September 24, 2014
www.gfb.org
Vol. 32 No. 38
OBAMA EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHES ANTIBIOTICS TASK FORCE On Sept. 18 President Barack Obama issued an executive order outlining a coordinated program between a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations to prevent and control illnesses related to antibiotic-resistant infections. The executive order, titled “Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria,” establishes a task force that will include participation from a number of federal government agencies, including the USDA, as well as a variety of private sectors, including the agriculture industry. Georgia Farm Bureau opposes laws or regulations which require vaccines, biologics, antibiotics and implants used in prevention or treatment coming through a veterinarian only. “Farmers take great care to use animal medications responsibly,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “We encourage the Obama Administration to work closely with farmers and others in agriculture as they consider this important issue.” Among other things, the executive order directs the FDA, in coordination with the USDA, to “continue taking steps to eliminate the use of medically important classes of antibiotics for growth promotion purposes in food-producing animals.” The USDA, EPA and FDA are also tasked with “coordinating surveillance of antibiotic use and resistance patterns in food-producing animals, interspecies disease transmissibility and research findings.” Obama issued the executive order the same day that the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) published recommendations on combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The PCAST recommendations include developing alternatives to antibiotics in agriculture and limiting the use of antibiotics in agriculture. Prior to the release of the executive order and the PCAST report, the poultry industry announced measures it has taken on antibiotic use. Perdue, Pilgrim’s Pride and Tyson Foods have all published steps they’ve taken toward minimizing antibiotic use. “Preserving antibiotics’ effectiveness, both in humans and animals, is a responsibility chicken producers take seriously,” said Dr. Ashley Peterson, the National Chicken Council’s vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. “To that extent, we have supported FDA’s Guidances #209 and #213 that will phase out by 2016 the use of medically important antibiotics in food animals for growth enhancement. We also support FDA’s proposed Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) that ensures that all antibiotics administered to food producing animals are only done so under the care and prescription of a licensed veterinarian.” Visit http://tinyurl.com/chickenmeds for more information about antibiotic use in poultry production.
. GFB News Alert page 2 of 6 EPA WITHDRAWS APPEAL IN WEST VIRGINIA LAWSUIT OVER CWA The EPA has opted not to appeal a key federal court ruling in favor of West Virginia farmer Lois Alt in a case that has implications for livestock operations nationwide. The U.S. Court for the Northern District of West Virginia ruled against the EPA and in favor of farmer Lois Alt in October 2013. The court rejected EPA’s contention that the Clean Water Act (CWA) regulates ordinary stormwater runoff from the farmyard (non-production areas) at large livestock or poultry farms. Alt originally filed suit after the EPA demanded that she obtain a CWA discharge permit for ordinary stormwater runoff from her farmyard. The EPA withdrew its order but the court moved forward with the case to clarify for farmers whether ordinary precipitation runoff should require discharge permits. An appellate court decision upholding the 2013 ruling would make it harder for the EPA to persist in imposing wide-scale federal permitting requirements on large animal farms (known as concentrated animal feeding operations or CAFOs). The EPA’s voluntary dismissal of its appeal signals the agency’s desire to avoid a likely loss in the appellate court, the American Farm Bureau Federation said in a Sept. 22 press release. The appeal could still go forward if any of the five environmental groups that intervened in support of the EPA decides to go forward without the government. “EPA knows its effort to regulate perfectly well-run farms cannot withstand legal scrutiny, and the agency doesn’t quite know how to deal with that,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said. Both AFBF and the West Virginia Farm Bureau joined the suit on the side of Alt. “Apparently, the agency would rather move on and continue pursuing its regulatory agenda farm-to-farm, but not defend it in court.” The EPA continues to move forward with is proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule, which Georgia Farm Bureau and AFBF vehemently oppose. The agency is accepting public comments until Oct. 20. For more information on the proposed rule that would expand the EPA’s authority over water on private property or to submit a comment, visit http://www.gfb.org/ditchtherule. USDA DEREGULATES PESTICIDE-TOLERANT DOW CORN AND SOYBEAN SEEDS The USDA issued its decisions on Sept. 17 deregulating Dow AgroSciences’ Enlist corn and soybean traits in the United States, concluding one of the most thorough reviews of a biotech trait in history, according to a Dow press release. The Enlist traits are part of the Enlist Weed Control System, a new trait and herbicide technology that will control herbicide-resistant and tough weeds. USDA’s decision applies to the Enlist corn, Enlist soybean and Enlist E3 soybean traits. Enlist E3 soybeans are being developed through a collaboration between MS Technologies and Dow AgroSciences. The Enlist line of seed varieties was developed to be tolerant of Dow’s Enlist Duo herbicide, which is awaiting EPA approval. Resistant weeds more than doubled since 2009 and infest approximately 70 million acres of American farmland, challenging farmers’ ability to raise a healthy crop. Farmers in areas with the most severe infestations have had to resort to older, less effective farming practices, compromising their yields and ultimately impacting their ability to contribute to the U.S. food supply and export markets.
