COTTON AND PEANUT FIELD DAY SHOWS OFF RESEARCH

Visitors at the 2012 UGA Cotton & Peanut Research Field Day learned about advances in peanut genome work, the emergence of a relatively new cotton disease and management of stressors for both crops to optimize yields and quality.

The field day, held Sept. 12 at UGA’s Tifton Campus on Gibbs Farm and Lang Farm, featured sessions on cotton agronomics, variety testing, breeding and cropping systems, peanut fertility and a number of others.

UGA Extension specialist Dr. Bob Kemerait noted that both crops experienced unusual stresses related to the warmer weather through winter months earlier this year. There was an early emergence of white mold on peanuts and nematodes persisted throughout the winter months in cotton, compounded by the removal of the use of Temik.

“Temik has been such a workhorse,” Kemerait said. “We’re looking to find out how we manage nematodes with the tools we have, with the varieties we have, with the management strategies we have and still make a profit for these growers.”

Kemerait also discussed the emergence of target spot disease in Georgia cotton fields. Target spot causes extensive unexpected defoliation, spots on the bracks, possible boll damage and ultimately reduced yields.

Kemerait said fungicides may turn out to be effective in controlling target spot, though studies continue into which fungicides and application methods work best.

In peanut fertility and breeding research, Dr. Peggy Ozias-Akins indicated that sequencing of the peanut genome has been completed and the markers for high oleic trait in peanuts have been located. The high oleic trait in peanuts has been linked to extending shelf life. Ozias-Akins also said researchers are looking for resistance traits for leaf spot and white mold.

UGA Professor of Entomology Dr. Phillip Roberts talked about approaches to insect control, emphasizing the importance of using cotton scouts.

Extension Peanut Agronomist Dr. John Beasley talked about the university's studies into peanut responses to insect pressures, planting patterns and nutrient applications, while UGA Assistant Professor Dr. Scott Tubbs reviewed his team’s projects in tillage systems and rotation of peanuts and wheat crops.

UGA Professor of Plant Pathology Dr. Tim Brenneman showed a peanut plant affected by white mold, noting that in some areas of the South the occurrence of white mold has been extremely heavy.

October 3, 2012 www.gfb.org Vol. 30 No. 40

Leadership Alert page 2 of 6 PEANUT HARVEST COULD BE HISTORICALLY LARGE

With a sharp increase in planted acreage and yields that in some cases may easily surpass 4,000 pounds per acre, Georgia peanut farmers could see a record peanut harvest.

“We’re hearing some very good yields on peanuts that have already been harvested,” said Georgia Farm Bureau Peanut Committee Chairman Wes Shannon. “This year looks like an excellent year for peanuts. We’ve had quite a bit of rain the past five or six weeks. The only concern now is it’s about harvest time and we kind of want it to dry out a little bit.”

The September crop report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service projected Georgia’s peanut production at more than 2.8 billion pounds, easily surpassing the previous record year, 2008, when Georgia growers produced 2.33 billion pounds of peanuts. CAPITAL GAINS TAX A BARRIER TO FARM SUCCESSION

With capital gains tax rates scheduled to rise on Jan. 1 with the expiration of Bush-era tax cuts, the American Farm Bureau Federation is urging Congress to reform the capital gains tax because of its detriment to young and beginning farmers.

In a statement submitted to the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees’ joint hearing on tax reform on Sept. 20, AFBF said the cumbersome tax makes it difficult for current farmers to pass the torch to a new generation of agriculturalists.

Capital gains taxes apply when land and buildings from a farm or ranch are transferred to a new or expanding farmer while the owner is still alive. This occurs most often when a farmer wants to expand his or her farm or ranch to take in a son or daughter, or when a retiring farmer sells his or her business to a beginning farmer.

The AFBF noted in its statement that since approximately 40 percent of farmland is owned by individuals age 65 or older, capital gains taxes provide an additional barrier to entry for young farmers and ranchers at a time when it is already difficult for them to enter the industry. Capital gains tax liabilities encourage farmers to keep their land rather than sell it, creating a barrier for new and expanding farms and ranches to use that land for agricultural purposes.

The added cost also increases the likelihood that farm and ranch land will be sold outside of agriculture for commercial uses to investors who are willing to pay more, causing agricultural land and open space to be lost to other land uses.

The capital gains tax especially hurts farmers because agriculture requires large investments in land and buildings that are held for long periods of time and account for 76 percent of farmers’ assets.

Further, 40 percent of all farmers report some capital gains; nearly double the share for all taxpayers. The average amount of capital gains reported by farmers is about 50 percent higher than the average capital gain reported by other taxpayers.

Because capital gains taxes are imposed when buildings, breeding livestock and land are sold, it is more costly for producers to shed unneeded assets to generate revenue to adapt, expand and upgrade their operations. This is neither good for the long-term prosperity of farm and ranch operations or for the rural economies their operations help sustain.

