SENATE PASSES ITS VERSION OF 2013 FARM BILL

On June 10 the Senate passed its version of the 2013 farm bill, which would authorize farm programs for the next five years. The bill, titled the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, passed by a 66-27 vote. Both Georgia senators voted in favor.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and co-sponsored by Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), provides a target price safety net for peanuts and rice. The absence of those provisions in part led Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson to vote against last year’s bill.

“I am confident this bill adequately addresses the various needs and interests between commodities and regions,” said Chambliss. “I urge the House to pass their bill in a timely manner, so we may go to conference before the current extension expires in September. Farmers deserve certainty, so they may plan for the future and focus on doing what they do best: producing the highest quality agricultural products in the world.”

According to the Senate Agriculture Committee, the bill lays out two new crop insurance programs, the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) program and the Adverse Market Payments (AMP) program.

The committee release indicated that ARC allows farmers to choose between coverage at the individual farm level or at the county level. Payments to farmers will be available only when actual losses are experienced off of a market-based historic benchmark. AMP provides payments to farmers only when prices drop below a reference price. These payments are made on historic base acres rather than production, thereby minimizing the program’s influence on farmers’ decisions on what and where to plant. In order to be eligible for ARC and AMP, all farmers must agree to comply with conservation and wetlands requirements.

The Senate farm bill includes the stacked income protection plan (STAX) for cotton producers and establishes a dairy production margin protection program and a dairy market stabilization program for milk producers.

“We’re very encouraged that the Senate passed its version of the farm bill,” said GFB President Zippy Duvall. “This bill addresses concerns regarding regional inequities that existed in the farm bill the Senate passed last year. This is a big step toward providing our farmers a safety net they can work with and a measure of certainty moving forward. It also demonstrates agriculture’s willingness to do its part to cut the federal deficit as it saves $24 billion in spending. We encourage the House to pass its farm bill this month so the two chambers can resolve any differences in their bills and pass a final farm bill before the current one expires in September.”

June 12, 2013 www.gfb.org Vol. 31 No. 24

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6

UGA TIFTON GETS NEW PEANUT ENTOMOLOGIST Mark Abney has been named the new peanut entomologist at the UGA Tifton Campus.

Abney, a native of Cochran, returns to his home state after more than a decade at North Carolina State where he worked as an entomology researcher and Extension specialist. His first day was June 10.

Abney arrived at N.C. State in 2001 as a Ph. D student. He was later hired as a researcher before assuming an Extension specialist role in 2007. He has been exclusively studying insects’ impact on vegetables. He says transitioning to peanuts shouldn’t be difficult.

Abney’s arrival at UGA means peanut farmers around the state will have an outlet to discuss concerns over insects, like the burrower bug. For several years, peanut producers have had major problems with the bug, which lives in the soil and feeds on kernels inside the pod.

Abney said the bug is not in every field and not in fields every year, making it impossible to predict. Control strategies haven’t been worked out but are high on Abney’s list of priorities. He also plans to deal with other insects like the three cornered alfalfa hopper and spider mites.

“It’s a big responsibility. It’s going to be a big challenge,” Abney said. “We’re not going to be able to solve all these problems overnight. It’s going to be kind of a grind to get the answers we need.”

According to the 2011 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report, peanuts were the third most profitable commodity, generating $586,414,003.

INTERNATIONAL PANEL RULES U.S. BSE RISK IS NEGLIGIBLE

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) voted on May 29 to move U.S. risk status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from “controlled risk” to “negligible,” a move that some observers believe could expand export opportunities for U.S. beef producers.

“I am very pleased with OIE’s decision to grant the United States negligible risk status for BSE. This is a significant achievement that has been many years in the making for the United States, American beef producers and businesses, and federal and state partners who work together to maintain a system of interlocking safeguards against BSE that protect our public and animal health,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a prepared statement. “This decision demonstrates OIE’s belief that both our surveillance for, and safeguards against, BSE are strong. U.S. beef and beef products are of the highest quality, wholesome and produced to the highest safety standards in the world.”

