A division of Georgia Farm Bureau
Updated Thursday, May 15, 2008 @ 5:36 PM
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU APPLAUDS CONGRESSIONAL PASSAGE OF FARM BILL -- The members of Georgia's congressional delegation stood up for Georgia's farmers and consumers when they voted for the bipartisan farm bill conference report this week, according to the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation.
The farm bill passed by the House, May 14, and Senate, May 15, gives farmers stability at a time when domestic food security is more important than ever.
"Georgia Farm Bureau thanks the members of Georgia's congressional delegation who voted in favor of the farm bill," Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall (LEFT) said Thursday.
Voting in favor were: Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Dist.1), Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Dist. 2), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Dist. 4), Rep. John Lewis (D-Dist. 5), Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Dist. 8), Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Dist. 11), Rep. John Barrow (D-Dist. 12) and Rep. David Scott (D-Dist. 13). Both Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson also cast votes to pass the farm bill.
“Congress has passed a solid farm bill that is good for Georgia's farmers and also benefits Georgia consumers by ensuring they will have a stable, domestically produced food supply,” Duvall said. “Critics of the farm bill argue farm programs are not needed due to record high commodity prices. While it's true that commodity prices are high, production costs for farmers have increased dramatically, and current high commodity prices may not continue over the five-year life of the farm bill.”
Although prices for corn, soybeans and other commodities are favorable at this point, farmers are not necessarily reaping a windfall. Production expenses such as fuel, fertilizer and feed are at all-time highs, making it more expensive than ever to produce a crop and raise livestock.
Since 2002, the price of diesel fuel has increased 315%, and fertilizer prices have skyrocketed, according to research conducted by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. UGA research also shows the price of nitrogen fertilizer has increased 148%, phosphorous fertilizer has increased 329% and potassium fertilizer has increased 223% since 2002. Rising production costs have eroded many of the benefits farmers are perceived to reap from high commodity prices.
Furthermore, when commodity prices are at record high levels, counter-cyclical payments and loan rates are basically irrelevant. For example, the target price for corn is $2.63/bushel and the loan rate is $1.95. However, the market price for corn is currently around $6/bushel, so, there is no loan deficiency or counter-cyclical payment. Similar scenarios exist for soybeans and wheat.
“Farm bills are important in bad times, and given the cyclical nature of agriculture prices and the unpredictability of weather, farmers need a safety net in place to fall back on as they work to provide food and fuel for the United States and world,” Duvall said.
Another criticism leveled at the farm bill is that there has not been meaningful reform. However, funding for commodity programs in this farm bill is actually reduced $1.7 billion from the 2002 farm bill. Other reform measures included in this farm bill include the requirement for direct attribution of all farm program payments. An individual recipient must receive the payment versus a paper entity. The bill also significantly lowers the income levels used to determine eligibility for farm payments.
“This farm bill has also come under fire with allegations that it takes away funding for the hungry during a time when food prices are rising,” Duvall said. “However, the majority of the farm bill funding is allocated for food and nutrition programs, not farm programs.”
According to farm bill cost estimates released by Congressional Budget Office Director Peter Orszag, May 13, from 2008-2012 when the farm bill would be in effect, spending on the programs it covers would total about $307 billion. Of that sum, $209 billion is for nutrition programs such as school breakfast and lunch programs and food stamps, $35 billion is for agricultural commodity programs and $25 billion is for conservation programs.
“American consumers enjoy the most stable and safest food supply in the world thanks to the efficient agriculture infrastructure we have in our country. USDA statistics show that American shoppers spent only 5.8 percent of their income on food in 2006, a lower proportion than any other nation. In most of the world, consumers spend at least 10 percent and in some countries such as Indonesia, consumers spend as much as 55% of their income on food each year, “ Duvall said. “If we think we have problems now because we're dependant on imported fuel, imagine life if we were dependant on imported food.”
Founded in 1937, the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general farm organization.