The top capital gains tax rate will increase by a third on the first of the year, from 15 percent to 20 percent. Farm Bureau supports a permanent extension of the 15 percent rate.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 6 HSUS PRESIDENT SEEKS TYSON BOARD SEAT; HSUS SUING PORK BOARD

With the stated goal of eliminating the use of gestation crates in hog breeding, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) President Wayne Pacelle is seeking a seat on the board of directors for Tyson Foods, according to an Oct. 2 press release from the animal activist organization. Pacelle will be advised by billionaire investor Carl Icahn in his efforts to join the board of Tyson, the world's second-largest meat company.

Pacelle indicated he will urge the company to commit to a definite time frame to phase out the confinement of sows in gestation crates.

According to the press release, Icahn indicated it would be extremely difficult for Pacelle to be elected to the Tyson board through a proxy fight because of the company's stockholder voting provisions.

“We’re not surprised Wayne Pacelle wants to sit on our board. We’re handling the nomination according to the law and our company’s by-laws. We’re committed to humane animal treatment and expect the same from the independent family farmers who supply us with chickens, hogs and cattle,” Tyson said in a company statement.

Meanwhile, Conagra Foods Inc. joined a growing list of major corporations to announce plans to phase out the use of gestation crates in its supply chain. That group includes McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Kroger, Oscar Mayer and others.

In another move against the meat industry, the HSUS and Iowa swine producer Harvey Dillenberg filed suit against Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA on Sept. 24, alleging improprieties in the sale of the advertising slogan “The Other White Meat” from the National Pork Producers Council to the National Pork Board in 2006.

The National Pork Board, or Pork Checkoff, operates under supervision of the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

The National Pork Board responded by saying the suit “challenges the legitimate purchase of a valuable business asset,” in a statement from CEO Chris Novak.

“The Other White Meat is an incredibly valuable asset, which is why the board in 2006 took steps to assure it would always be owned by pork producers,” Novak said. “In 2000, Northwestern University conducted a study that determined that The Other White Meat was one of the five most recognizable taglines in contemporary advertising. So it was important to producers that it be protected.”

The NPPC said in a statement that the complaint is without merit. ARGENTINA FILES WTO CASE AGAINST U.S.; JAPAN EASES BEEF LIMITS

Challenging U.S. limits on imports of beef and lemons, Argentina filed dispute proceedings against the U.S. with the WTO in early September. Argentinian beef has been banned from the U.S. since 2001 out of concerns over foot-and-mouth disease. Lemons from Argentina have been banned since 2000.

According to published reports, Argentina’s dispute is in retaliation for a U.S. challenge in the WTO over Argentina’s restrictive import licensing procedures.

Meanwhile, a panel advising the Japanese government on food safety recommended easing restrictions on imports of U.S. beef, raising the age limit for cattle allowed to be imported from 20 months to 30 months, saying the risks were minimal, with little effect on human health.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 6 LUKE BRYAN FARM TOUR Oct. 3 Longneedle Farm Claxton Oct. 4 Campus Beach Seneca, S.C. Oct. 5 Adams Farm Auburn, Ala. Oct. 6 Valdosta Wake Compound Valdosta Oct. 10 V-Plex Villa Rica Oct. 11 Tucker Plantation Colbert Oct. 12 Tallahassee Automobile Museum Tallahassee, Fla. Oct. 13 Midway at Central Park Macon Country music artist and Lee County Farm Bureau member Luke Bryan embarks on his 2012 Farm Tour, sponsored by Country Financial, Harveys Supermarkets, Case IH, BMI, Great American Country. The series of concerts features Rhett Atkins and Dallas Davidson of the Peach Pickers, Chancie Neal, and Cole Swindell Each venue is near a university, and Bryan’s organization is sponsoring a college scholarship at each of them for a student from a farm family. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will fund the scholarships. General admission is $30 in advance and $35 the day of the show. To order tickets, visit http://www.lukebryan.com/farmtour. GEORGIA FARM BUREAU DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS Oct. 9 9th District Mitchell County Ag Center 7 p.m. Camilla Oct. 11 7th District First Baptist Church 7 p.m. Statesboro Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. These meetings are for Farm Bureau members only and are not open to the general public. EPA ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON RFS WAIVER REQUESTS In response to requests to waive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements from governors of several states, including Georgia’s Nathan Deal, the EPA is seeking public comments. The EPA has the authority to waive the RFS standard if its implementation would cause severe economic or environmental harm. Those requesting a waiver contend that short supplies of grain used in ethanol production have resulted in severe price increases for livestock feed. Interested parties have until Oct. 11 to submit written comments. The original deadline was Sept. 26, but the EPA granted a 15-day extension. To submit a comment, visit http://tinyurl.com/9asme8u. NOMINATIONS NEEDED FOR PEANUT STANDARDS BOARD The USDA is seeking nominations for the Peanut Standards Board. The board is composed of 18 members that equally represent peanut growers and the industry. Selected nominees will replace six members whose terms expired June 30, 2012, including two from the Southeast region (Alabama, Georgia and Florida). Nominations must be submitted by Oct. 12, 2012. The Secretary of Agriculture will select a grower and an industry representative from each region’s pool of nominees. For more information or to download a nomination form, visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/PeanutStandardsBoard., or contact the Marketing Order and Agreement Division by phone at 863-324-3375, fax 863-325-8793, or e-mail: Jennie.Varela@ams.usda.gov or Christian.Nissen@ams.usda.gov. NRCS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION GRANTS The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications until Oct. 15 for grants intended to help farmers fund projects that will make their farms more drought tolerant. The NRCS is offering up to $5 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to evaluate and demonstrate farming practices that help producers adapt to drought. Funds will be awarded through a competitive grants process. To apply, visit http://www.grants.gov or contact the NRCS National CIG office at 703-235-8065. Leadership Alert page 5 of 6

