AFBF ADDRESSES ISSUES OF INTEREST TO GEORGIA FARMERS

A number of policies of interest to Georgia farmers were adopted during the American Farm Bureau Federation 93rd annual meeting held Jan. 8-11, including policies addressing government fiscal policy, animal care standards and others.

Several of Georgia Farm Bureau’s 33 policy submissions were adopted into AFBF policy and Georgia delegates spoke on a number of policy actions offered during floor discussions.

GFB submitted language supporting a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget, which was adopted by AFBF delegates.

GFB 1st Vice President Gerald Long offered an amendment calling for an increase in bonding requirements for livestock buyers to protect producers. The amendment passed.

California Farm Bureau offered an amendment to AFBF policy to allow the federal government to regulate cages for egg-laying hens. GFB President Zippy Duvall spoke in opposition to the amendment, which was voted down.

During discussion on U.S. country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements, Texas Farm Bureau offered an amendment to make the COOL rules voluntary.

The WTO issued a ruling against U.S. COOL rules in late 2011, finding that the rules are a technical barrier to trade with livestock producers in Canada and Mexico. GFB 3rd District Director George Chambers spoke in opposition of the Texas amendment, suggesting that the U.S keep a COOL program that conforms with World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements. The Texas amendment was voted down.

Florida Farm Bureau offered an amendment calling for a milk supply management program that accounts for regional differences in milk supply and demand. GFB 2nd District Director Randy Ruff spoke in favor of the amendment, and the delegates passed it.

The floor discussions included a recommendation to delete language in support of a government indemnification program to address situations where erroneous government reports result in agricultural enterprises suffering financial losses. Duvall petitioned to have the indemnification language reinstated to AFBF policy and delegates agreed.

Regarding the 2012 farm bill, GFB submitted language to support the preservation of direct payments as part of a government safety net program. GFB’s proposed language was deleted in committee. During floor debate, GFB 9th District Director Lucius Adkins defended direct payments and moved for a resolution to reinstate the direct payment language, but his motion failed by a voice vote.

January 18, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 3

Leadership Alert page 2 of 9 USDA RELEASES FINAL RULE ON NATIONAL DAIRY PROMOTION BOARD

The United States Department of Agriculture has announced its final rule that amends the National Dairy Promotion and Research Order.

The final rule adopts the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board’s reapportionment proposal and therefore representation in Region 1 is increased from one member to two members; Region 2 representation is decreased from eight members to seven members; Region 3 is decreased from four members to two members; Region 8 and Region 10 are combined to create a new Region 10 with two members, and is comprised of Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia; Region 8 is now comprised of Idaho with two members; Region 12 and 13 are combined to create a new Region 12 and is comprised of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, with three members.

The dairy order provides that the board shall review the geographic distribution of milk production throughout the United States and, if warranted, shall recommend to the secretary of agriculture a reapportionment of the regions and/or modification of the number of members from the regions in order to better reflect the geographic distribution of milk production volume in the United States.

Visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/DairyProducerCheckoffPrograms for more information about the Dairy Promotion Board final rule. GEORGIA CORN, COTTON PRODUCTION UP, PEANUTS DOWN IN 2011

Georgia’s corn and cotton growers produced significantly more in 2011 than in 2010, in part due to increased acreage devoted to those crops, while Georgia’s peanut production fell by 16 percent from 2010 to 2011, attributable in large part to lower acreage totals according to the USDA’s 2011 Georgia Crop Production report.

Georgia growers produced 42.66 million bushels of corn for grain in 2011, a 20 percent increase, and 950,000 tons of corn for silage, a 32 percent increase from 2010. Georgia’s growers of upland cotton averaged 805 pounds per acre, producing 2.55 million bales in 2011, an increase of 300,000 bales over 2010 production. Though Georgia cotton growers’ average yield was smaller - they averaged 821 pounds per acre in 2010 - they harvested 205,000 more acres in 2011 in an attempt to take advantage of historically high cotton prices.

Georgia’s peanut production declined as a result. The state’s peanut growers harvested 90,000 fewer acres in 2011 (465,000) than in 2010 (555,000). The per-acre yields remained steady, but the overall production fell from 1.959 billion pounds in 2010 to 1.637 billion in 2011.

