February 27, 2013
www.gfb.org
Vol. 31 No. 9
AG GROUPS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER REID’S PLAN FOR SEQUESTRATION In a Feb. 19 letter, a collection of 14 agricultural groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, wrote to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) voicing concerns over the targeting of agriculture in a spending reduction plan Reid revealed to a number of key Senate members on Feb. 14. The groups suggested that decisions about farm program spending would be better made in the Senate Agriculture Committee, rather than through an omnibus spending bill. The plan, introduced in the Senate on Feb. 26 as S. 388, included cuts to defense and agriculture spending along with tax increases as a means to avoid budget sequestration. The proposed spending cuts totaled $55 billion, half coming from defense spending and half from the commodity title of the farm bill. No cuts to other sectors of the federal budget were proposed. The tax increases totaled $55 billion. The reduction in farm bill funding is similar to those in farm bills passed in the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate last year, but those bills spread the cuts among all of the farm bill titles. S. 388 would extend 24 disaster relief programs for livestock, fruit and vegetable producers that were not authorized in the farm bill extension Congress passed on Jan. 1. Those programs would also be funded retroactively for 2012. Reid’s plan calls for the elimination of direct payments from 2014 to 2023. Direct payments for 2013, scheduled to be made in October, would remain intact. The ag groups’ letter expressed further concern that this long-term move would only delay sequestration by 10 months. “Your proposed legislation seriously undermines efforts to advance much-needed reforms to meet the long-term risk management needs of America’s family farms,” The groups wrote. “While our grower members are prepared to contribute their fair share of cuts to help reduce our nation’s unsustainable deficits, we cannot support a doubling of reductions in commodity title funding. Your proposal would require our farmers to take 10 years of cuts to delay the sequester for only 10 months. That is hard to justify. We also believe it is simply unfair to assign the burden of cost reductions to only two areas of government spending – agriculture and defense.” Sequestration, a collection of mandatory budget cuts to defense and domestic programs, was included in the 2011 agreement between Congress and the Obama administration over the federal debt ceiling. The sequestration measures, which will cut $1.2 trillion from the federal budget over 10 years, is set to take place March 1. Obama administration officials have warned that the cuts will affect a wide range of federal services, including inspections of the nation’s meat supply.
Leadership Alert page 2 of 7 GEORGIA TOBACCO COMMISSION REFERENDUM UNDERWAY Georgia tobacco producers are urged to vote in the referendum for the Georgia Tobacco Commission that runs through March 20, the deadline for Georgia tobacco growers to return their ballots. The referendum gives tobacco producers the opportunity to determine if they want to continue the 51-year-old commission. Ballots for the referendum were mailed to eligible growers in February. Eligible tobacco growers who have misplaced the ballot or have not received a ballot may request one by calling the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 404-656-3678. Under state law, Georgia tobacco producers must vote every three years to determine if they want to continue the commission. In order for the Tobacco Commission to continue for another three years, 66 2/3 percent of tobacco growers who vote in the referendum must approve the commission. Current commission members include - Chairman Fred Wetherington of Lowndes County, Vice Chairman Daniel Johnson of Pierce County, Wayne McKinnon of Coffee County and Ricky Tucker of Berrien County – and ex officio members Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “During these critical times of reduced financial support from tobacco buying companies, agrichemical companies and government entities, it is more important than ever to have grower support for our ongoing tobacco research and education programs,” Wetherington said. “We must ensure that Georgia’s tobacco quality and yields stay competitive with other growing regions in order for our production to further increase.” The commission has funded research that includes the testing of flue-cured seed varieties, sucker control trials, black shank and nematode management, and multiple on-farm tests of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. The commission’s main research objective continues to be researching production practices and treatments that will reduce symptoms of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. For more information about commission activities call 229-386-3468. ESSENTIAL ECONOMY STUDY RELEASED On Feb. 13 The Essential Economy Council released a summary of findings on the economic contribution and value of the Essential Economy in Georgia and its 159 counties. The study results are available online at http://www.essentialeconomy.org. Copies of the summary findings were sent to each member of Georgia’s General Assembly as well as a number of the state’s leading economic development organizations. The Essential Economy spans six major economic sectors from agriculture and construction to hospitality and personal care. This economic cluster provides jobs that have traditionally been described as low-wage and low-skilled. It includes kitchen staff, janitors, landscape crews, farm workers, nursing aides, stock clerks and other non-managerial positions. The research was prompted by business leaders concerned about the future of their workforce in Georgia due to challenges related to aging demographics, the changing aspirations of young people and the cost of regulations and uncertainty with U.S. immigration policies. The research was conducted by the Georgia Institute of Technology and utilized state and federal data from 2003 - 2011. Among other things, the research revealed that the Essential Economy contributed $49 billion to Georgia’s GDP in 2010, about 12 percent of the state’s total GDP. EE employees contributed more than $114 million in sales taxes in 2011, and its financial contribution has been consistent for the past nine years.
