FDA LISTENING SESSION COVERS PROPOSED FOOD SAFETY RULES A listening session at the Georgia Department of Agriculture on March 20 provided growers with an overview of the FDA’s proposed food safety rules, which were mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The proposed rules follow mandates of the FMSA, which was signed into law in January 2011.

Two rules were published in January. The first outlines steps to be taken in produce safety and the second is a set of preventative controls for human food. The FDA is accepting comments on those rules until May 16. To comment, visit http://tinyurl.com/cl4owce (produce safety) or http://tinyurl.com/d6jkqdm (human consumption).

“What we’re asking you to do is put on one more hat,” said FDA Senior Food Safety Advisor Dr. Jim Gorny, who presented a summary of the rules during the listening session. “That one more hat is managing food safety on your farm.”

The produce safety rule addresses identified routes for microbial contamination, including contact with animals and farm equipment, worker hygiene, agricultural water, growing, packing and holding activities, soil amendments and specific requirements for sprouts.

Covered farms are those with annual sales of more than $25,000 per year that grow, harvest or pack most produce that is usually consumed raw. Gorny said the proposed rules would be phased in based on farm size. Farms with between $25,000 and $250,000 would have four years after the effective date to comply. Farms with annual sales between $250,000 and $500,000 would have three years to comply. Other covered farms would have two years to comply. Additional time is allotted in each category for some water requirements.

Another key part of the rule exempts farms with less than $500,000 in annual food sales whose majority of sales are within 275 miles of the farm from the rule. The only requirement would be for these farms to provide labels stating the farm and location.

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black spoke briefly, saying that the Georgia Department of Agriculture would be heavily involved in educating growers about steps necessary for compliance.

Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall emphasized that as the rule is refined, it should be done so in a way that allows Georgia and Southeastern farmers the same chances for business success as farmers around the U.S. and the world. The FDA is working toward publishing three additional rules for foreign supplier verification, preventive controls for animal food and accrediting for third-party certification.

March 27, 2013 www.gfb.org Vol. 31 No. 13

Gorny

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 DUVALL, GEORGIA AG LEADERS MEET WITH VILSACK

Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and other leaders from the state’s agriculture industry met with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in Atlanta on March 21.

Georgia Poultry Federation President Mike Giles, Georgia Cattleman’s Association Executive Director Josh White, and Federation of Southern Cooperatives Executive Director Ralph Paige also attended the meeting, during which Vilsack expressed his disappointment that Congress had failed to pass a farm bill and stressed that there is still a need for farm programs.

“Anybody who thinks we don’t need a safety net needs his head examined,” said Vilsack, who talked about the budget implications for the Department. “USDA is now operating at $1.1 billion below the level it had when I became secretary in 2009, and there are likely to be furloughs at local FSA offices.”

During the discussion, Duvall requested the Secretary’s help in getting farm labor programs administered by USDA instead of the Department of Labor.

“We believe USDA would be more inclined to help farmers than DOL,” Duvall said. Vilsack was open to the idea, but said, “If we’re going to have more responsibility, we’ve got to have the resources to do it.”

Duvall also asked about the HSUS/UEP agreement regarding the federal regulation of layer hen cages. Vilsack made some favorable statements about the plan in January, and Duvall outlined GFB’s reason for opposing the proposal. GCA’s Josh White echoed these points.

“We appreciate Secretary Vilsack having this meeting, and we are grateful to Commissioner Black for coordinating it,” said Duvall. “We don’t often get this kind of one-on-one conversation with the Secretary of Agriculture.”

SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION ELECTS BOARD; COMMISSION AWARDS GRANTS

The Georgia/Florida Soybean Association has elected its officers and board members for 2013. Walter Godwin was elected president, Joe Moore vice president and Steve Yoder Jr. secretary/treasurer. Other grower directors are: Thomas Kessler, Lanier Worsham Jr. and Brian Ogletree.

Drs. Roger Boerma and Jared Whitaker were appointed as directors for education. Lane Morrell and Georgia Farm Bureau Marketing Specialist Taylor Sills were appointed as

directors for industry. Godwin will represent the association on the United Soybean Board, and Moore will be the American Soybean Association representative.

The Georgia Soybean Commission met on Jan. 23 to review applications for grants from University of Georgia soybean research scientists and extension professionals. The grants are funded by the national soybean checkoff program designed to enhance research relating to efficient soybean production and thereby increasing grower profits. The funds may also be used for education and promotion of soybean products.

The commission awarded eight research grants totaling $156,800 to University of Georgia soybean research scientists and extension researchers. An additional $30,200 was provided to the Georgia/Florida Soybean Association, the Georgia Farm Bureau Farm Monitor and the Southern Soybean Research Program for promotion and research projects.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 MULTIPLE FARMS SUSTAIN SIGNIFICANT STORM DAMAGE

Two separate storm systems rolled through Georgia the week of March 18-23, leaving extensive agricultural damage to multiple farms around the state.

Southern Swiss Dairy in Burke County, operated by Burke County Farm Bureau Director Jimmy Franks and his wife Ginny, lost four barns, an equipment shed, two calf barns and four cows to a tornado that touched down on March 18. One of the barns, a free stall barn, collapsed on top of approximately 30 cows, Ginny Franks said.

Despite the damage, the Franks resumed milking and bottling their milk and continued deliveries to their customers, though the damage on their farm left them scrambling to cover their delivery routes.

“It’ll be a long time before we’re normal,” Ginny said. Also on March 18, Pike County Farm Bureau member Stephen Goodman had just gotten

home about 6:30 p.m. when an EF2 tornado ripped through his property, destroying his shop, equipment barn and hay barn while downing fences and causing significant damage to his house and his grandmother’s house.