The OIE has three risk categories. Negligible risk is the category designation indicating the slightest possibility of BSE. Controlled risk is the middle category and undetermined risk is the least favorable category.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President-Elect Bob McCan said the improved risk status affirms the commitment of U.S. cattle producers to ensure the safety and health of U.S.-raised cattle. McCan credited a system of overlapping safeguards with preventing BSE from becoming a threat in the U.S. beef supply.

“The vote by the OIE, an internationally recognized, standard-setting body, is proof that the science-based mitigation measures in place in the United States effectively protect our public and anmal health,” McCan said.“This announcement is an important step forward in increasing export opportunities for U.S. cattle producers.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 USDA SEEKS NOMINEES FOR COTTON BOARD

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for candidates to serve on the Cotton Board.

The Cotton Research and Promotion Act provides that the board shall be composed of representatives of cotton producers and importers. These representatives are selected by the Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by certified producer organizations (CPO) and certified importer organizations (CIO). CPOs and CIOs are industry organizations that are certified by the secretary following procedures set forth in the Cotton Research and Promotion Order.

USDA is seeking nominees to fill 19 member and 19 alternate member positions for vacancies in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri/Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee/Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, and for importers with terms ending Dec. 31, 2016. Members and alternate members, as well as the consumer advisors, serve staggered three-year terms with no term limits. The CPOs in respective states and the CIOs will caucus to nominate two qualified persons for each member and alternate member position. The secretary chooses members and alternates from the CPO and CIO nominations. The CPOs in Georgia are the Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Farm Bureau, Southern Cotton Growers, Staple Cotton and Carolina Cotton Growers Cooperative.

USDA welcomes membership on industry boards that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the programs. USDA encourages all eligible women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to seek nomination for a seat on the Cotton Board.

The cotton research and promotion program is designed to advance the position of cotton in the marketplace. It is funded by assessments on all domestically produced cotton and imports of foreign-produced cotton and cotton-containing products, and is authorized by the Cotton Research and Promotion Act of 1966. AMS oversees operations of the board.

For nominating information or for a list of CPOs and CIOs, contact Shethir M. Riva, Chief, Research and Promotion Staff, Cotton and Tobacco Programs, AMS, USDA, 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Va., 22406, telephone 540-361-2726, fax 540-361-1199, or email at Shethir.Riva@ams.usda.gov.

GEORGIA GROWN TO HAVE BUILDING AT GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR

Spaces are available for vendors at the new Georgia Grown Building at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter. The Georgia Grown Building is scheduled to open during the 2013 Georgia National Fair, October 3-13. This building will feature 20,000 square feet of space dedicated solely to Georgia Grown products, manufacturers and businesses, specifically geared toward agriculture.

The Georgia Grown Building will be open all 11 days of the fair from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily and 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on opening day. In 2012 more than 445,000 visitors enjoyed the Georgia National Fair and with the addition of the Georgia Grown Building officials at the GNFA expect attendance to increase. Participating vendors receive a web site listing with links to their company web sites, as well as logo listing in printed brochures.

Proceeds from the Georgia Grown Building benefit the Agricultural Youth Scholarships. For more information or to reserve a space contact Teresa Hawk at 1-800-987-3247 ext. 483 or thawk@gnfa.com.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 USDA ACCEPTING CRP APPLICATIONS THROUGH JUNE 14 The USDA is conducting general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through June 14. CRP is a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and enhance wildlife habitat. Contracts on 3.3 million acres of CRP are set to expire on Sept. 30. Producers with expiring contracts or producers with environmentally sensitive land are encouraged to evaluate their options under CRP. Producers that are accepted in the sign-up can receive cost-share assistance to plant long-term, resource-conserving covers and receive an annual rental payment for the length of the contract (10-15 years). Producers also are encouraged to look into CRP's other enrollment opportunities offered on a continuous, non-competitive, sign-up basis and that often provide additional financial assistance. Continuous sign-up dates will be announced at a later date. For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit a local FSA service center or http://www.fsa.usda.gov. 23RD ANNUAL IFAMA WORLD FORUM AND SYMPOSIUM June 16-20 Cobb Galleria Center Atlanta The International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) is an international organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of globally bringing together the best minds in agriculture and agribusiness to network and stimulate strategic thinking across the food, fiber, bio-fuel, floral and forestry systems. This year’s event offers a series of presentations focused on current issues impacting the global food system given by top executives and experts. Wells Fargo Chief Agricultural Economist Dr. Michael Swanson will deliver the keynote address. To register, visit https://www.ifama.org/events/conferences/2013/Default.aspx. The Georgia IFAMA chapter meeting will be held June 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. following the conclusion of the World Forum.