Leadership Alert page 3 of 7 GFB PRESENTS LIVESTOCK AWARDS AT STATE SHOW Georgia 4-H and FFA members braved wet, rainy conditions to compete in the 2013 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show held Feb. 20-24 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry. The exhibitors showed more than 2,000 head of livestock in showmanship and species competitions. Georgia Farm Bureau sponsored the grand champion prizes for all species shown. Decatur County FFA member Hannah Bius won the Grand Champion Breeding Heifer Award of $2,500 with her Shorthorn crossbred heifer. Bius, a junior at Bainbridge High School, has shown cattle since she was eight. She is the daughter of Martin and Denise Bius. Decatur County 4-Her Taylor Barber won the Grand Champion Market Barrow prize of $1,500 with her crossbred hog. Barber, a sixth-grader at Hutto Middle School, is the daughter of Jeff and Leslie Barber, and has shown five years. Echols County FFA member Cody Corbett won the Grand Champion Market Steer Award of $5,000 with his Chi-influenced steer. Corbett, a junior at Echols County High School, has shown cattle eight years. He is the son of Stanley and Angie Corbett. Jasper County 4-Her Lawton Harris won the Grand Champion Commercial Dairy Heifer Award of $1,000 with her Jersey. Harris, a sixth-grader at Piedmont Academy, is the daughter of Hal and Amy Harris. This is her second year showing dairy cattle. Jeff Davis County 4-Her Chanleigh Underwood won the Grand Champion Market Gilt Award of $1,500. Underwood, a fourth-grader at Jeff Davis Elementary School, has shown four years. She is the daughter of Autumn and Chad Underwood. Gordon County FFA member John Romero won the Grand Champion Breeding Ewe Award of $1,000. A junior at Gordon Central High School, Romero is the son of Jose Romero and Rosa Gonzalez, and has shown two years. 2012 GEORGIA QUALITY COTTON AWARD WINNERS NAMED The Georgia Quality Cotton Awards were given out on Jan. 30 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. The awards program is co-sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission and Bayer CropScience, and administered by the University of Georgia Cotton Team to recognize producers and ginners of high-quality cotton fiber and to identify their management practices for the benefit of other growers. The producers and their gins received a plaque and the winning growers received a $500 cash award. The awards are based on loan value and premiums. Ronnie Courson of Lanier County won the Best Cotton Award as well as Category 1 in Region 3. The other winners: Region 1 - Category 1 (less than 500 acres), David Thompson (Pulaski County/Arabi Gin); Category 2 (500-1,000 acres), David Young and Marty Young (Turner County/Sconyers Gin, Turner County); Catetory 3 (more than 1,000 acres), Gary Oliver & Ben Shivers of SOS Farms (Turner County/Arabi Gin). Region 2 - Category 1, Van Hiebert (Jefferson County/Midville Warehouse Inc.); Category 2 Herbie Dixon (Burke County/Midville Warehouse Inc.) Region 3 - Category 2, Kevin Shaw of Riverbottom Farms (Lanier County/BCT Gin); Category 3, Greg and Glyn Register (Lanier County/BCT Gin). Region 4 Category 1, Billy Grant (Seminole County/Clover Leaf Gin); Category 2, Brad Thompson of Thompson Family Farms (Seminole County/Clover Leaf Gin); Category 3; Parker Heard of Heard Family Farms (Decatur County/Clover Leaf Gin).