Soybean production in Georgia declined by 55 percent, from 6.63 million bushels in 2010 to 2.97 million bushels in 2011. Production of sorghum for grain declined by 11 percent from 2010. Sorghum for silage production grew by 30 percent, from 130,000 tons in 2010 to 169,000 tons in 2011. Georgia tobacco production declined from 26.79 million pounds in 2010 to 26.325 million pounds in 2011, a drop of less than two percent.

Georgia hay production was down 20 percent last year from 2010.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 9 KEY TAX CREDITS FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION EXPIRE

Three tax credits considered critical to the continued success of the biodiesel industry expired on Jan 1. The biodiesel tax incentives, implemented in 2005, were the push the industry needed to reach commercial-scale production.

The expired tax credits are the $1-per-gallon credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel, the 10-cents-per gallon small agri-biodiesel producer credit and the $1-per-gallon credit for diesel fuel created from biomass.

In 2004, the U.S. produced 25 million gallons of biodiesel. In 2011, the industry was on pace for record production of at least 800 million gallons. Production on this scale supports more than 31,000 jobs nationwide and generates about $628 million in federal, state and local tax revenues, according to a recent economic study.

When the tax credit lapsed in 2010, a significant decline in production followed, resulting in plant closures and layoffs. When the tax credit was reinstated in 2011, the industry resumed increasing production.

Another biofuels tax incentive, the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) also expired. Producers of ethanol to be blended with gasoline were allowed a credit of 45 cents per gallon of ethanol produced.

GFB MEMBERS NAMED TO AFBF COMMODITY COMMITTEES

Georgia Farm Bureau members have been named to 13 American Farm Bureau Federation Commodity Committees for 2012, including Wes Shannon of Tift County, who will serve as chairman of the AFBF Peanut Committee.

The committees provide farmer input during the AFBF policy development process and make recommendations relative to their respective commodities to the AFBF Board of Directors. The committees will meet on a staggered schedule for three days each in Anaheim, Calif. during the week of Feb. 19 - 25.

In addition to Shannon, GFB members serving on the committees are: Terry Bramlett, Fannin County (Aquaculture Committee); Mike Bunn, Walker County (Sheep & Goat Committee); Larry Cooley, Crawford County (Poultry Committee); Eddie Green, Dooly County (Cotton Committee); Danny Hogan, Laurens County (Equine Committee); John Mixon, Pike County (Forestry Committee); Brian Ogletree, Spalding County (Feed Grains Committee); Bobby Rowell, Brantley County (Honey/Apiculture Committee); Alan Scoggins, Walker County, (Soybean Committee); Andrew Thompson, Brooks County (Swine Committee); Sam Watson, Colquitt County (Labor Committee); and Jerry Wooten, Jeff Davis County (Tobacco Committee).

Thirteen GFB members were named alternates for the committees. They are: Charles D. Batten, Washington County (Sheep & Goat); Ricky Boyd, Berrien County (Aquaculture); Dania Devane, Randolph County (Swine); Bobby Eavenson, Elbert County (Soybean); Brent Galloway, Newton County (Feed Grains); John “Bubba” Johnson, Mitchell County (Poultry); Jimmy Kennedy, Hancock County (Forestry); Mike Lucas, Bleckley County (Peanut); Tim McMillan, Berrien County (Labor); Gary Rentz, Brooks County (Honey/Apiculture); and Ricky Tucker, Berrien County (Tobacco); Gary Walker, Tift County (Equine); and Jason West, Candler County County (Cotton).

