to register for the workshops, visit https://gfb.ag/18feralhogwkshp.

43RD ANNUAL GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW & CONFERENCE Jan. 17, 2019 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 8:30 a.m.

Tifton The Peanut Farm show will feature more than 100 exhibits, the UGA Peanut Production Seminar, annual awards and much more. For more information, visit www.gapeanuts.com or contact Hannah Jones at 229-386-3470 or hannah@gapeanuts.com or Jessie Bland at 229-386-3472 or jessie@gapeanuts.com.

GEORGIA DAIRY CONFERENCE Jan. 21-23, 2019 Savannah Riverfront Marriott Savannah This three-day conference provides attendees the chance to hear nationally known dairy educators and hear updates from their dairy organizations and to engage with the nation’s leading industry suppliers at the tradeshow. This year’s GDC agenda includes keynote speaker Howard Wasdin, a former SEAL Team Six member. Other speakers who will discuss topics ranging from feed efficiency to heifer housing to robotic milking and business management. For more information visit www.gadairyconference.com.

GFB News Alert page 11 of 12 UGA MASTER CATTLEMAN PROGRAM Feb. 4 – March 25 Brooks County Extension Mondays, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Quitman This eight-part training will feature UGA Extension specialists covering nutrition, forage management, economics, herd management and much more. Participants will be provided a course notebook as well as a USB thumb drive covering all program topics. Participants completing at least six of the eight sessions will receive a certificate of completion and UGA Master Cattleman cap. Registration is $85 per person and includes a dinner each night. Pre-Registration deadline is Jan. 21, 2019. Registration may be mailed with checks made payable to Brooks County Extension to 400 E. Courtland Ave., Quitman, GA 31643 or you may contact the Brooks County Extension office at 229-263-4103 to register and pay via credit card over phone. For more information, contact the program coordinators Jason Duggin at jduggin@uga.edu or 706-6241403, or Michasia Dowdy at michasia@uga.edu or 229-263-4103.

2019 GEORGIA AG FORECAST SERIES Jan. 22 Georgia Farm Bureau 9 a.m.

Macon Jan. 23 Carroll County Ag Center 9 a.m.

Carrollton Jan. 25 Oconee County Civic Center 9 a.m.

Watkinsville Jan. 29 Toombs County Agri-Center 9 a.m.

Lyons Jan. 31 Decatur County Ag Center 9 a.m.

Bainbridge Feb. 1 UGA Tifton Conf. Center 7 a.m.

Tifton This annual seminar series is presented by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. UGA economists provide an outlook of agricultural markets for the coming year. Participants will network with UGA faculty and UGA Cooperative Extension agents, local producers and other stakeholders. Attendeesj will receive a copy of the 2019 Georgia Ag Forecast book, which is designed to provide detailed analyses of major commodities produced in the state. All the meetings except the one in Tifton begin with on-site check-in and coffee at 9 a.m., followed by seminar presentations at 10 a.m. and a networking lunch at 11:30 a.m. The Tifton event begins with 7 a.m. check-in and coffee, followed by a 7:30 a.m. breakfast buffet and the seminar presentations beginning at 8 a.m. For more information or to register, visit http://agforecast.caes.uga.edu.

GEORGIA COTTON COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 30, 2019 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton The meeting, production workshop, and lunch are open to not only cotton growers, but anyone interested in the cotton industry. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. For more information visit www.ugatiftonconference.org or call (229) 386-3416.

GFB News Alert page 12 of 12 SOYBEAN/SMALL GRAIN EXPO Jan. 30, 2019 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The Expo will provide up-to-date marketing projections and the newest production techniques, as well as remarks from University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences leaders. Attendees are invited to visit with exhibitors who will be showcasing the latest in new varieties, pest control, seed varieties. Registration begins at 8 a.m. On-site registration is $20.

Advance registration is $10. To register for the Expo, call 706-542-3793.

GFB TAKING LISTINGS FOR HAY DIRECTORY Farm Bureau members with hay for sale or offering custom harvesting or custom sprigging services are invited to list in the GFB Quality Hay Directory published on the GFB website.

Because this directory is now offered online, hay can be listed or removed from the site as your inventory dictates. To participate, please complete a submission form available at your county Farm Bureau office or online at www.gfb.ag/hay. Please include a $10 check made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau for each listing of hay, custom harvesting or custom sprigging. Multiple listings are allowed.