GFB News Alert page 3 of 6 GA COTTON COMMISSION PROMOTING CONTAMINATION-FREE COTTON The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC), in partnership with the National Cotton Council, is offering guidelines for growers and ginners to ensure that their cotton arrives to the market without any contaminants. The GCC is distributing a flyer, “Cotamination Free Cotton: Keep It Clean and Pure,” with tips for maintaining the highest-quality cotton fiber. The GCC emphasized that U.S. cotton producers are competing with man-made fibers and foreign cotton in today’s global marketplace. Cotton’s its pure, natural quality can be degraded if it contains foreign materials. Growers are encouraged to look for foreign materials that can degrade the quality of cotton, including plastics, roadside debris, greasy or oily residues, or accumulated leaves, sand or dust or other items. Farmers should look for materials in their fields that could be picked up by harvesting equipment. During harvest, the GCC recommends keeping custom harvest crews and other field workers informed of the consequences of allowing harvesting equipment to pick up foreign materials. Equipment should be inspected daily to ensure it does not become an inadvertent source of contaminants, like hydraulic leaks or grease in areas that come in contact with seed cotton. The location of modules is also a key decision in keeping cotton contaminant free. Suggestions for ginners include inspecting premises for foreign materials, cleaning areas in and around module feeders, renovating module storage yards to ensure they are free of potential contaminants and making sure module covers and wraps are completely removed prior to ginning. To view the flyer in its entirety for more contamination prevention practices, visit http://tinyurl.com/cleancotton. PEANUT CORPORATION OF AMERICA EXECUTIVES CONVICTED Three Peanut Corporation of America Executives were found guilty on numerous charges related to a nationwide salmonella outbreak in 2008. Former company owner Stewart Parnell was convicted on 67 federal felony counts according to www.foodsafetynews.com, and his brother Michael Parnell, a peanut broker, was convicted on 30 felony counts. Former PCA Quality Control Manager Mary Wilkerson was convicted on one count of obstruction of justice. A fourth defendant, former plant manager Samuel Lightsey, pled guilty to numerous charges. Lightsey, who faces a maximum of six years in prison as a part of plea agreement, testified in the trial of the Parnells and Wilkerson. The Parnells and Wilkerson now await sentencing. All three were set free after posting bond. The 2008 outbreak was traced to the PCA plant in Blakely, Ga., where prosecutors said the Parnells conspired to ship peanut butter and peanut paste to more than a dozen customers. The peanut products were used in a wide variety of consumer food products and resulted in more than 700 illnesses in 46 states. Further, the prosecutors said the Parnells conspired to falsify food safety test results in order to meet customer demands.
GFB News Alert page 4 of 6 FEMALE LANDOWNER FOCUS GROUP Researchers at Utah State University are seeking participants for a study centering on women who own agricultural land but are not actively farming. The study, coordinated by Dr. Peg Petrzelka at Utah State, includes a series of regional focus groups, including one for Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. The focus groups are designed to get input from female landowners about their experiences in renting out their land for agricultural operations. For more information contact Dr. Petrzelka at peggy.petrzelka@usu.edu. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Sept. 25 5th District Thomaston Civic Center 7 p.m. Thomaston Oct. 2 9th District Mitchell County Ag Center 7 p.m. Camilla th Oct. 6 6 District Poplar Springs North Bapt. Church 7 p.m. Dublin Oct. 7 1st District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Calhoun Oct. 9 4th District Greene County High School 7 p.m. Greensboro Oct. 16 8th District South Georgia Technical College 7 p.m. Americus Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. Note: These meetings are for Farm Bureau members only and are not open to the general public. GEORGIA OLIVE GROWERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Sept. 25 The Threatte Center 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Lakeland This will be an opportunity to share a wide range of information with growers, potential new growers, researchers and developers, support industries and governmental agencies working in the expansion of the olive oil industry in Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. There will be a demonstration of the new commercial olive mill and machine (OXBO) harvesting at Georgia Olive Farms. For more information or to register visit http://tinyurl.com/oliveconf. 18th ANNUAL PLAINS PEANUT FESTIVAL Sept. 27 Downtown Plains Festival is highlighted with former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter. Onemile fun-run and a 5-K road race starts at 8 a.m. President Carter and Tyron Spearman, executive director of the National Peanut Buying Points Association (NPBPA), will be masters of ceremony for the parade beginning at 11 a.m. Visit the peanut pavilion to see national sponsors and get NPBPA’s hot, grilled PB&J's. To enter parade call 229-824-7477. DAWSON COUNTY FFA ANTIQUE TRACTOR AND ENGINE SHOW Sept. 27 Tractor Supply Company 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dawsonville Antique tractor enthusiasts are invited to bring their tractors for this free show. Tractors may begin to arrive at 8:00 am and all should be in place by 9:30 am. All makes and models of tractors are welcome! Anyone interested in participating may contact Tammy Wood, Dawson County Farm Bureau (706-265-3350) or Josh Daniel at Dawson County High School (706 4261303). No pre-registration is required. The Dawson County FFA will be selling concessions and taking donations to raise funds to send FFA students to the National FFA Convention in October. The Dawsonville Tractor Supply Company is located at 6921 Hwy. 53 E., Dawsonville, Ga. 30534.