Leadership Alert page 4 of 9 36th ANNUAL GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW Jan. 19 Albany Civic Center Albany This event offers farmers the chance to view the products and services of more than 75 exhibitors and attend marketing and production workshops with UGA peanut specialists. The show provides exhibitors with an opportunity to highlight their products or services to nearly 1,500 farmers from across the Southeast. ANNUAL J.W. FANNING LECTURE Jan. 20 Georgia Center for Continuing Education Athens Ohio State University professor Elena Irwin will speak about implications of the housing bust at the annual J.W. Fanning Lecture, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Irwin, a professor in the department of agricultural, environment and development economics, specializes in regional and community economics. The Fanning Lecture is sponsored by the Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia and is named for late UGA Vice President of Services Dr. J.W. Fanning. BRICTON PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE Jan. 21 Bricton Farm Noon Social Circle A collection of 70 performance-tested bulls will be sold at this 10th annual sale. Sale books will be available on sale day. The Bricton farm is located a 1185 Hwy. 11 South in Social Circle. For more information, contact the Bricton Farm at 770-787-1644 or 678-910-4891. BEEKEEPING SHORT COURSE Jan. 21 Atlanta Botanical Gardens 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Atlanta This one-day beekeeping class will provide basic facts about honey bees, plant pollination, and the fundamentals of beekeeping. This course is for teachers, master gardeners, both new and experienced beekeepers, students, government employees, and others who are interested in learning new things. The fee is $95 and includes meals, class presentations, a honey tasting, educational materials, a goody bag of bee-related items and admission and parking for the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. For more information or to register, visit http://www.beekeepingshortcourse.com or call Marcia R. Radakovich at 225-279-0222 or 770-518-9180. NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR GA. QUALITY COTTON AWARDS Jan. 23 is the nomination deadline for the 2012 Georgia Quality Cotton Awards, sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission and Bayer CropScience and administered by the University of Georgia Cotton Team. The awards are designed to recognize producers and ginners of high quality cotton fiber and to identify general management practices associated with producing quality fiber. There are 12 producer awards given in each of three acreage categories: less than 500 acres, 500-1,000 acres and more than 1,000 acres. The awards will be presented on Feb. 1 during the Georgia Cotton Commission’s annual meeting at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. More information and the nomination forms are available at http://www.ugacotton.com

Leadership Alert page 5 of 9 2012 AG FORECAST MEETINGS Jan. 23 Georgia Farm Bureau Building Macon Jan. 24 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton Jan. 25 Nesmith Lane Conference Center, GSU Campus Statesboro Jan. 26 Georgia Mountains Center Gainesville Jan. 27 Carroll County Ag Center Carrollton These meetings are a UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences program made possible through an endowment from Georgia Farm Bureau and support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Agribusiness Council. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The seminar will be held from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. followed by a luncheon. UGA ag economists will give the 2012 economic outlook for agriculture. The keynote speaker will give an update on current farm labor issues. Registration is $30 per person or $200 for a table of eight. Call 706-583-0347 or visit http://www.georgiaagforecast.com for more information or to register. PLANNING FOR 2020 AT UGA Jan. 25 UGA Griffin Campus Stuckey Auditorium Griffin Jan. 31 Rock Eagle 4-H Center Eatonton Feb. 15 Georgia Mountains Center Gainesville Feb. 21 North Metro Campus of Chattahoochee Tech Acworth Feb. 29 Vidalia Onion Research Center Lyons The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is currently planning its future, developing its official 10-year strategic plan. To get public input, the college has scheduled several regional meetings across the state. The college prepares students for jobs in Georgia's No. 1 business, agriculture, conducts cutting-edge research and educates the public through UGA Cooperative Extension offices across the state. Six regional meetings have been set from 8:30 a.m. until. Like UGA’s current strategic plan, the CAES plan targets 2020. Participants are encouraged to register for the regional meetings at http://www.caesplan.caes.uga.edu/index.html. 2012 INTERNATIONAL POULTRY EXPO Jan. 24–26 Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta Presented by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, the Expo has been held in Atlanta, Ga., for the past 63 years. The show is the world's largest display of technology, equipment, supplies, and services used in the production and processing of poultry and eggs and for those involved in feed manufacturing. All segments of the industry are represented: feed milling, hatchery, live production, processing, further processing, marketing, and all support activities. The show is held in conjunction with the International Feed Expo. For more information visit www.ipe11.org. WINTERGREEN 2012 Jan. 25-27 Gwinnett Center Duluth The Georgia Green Industry Association’s annual trade show offers educational seminars on a variety of landscaping and horticulture topics, GGIA chapter leadership training, the organization’s annual business meeting and much more. For registration and fee information, visit http://www.ggia.org or call the GGIA office at 706-632-0100.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 9 2012 SOYBEAN/SMALL GRAIN EXPO Jan. 26 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The Expo will provide soybean and small grain producers with up-to-date marketing projections and the newest production techniques. The even will also feature presentations from UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences professors on climate variability, maximizing yields, world outlook for southern commodities and others. Pesticide credits are available. For more information, contact the Georgia/Florida Soybean Association at 706-542-3793. GREAT SOUTH PREDATOR & WILD HOG CHALLENGE Jan. 27-29 Bass Pro Shops & Sportsman’s Warehouse Macon This event, hosted by Bass Pro Shops and sponsored by Scurry Outdoors South LLC, offers cash and prizes for the harvest of wild hogs using the dog bay/catch method and the harvest of coyotes, bobcats and foxes. The event will include a barbecue chicken dinner to raise money for Georgia Outdoor News’ Sportsman’s Pantry, which provides food for needy families. Visit http://www.scurryoutdoorssouth.com for more information. GEORGIA YOUNG FARMERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING Jan. 27-28 Marriott Evergreen Conference Resort Stone Mountain For more information, call 229-386-3429 or visit http://www.georgiayoungfarmers.com. GEORIGA COTTON COMMISSION 5TH ANNUAL MEETING Feb. 1 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton This sponsored event is free but registration is requested and features morning and afternoon cotton production workshops. Guest speakers included Southern Cotton Growers President Mike Tate, Cotton Board CEO Bill Gillon, Cotton Incorporated Fiber Quality Research Vice President Mike Watson and National Cotton Council Senior Director of Governmental Relations John Maguire. Late Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. To register, visit http://www.ugatiftonconference.org between Dec. 1, 2011, and Jan. 18, 2012 or call 229-386-3416. For more information about the conference, email Richey Seaton at gactn@windstream.net or Karen Nikitopoulos at cotton@windstream.net or call 478-988-4235. DRY FERTILIZER SPREADER CALIBRATION FIELD DAY Feb. 1 George Chandler Farm, 3486 Rogers Mill Rd. Danielsville This workshop, sponsored by the UGA Cooperative Extension and BBI Spreaders, lasts from 9:30 a.m. to noon and is designed for anyone who spreads fertilizer, lime or poultry litter. Training will be provided on proper calibration of spreader equipment to ensure accurate and efficient application rates. Commercial pesticide credit is available. Lunch will be provided. Contact the Madison County Extension Office at 706-795-2281 by Jan. 20 to register. UGA 20TH ANNUAL FOCUS ON EPD'S BULL SALE Feb. 2 UGA Livestock Instructional Arena Athens Begins at noon. Contact Dr. Ronnie Silcox at 706-542-9102 or rsilcox@uga.edu for more information.

