LEGISLATURE PASSES BUDGET, CLOSES SESSION

The Georgia General Assembly finished its 2012 session by passing the FY2013 budget, which included several provisions of interest to agriculture. One of the last bills passed was HB 872, which is aimed a curbing metal theft.

The final metal theft bill, which passed on March 29 with a House vote of 159-8 and a Senate vote of 50-0, includes measures from SB 321. It provides for the establishment of a statewide database of scrap metal sales for law enforcement use. The bill sets up a documentation trail to track metal sales by requiring metal sellers to have a valid driver’s license and provide other information about the metal and the person selling it.

The bill also requires that payments be made only by check or electronic transfer - none by cash - and it prohibits recyclers from cashing the checks they write to persons who sell metal. The final version of the bill did not include a waiting period for payment. The bill requires sellers of air conditioner coils to either have proof of ownership or be licensed contractors, and it includes restrictions on the sale of burned or charred wire and cemetery items.

The legislature also passed HB 916 on the last day of the session to address instances where legitimate farmers were being denied access to the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) covenant because of local acreage minimums or because adjacent tracts of land were not allowed into CUVA covenants. HB 916 allows landowners to enter into a CUVA covenant if the land use qualifies and the owner files a Schedule F or Schedule E tax return.

During the session, the legislature enacted measures related to Georgia Farm Bureau’s 2012 priority issues - water, taxes & budget, animal agriculture, metal theft and farm labor. Those bills included the tax reform bill that retained current sales tax exemptions for farm inputs and expanded those exemptions to include fuel and other inputs.

The $19.3 billion 2013 budget, which is still subject to line-item vetoes by Gov. Nathan Deal, included $150,000 for the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center in Albany.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture received $150,000 to fund two positions to assist farmers who use the H-2A guest worker program.

The budget also included $600,000 in funding for research specialists in horticulture, peanuts, soybeans and peaches through the University of Georgia Agriculture Experiment Stations, and the FFA camps in Fort Valley and Covington will receive $2 million in bond funding for upgrades and repairs. The legislature approved $14 million to reimburse counties for activities under the Forest Land Protection Act.

April 4, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 14

Leadership Alert page 2 of 8 MILC PAYMENT RATE ANNOUNCED FOR FEBRUARY PRODUCTION

The USDA announced the February payment rate for the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program on March 29. The February MILC payment rate is $0.3895043 per hundredweight. This is the first time there has been a payment for MILC since April 2010.

“Dairy producers are affected by the market price for milk and the price of feed to sustain their herds,” said USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Bruce Nelson. “While milk prices have remained above the $16.94 base used in the MILC calculation, the increase in feed prices has triggered payments because of the feed ration component.”

MILC payments are triggered when the Boston Class I milk price falls below $16.94 per hundredweight, after adjustment for the cost of dairy feed rations. MILC payments are calculated each month using the latest

milk price and feed cost. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized MILC through Sept. 30, 2012. Producers must meet the

Average Adjusted Gross Income requirement and provide marketing data to the FSA County Office in order to qualify. New dairy producers can apply for program benefits anytime through Sept. 30 at local FSA offices.

For additional information about the MILC program, visit your local FSA Service Center. Information about the program can also be seen online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/milc2011.pdf. COURT ORDERS FDA TO BEGIN WITHDRAWAL OF ANIMAL ANTIBIOTICS

In the case of Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) vs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which was filed last year by a collection of activist groups, the U.S. District Court of Southern New York ruled that the FDA must begin proceedings to withdraw approval of antibiotics - specifically, penicillin and two forms of tetracycline - for non-therapeutic use in animal agriculture. The plaintiffs argued that such use promotes the spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes and poses a threat to human health.

Judge Howard Katz ordered the FDA to issue a notice of proposed withdrawals and provide drug companies an opportunity for hearings to present evidence on the safety of mixing penicillin and tetracyclines into feed to promote growth in healthy food-producing animals. Katz noted in his decision that it was not with the goal of a particular outcome, saying that if drug companies demonstrate that the non-therapeutic use of penicillin and/or tetracycline is safe, then the FDA approval could not be withdrawn.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) responded by emphasizing that decisions to withdraw approval or ban antimicrobial uses should be based on solid science and risk-based assessment and not on anecdotal reports and speculation.

“The AVMA acknowledges the growing concern regarding antimicrobial use and resistance in animals and people, and supports the judicious use of antimicrobials to maximize public and animal health benefits while minimizing risks,” said AVMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ron DeHaven. “The judicious use of antimicrobials plays a key role in preserving the health of our nation’s food animals and the safety of our nation’s food supply. Many agree that there is a need for greater veterinary oversight of antimicrobial use in food-producing animals, and the AVMA is currently working with the FDA to develop practical means to increase this veterinary oversight.”