FSA COUNTY COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS BEGIN JUNE 17 The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins on June 17. To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate. Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form, FSA-669A. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2013 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2013. Elections will take place this fall. COTTON INSECT SCOUTING SCHOOL June 18 Southeast Research and Education Center 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Midville These programs offer basic information on cotton insects and scouting procedures and will serve as a review for experienced scouts and producers and as an introduction to cotton insect monitoring for new scouts. Topics include scouting procedures, laval insect pests, bug pests, natural controls and safety. For more information about the Tifton session call Debbie Rutland at 229-386-3424. For more information about the Midville session call Peyton Sapp at 706-554-2119.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 UGA NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK EVENT June 20 UGA Marine Extension Service Station Brunswick The University of Georgia Marine Extension Service(MAREX) and Georgia Sea Grant will celebrate National Pollinator Week with an event from 9 a.m. to noon at the MAREX Brunswick station and native plant demonstration garden at 715 Bay St. The event will include tours of the pollinator habitat garden and native plant gardens at the station. At 11 a.m., there will be a presentation on pollinator protection and pollinator-friendly landscaping. The Glynn County Farm Bureau Beekeepers’ Committee will display a honeybee hive and distribute beekeeping information. For more information, call Keren Giovengo at 912-280-1586.

NORTH-SOUTH INSTITUTE AGRIPRENEURSHIP WORKSHOP June 20 859 Greater Zachariah Church Rd. 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Glennville This workshop will offer farmers, producers, and other agricultural professionals the unique opportunity to learn about working with the various agencies within the USDA. Included is an overview of opportunities available through the Farm Service Agency’s Non-insured Crop Assistance Program and the new Microloan Program announced January 2013 and members of the USDA Georgia StrikeForce Initiative to Boost Rural and Economic Growth will be present at this workshop to give a program message. On-site registration is open to the public and free for the first 25 attendees. Other registrants will be asked to contribute $25.00 to cover the publication costs of the workbook/manual to accompany the workshop. For more information or to RSVP in advance, please call 954-434-8220 or send an email to workshop@nsied.org.  GEORGIA GROWN FARMER SHOWCASE June 22 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta June 29 Savannah State Farmers Market 9 a.m. - noon Savannah July 13 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta July 27 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta Aug. 10 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta Aug. 24 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta Sept. 14 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta Sept. 28 Park Market, Centennial Olympic Park 9 a.m. - noon Atlanta This family-friendly series features dozens of vendors from around the state, offering locally grown fresh Georgia produce and plant sales, meet and greets with local farmers and much more. For more information, visit http://www.georgiagrown.com or call 404-656-3689. AGSOUTH FARM CREDIT FINANCIAL WORKSHOPS June 22 Clemson University Register by June 8 Clemson, S.C. July 27 Conner Hall, UGA Register by July 13 Athens These free workshops are designed for young, beginning, small and minority farmers. All workshops run from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and include a provided lunch. Topics will include: applying for financing, preparing a business plan, record keeping, credit scores, risk management and more. Workshops are certified for FSA Direct Borrower Training Credit. To register or for more information visit http://www.agsouthfc.com/AgSouthAgAwareProgram.html or email Christy Smith at csmith@agsouthfc.com.  