ALL POULTRY IN SEOUL KILLED AFTER BIRD FLU OUTBREAK -- South Korean officials said Monday they have killed all poultry in Seoul, the capital, to curb the spread of bird flu following a new outbreak of the disease in the city.
Quarantine officials destroyed 15,000 chickens, ducks, pheasants and turkeys raised in farms, restaurants, schools and homes in the capital, said Kim Yoon-kyu, a Seoul Metropolitan Government official.
The Seoul government said the slaughter was necessary to contain the disease. It said it will now focus on preventing live poultry from being brought into the capital.
The slaughter began Sunday night, hours after authorities confirmed Seoul's second outbreak of bird flu in less than a week.
The slaughter did not affect parrots, parakeets and canaries because they have little chance of spreading the disease, Kim said.
Government tests were under way to determine whether the outbreak was caused by the virulent H5N1 virus, said Kim Chang-seop, an official at the Agriculture Ministry. He said test results would be available as early as Monday night.
Outside Seoul, two outbreaks of the H5N1 virus were reported Sunday in poultry farms in Busan and Ansung, Kim said. He said it was the first time the virus has been found in Busan, the country's second largest city.
They were the 27th and 28th confirmed outbreaks of the H5N1 virus, Agriculture Ministry spokesman Yoon Young-ku said.
Bird flu began sweeping southern parts of the country last month for the first time in more than a year, forcing the slaughter of about 6.8 million birds.
The virus remains hard for people to catch, but scientists worry it could mutate into a form that spreads more easily between humans, with the potential to kill millions worldwide.
Worldwide, at least 241 people have died from bird flu since 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Most human cases have been linked to contact with infected poultry.

GOVERNOR SUSPENDS GAS TAX ON OFF-ROAD DIESEL; SIGNS AG BILLS -- At a ceremony at Georgia Farm Bureau headquarters in Macon Monday morning, Governor Sonny Perdue signed an executive order suspending the collection of the state gas tax on diesel sold for off-road uses. Governor Perdue also signed several agricultural-related pieces of legislation during his visit to Farm Bureau: Senate Bill 515, House Bill 649, House Bill 1178 and House Bill 1088.
“Our farmers have borne the brunt of this multi-year drought, and now face record fuel prices during our planting season,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Suspending this tax will bring needed relief to our state’s largest industry.”
Governor Perdue discussed this idea with the General Assembly’s Rural Caucus towards the end of the 2008 session. The Georgia House and Senate each passed resolutions urging the Governor to consider suspending the tax. The Georgia Farm Bureau has also asked Governor Perdue to consider this action.  
“Suspension of the sales tax on off road diesel fuel would help farmers, it would promote a major segment of our state’s economy, and it would allow for more money to be spent in local rural economies,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall wrote in a letter to the Governor.
Suspension of the tax will save farmers and timber owners the four percent sales tax charged on off-road diesel. The state does not charge an excise tax on this type of fuel, and the executive order does not impact local taxes that are levied. The suspension is expected to offset state revenues by $2 million to $4 million. Off-road diesel is dyed red to differentiate it from on-road diesel, which is not affected by this suspension.
Pursuant to state law, the tax will be suspended until the General Assembly meets again. The legislature has adjourned its regular 2008 session, which means the next meeting of the General Assembly is expected to be in January 2009.
The suspension is effective immediately.
At the same signing cermony, Governor Perdue also signed legislation that will continue to support Georgia’s agricultural community.  
SB 515 sponsored by Sen. John  Bulloch changes the membership of the Seed Commission and dissolves the Commission’s statutorily created advisory board; HB 649 sponsored by Rep. Tommy Smith establishes an Agricultural Commodity Commission for blueberries; HB 1178 sponsored by Rep. Ellis Black extends state sales and use tax exemption sunset on liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel used in a structure in which swine are raised to June 30, 2010 and HB 1088 allows the Department of Transportation to place directional signs on the state highway system that directs passing traffic to an agricultural tourist attraction; this legislation is sponsored by Rep. Butch Parrish.

The Governor’s Executive Order follows:

Whereas:    The price of dyed fuel oils, as used primarily for off road, agricultural uses,         including timber growing or harvesting, has risen substantially; and

Whereas:    This spike in the price of dyed fuel oils has produced an acute strain on Georgia’s agricultural and timber growing or harvesting sectors; and

Whereas:    These circumstances make it appropriate to exercise the authority vested in the Governor pursuant to Code Section 45-12-22 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, to suspend the collection of taxes, or any part thereof, due the state;  and

Whereas:    Suspension of the collections of state sales and use taxes on dyed fuel oils used    for off road purposes may give additional incentive to certain individuals to purchase tax-exempt motor fuel from a licensed distributor designated and   formulated for non-highway use and to subsequently use or permit the motor fuel to be used for highway purposes, such activity being unlawful pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 48-9-17; and

Whereas:    The public is hereby reminded that any person who violates O.C.G.A. § 48-9-17  “shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000.00 nor more than $10,000.00 or by imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor more than 12  months, or both.”