Leadership Alert page 4 of 7 COTTON REFERENDUM ENDS MARCH 5 The reaffirmation referendum for the Georgia Cotton Commission continues through midnight of March 5. Producers of cotton who have not received a ballot should call 404-656-3678 to request one. The commission respectfully urges growers to take this opportunity to cast their vote. A favorable vote of 66 2/3 percent of those producers voting must be received in order for the commission to continue its programs of research, promotion and education. For more information, contact Richey Seaton at 478-988-4235 or gactn@windstream.net. DAIRY HEALTH FINANCIAL CHECKUP SERIES Feb. 28 UGA Tifton Conference Center Tifton March 27 Trinity United Methodist Church Clermont March 28 Pennington Church Annex Madison This series will help dairymen assess their financial health and discover ways to make adjustments, including recognition of a variety of important financial indicators. Meetings are open to dairymen, managers, and employees free of charge and will last from 10 a.m. until noon, ending with lunch. Please preregister for meal by calling 706-310-0020. The series is sponsored by Georgia Milk Producers, Inc., Dr. Curt Lacy, University of Georgia and SARE (Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education) UGA CAES ALUMNI AWARD NOMINATIONS DEADLINE IS FEB. 28 The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Alumni Association invites you to make nominations for its Young Alumni Achievement Award, Alumni Award of Excellence and the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame. The Young Alumni Achievement Award is for alumni who are 35 years old or younger and who have achieved excellence in their chosen field and/or in their community. The CAES Alumni Award of Excellence recognizes extraordinary CAES alumni 35 years or older. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize individuals making unusual and extraordinary contributions to agriculture and agribusiness industries in Georgia. Hall of Fame nominations must be postmarked by Feb. 28. The Young Alumni Achievement and Alumni Excellence awards must be received by Feb. 28. For more information or to make nominations for these awards, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/CAA/scholarships.html. BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING Feb. 28 Ramada Conference Center Meeting begins at 2 p.m. Call 229-469-4038 to RSVP or for more information.
Perry
NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLANNER AND OPERATOR TRAINING March 6-7 UGA Livestock Arena Athens This annual training for animal waste operators and planners features sessions covering certified nutrient management plans, updates on government regulations, emergency action planning, emissions and lagoon issues, and much more. Speakers include experts from UGA, the NRCS and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Georgia Milk Producers sponsors the event for dairymen attending. Preregistration is required by March 1. For more information contact Melony Wilson at 706-542-2735 or mlwilson@uga.edu.
Leadership Alert page 5 of 7 CAES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS March 1 Deadline to apply for Freshman Scholarship June 1 Deadline to apply for Transfer Scholarship The UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Alumni Association is accepting applications for its Freshman Scholarship, for freshmen entering UGA in fall 2013 and the Transfer Scholarship for students considering transferring into a CAES program in fall 2013. For more information or to download the application form, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/CAA/scholarships.html. FARM SAFETY WORKSHOP March 4 Walker County Ag Center 6 p.m. Rock Spring This workshop, sponsored by Walker County Farm Bureau, will include both classroom presentations and demonstrations with farm equipment. Since pesticide safety will also be addressed at the workshop, farmers attending that have a private pesticide license will receive one hour of pesticide recertification credit. The program is free of charge and open to any local adults or youth interested in attending. Call the Walker County Extension office at 638-2548 by March 1 to RSVP. UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: 2013 Crop Reporting for Georgia March 15 cabbage planted between 10/1-2/20, onions planted 10/21-2/1, and pecans Commodity Loan Application Deadlines: March 31 Final date to request Marketing Assistance Loan for CY 2012 barley, canola, honey, oats and wheat
BEEF CATTLE SHORT COURSE March 5 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Registration starts at 9 a.m. For more information contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706542-1852 or lawtons@uga.edu or Patsie Cannon at 229-386-3683 or ptcannon@uga.edu. TIFTON PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE March 6 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center 12:30 p.m. Irwinville For more information contact Dr. Ronnie Silcox at 706-542-9102 or rsilcox@uga.edu or Patsie Cannon at 229-386-3683 or ptcannon@uga.edu. CHEROKEE COUNTY AG EXPO March 14 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce 4:30 – 6:30 Canton This event, cosponsored by the Cherokee County Farm Bureau, Cherokee County Extension Office and Chamber of Commerce, is part of the county’s Agriculture Week celebration. The event will feature more than 20 booths highlighting locally grown food, ag products and ag businesses. Samples of grits, honey, jams and locally made bread will be served. The public is invited to attend to learn how agriculture impacts life in Cherokee County daily. For more information or to make a reservation, contact CCFB at 770-479-1481, ext. 0. The Chamber of Commerce office is located at 3605 Marietta Hwy in Canton.
Leadership Alert page 6 of 7 MARCH 15 IS DEADLINE FOR GA. AG HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS Nominations for the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame are being accepted until March 15. The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals of impeccable character who have made unusual or extraordinary contributions to agriculture and agribusiness industries in Georgia. For information about the award and the nomination procedure, visit http://tinyurl.com/a6y9f2g. B. FRANK STRICKLAND SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS MARCH 15 Applications are being accepted for the B. Frank Strickland Scholarship until March 15. The $500 scholarship will be presented to an entering freshman or rising sophomore from a tobaccoproducing county who plans to attend Abraham Baldwin College (ABAC) for the 2013 fall semester. Entering freshmen applicants should have applied for admission at ABAC. Rising sophomores should be in good standing with the college. The major tobacco producing counties are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brooks, Berrien, Brantley, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Tattnall and Wayne. The scholarship will be for one academic year and the recipient may apply for renewal, if the recipient remains in good standing with ABAC and maintains a satisfactory academic average. Preference will be given to a student majoring in some area of agriculture. Lanier County farmer B. Frank Strickland was a lifelong advocate of Georgia’s tobacco industry and an active Georgia Farm Bureau member. Applications may be obtained from high school counselors in tobacco producing counties or by contacting the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodities/Marketing Department at 1800-342-1192, ext. 5218.