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 ORGANIC GRAIN AND OILSEED PRODUCTION WORKSHOP June 27 NESPAL Building 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tifton This free workshop, which includes classroom presentations and a field tour, will give participants an understanding of how to begin producing organic grains and oilseeds. National experts will discuss organic corn, soybean, wheat and oilseed production specific to Georgia's climate. Lunch will be provided for all attendees. This workshop is sponsored by Southern SARE, Georgia Center for Innovation - Agribusiness, Georgia Organics, Cooperative Extension and USDA ARS.��� Space is limited and registration is required! Contact Kate Munden-Dixon to reserve your space at 706-542-8084 or katemd@uga.edu. The NESPAL Building is located at 2360 Rainwater Road in Tifton. WEBINAR ON SELLING PRODUCE TO THE USDA June 27 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. online This free interactive webinar, “How to Sell Fruits and Vegetables to the USDA.” Will feature Sara Hernandez of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) discussing the USDA’s commodity procurement program, the types of products the USDA buys, the requirements for selling to the USDA and the process of soliciting USDA business. The webinar will also provide information about contracting opportunities for small, socially disadvantaged, women- and veteran-owned businesses. This informative webinar is designed for fruit and vegetable growers, processors and distributors of all size. Registration is required and space is limited. Visit http://bit.ly/145Arm2 to register. GEORGIA BLUEBERRY COMMISSION HOLDING RECIPE CONTEST The Georgia Blueberry Commission is holding its first “Sweet Georgia Blues Recipe Contest” throughout the month of June in celebration of Georgia Blueberry Month. Georgia Blueberry fans are invited to create and photograph an original recipe using Georgia Blueberries. Submissions will be posted on the Georgia Blueberry Commission’s website and Facebook page for voting. Contestants are encouraged to share information about the contest with family and friends to gain more votes. Recipe submission and voting began June 1 and continues through June 30. Winners will be announced on July 8th.The recipe creator with the most votes will win $500. Contestants who receive the second and third most votes will receive a Sweet Georgia Blues Basket (includes blueberry jams, autographed cookbook, etc) and an autographed copy of Hugh Acheson’s A New Turn in the South Cookbook, respectively. For more information and contest rules, log onto http://www.GeorgiaBlueberries.org SUNBELT EXPO FIELD DAY July 11 Sunbelt Agricultural Expo, Spence Field Moultrie This free preview of 36th Annual Sunbelt Expo is an opportunity for farmers to see the latest seed varieties, crop protection, irrigation technology and precision ag technology in an applied research setting. Company representatives and university researchers will make presentations on their equipment and research. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. followed by a free biscuit breakfast with Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau representatives. Trams will depart for the fields promptly at 8 a.m. Tours will last until noon. No lunch will be served. All breakfast attendees will receive a free Expo cap and may register for door prizes including: a Brown 472 six foot rotary cutter, farm tires and a shotgun. For more information, call 229-985-1968 or visit http://www.sunbeltexpo.com.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 INTERNATIONAL AGRIBUSINESS CONFERENCE AND EXPO Sept. 25-26 Savannah International Trade & Convention Center Savannah This inaugural event, sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, will help farmers and businesses learn how to capitalize on the growing export market. Participants will be provided with information on what markets are open to their products, how to export their goods and what exporting can do for their bottom lines. Participants will attend educational forums and workshops, learning from experts in agricultural importing and exporting and about the latest practices in processing value-added agricultural products. They also will have a chance to meet with international trade representatives. The conference’s main sponsor is Georgia Farm Bureau. For more information about the conference’s schedule, see www.iace.us.com. Early registration is $170 and ends July 30. For more information visit http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/iace.html. UGA ENTOMOLOGISTS WANT YOUR CICADAS University of Georgia entomologists are hoping to use the public's interest in this year's emergence of Brood II periodical cicadas as a chance to research and better map the range of the cicadas. UGA entomologists are asking Georgians to collect any intact cicada bodies they find on the ground and send them to the museum. The Georgia Museum of Natural History has an international collection of cicadas ranging in size from smaller than a pinkie fingernail to some Southeast Asian species that are the size of the palm of a hand, all in a rainbow of colors. They also have representatives of several of the broods of 13- and 17-year periodical cicadas, including specimens dating back to the 1930s, but they don't have any Brood II cicadas from Georgia. Having specimens from this brood would help document this emergence in Georgia, Members of the public who find cicada bodies should send them to Richard Hoebeke, Georgia Museum of Natural History, Natural History Building, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. 30602-7882. For more information on the museum, see http://naturalhistory.uga.edu/.