Leadership Alert page 3 of 8 GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION FUNDS STUDIES, HOLDS REFERENDUM

The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board of directors has approved $260,000 in new research project funding for its 2012-13 research budget. This action was taken during the GPC’s March board meeting. The research projects approved include 22 project proposals from the 27 proposals submitted by the University of Georgia and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.

Georgia’s peanut growers invest $2 per ton annually toward research, promotion and education programs of the GPC. Annual research funding has tracked at 21 percent of available GPC funds. In addition to its research funding, the GPC will manage 18 additional Georgia research projects using $526,000 in contracted funds from the National Peanut Board. There will be 40 total research projects in the amount of $786,000 managed by the GPC in 2012-13.

The research programs have focused on economics, conservation methods, irrigation and water management, peanut breeding for higher yield and improved quality, pest, weed and disease management and allergen-free peanuts. For a complete list of the projects funded by the GPC, visit http://www.gapeanuts.com/news/2012/032912_approvedresearch.asp.

The GPC is holding its reaffirmation referendum through April 15. State law mandates that a referendum be held every three years. Georgia peanut producers invest $2 per ton to fund the commission and its research, education, promotion and communication programs. Peanut producers who did not receive a ballot may obtain one by calling the commission at 229-386-3470 or writing to the commission at P.O. Box 967, Tifton, GA, 31793. Individuals who receive ballots but no longer farm are asked to write “no longer producing” on the certification envelope and return it to the commission. COTTON PLANTINGS EXPECTED TO DROP, PEANUTS AND HAY EXPAND

Georgia’s cotton growers intend to plant 200,000 fewer acres in 2012 than they did in 2011, and much of that decline in cotton acreage will be taken up by peanuts and hay, according to a report by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The 12 percent decline in cotton acreage - from 1.6 million acres in 2011 to 1.4 million in 2012 - is consistent with a nationwide trend. National cotton planting is expected to decrease by nearly 1.6 million acres, from 14.732 million acres in 2011 to 13.155 million in 2012, a decline of nearly 11 percent.

The NASS report indicated that Georgia’s peanut growers intend to increase acreage from 475,000 in 2011 to 570,000 in 2012, an increase of 20 percent and the largest total peanut planting since 2008. The state’s acreage in hay is projected to increase from 590,000 acres in 2011 to 670,000 in 2012, an increase of 14 percent.

While it’s anticipated that Georgia’s corn growers will trim their acreage by one percent (from 345,000 acres in 2011 to 340,000 acres in 2012), the national corn acreage is expected to be the most since 1937.