Leadership Alert page 7 of 9 OLD SOUTH FARM MUSEUM HOG KILLING DEMONSTRATION Feb. 4 Old South Farm Museum 8:30 a.m. Woodland This event will demonstrate how hogs were once harvested and the products made from them. Program includes a meat-cutting class and demonstrations on making various pork products. The fee to observe and receive free sausage is $12 per person. To participate in the workshop, gain hands-on experience and receive pork products, the fee is $35. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.com. ENTRIES BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2012 FLAVOR OF GEORGIA CONTEST Product registrations are being accepted for the Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. The contest is sponsored by the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development in collaboration with the Center of Innovation for Agribusiness, the office of Gov. Nathan Deal, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Walton EMC and the UGA Department of Food Science and Technology. The deadline for entries is Feb. 10. Semifinalists will be announced in February. Final judging and the announcement of the winners in six food categories will be announced on March 13 during Georgia Ag Awareness Day festivites at the Georgia Depot in Atlanta. Contestants can register online at http://www.flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.edu and save $10 off registration fees. For more information contact contest director Sharon Kane at 706-542-9809 or spkane@uga.edu. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DAY AT THE CAPITOL Feb. 14 Georgia Depot and State Capitol Atlanta Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol is a chance for Farm Bureau members to meet with legislators and other government officials. Orientation begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Blue Room at the historic Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, located next to Underground Atlanta. After orientation, the GFB group will visit legislators in the Capitol and return to the Depot for lunch at 11:30. Free parking will be available at the Turner Field - Gold Lot, and shuttle service will run from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Make plans to bring a group of folks from your county. All Farm Bureau Day events are complimentary. For more information, contact the GFB Legislative Department at 1-800-342-1192 or your local county Farm Bureau office. BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING Feb. 15 Ramada Conference Center Perry Meeting begins at 2 p.m. Call 229-469-4038 for more information. GEORGIA JUNIOR NATIONAL LIVESTOCK SHOW Feb. 22–26 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry The Georgia National Junior Livestock show is an annual event that brings together students from across the state. The event at the Agricenter in Perry gives 4-H and FFA members an opportunity to show off all of the hard work it took to raise and handle their animals. For more information, visit www.gnfa.com. 2012 GEORGIA NATIONAL RODEO Feb. 23–25 Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter Perry Sanctioned by the PRCA, the Rodeo features specialty acts, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, team roping. barrel racing and bull riding For tickets and information contact the Box Office 478-987-3247or visit http://www.gnfa.com.

