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AG OUTLOOK | MAY 2024
Published by the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc.
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MONTHLY BRIEF
The Georgia Agribusiness Council has been active following the conclusion of the 2024 Georgia Legislative Session. This period has been marked by a series of engagements including member events, bill signings, campaign fundraisers, the Georgia Agribusiness Council Spring Board Meeting, and the Agribusiness Classic Clay Shoot event.
In this issue:
- Governor Signs Ag Bills
- Commissioner Harper Leads Delegation to India
- House and Senate Ag Chairs Work on Farm Bill
- Other News From Washington
- Agribusiness Classic Clay Shoot
- Scholarship and Grant Applications
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GOVERNOR SIGNS AG RELATED BILLS | |
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Governor Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, Commissioner Tyler Harper, members of the General Assembly, and other state and local leaders, signed multiple pieces of legislation dealing with agriculture. The bill signing was held on Tuesday, April 30th in Valdosta.
The Governor signed a broad array of bills of importance to the industry, including legislation dealing with the ownership of agricultural land or land near military installations by certain individuals acting as an agent of a foreign adversary, measures aimed at lowering costs for producers, more regulation on the hemp market to increase safety, and an increase in the penalty for livestock theft.
While the signings were primarily focused on agriculture-related issues, the Governor used the opportunity to sign a bill that addresses an issue that goes after those who are distributing fentanyl-laced medications or controlled substances.
A rundown of the bills on which the Governor placed his signature can be seen below:
SB 420, sponsored by Senator Jason Anavitarte and in the House by Representative Clay Pirkle, prohibits the ownership or acquisition of agricultural land or non-residential land within a radius of a military location by a nonresident alien acting as an agent of a government designated as a foreign adversary, entity domiciled/majorly owned in certain countries, or governments of countries designated as a foreign adversary by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
SB 340, originally sponsored by Senator Kay Kirkpatrick and primarily carried in the House by Representative Joe Campbell, adds diesel exhaust fluid (for agricultural uses only) to the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) which should help alleviate some of the high input costs.
HB 827, sponsored by Representative Tyler Paul Smith and carried in the Senate by Senator Russ Goodman, increases the penalty for livestock theft and awards Title 16 law enforcement authority to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) and includes language from HB 1164 relating to criminal trespass involving a wild animal that is contained in a cage, enclosure, etc.
SB 494, sponsored by Senator Sam Watson, and carried in the House by Representative John Corbett, and advocated by Commissioner Tyler Harper, makes changes to the framework for hemp regulation in Georgia to allow the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) to have greater oversight and enforcement power and adds labeling, packaging, and marketing requirements to protect children from misleading and dangerous marketing in regards to Hemp products.
SB 436, sponsored by Senator Sam Watson and carried in the House by Representative Chas Cannon, expands the right of way for use of farm equipment on roadways. This will allow for authorized dealers to be classified as the operator when driving on the roadway.
SB 465, sponsored by Senator Russ Goodman, and carried in the House by Representative James Burchett, targets those involved in distributing fentanyl-laced medications to unknowing consumers by creating the offense of aggravated involuntary manslaughter for persons who manufacture or sell an apparent controlled substance that contains fentanyl and cause the fentanyl overdose death of another.
Governor Kemp also signed HB 1172 on the last day of the bill review period without an official ceremony. HB 1172 carried by House Whip James Burchette and Senator Sam Watson would provide clarity to navigable water ways and private property owners. This was a priority issue for the ag community, and we appreciate all of the hard work that went into resolving this issue over the past year.
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GEORGIA CONTINGENCY COLLABORATES DURING
US-INDIA TRADE MISSION
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Atlanta, GA – Last month, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown staff, and several Georgia agribusinesses visited New Delhi, India, on an agribusiness trade mission sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The trade mission was led by USDA Under Secretary for Trade & Foreign Affairs Alexis M. Taylor and included representatives from 47 U.S.-based agribusinesses and 11 State Departments of Agriculture.
“From pecans to poultry to peaches, Georgia farmers produce an incredible product, but the success of our farm families and our #1 industry depends on the ability to get these products to market,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “With their recent tariff reduction on U.S. agricultural goods and a population of more than one billion people, India represents a new market with incredible opportunity for Georgia producers. The relationships and progress made on this trip are a great step towards further expanding the global market for Georgia Grown goods, and it was an honor to attend on behalf of our state’s farmers."
Throughout the week, participants representing a wide range of food and agricultural products connected with local importers to revitalize existing relationships and make new connections with Indian importers. Georgia was represented on the trip by Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown Business Director Sarah Cook, Georgia Pecan Growers Association Executive Director Mary Mikelyn Bruorton, Justin and Shelly Jones of Zorro Pecans, Brandon Harrell of Southern Roots, and Scott Hudson of Hudson Pecan Company.
“As global tensions increase, it is imperative that Georgia producers diversify across as many responsible markets as possible,” said Hudson Pecan Company President & CFO Scott Hudson. “As the second most populous country in the world, the potential is vast, and there is little doubt that India can become a booming market for Georgia Grown pecans and other agricultural products. The more demand we can generate for our Georgia pecans, the higher our prices should climb, benefiting all farm families during the rise, and this trade mission was an important step as we worked to increase the demand for Georgia Grown products on a global scale.”
“We could not be more satisfied with our results of the U.S.-India Agribusiness Trade Mission,” said Zorro Pecan Company Owner Justin Jones. “We had an opportunity to put our own Georgia Grown pecan products, Zorro Pecans, in front of buyers that would otherwise never have the chance to taste our true quality product. None of this would have been imaginable without the help and guidance from the GA Dept of Agriculture. For a small business, like Zorro Pecans, to have an opportunity to sell products in the international market ultimately strengthens our ability to sell domestically. When this happens, it benefits everyone in the ag community, especially the farmers back in Georgia.”
“The Indian market is going to be crucial for the future of our growers as we continue to operate in a global marketplace,” said Executive Director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association Mary Mikelyn Bruorton. “This trade mission allowed us to not only grow our current relationships with established Indian buyers but to develop much-needed new connections to move our product. As part of the delegation from Georgia and representing our growers, I am thrilled with the initial outcomes we are seeing so far and for the united efforts that we were able to present with the American Pecan Council.”
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AG COMMITTEE CHAIRS MAKE PROGRESS ON FARM BILL | |
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After months of talks and delay, the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees each laid out separate farm-bill proposals on Wednesday with goals of pushing Congress to pass a new bill this year, writes DTN’s Progressive Farmer.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson, R-Pa., released an overview of the GOP farm bill, stating his plan is to mark-up the bill in committee on May 23. The Republican proposal will increase Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage programs. It also expands crop insurance and includes language prohibiting state and local governments from imposing additional restrictions on livestock not under their authority. This would specifically prohibit laws like California’s controversial Proposition 12.
As Thompson announced his plans in the House, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., released a more detailed, 94-page section-by-section summary of her bill, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. The bill is funded with $5 billion from an unidentified source that Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., helped her find outside of her committee’s jurisdiction.
Her proposal would include modest changes to the primary commodity programs for row crops, Price Loss Coverage and Agriculture Risk Coverage. PLC reference prices for cotton, rice and peanuts would be increased by 5%, and the reference price escalator would be "updated" to reflect recent price trends. Her bill would also, for the first time, provide permanent authorization for conservation programs, a status crop insurance already enjoys.
Stabenow's bill would bring the IRA conservation funding into the farm bill, but unlike Thompson's proposal, would keep intact the restrictions that the money be used for climate-related practices.
Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee, called the release of Stabenow's framework "a welcome development." He indicated a Senate GOP framework will come after the House takes up its bill. With both committees moving forward with plans, Boozman said he is confident a bill can still be done in this Congress.
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USDA CLARIFIES CATTLE MOVEMENT RULES | |
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The Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced late Wednesday that its tests of retail ground beef for H5N1, the high path avian influenza virus, were negative.
FSIS said the agency, which is responsible for meat and poultry inspection, “collected 30 samples of ground beef from retail outlets in the states with dairy cattle herds that had tested positive for the H5N1 influenza virus at the time of sample collection. The samples were sent to APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for PCR testing. On May 1, NVSL reported that all samples tested negative for H5N1. These results reaffirm that the meat supply is safe.”
USDA noted, “The samples were analyzed by APHIS [the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to indicate whether any viral particles were present. No virus particles were found to be present.”
USDA also said FSIS is collecting muscle samples at FSIS-inspected slaughter facilities of cull dairy cattle that have been condemned for systemic pathologies. The samples will be analyzed by APHIS using PCR to determine presence of viral particles. The results are forthcoming and will be posted as soon as they become available.
On Monday, USDA issued a clarification to its Federal Order restricting the movement of lactating dairy cattle. According to the agency, the Federal Order does not apply to the intrastate movement of a lactating dairy cow to a sale barn. Subsequent interstate movement for a lactating dairy cow from a sale barn directly to a slaughter facility requires only a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) stating that the animal is clinically healthy; no testing is necessary.
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COMMERCE DEPT INITIATES INVESTIGATION OF
2, 4-D SUBSIDIES
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The Commerce Department is initiating investigations into China’s and India’s support for manufacturers and exporters of 2,4-D to the U.S. to determine whether they are benefiting from countervailable subsidies, reports Agri-Pulse.
Petitions from Corteva Agriscience allege the U.S. company has been harmed by the two countries’ subsidies. The International Trade Commission says it will decide by May 20 whether the imports are materially injuring – or threatening to materially injure – a U.S. industry.
“The petitions established support from domestic producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50% of the total production of the domestic like product,” Commerce says in a Federal Register notice, meaning that it does not need to look into that question further. Corteva is the sole domestic manufacturer of 2,4-D.
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FDA FINALIZES GUIDANCE FOR
VETERINARY FEED DIRECTIVE RULE
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The Food and Drug Administration has finalized a set of questions and answers to help stakeholders navigate the 2015 Veterinary Feed Directive final rule, reports Agri-Pulse. Since the final VFD rule went into effect, 95% of inspected stakeholders have been in compliance with the rule.
The VFD rule outlines the process for authorizing approved drugs in the feed of food-producing animals that require veterinary oversight. This includes antimicrobials when used for animal health purposes.
In comments on the 2019 draft, stakeholders asked FDA to clarify and amend language on the amount of VFD drug in feed, the issuance and effective dates of VFDs, definitions and requirements for VFD distributors and the expiration of medicated feeds. Changes in the final version address these concerns and clarify flexibilities in the rule to lessen the burden on stakeholders, FDA said. It also includes more hypothetical scenarios to help industry understand its responsibilities.
“We are reviewing the FDA’s 49-page guidance, but remain confident that the animal food industry’s work over the past several years to come into compliance with the final VFD rule only reaffirms the industry’s commitment to public and animal health,” said Leah Wilkinson, American Feed Industry Association’s vice president of public policy and education, in an email.
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2ND ANNUAL AGRIBUSINESS CLASSIC CLAY SHOOT EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS | |
Thank you all for joining us at the 2nd Annual Agribusiness Classic Clay Shoot! We appreciate our presenting sponsor AgriTrust, as well as our platinum, gold, and team sponsors for making this event such a success. With over 100 attendees, your support made it truly special. Our gratitude to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper for making time to stop by amidst his busy schedule. The weather couldn't have been better, adding to the enjoyment of the day. Congratulations to Bryant Skipper from Farm Credit Associations of Georgia for being the overall shooter, and to Triangle Chemical Company for clinching first place, with Farm Credit Associations of Georgia securing second place. Here's to another fantastic event this year! Click here for a video recap. | |
GAC ATTENDS ROCKDALE COUNTY AGRIBUSINESS EXPO | |
On April 20th, GAC attended a career fair hosted by Rockdale County's Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) EXPO at The Rockdale Career Academy in Conyers, GA. This event allowed students to learn what the agriculture industry has to offer for their future careers. Many students of all ages stopped by the Georgia Agribusiness Council table. They heard what GAC does in the ag industry and how other careers can be considered agriculture-related. The William C. “Bill” Baisley “Sumpin’ Big” Scholarship applications, which GAC offers yearly, were available for any upcoming seniors going into an agriculture-related degree path. We are grateful for George Kelecheck with Rockdale GACD allowing us to be a part of this great event. | |
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GAC is also proud to announce the release of the William C. "Bill" Baisley "Sumpin' Big" Scholarship applications for 2024. This $1000 scholarship is offered to up to three students in need of financial assistance studying for an agricultural career at a college in Georgia.
Mr. Baisley was a longtime friend of GAC and former Chairman and member of the Board of Directors, had a passion for the future of agriculture and those looking to advance it. Bill used the phrase “sumpin' big” as a way to move ideas forward. We honor him with this scholarship and look forward to helping a student that is moving our industry forward.
Please share this scholarship application with a college student or high school senior in Georgia needing financial assistance and studying in the areas of agriculture or natural resources. The scholarship application is due postmarked to the GAC office on or before October 7, 2024.
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GAC started the Dr. Joe B. Crane Memorial Classroom Grant Program to deliver grant funds directly to teachers for ag education projects. It is named after longtime GAC Director and education program advocate Dr. Joe B. Crane of Valdosta.
Dr. Joe was an integral part of the Lowndes County Board of Education and carried his passion for education wherever he went. We are proud to support this program that gives Georgia teachers the chance to creatively teach agriculture in their classroom.
Any public or private school teacher in Georgia, no matter the grade level, wanting to incorporate the importance of agriculture in their lesson plans can take advantage of this opportunity for assistance in the classroom to help educate the future generation of Georgians. The applications are due to the GAC office by October 14, 2023.
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The 2024 GAC Star Sponsor program registration is now underway, and it's off to a good start. This program assists with events during the legislative session along with building support for a variety of projects and initiatives that cannot take place without the added participation.
Star Sponsors are reflected in each of our newsletters and are included with the weekly legislative reports throughout each session of the Georgia General Assembly and more.
Click here for 2024 Star Sponsor registration information, email Jill Hansard, or call the GAC office at 706-336-6830. Thank you!
*Star Sponsors listed below are as of 5/8/2024
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Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Inc.
Georgia FFA Association
Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center
Georgia Grown Citrus @ JoNina Farm
Georgia Milk Producers Inc.
Georgia Peach Council
Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Inc.
Georgia Seed Association Inc.
Georgia Watermelon Association
Green Fern Enterprises, LLC
Greene County Fertilizer Co.
Grow Green Services, LLC
Hat Creek Peanut Co. Inc.
Hazel Creek Cider, Inc. / Yearwood Farms, Inc.
Hulsey Farm Services
JKB Farm Services LLC
Lenox Peanut Company
L. R. Land & Cattle Company, Inc.
Lyle Farms, LLC
Majors Electric & Mechanical Company, Inc.
National Peanut Buying Points Association
Northeast Georgia Livestock, LLC
Omega Farms of GA
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Patrick Farms
Peebles Timber, Inc. / Longleaf LLC
Pike Creek Turf, Inc.
Quality Gin, Inc.
RAJ Farms Inc.
Samara Plantation LLC
Sconyers Gin & Warehouse Co.
Shealy Farms, Inc.
Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association, Inc.
Southern AGCOM Inc.
Southern Crop Production Association
Southern Seed Co., Inc. & Hinson Family Ptrship.
Southern Specialty Equipment, Inc
Southern Livestock
Stanley Farms
The Dairy Alliance, Inc.
Three Brothers Trucking, LLC
Tri Scapes, Inc.
UGA Innovation Gateway
University of Georgia Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication
Wallace Farm and Pet Supply, Inc.
Walter J. Turner Farms
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HELP FIGHT FOR GEORGIA AGRICULTURE: SUPPORT THE GA AgPAC TODAY
In a policy environment that is rapidly changing, supporting state political leaders that understand and support agribusiness has never been more important than it is today.
The Georgia Agribusiness Council was created for the purpose of advocating for agricultural interests in the legislative and regulatory arenas. This lofty initiative continues to get harder and harder each election cycle. In our efforts to advance these activities, the Council formed the Georgia AgPAC several years ago that utilizes member's donations to:
* Financially support the campaigns of political candidates who are supportive of agriculture;
* Educating elected officials and key decision makers on issues important to agribusiness;
* Advocacy of issues that advance our industry and rural communities
We ask for your financial support so that we can continue to fight on behalf of Georgia agribusiness interests. Campaign contributions from Georgia AgPAC is restricted to non-federal candidates in races for legislative and statewide offices. Georgia AgPAC needs your contribution to advance this initiative.
Your corporate or personal commitment will help us prepare today. All donations are welcome. Please call our office at 706-336-6830 or click here to download the donation form to be a partner in this effort.
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This information is intended for members of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc. No part of this document shall be copied, edited, or redistributed in any form without express written consent from the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Inc.
Georgia Agribusiness Council | 706-336-6830 | WWW.GA-AGRIBUSINESS.ORG
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CELEBRATING 57 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP TO GEORGIA'S STRONGEST INDUSTRY | | | | |