The state’s soybean growers intend to trim planting from 155,000 in 2011 to 150,000 in 2012, and Georgia tobacco growers intend to plant 10,000 acres in 2012, down from 11,700 acres in 2011. Georgia farmers are expected to expand their acreage in winter wheat, sorghum and oats.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 8 USDA WARNS OF FRAUDULENT LETTERS AND CALLS USDA officials have been notified that additional fraudulent letters and at least one fraudulent phone call have been received by individuals in a number of states. The letters and call purportedly come from a USDA procurement officer and seek personal information. These letters are false and in no case should a recipient respond with personal and financial information. If you suspect you have received such a letter or have been called by someone representing themselves as being from USDA seeking personal information, please contact USDA at: procurement.policy@dm.usda.gov or call 202-720-9448. NRCS ACCEPTING CIG APPLICATIONS THROUGH APRIL 12 The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is accepting applications for conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. The deadline to submit an application is April 12. For FY 2012, a total of $300,000 is available for Georgia CIG projects, with a limit of $75,000 per project. Funding categories include energy, nutrient management and specialty crops. Applications may be submitted electronically at http://www.grants.gov or mailed to Dale Bogardus, State CIG Technical Contact, NRCS, 355 East Hancock Ave., Mail Stop 200, Athens, GA 30601. For more information, visit http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig.html or contact Bogardus by email at dale.bogardus@ga.usda.gov. NRCS OFFERING INCENTIVES IN PIGWEED CONTROL PROGRAM The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia will provide an additional $1.1 million in financial incentives for an initiative in the currently participating counties of Bibb, Crawford, Dooly, Houston, Macon, Peach, Pulaski, Taylor and Wilcox, to control glyphosate-resistant palmer amaranth, more commonly known as pigweed. This project area has received approval for expansion to include the counties of Appling, Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Mitchell, Schley, Sumter, Tift, Telfair, Turner, and Worth. Applications must be received by April 18 to be considered for funding. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM GENERAL SIGN-UP The USDA will conduct general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through April 6. CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. USDA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. Producers with expiring contracts and producers with environmentally sensitive land are encourased to evaluate their options under CRP. For more information on CRP or other FSA programs, visit your nearest FSA service center or http://www.fsa.usda.gov. FVSU HAM AND EGG BREAKFAST April 10 Fort Valley State University Pettigrew Center 8 a.m. Fort Valley The public is invited to attend this annual event, during which legislators will interact with guests, describe their initiatives and explain their positions on current issues. Elected guests include U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop and state Rep. Robert Dickey, and a host of other state and national elected officials have been invited. Cost is $6. For more information, contact E. Jean Willis at 478-825-6268 or willise@fvsu.edu.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 8 UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR FSA PROGRAMS Below are upcoming enrollment deadlines for programs administered by the Farm Service Agency: April 6 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup 43 April 23 Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) May 1 Certification of planted acres for tobacco June 1 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments (DCP) June 1 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payment Program (SURE) July 15 2011 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) July 15 Certification of planted acres (all crops except tobacco) Aug. 1 Farm Reconstitutions (changes) for 2012 crop year 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 2012 OTTAWA FARMS STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL April 14-15 Ottawa Farms Bloomingdale This annual event is filled with family fun, including cloggers, hayrides, cow train rids, a wild west show, the Mobile Dairy Classroom, Corn Cannon, pig races at the Ottawa Speedway and much more. The strawberry field will be open for visitors to pick their own strawberries and a variety of farm products at the Ottawa Farms General Store. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 14 and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 15. Admission is free for children under age 6 and $5 for everyone age 6 and up. For more information call 912-748-3035. AG LABOR LUNCH April 17 Nashville Community Center Nashville This free luncheon, scheduled from 12-1:30 p.m., will focus on the labor needs of agribusinesses and resources available from the Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) to help farmers address their labor needs. The event, co-sponsored by the Berrien County Chamber of Commerce and the Berrien County Farm Bureau, will cover the federal H-2A program, general labor laws and child labor issues. A representative of the Georgia DOL will be present to discuss the issues with farmers. The event includes lunch and reservations are required by April 12. For more information or to register to attend call Crissy Staley at 229-686-5123. MOUNTAIN BEEF CATTLE FIELD DAY April 18 Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center Blairsville Georgia cattle farmers will gain useful research-based information at this free event, which is sponsored by AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Pasture Management Systems and Resaca Sun Feeds. The field day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes lunch and refreshments, Topics include pasture ecology, soil and fertilizer management, beef cattle efficiency, weed control in pastures and hay field and fly control. For more information, call 706-745-2655.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 8 USDA SUSTAINABLE AG & CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS April 21 Dillwood Farms Loganville May 17 Camp Westminster Conyers June 14 Love is Love Farm and Oakleaf Mennonite Farm Atlanta These three workshops, offered by the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation and Development Council, will give participants the opportunity to observe organically grown crops in various stages of development along with a variety of production practices. Local chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations utilizing Georgia-grown produce. Information about how to become eligible for USDA programs will be shared, and the even at Camp Westminster will include a special pasture management and equine field day. Regstration is free but must be done in advance. To register, visit http://tiny.cc/LBdf2b. For more information, call the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service at 770-963-9288 or contact Willie Torrey at 678-376-9518 or visit http://www.ebtfarmersmarket.com. HEIFER EVALUATION &REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE April 24 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706-542-1852 or lawtons@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229/386-3683 or ptcannon@uga.edu. 35th ANNUAL VIDALIA ONION FESTIVAL April 26-29 Vidalia This four-day event offers the Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant, a children’s parade, outdoor music concerts, arts and crafts festival, street dance, car show, the Kiwanis Onion Run, the Vidalia Onion Festival Rodeo and the famous onion-eating contest. For more information visit http://www.vidaliaonionfestival.com. 13TH ANNUAL PANHANDLE MULE DAY April 28 Panhandle Mule Farm 9 a.m. Reynolds This heritage of breaking land comes to life at this annual event, which is designed for the entire family to enjoy. Mule Day features plowing, hay cutting and baling demonstrations, and antique engines, tractors and farm implements will be on display. Lunches and refreshments will be available through Crowell Methodist Church, and there will be live entertainment. For more information, call Steve Montgomery at 478-837-1044. 2012 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 10-12 Young Harris College 8 a.m. each day Young Harris This event, one of the most comprehensive beekeeping educational events in the Southeast, offers classes for beekeepers at all levels of experience and the annual honey show. May 10 is dedicated training and certification exams for journeymen and master beekeeper qualifications, as well as the Welsh honey judge training, the first licensing program for honey judges in North America. May 11 and 12 provide entry-level training and certification, including individual and colony biology, low-tech beekeeping, equipment construction and much more. Registration fees for 18 and older is $96 for one day and $152 for two days. For ages 11-18, fees are $44 for one day and $70 for two days. Participants are urged to preregister by April 30. On-site registration is allowed on a space-available basis, but classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/young-harris/index.html or contact Samantha Holland at YHCbees@uga.edu or 706-769-1736.