GFB News Alert page 5 of 6 FSA OFFERING DIRECT FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS Sept. 30 Deadline to apply Georgia farmers and ranchers still may apply for low interest 2014 loans available through FSA’s direct farm ownership program. Eligible producers can borrow up to $300,000 in direct farm ownership loans to buy or enlarge a farm, construct new farm buildings or improve structures, pay closing costs, or promote soil and water conservation and protection. The interest rate on select loans can be as low as 1.5 percent with up to 40 years to repay. For more information about the program visit any FSA county office or http://www.fsa.usda.gov. 25th ANNUAL GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR Oct. 2-12 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The award-winning Georgia National Fair features livestock and horse shows, youth exhibits, home and fine arts competitions, family entertainment and midway rides and games. Major concerts include Jennifer Nettles and Lady Antebellum. For more information visit http://www.georgianationalfair.com. GFB EQUINE COMMITTEE HOLDING RAFFLE TO BENEFIT 4-H The Georgia Farm Bureau Equine Advisory Committee will sell raffle tickets for a leather saddle during the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Oct. 2-12. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to fund scholarships for the Georgia 4-H Summer Horse Camp. Tickets will be sold in the Georgia Grown building at the booth co-hosted by the GFB Equine Committee and Georgia Equine Commission. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. 2014 SUNBELT AG EXPO Oct. 14-16 Spence Field Moultrie North America’s largest farm show features field demonstrations, the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year announcement, and more than 500 exhibitors. Tickets are $10 per person per day. Children under 10 are admitted free with parent. Multi-day tickets are $20. For more information visit http://www.sunbeltexpo.com. EPA ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON WATERS OF THE U.S. RULE The comment period for the “Waters of the United States” rule proposed by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ends on Oct. 20. Farm Bureau is urging its members to submit comments calling for the rule to be withdrawn. For more information about the proposed rule and to submit comments, visit http://www.gfb.org/ditchtherule. GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES TO HAY CONTEST AND HAY DIRECTORY Georgia Farm Bureau is again conducting i t s annual Bermudagrass Hay Contest and publish the GFB Quality Hay Directory for buyers and sellers of Georgia grown hay. Checks for both should be made payable to Georgia Farm Bureau and mailed to the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodities/Marketing Department. The cost for the contest is $15 per sample. Anyone entering the contest can receive a free listing in the hay directory. The directory will be distributed statewide. The cost for listing in the hay directory alone is $10. The deadline to submit entries for the contest and the directory is Oct. 31. For more information, please contact the GFB Commodities Department at 1-800-342-1196.
GFB News Alert page 6 of 6 CENTRAL GEORGIA FARMERS LUNCH AND LEARN Nov. 19 Bleckley County Extension Office 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Cochran This free event will feature discussions of issues affecting farmers. Speakers include Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Fort Valley State Vice President for Land Grant Affairs Dr. Mark Latimore, Sen. Ross Tolleson, James Mitchel of Chaney Bush Irrigation and Cartrell Watts of Georgia Power. RSVP by Nov. 12 to Rhonda Fulford at rbfulfor@southernco.com or 800-891-0958. GEORGIA AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL HARVEST CELEBRATION Nov. 21 Cobb Galleria Center Atlanta Tickets are on sale for this annual event, which features platinum country group Diamond Rio scheduled to perform. To purchase tickets, visit https://connect.computility.com/f/fid.php?id=955559f0f92e71e5e95de669f5af3da0. For more information about the Harvest Celebration, please contact GAC’s Christy Page at cpage@gaagribusiness.org or 800-726-2474.
AG SAFETY GROUP OFFERING GRANTS Jan. 7, 2015 Deadline to apply Grants of up to $10,000 are being offered by a national coalition of agribusinesses, producer organizations and safety professionals in order to foster new champions of agricultural safety and health. The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) has announced an application deadline of January 7, 2015. Information regarding eligibility, priorities, application instructions and frequently asked questions is available at http://www.ashca.org. The purpose of the ASHCA Safety Grants Program is to provide financial support to promote evidence-based safety/health strategies addressing farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers.