FAVORABLE YEAR FORECAST AT 2013 AG FORECAST MEETING

Overall, 2013 is expected to be a favorable year for agriculture according to UGA Economist Dr. Curt Lacy, who spoke at Georgia Farm Bureau on Jan. 29 in the third installment of the 2013

Ag Forecast Meetings, which had the theme of “Farm to Port: Maximizing the global impact of Georgia agriculture.’

Lacy said that in general crop prices are expected to remain firm, both nationwide and in Georgia, but that rainfall in the Midwest and the U.S. economic recovery would be key factors in agriculture’s success in 2013. Input costs are expected to continue rising. Meat supplies are expected to decline in 2013 after remaining the same from 2011 to 2012, and Lacy said prices for steers and slaughter cows could rise slightly in 2013 and 2014, attributable largely to drought conditions in the Midwest, which affect feed supplies and prices and drive herd decisions by livestock owners.

“When you’re looking at these grain markets and some of these livestock markets, you really don’t need an economist,” Lacy said. “What you need is somebody who’s a fortune teller, somebody who can tell you whether it’s

going to rain or not. That’s what’s going to make the difference this year in whether we have $5 [per bushel] corn or $8 corn.”

Lacy said that commodity prices for corn, sorghum, soybeans and wheat are all expected to increase, while those for cotton and peanuts are expected to decline.

Kathe Falls of the Georgia Department of Economic Development provided the keynote address, outlining what her department does to facilitate exports of Georgia commodities. Falls noted that international trade provides more than 187,000 jobs for Georgians. The department provides a variety of export-related services. For more information about the department’s services, visit http://www.georgia.org or call 404-962-4122.

The state’s exports in 2011, the most recent year for which statistics were available, totalled $34.7 billion. At the port of Savannah, the second-largest U.S. container port for exports, 39 percent of the exports were agricultural commodities in FY 2012. Falls pointed out that 97 percent of exporters are small- to medium-sized companies and many of them export to diversify their risk.

“A downturn in one economy is offset by a boom in another,” said Falls, who has worked in international trade with the Department of Economic Development for 27 years. “I have seen more interest in exporting in the past three years than I’ve seen in the other years. A lot of that has to do with the downturn in the U.S. economy. Folks are looking overseas for other opportunities.”

Peach County pecan and peach grower Al Pearson shared his experiences exporting both of his major crops, saying exports were going very well for pecans with the expansion of the market in China since 1998, but exporting peaches had presented many more hurdles.

January 30, 2013 www.gfb.org Vol. 31 No. 5

Falls

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6

OUTLOOK FOR GEORGIA CORN GROWERS PROMISING

The price of corn will continue to be volatile in 2013, with prices most likely trending downwards on the prospect of a crop larger this year than last, University of Georgia Ag Economist Nathan Smith told growers during the 2013 Corn Short Course held Jan. 15 in Tifton.

But the good news for Georgia corn growers is that the UGA estimated net return for corn per acre looks better than other crops in 2013. Despite expected increases in fuel and fertilizer costs, Smith said corn seed prices seem to be fairly stable depending on the variety.

On Jan. 11 the USDA announced the 2012/2013 projected ending stocks for corn at 602 million bushels, their lowest level since 2003/2004, Smith said. Projections for the 2013 U.S. corn crop’s planted acreage range from 96 million acres to 98.5 million acres, with between 87.4 to 91.1 million harvested acres, a yield per acre of 135 to 161 bushels/acre and ending stocks between 795 million to 2.2 billion bushels. Smith said prices could range from $5 per bushel if the U.S. has a high crop yield to $5.50 per bushel if there is a medium crop yield.

Danny Willingham, chairman of the Georgia Corn Commission and Rodney Harrell, president of the Georgia Corn Growers Association (GCGA), gave updates on their respective organizations. Willingham said the commission was funding $265,489 for research programs to study corn production issues.

Harrell said the growth in attendance at the annual meeting corresponds to increased corn acreage but noted the organization has room for growth as there are an estimated 17,000 farmers growing corn in Georgia but currently only 107 members. He encouraged corn growers to join the GCGA for which dues are only $30 a year or $75 for three years.

Both organizations have joined forces to create a new website for Georgia corn producers – http://www.georgiacorngrowers.org.

Winners of the 2012 Georgia High Yield Corn Contest were named during the corn short course. In the irrigated category, Randy Dowdy of Brooks County won the Georgia High Yield Corn Production Award and the High Yield Corn Production Efficiency Award for producing 374 bushels/acre at $2.54 per bushel.

The 2nd place Irrigated High Yield Corn Production Award went to Jeremy Williams of Peach County for producing 326 bushels/acre. The 2nd place Irrigated High Yield Corn Production Efficiency Award went to Stephen Scott of Seminole County for producing 291 bushels/acre at $2.69 per bushel.

In the dryland category, Richard Weaver of Gordon County won the Georgia High Yield Corn Production Award and the High Yield Corn Production Efficiency Award for producing 195.7 bushels/acre at $2.55 per bushel. No second place awards for production or efficiency was presented in the dryland category.

FARM BILL REINTRODUCED IN U.S. SENATE

On Jan. 22 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) reintroduced a bill, S.10, to reauthorize farm programs through 2018. The bill was assigned to the Senate Ag Committee.

This is the same farm bill that was passed in the Senate last year by a 64-35 vote. Both Georgia Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson voted against it out of concerns over inequities between commodities and regions. The bill would eliminate direct payments and restructure the commodity programs around crop insurance.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 SOYBEAN EXPO SPOTLIGHTS RR PATENT, KUDZU BUG CONTROL

Georgia soybean growers received insights into what will happen when the patents expire for Roundup Ready soybean seeds and approaches on controlling kudzu bugs during the 2013

Georgia/Florida Soybean/Small Grain Expo, held Jan. 24 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black spoke during the association luncheon, noting that the Georgia Department of Agriculture, like many state agencies, had to cut 3 percent of its budget, or approximately $1 million.

“We’re not going to be disproportionately hit,” Black said. “You’ve got to make a business case for your operation. Our ability to have a good business plan moving forward, our regulatory programs, our marketing programs ... we’re turning heads with those concepts, and I think it’s going to position us well to be a healthy agency going forward.”

Among the cuts to the GDA budget were two agricultural labor representative positions that were authorized and hired last year. According to published reports, Black indicated that the results of the program did not meet expectations.

The Georgia/Florida Soybean Association presented its production and extension awards during the lunch business meeting. Spalding County farmers Bobby and Brian Ogletree won the dryland production award, yielding 68 bushels per acre, while Washington County’s Glenn Waller won in the irrigated category, producing 77.6 bushels per acre. Effingham County Extension Coordinator Bill Tyson and UGA Professor of Entomology Dr. Phillip Roberts were presented with 2013 Extension Awards.

The Roundup Ready patent for soybean seeds in the U.S. expires in 2014. Georgia seed Development Center Executive Director Dr. Robert Boerma told growers that while the expiration of the patent means they’ll no longer have to pay technology fees to Monsanto for the Roundup Ready trait, most seed varieties have multiple patents governing their use.

Roberts presented information on controlling kudzu bugs, an invasive pest that consumes the stems and leaf stalks of soybean plants, though not the pods. Roberts said they typically have greatest impact at field edges and populations tend to be higher in early-planted soybeans. Roberts noted that kudzu bugs are easy to kill with contemporary pesticides.

CHAMBLISS, HARKIN OPT NOT TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION

Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who has worked as a member of Georgia’s Congressional delegation for 20 years, announced on Jan. 25 that he would not seek re-election.

Chambliss expressed frustration at the inaction in Congress on key economic issues, a state of affairs he feels is unlikely to change any time soon.

Chambliss has provided leadership on the passage of four farm bills and 18 defense authorization bills, and has chaired major Senate committees eight of the past 10 years, including a stint as chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry.

“There are two years left in my term, and there is lots left to do. I am in good health, and I plan to continue working hard to represent the best interests of Georgians, and to do my utmost to help restore America to its economic greatness,” Chambliss said.

Fellow Senate Ag Committee member Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), another former Ag Committee chairman, has also announced his plan not to seek re-election.