                      Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby Ordered:    
 That the collection of the 4% state sales and use tax as that tax applies to sales of dyed fuel oils as defined in paragraph 5.1 of Code Section 48-9-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated which is used exclusively for agricultural and timber   growing or harvesting purposes and not for highway use as defined in paragraph (8) of Section 48-9-2, be suspended commencing with all sales occurring immediately following the last moment of May 11, 2008, until the General Assembly acts upon this Order. This 12th day of May, 2008. 


GOVERNOR PERDUE SIGNS FOREST LAND CONSERVATION LEGISLATION -- Governor Sonny Perdue Thursday signed The Georgia Forest Land Protection Act of 2008, HB 1211, at the Swainsboro Pine Tree Festival and Timber Expo.  
“I am pleased to sign this legislation that promotes forest land conservation throughout the state and coincides with the Conserve Georgia campaign that we kicked off two weeks ago,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “These bills would not have made it to my desk without the hard of the many legislators joining us here today.”
HB 1211, sponsored by Rep. Richard Royal, creates a property valuation classification of forest land, which has no acreage cap and allows all property owners including businesses to put their property into covenant and receive the tax benefits.  This legislation becomes effective upon the passage of a related constitutional amendment on the ballot in November 2008 (HR 1276).
“The Georgia Forest Land Protection Act of 2008 will protect the state’s environment for years to come and will allow our forest land owners to continue their ownership of these valuable resources by reducing the terrible burden of unfair property taxes,” said Rep. Richard Royal.  “In addition to maintaining the state’s forest land, it will also help ensure clean air and water.”
By entering into a covenant to utilize the forest land for conservation purposes for at least 15 years, Georgia’s private property owners will have the advantage of a lower tax burden on qualifying land for as long as the land is kept in its natural state.
Governor Perdue and Rep. Royal were joined at the bill signing event by Rep. Jim Cole, Rep. Jay Shaw, Rep. Butch Parrish, Rep. Jimmy Pruett, Sen. Ross Tolleson, Sen. John Bulloch and Sen. Jack Hill.
Monday morning, May 12, at 9:30 a.m., the Governor is slated to sign at least four ag-related bills at Georgia Farm Bureau headquarters in Macon.



PROPOSED EQUINE TAG PASSES HALFWAY MARK -- Georgia’s new equine license plate seems well on its way to begin manufacturing.
 So far nearly 600 plates have been pre-ordered, with 1,000 needed for production to begin.
 “I am encouraging drivers, especially horse lovers, to put their car before the horse – the horse license plate,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin. 
 Proceeds from sales of the specialty tag will provide needed funds for promotion, research and educational programs for the state’s equine industry.
 The equine license plate can be ordered by filling out an Application for a Special Interest License Plate (specifying “Georgia Equine Industry”) at any motor vehicle tag office. A one-time manufacturing fee of $25 will be required at the time of order (this will apply to the tag or it will be refunded if the tags are not produced).
Those who order the tag should be sure to obtain a receipt after payment.


MANDATORY PRICE REPORTING GIVES PRODUCERS TRANSPARENCY, ACCURACY -- The American Farm Bureau Federation Thursday hailed a final rule issued by the Agriculture Department that requires meat packers to report prices paid to producers for food animals. Farm Bureau has been an ardent supporter of the livestock mandatory price reporting (LMPR) law and has worked tirelessly toward its implementation.
“The implementation of LMPR will allow for more accurate and timely reporting of most wholesale and retail meat prices and increase transparency in the reporting of livestock sales,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “The LMPR also offers new market information on pricing, contracting and demand conditions, which will greatly benefit livestock producers.”
Under the LMPR law, packers are required to report all transactions involving the purchase of livestock, as well as details of domestic and export sales of boxed beef and lamb cuts. Packers that annually slaughter 125,000 cattle or 100,000 swine are required to report under LMPR.  Packers or processors of 75,000 lambs annually are required to report under the law, as well as importers of 5,000 metric tons of lamb meat.
The LMPR will provide the basis for newly published market news reports, including reports that cover the prior day swine market; forward contract and formula marketing arrangement cattle purchases; packer-owned cattle and sheep information; sales of imported boxed lamb cuts and live lamb premiums and discounts.
AFBF welcomed the implementing rule at a time when pork producers are being financially hard hit.
“We are optimistic that LMPR will help the pork industry with prices at this critical time,” continued Stallman, who said live market hog prices had plunged to levels not seen in nearly a decade, while wholesale pork prices recently hit their lowest in four years.
The new implementing rule of the LMPR will take effect July 15, 2008.