Goodman saw the tornado in a pasture on his property near the Flint River. He took cover in the crawl space under his house and said he could see debris and hail falling through the crawl space doors.

“I feel very fortunate,” said Goodman, who has approximately 165 cows, most of which have calves. “By midnight we had all our cattle in a fence that would hold them. It’s a big bump, but one we’re going to get over.”

He said two bulls that got out got into a fight, resulting in injuries to one that likely will have to be sold.

On March 23, Bacon County blueberry farmer Steven Mullis lost most of his crop when the berries were blown from the bushes, according to published reports.

FSIS FURLOUGHS AVERTED; DIRECT PAYMENTS CUT IN SEQUESTRATION

An amendment to the continuing resolution passed by Congress included an amendment to provide funding for the Food Safety Inspection Service, preventing meat inspector furloughs that were a part of the USDA’s sequestration plan.

The continuing resolution was signed by President Obama on March 26 and provides funding for the federal government through Sept. 30. The USDA had announced plans to furlough all of its meat inspectors for 11 days beginning in July to comply with sequestration requirements.

Since meat cannot be sold to the public in the U.S. without going through inspections, there was concern that the furloughs would disrupt the U.S. food supply and cause economic harm to livestock producers and their employees. The amendment diverted funds from other USDA programs to the FSIS.

Among the sequestration cuts to USDA programs was a reduction of direct payments by as much as 8.5 percent. In addition, payments are deferred in the 2011 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE), the Noninsured Crop Disaster Asistance Program (NAP) for crop years 2012 and 2013, and the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC). According to FSA Administrator Juan Garcia, plans are for those payments will resume in late April.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 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 52nd 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. PLANTAPALOOZA April 6 Multiple locations 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Athens This plant sale at three University of Georgia locations, will be held at the State Botanical Garden, the Trial Gardens and the UGA Horticulture Club. Each sale offers a different experience and the opportunity to gather plants and information for a garden. Plantapalooza participants will receive a 5 percent discount stamp at each plant sale that can be used at the following local nurseries. All three stamps will add up to a 15 percent discount on full price plants during normal business hours that weekend. Additional information, including a list of participating retailers, is available at 706/542-6014 or http://plantapalooza.uga.edu.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 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. BROAD RIVER BEEF CATTLE & FORAGE FIELD DAY April 17 Moore Cattle Company 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Washington This free event, sponsored by 2 Rivers Resource Conservation & Development, the NRCS, FSA, UGA Cooperative Extension, Wilkes County chapter of Georgia Young Farmers and the Central Savannah River RC&D, will begin with registration at 9 a.m. Topics to be covered are utilizing winter animals, soil health benefits of managed grazing, fly control for beef cattle and low stress handling of cattle. Lunch will be provided. To register, contact Wilkes County Cooperative Extension at 706-678-2332. 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. NRCS ACCEPTING AWEP APPLICATIONS THROUGH APRIL 19 Approximately $1.2 million in financial assistance has been approved for the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) in the Lower Flint River Basin project. Local NRCS offices will be taking applications through April 19. This project will improve water efficiency by deploying advanced irrigation management practices across 27 counties in Southwest Georgia. Funded practices include low pressure drop nozzle irrigation retrofits with end gun shut-offs, remote soil moisture monitoring, sod based rotation and variable rate irrigation. Everyone receiving assistance through AWEP must meet Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) eligibility requirements. For more information about specific AWEP projects visit: http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov, or visit the nearest USDA Service Center. GEORGIA HERD SALE April 23 Tifton Bull Evaluation Center 12:30 p.m. Irwinville 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

Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 14TH ANNUAL PANHANDLE MULE DAY April 27 Panhandle Mule Farm 9 a.m. Reynolds The heritage of breaking land comes alive at this annual event that provides fun for the whole family. Mule Day features antique engines, tractors and implements on display, mule-drawn plowing and live entertainment. For more information call Steve Montgomery at 478-837-1044. 2013 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE May 9-11 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 9 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 10 and 11 provide training and certification, including individual and colony biology, low-tech beekeeping, occupational safety and much more. Registration fees for 18 and older is $110 for one day and $175 for two days. For ages 11-18, fees are $50 for one day and $80 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 Tabitha Davidson at tabithakristine@gmail.com or 770-329-9449. GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM NOMINATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1 The Georgia Centennial Farm Program, which recognizes to historic farms and encourages their preservation is accepting nominations for farms to be honored during the Georgia National Fair in October. Each nominee farm must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres of the original purchase actively involved in agricultural production and must generate at least $1,000 in annual farm-generated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years. The Georgia Centennial Farm Program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia Forestry Commission; and the Georgia National Fair and Agricenter. For more information, contact Steven Moffson, Chair of the Georgia Centennial Farm Committee, at 404-651-5906 or at steven.moffson@dnr.state.ga.us. The postmark deadline for applications is May 1 of each year. Applications are available online at www.georgiacentennialfarms.org. SMALL RUMINANT PARASITE CONTROL CONFERENCE May 20-22 Pettigrew Center, Fort Valley State University Fort Valley This “train the trainer” symposium for parasite management will educate stakeholders in the small ruminant industry on the most up-to-date methods and recommendations for parasite control. Training and certification will also be provided in integrated parasite management in small ruminants, including sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas and others. Full registration is $250 per person until May 1 and $300 after May 1. Registration for one day of the conference is $125 until May 1 and $150 after May 1. For more information or to register, visit http://www.fvsu.edu/acsrpc_registration.