Leadership Alert page 8 of 9 GFB SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEB. 24 Students wishing to apply for one of 10 Georgia Farm Bureau Scholarships have until Feb. 24 to apply. The scholarships are for high school seniors who plan to pursue undergraduate degrees in agricultural and environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences or related agricultural fields. Students submitting an application must currently be a Georgia high school senior and plan to enroll in a unit of the University System of Georgia or Berry College during the 2012-2013 academic year. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information or an application. A copy of the application may also be downloaded from the GFB website by visiting http://www.gfb.org/programs/aic/EducationLinks.htm. Applications must be approved and signed by the Farm Bureau president of the county in which the applicant resides or attends high school.Winners will be announced in May. GEORGIA ORGANICS 15th ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO FEB. 24-25 Columbus Convention and Trade Center Columbus Keynote speakers Will Allen and Michel Nischan highlight this efent, which features educational workshops on mushrooms, permaculture, urban farming, organic produce farming, farm bill and advocacy training and much more. For more information and to register, visit http://www.georgiaorganics.org/conference.aspx. 5th ANNUAL SOUTHEAST HAY CONVENTION March 6-7 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Tifton The convention, dedicated to growers who are serious about commercial hay production and want a thorough “A to Z coverage” of the subject. Sessions will cover hay production economics and outlook, climate, fertilization, pest control, marketing tips, irrigation and many more. Registration before Feb. 17 is $170 for the first person and $100 for each additional person from the same farm. After Feb. 17, it is $195 for the first person and $125 for each additional person. Deadline to register is March 2. Fees cover instructional materials, lunches and refreshments. For more information about the confvention, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/forages/events/SHC12/SHC12.html or contact Dr. Dennis Hancock by email at dhancock@uga.edu or by phone at 706-614-2275. TIFTON BEEF CATTLE SHORT COURSE March 6 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Registration starts at 9 a.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. TIFTON PERFORMANCE TESTED BULL SALE March 7 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center Irwinville Begins at 12:30 p.m. For more information contact Dr. Ronnie Silcox at 706-542-9102 or rsilcox@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or ptcannon@uga.edu . RAY CITY OLD FASHION PLOW DAY March 17 Ray City This event features an antique tractor show and plowing demonstration with antique tractors and mules and horses plowing in the field. Parade begins at 11 a.m. and plowing to follow. Event features arts & crafts, food, fun and games for kids and bluegrass gospel concerts featuring the bluegrass gospel band, the Wauka Mountain Boys and much more. Free admission. Join us for a day of agricultural history. For more info contact Greg Harrell 229-237-3223.

Leadership Alert page 9 of 9 GFB CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT SEMINAR March 26 – 27 GFB Home Office Macon Individuals interested in running for public office will have a chance to gain valuable tips on how to conduct an election campaign during the campaign management seminar, hosted by Georgia Farm Bureau in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Federation. The event will be facilitated by AFBF Director of Grassroots/Political Advocacy Cody Lyon and will cover various aspects of campaign strategy, fund-raising, interaction with media and much more. The fees to attend are $150 for Farm Bureau members, $200 for non-members and $75 for candidate spouses and campaign managers attending with their candidates. Enrollment is limited to 30 people and the registration dadline is Feb. 24. For more information, contact the GFB Field Services or Legislative department at 478-474-8411. OLD SOUTH FARM CAMP March - May Old South Farm Museum & Ag Learning Center Woodland Each of this series of three-day camps begins at 7 p.m. on the first day with supper and orientation and ends by 11 a.m. on the third day. It includes six or more classes on a variety of topics ranging from milking a cow to lye soap making and more. Fee is $200 per person, including meals, housing, transportation and class materials. Pre-registration is required. For registration information and specific camp dates call Paul Bulloch 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.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. 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