USDA SAYS WEATHER MAY KNOCK DOWN CORN PRODUCTION THIS YEAR -- Corn production this year could be down as much as 7 percent from the record-breaking heights of 2007, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Friday.
The prediction is a foreboding sign for those hoping for a drop in prices.
"What's it mean ultimately? High food prices, for sure," said Don Roose, president of U.S. Commodities in West Des Moines, Iowa, a commodities trading firm.
The USDA report projects farmers will harvest about 12 billion bushels of corn this year. About one-third of the harvest will be directed toward ethanol production, the USDA estimates.
The revised projections came as wet weather in the Corn Belt slowed plantings, causing the greatest delay since 1995. The USDA reported that only 27 percent of the nation's corn crop had been planted through May 4.
Analysts believe Friday's report could extend sky-high corn prices. Prices for the crop have skyrocketed over the last year, lingering for weeks at more than $6 per bushel amid an ethanol boom and more demand for exports.
"Today's report is an indicator that we're going to be living with very high corn prices for a very long time, at least through the next crop year," said Mark McMinimy, an agribusiness and biofuels analyst with the Stanford Group in Washington.
Although the report could prompt high prices, Roose said the USDA was being optimistic in its projections. If nothing changes, there could be even bigger problems than the report suggests, he said.
"In some ways it's actually kind of a bullish report," he said. "The bottom line is it says we're off to a poor start. We needed things to go almost perfect this year to avoid a big problem and so far we're staring at that big problem."
The report could also exacerbate problems for the ethanol industry, which has come under increased fire as global food prices soar.
Recently Texas Gov. Rick Perry and 26 senators, including likely GOP presidential nominee John McCain, asked the Environmental Protection Agency to cut a federal requirement for 9 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol in half.
"This sure does turn up the heat on ethanol subsidies," said Bruce Babcock, the director of Iowa State University's Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. "The industry has been taking heavy fire."
But Babcock said that even if ethanol subsidies were cut dramatically -- a highly improbable scenario -- it would only reduce the price of corn by a dollar or so a bushel.
"It's not like by cutting subsidies we can undue this problem," Babcock said. "There's a lot of demand for corn. And even if they don't have subsidies, if ethanol producers can make a buck or a dime or a nickel processing corn they're going to process it."
McMinimy also predicted more pressure on the ethanol industry after Friday's numbers, although he said the angst was misguided.
"It's fair to say that much of the media and chatter ... has drawn the conclusion that ethanol is the culprit," McMinimy said. "The truth is that's way, way over simplified. But that doesn't mean they won't be feeling the heat as a result.
McMinimy said that the only way he could see corn prices coming down is if yields -- the amount of corn farmers actually harvest -- are higher. The USDA now projects a yield that is "lower than the trend but still by historical standards pretty high," McMinimy said.


LEVEL FOUR DROUGHT RESPONSE CONTINUES FOR MOST OF NORTH GEORGIA -- With extreme drought conditions stretching across the northern third of Georgia and a forecast for a dry summer, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has announced that level four outdoor watering restrictions will remain in place for EPD permitted utilities and local governments in 55 counties. However, the level four restrictions will be lifted in six counties where drought conditions have improved and replaced with level two watering restrictions.
“Winter rain and rising lake levels bring us hope, but citizens should not be fooled into thinking the drought is over,” said EPD Director Carol A. Couch. “We are in better shape than last fall, but we need to continue to manage our water supply to get us through the long hot summer.”
The announcement was made May 14 following a meeting of the State Drought Response Committee.
A Level Four Drought Response prohibits most types of outdoor water use. However Director Couch said that utilities and local governments in the level four counties that do not rely on Lake Lanier and water releases directly from Buford Dam will be allowed to petition for a modified drought response.
“Many local governments have been proactive in making improvements in their water systems,” said Director Couch. “As a result, they are better prepared for drought and the petition process offers some flexibility in how water is managed at the local level.”
Director Couch said a reduction in water releases from lakes Allatoona and Lanier helped raise water levels and she also credited effective water conservation. Under Governor Perdue’s directive, most north Georgians reduced their water use by at least 10 percent from November 2007 through March 2008. The directive expired on March 30.
An EPD analysis of summer water use shows that enforcement of the level four water restrictions combined with voluntary water conservation should achieve a water savings of at least ten percent, so the state directive is no longer in effect, said Director Couch.
The six counties removed from the level four drought response and placed under a level two drought response are Muscogee, Harris, Spalding, Butts, Jasper and Greene counties.
Changes in the state’s drought response in south Georgia also were announced following the committee meeting. Drought conditions have improved in 44 counties that were under a level two drought response and as a result, the drought response will be upgraded to a level one.

The level one drought response area includes Appling, Bacon, Baker, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Grady, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Miller, Montgomery, Mitchell, Pierce, Screven, Seminole, Tattnall, Thomas, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Wayne and Wheeler counties.
Under a declared Drought Response Level One, outdoor water use may occur on scheduled days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.
• Scheduled days for oddnumbered addresses are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
• Scheduled days for evennumbered or unnumbered addresses and golf course fairways are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• Use of hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting, public health, safety or flushing is prohibited.

The level two drought response area includes Atkinson, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Burke, Butts, Calhoun, Chattahoochee, Clay, Coffee, Columbia, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Glascock, Greene, Hancock, Harris, Houston, Irwin, Jasper, Jefferson, Jones, Lamar, Lee, Macon, Marion, Mc Duffie, Monroe, Muscogee, Peach, Pike, Pulaski, Putnam, Quitman, Randolph, Richmond, Schley, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Tift, Turner, Twiggs, Upson, Warren, Washington, Webster,Wilcox, Wilkinson, and Worth counties.
Under a declared Drought Response Level Two, outdoor water use may occur on scheduled days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m.
• Scheduled days for oddnumbered addresses are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
• Scheduled days for evennumbered or unnumbered addresses and golf course fairways are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The following uses are prohibited under Level Two:
• Using hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting, public health, safety or flushing.
• Washing hard surfaces, such as streets, gutters, sidewalks and driveways except when necessary for public health and safety.

The level four drought response area includes Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dade, Dawson, Dekalb, Douglas, Elbert, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Fulton, Gilmer, Gordon, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Hart, Heard, Henry, Jackson, Lincoln, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Morgan, Murray, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Rockdale, Stephens, Towns, Troup, Union, Walker, Walton, White, Whitfield, and Wilkes counties.
Under a declared Drought Response Level Four, most types of outdoor water use is prohibited with some commercial exemptions. In addition, the EPD Director has ordered exemptions to allow the filling of swimming pools and some limited landscape watering.
• Hand watering will be allowed for 25 minutes per day on an oddeven schedule between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Even numbered addresses can water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
•Hand watering is defined as one person with one garden hose.
• New landscape can be watered up to three days a week from midnight to 10 a.m. for a period of 10 weeks based on the odd/even schedule.

Anyone wishing to water new landscape must register with the Outdoor Water Use Registration Program. The program is hosted on the Urban Agricultural Council web site at www.urbanagcouncil.com. Georgians may also contact their county extension agents for assistance in getting registered.
More information about the drought and water conservation can be found at www.conservewatergeorgia.net and www.georgiadrought.org.


HIGH WINDS OVER THE WEEKEND IN GEORGIA -- High winds and scattered rains occurred across Georgia over the weekend, according to the USDA, NASS, Georgia Field Office. Daily average high temperatures were in the lower to mid-80's. Average lows were in the 50's and 60's.
Soil moisture conditions were rated at 10% very short, 43% short, 45% adequate, and 2% surplus.
There were high winds over the weekend. Some lodging was reported, in wheat fields, as the result of the strong winds and rains. The rain was welcomed by farmers. Lack of rain recently has had a negative impact on wheat and hay crops. Dry weather has slowed planting. Some producers had to quit or finish planting cotton and start planting peanuts due to the dry conditions.
Cotton and peanuts were still being planted on irrigated acreage, but most dryland planting ceased. Farmers were irrigating wheat, corn, and hayfields where possible. It was still too cool for most farmers to plant in north Georgia.
Other activities included cutting hay and planting vegetables. County Extension Agents reported an average of 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

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The Georgia Farm Bureau, Inc./dba Georgia Farm Radio Network, does not necessarily agree with nor endorse any of the information contained in the above news stories. The page is merely a digest of what is being said about Agricluture in the media as compiled in the Georgia Farm Radio Network / Clear Channel Networks newsroom.