PEANUT PROUD FESTIVAL March 23 Courthouse Square Blakely This annual celebration of Georgia's peanut industry features the Peanut Proud Parade, a 5K run, a wide variety of arts and crafts, kids games and free entertainment featuring country artist John Berry and Diamond Rio. For more information, visit http://www.peanutproud.com. FILING FOR WOMEN, HISPANIC FARMERS ENDS MARCH 25 The filing period ends March 25 for women or Hispanic farmers alleging discrimination by the USDA in loan application or loan servicing processes between 1981 and 2000. The voluntary claims process, which is offered as an alternative to litigation, will make available at least $1.33 billion for cash awards and tax relief payments, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief to eligible claimants. There are no filing fees to participate. For more information call 1-888-508-4429 or visit https://www.farmerclaims.gov. OLD SOUTH FARM CAMP March - May Old South Farm Woodland These three-day camps, which typically will run from Friday through Sunday, include a variety of vintage farm activities, including milking cows, making butter and buttermilk, a session on honeybees, sessions on operating a tractor and much more. Registration is $200 per person and discounts are available for multiple members of the same family. Fees cover meals, housing, transportation and instructional activities. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com.
Leadership Alert page 7 of 7 CONFERENCE ON UNMANNED SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE March 28-29 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This conference, cosponsored by the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International and the Georgia Center of Innovation, is designed to introduce Georgia farmers to the benefits and practical applications of unmanned systems. Speakers include Young Kim, general manager of BOSH Global, John Deere Manager of Field Robotics Stewart Moorehead, UGA Tifton Dean Dr. Joe West and others. The program features live unmanned systems demonstrations and interaction between potential users and manufacturers. To register, visit http://www.ugatiftonconference.org. For more information, contact Karen McIlroy at kmcilroy@uneqconsulting.com. GEORGIA FORAGES CONFERENCE April 3-4 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry For the second straight year, the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Convention begins with its focus on “Making the Best Better” with the Georgia Forages Conference. On April 3 UGA Extension Forage Specialist Dr. Dennis Hancock will begin the program with a mini-“hay school,” which will cover key steps to making more and better hay. UGA Extension Livestock Economist Dr. Curt Lacy will provide an economic outlook for 2013 and cover some of the new drought insurance products that are on the market. On April 4, specialists from Auburn University and the University of Florida speaking on the opportunity to renovate and improve tall fescue, bermudagrass, and bahiagrass pastures. For more information or to register for the event, visit http://www.gabeef.org/gca or call 478-474-6560. You can also learn more about the Georgia Forages Conference at http://www.georgiaforages.com. GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION 51ST ANNUAL CONVENTION April 3-6 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry This jam-packed four-day event covers all things beef, including a forage conference led by UGA’s Dr. Dennis Hancock, Pfizer Cattlemen’s College seminars on the topics of political/regulatory issues, risk management, nutrition and road safety; a livestock marketing seminar conducted by UGA’s Dr. Curt Lacy; the annual awards banquet; a the GCA general membership meeting; angus, hereford, commercial heifer and club calf sales; the annual Cattlemen’s Ball; and a new products and junior awards luncheon. Visit http://www.gabeef.org/gca/conventionregistration.htm for more information or to register. 2013 GEORGIA WATER RESOURCES CONFERENCE April 10-11 The Georgia Center for Continuing Education Athens The two-day conference features technical presentations, panel discussions and a poster session. Students can attend for free if they assist with conference activities. Student prizes of $150, $100 and $50 will be awarded for the best oral or poster presentations. Discount registration is $110 for both days or $65 for one day before April 9. Discount student registration is $70 for both days or $40 for one day before April 9. To register for the conference, wisit. http://tinyurl.com/amk6e2h. Hotel rooms also may be reserved through this website. The conference, held biennially since 1989, was spurred by a 1984 statewide water forum led by Georgia State University with funding provided by the Georgia Water Research Institute. For more information about the conference, visit http://www.gawrc.org/ or contact Jenny Yearwood at 706-542-0947 or Yearwood@uga.edu.