Black

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE DEADLINE IS FEB. 4 The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the census every five years to get a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches and those who operate them. Completed Census of Agriculture forms are due by Feb. 4. Producers may fill out the census online via a secure website, http://www.agcensus.usda.gov, or return their form by mail. Federal law requires all agricultural producers to participate in the census and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential. Local, state and federal governments, ag organizations and agribusinesses rely on census data to help farmers. The Census of Agriculture includes anyone who produced or sold $1,000 or more of agricultural products in 2012. NASS has mailed out the forms to collect data for the 2012 calendar year. For more information call 1-888-424-7828 or the Georgia Field Office at 1-800-253-4419. BERMUDAGRASS STEM MAGGOT MANAGEMENT WEBINAR Feb. 6 11 a.m. online This webinar, this webinar is an excellent opportunity for cattle and forage producers to get an update on the bermudagrass stem maggot. Drs. William Hudson and Dennis Hancock from the University of Georgia will discuss the status of this new invasive pest and provide research-based information on what is known about its biology and management. Questions for the speakers can be submitted during the webinar via e-mail and will be answered during the webinar. The webinar will be recorded so it can be viewed at any time after Feb. 6. This webinar has been organized and facilitated under a partnership with Auburn University. Information on how to connect to the live stream can be found at http://www.aces.edu/events/index.php. CLIMATE ADAPTATION WORKSHOP Feb. 8 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tifton This free one-day workshop, sponsored by the Southeast Climate Consortium, the Florida Climate Institute and the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, will bring together experts from the University of Georgia, the University of Florida, and Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Florida A&M to discuss the latest techniques for helping farmers manage unpredictable weather conditions. Producers will also be on hand to talk about how new irrigation systems, crop varieties and land management techniques have worked on their farms. Sessions will be offered on sensor-based irrigation management, variable rate irrigation, drip irrigation, sod-based rotation, conservation tillage, cover crops and energy efficient farm systems. There will also be discussions on crop insurance issues, barriers and solutions to changing management and the seasonal climate outlook. For more information or to register visit www.agroclimate.org/seclimate/events. FLAVOR OF GEORGIA FOOD PRODUCT CONTEST The UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development sponsors this annual contest, designed to help Georgia-based food entrepreneurs showcase their products. Contestants may submit as many products as they like. The categories are: barbecue and hot sauces; jams, jellies and sauces; confections; meat products; dairy products and snack foods. Registration is open and runs through Feb. 8, 2013. Finalists will be invited to take part in a final judging on March 11, 2013 and a public tasting on March 12 at Ag Awareness Day in Georgia event, when the winners will also be announced. For more information about the contest, including registration information, visit http://www.flavorofgeorgia.caes.uga.ed or call 706-583-0347.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 6 GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DAY AT THE CAPITOL Feb. 12 Georgia Depot and State Capitol 9:30 a.m. 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 of the historic Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, located next to Underground Atlanta. Free parking at Turner Field will be available with a shuttle service that runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information contact the GFB Legislative Department at 1-800-342-1192 or your local county Farm Bureau office. GA PORK PRODUCERS MEETING & PORK ACT DELEGATE ELECTION Feb. 12 Georgia Farm Bureau Home Office Macon Georgia pork producers will elect delegate candidates as outlined in the Pork Act for the 2014 National Pork Forum at 1:30 p.m. along with a meeting of the Georgia Pork Producers Association Board of Directors. Producers should bring a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff was paid to be eligible as delegates or candidates or participate in the election. This meeting will follow the 2013 Georgia Pork Congress that begins with the meeting at 8:30 a.m. For information, contact the Georgia Pork Producers Association at 229-246-8297. ORNAMENTAL PRUNING CLASSES Feb. 15 & 22 UGA Research and Education Garden 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Griffin This one-day course will teach participants how to properly prune ornamentals and cover how to prune fruit trees. In addition to proper pruning techniques, participants will learn what equipment to use, when, where and how to prune certain plants and techniques for creating a professional-looking landscape. Participants should check the weather and dress accordingly dress for the outdoor session. The cost of the course is $59, which includes lunch and break refreshments. Visit http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=4629 for more information. Pre-registration is required by calling 770-228-7214. 2013 FOREST BIOENERGY CONFERENCE Feb. 21 Central Georgia Convention Center 7:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m. Forsyth Interest in forest biomass as a potential feedstock for renewable energy facilities has been especially keen for the past several years and much of the activity has been centered in Georgia. This conference is an excellent opportunity to hear from some of the players on the front lines of developing markets, influencing government policies, and conducting research on how these changes may impact our wood supply system. The conference is sponsored by the Georgia Forestry Association and the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. For more information please visit www.gfagrow.org or call 478-992-8110. 2013 GEORGIA FARM TO SCHOOL SUMMIT Feb. 21-22 Georgia International Conference Center College Park This two-day event, presented by the Georgia Farm to School Alliance, of which Georgia Farm Bureau is a member, features 16 workshops featuring experts and leaders from around the state, four field trips, a youth leaders panel, food and farm safety workshops for cafeteria staff and farmers and networking opportunities. Keynote Speaker Debra Eschmeyer is the Co-Founder and Director of Parterships and Policy of FoodCorps and an organic fruit and vegetable farmer. The GICC is located at 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA, 30337. Registration is $125 for both days or $100 for Thursday only. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/afzu7ed.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 6 GFB SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEB. 22 Students wishing to apply for one of 10 Georgia Farm Bureau Scholarships have until Feb. 22 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 2013-2014 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. BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING Feb. 28 Ramada Conference Center Perry Meeting begins at 2 p.m. Call 229-469-4038 to RSVP or for more information. OLD SOUTH FARM CAMP March - May Old South Farm Woodland These three-day camps, which typically will run from Friday through Sunday, include a variety of vintage farm activities, including milking cows, making butter and buttermilk, a session on honeybees, sessions on operating a tractor and much more. Registration is $200 per person and discounts are available for multiple members of the same family. Fees cover meals, housing, transportation and instructional activities. For more information or to register, contact Paul Bulloch at 706-975-9136 or visit http://www.oldsouthfarm.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.