CRP PLAN: START TO FINISH WORKSHOP Oct. 23 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center 9 a.m. Tifton This one-day classroom and field workshop, sponsored by the Conservation Reserve Program Readiness Initiative (CRPRI) and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Services, will focus on developing a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) plan. Students will be walked through the CRP conservation planning process step by step. Students in this course will learn how to develop NRCS-required maps, use online tools to evaluate soils and choose the best conservation practices, assess installation and maintenance specifications and develop a timeline so landowners can meet all CRP program requirements. Online courses are also available covering Online Core Training, the Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS), the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2) and online web tools. Oct. 16 is the deadline to register. For more information, contact David Ferrell, CRP Readiness Initiative Southern Media Contact, at 912-337-5548 or ferrell2302@gmail.com. To register for the Georgia workshop or online courses, or to learn more, visit http://facesofcrp.info/training/. Directions to the Tifton Conference Center are available at http://www.ugatiftonconference.org. HORSE PASTURE FIELD DAY Oct. 25 3340 Ga. Highway 16 West 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Monticello This free event will cover a variety of topics related to equine forage, including equine nutrition, forage systems, weed control and demonstrations. There will be a sponsored dinner, during which the Conservationist of the Year Award will be given. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the Jasper County Extension Office at 706-468-6479 by noon on Oct. 24. GEORGIA GROWN SYMPOSIUM TO PROVIDE MARKETING TIPS Nov. 8-9 Marriott City Center Macon The first Georgia Grown Symposium will focus on the production, distribution and the consumer side of food products as part of the state’s Georgia Grown marketing program, which links producers and consumers. The two-day symposium, titled “Growing Your Business through Georgia Grown,” will offer participants a variety of workshops, ranging from finance, food safety, contracts and licensing, regulations, economic development and agritourism with workshops led by experts. The 2012 symposium is open to both Georgia Grown members and non-members. Pre-registration is required to attend; log on to http://georgiagrownsymposium.eventbrite.com to register and see updates on topics and speakers. The registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 26. HAWKINSVILLE HARVEST FEST/PIGS & PRODUCE BARBECUE CONTEST Oct. 26 & 27 Courthouse Square Hawkinsville Better Hometown of Hawkinsville will host the annual Harvest Fest featuring the Pigs and Produce barbecue competition, an official contest sanctioned by the Georgia Barbecue Association. Along with some great professional barbecue teams and some very interesting ancillary categories, Hawkinsville will host two very unique events at this festival: The first ever Georgia State Boiled Peanut Championship sponsored by Hardy Farms Peanuts and the Old vs. New Faceoff. The head-to-head Old vs. New Faceoff contest will be held on the courthouse square in downtown Hawkinsville between barbecue legend Myron Mixon of Jack’s Old South and his son, Michael Mixon of Jack’s New South. Entrants in the Boiled Peanut Championship must use peanuts provided by Hardy Farms, must cook the peanuts on site and must present a sample for judging at the specified judging time. Entry fee for the Boiled Peanut Championship is $25. The GBA contest is open to GBA registered competitors. Fees $85 in each of three categories: Ribs, pulled pork and pork loin. There are also four ancillary contests at the event. The others are: Chicken, Brunswick stew, barbecue sauce and people’s choice. The fees for those contests are also $25 each. A limited number of spaces are available and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit http://www.hawkinsvilleharvestfest.com for more information. Leadership Alert page 6 of 6

AG, ENGINEERING AND NATURAL RESOURCES CAREER FAIR AT UGA Nov. 7 UGA Tate Student Center Noon – 4 p.m. Athens The University of Georgia is looking for companies needing a few good hires or summer interns. Visit http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/?public=viewStory&pk_id=4516 for more information. Companies that want to register for the fair should visit career.uga.edu/hireuga or email LeAnn Golob at leann@uga.edu. GFB TAKING ENTRIES FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AG AWARD The Georgia Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award is an opportunity to recognize teachers who actively engage students in learning about agriculture. County Farm Bureaus may nominate one teacher in their county for the state award, which includes $500 cash and up to $1,500 in expenses to attend the 2013 National Ag in the Classroom Conference, to be held June 25-28 in Minneapolis. The state winner will also be invited to present his or her program at the GFB Educational Leadership Conference on March 16, 2013. The deadline to enter is Nov. 16, 2012. For more information, contact GFB Ag in the Classroom Coordinator Donna Rocker at 478-474-0679, ext. 5365 or dhrocker@gfb.org.