Leadership Alert page 7 of 8 GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1 Applications are being accepted for the Georgia Centennial Farm Program, which recognizes farms continuously operated by members of the same family for at least 100 years. The program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia EMC and the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter. Application forms are available online at http://www.georgiashpo.org/historic/centennial_farms. For more information, contact Steven Moffson at 404-651-5906 or steven.moffson@dnr.state.ga.us. 4TH ANNUAL ST. JUDE ANTIQUE TRACTOR RIDE May 5 Lane Packing 10 a.m. Fort Valley The ride, which begins and ends at Lane Packing, is a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The event includes a lunch and tractor contests like a slow tractor race and barrel maneuvers. Riders will pay a $25 entry fee per tractor and donations from non-riders are welcomed. For more information contact James Emory Tate at 912-375-8367 or Neil Skipper at 478-286-1940. TURKEY CREEK FESTIVAL May 5 Ga. Highway 23, west off I-75 exit 122 Byromville This annual festival features family-oriented fun for everyone. Events, include a 10 a.m. parade, exhibits, the local museum, game, rides, food, entertainment and much more. For more information visit http://www.turkeycreekfestival.com or contact Mary Jo Jeter at mjojeter@yahoo.com or 478-244-1318. USDA PIGFORD SETTLEMENT CLAIMS FILING DEADLINE May 11 is the deadline for claims to be filed in the USDA Pigford II settlement case. The settlement arises from a class action lawsuit against USDA that alleges the department discriminated against African-Americans who applied for or attempted to apply for farm loans or other farm benefits between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 1996. The settlement applies only to African-American farmers who meet specific eligibility requirements, including the requirement that they previously submitted a request to file a late claim in the 1999 Pigford I class action Consent Decree. Claimants must register for a claims package by calling 1-877-810-8110 or 1-866-950-5547 or visiting the website www.blackfarmercase.com. A claims package will be mailed to claimants. EARLY DAYS OF YESTERYEAR May 11-12 Copeland Hall, Bowdon-Tyus Road Bowdon This free event will feature antique farm equipment and engines, tools, antique cars, entertainment, activities for children, vendors and food. For more information, contact Gearald Fielder at 770-228-9502 or GFIELDER@aol.com. MONROE COUNTY HERD SALE May 12 Sleepy Creek Farm 12:30 p.m. Forsyth More than 80 bred heifers will be fore sale during the event. Data available on the heifers includes A.I. breeding and sire EPD’s, pelvic area, frame score, disposition score, weight per day of age and average daily gain. For more information contact the Monroe County Extension office by phone at 478-994-7014 or by email at uge2207@uga.edu. Information about the sale may also be found online at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/monroe/HERDProgram/herd.html.

Leadership Alert page 8 of 8 GEORGIA COTTON WOMEN SCHOL. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 15 The John M. and Connie H. Mobley Memorial Scholarship is presented annually by the Georgia Cotton Women to the child or grandchild of an active Georgia cotton producer with priority given to children of Georgia Cotton Women members. In the event there is no child or grandchild of a GCW member eligible for the scholarship, the GCW Scholarship Committee has the discretion to present the award to another qualified candidate. This scholarship was established by the late John M. Mobley. It was continued by his wife Connie and is now carried on by their family. The $1,500 scholarship will be payable one-third each quarter or one-half each semester. Scholarship applications may be downloaded at http//:www.georgiacottonwomen.org. For more information contact Charlotte Wingate at 229-985-1435 or Nancy Coleman at 229-941-2930 or rosehillfarms@windstream.net. The deadline for application is May 15. BEEF MONTH PROMOTION WORKSHOP May 19 Ga. Farm Bureau 10 a.m.-2p.m. Macon The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and Georgia Beef Board (GBB) is holding this workshop to help county cattlemen’s associations and county Farm Bureaus prepare to promote beef in June, Georgia Beef Month. GBB staff will distribute beef month materials and discuss promotion ideas. Representatives of county cattlemen’s associations will share promotion activities they’ve used in the past. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director of Communications Daren Williams will provide media training and cover how to talk about beef with consumers. The event is free but attendees are asked to RSVP by May 15 by calling Brooke Williams at 478-474-1815 or emailing her at brooke@gabeef.org. CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP May 29 NW GA Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 6 p.m. Contact Ted Dyer at 706-624-1403 or tgdyer@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706/624-1398 - pworley@uga.edu for more information. HEIFER EVALUATION & REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE May 30 NW GA Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion Calhoun Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Ted Dyer at 706-624-1403 or tgdyer@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu