MAY 2023

AgOutlook is the monthly online publication of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. For information about what is going on within the GAC as well as updates on agribusiness topics of interests, read below. As always, please feel free to contact the GAC staff at any time. Contact information can be found at www.ga-agribusiness.org.

GOVERNOR KEMP SIGNS TRUCK WEIGHTS BILL

Governor Kemp put the finishing touches on HB 189 when he signed the legislation into law late last week. We thank the bill's author Rep. Steven Meeks, and its Senate sponsor Senator Russ Goodman, for their months of hard work and tireless dedication to move this effort forward against long odds and plenty of powerful, well-funded opposition.

The legislation will:

• allow a 10% variance above 80,000 lbs. for trucks hauling ag and forestry products. Essentially setting those new limits at 88,000 lbs.
• provide a 2-year sunset on the legislation to allow lawmakers to revisit the changes as a part of a larger freight and logistics plan.
• give local law enforcement the ability to enforce weight violations on local roads only. And has set penalties for those that are over the new limit. The legislation directs all fines to be sent back to the state to ensure that local law enforcement does not take the opportunity to go after truckers as a "money making" scheme.
• set a 150-mile radius from point of origin for the weight variance.
• not allow an increase for trucks within a 13 county "non-attainment zone" within metro Atlanta.

BLUEBERRY, CITRUS AND PEACH POSITIONS CUT ALONG WITH DEPT OF AG FUNDING

In an unexpected move late in the bill review process, Governor Kemp issued line-item vetoes in the state budget for several agriculture research positions and Georgia Department of Agriculture positions that had been appropriated by the General Assembly. The cuts included money that was directed to GDA's consumer protection division as well as The Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority.



These cuts were among many made by Governor Kemp that included belt tightening across many agencies and within the University System. To read a full listing of those vetoes and "disregards", the statments can be found here.

ANDERSON, CALLAWAY INDUCTED INTO AG HALL OF FAME

Former GAC Board member and current AgriTrust of Georgia Chairman, Mr. Raybon Anderson, was inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame for his leadership and service to the industry at the UGA CAES Awards Banquet in late April. Mr. Anderson was also honored in his hometown of Statesboro last week with a luncheon that was attended by his many friends and family in the area.



Mr. John Callaway, a former extension agent and cattleman from West Georgia was also inducted during the ceremony. Callaway has been active in many ag organizations including the Georgia Cattlemen and the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority Board.

1st ANNUAL AGRIBUSINESS SHOOTOUT - HUGE SUCCESS

The sporting clays event was a great opportunity to fellowship with elected officials and other GAC members on a great morning in Forsyth, GA. We'd like to thank those of you who were able to join us and hope that the event continues to grow in the future. Be on the lookout as plans are already in the work for another exciting event in 2024. Thank you to our title sponsor, AgriTrust of Georgia, and all the member companies that helped make this event possible. Click here for a video recap

GOVERNOR SIGNS AG BILLS

On Tuesday, April 18^th, Governor Brian Kemp made a trip down to Bainbridge to put his signature on two bills that will positively impact agriculture. At the Ceremony, he was accompanied by First Lady Marty Kemp, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, members of the General Assembly, and leaders from the state's agriculture community. The two bills that were on the agenda were HB 545, carried by Rep. Chas Cannon and Sen. Sam Watson, which creates the Agricultural Commodity Commission for Citrus Fruits, and SB 220, carried by Sen. Russ Goodman and Rep. Robert Dickey, that creates the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund. GAC was heavily involved in the process for both of these initiatives and believes that they will be beneficial to our number one industry.

As stated before, HB 545 by Representative Chas Cannon of Moultrie, will create a commodity commission for the ever-growing citrus industry in our state. These commodity commissions will allow for producer funded research and education surrounding the specialty crop. Over the past few years this particular industry has seen exponential growth and Georgia’s fruits have become a real contender in the popular citrus market. The formation of this commodity commission will serve as a catalyst for success in our ability to produce and market these products.



Also on the docket was SB 220 by Senator Russ Goodman, which creates the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund. This fund will allow for the purchase of the development rights on qualifying farmland and will put the land into an easement that will require it to remain in agricultural production in perpetuity. This program will be completely optional to those producers that wish to keep their farm in production for the next generations. The state has seen a huge population growth in recent years and many producers and land owners are phasing out of the industry by selling their land to developers that pay a premium. This fund aims to give land owners another option if they wish to see their farm remain a farm. While this program will not be suited for everyone, it will be extremely beneficial and attractive to others. 

BIPARTISAN BILL AIMS TO INCREASE USDA TECHNICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

A bipartisan measure, the Increased Access to TSP Act, being introduced today in the House and Senate would increase the number of technical service advisers available to help farmers take advantage of USDA conservation programs.

Among other things, the bill would require USDA to set up a process to approve non-federal certifying entities. The idea is to ensure that agricultural retailers, conservation organizations, cooperatives, and members of professional societies can become service certifying entities. USDA also would have to set up a streamlined certification process for technical service providers who have specialty certifications, such as certified crop advisers.

The bill is sponsored in the Senate by Mike Braun (R-IN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Roger Marshall (R-KS). The House measure is sponsored by Jim Baird (R-IN) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA).  

SENATE GOP LEADERS WORRIED DEBT LIMIT COULD COLLIDE WITH FARM BILL - Politico

Senate GOP leaders are growing concerned their party’s debt limit standoff with the White House could derail another top policy priority: the $1 trillion farm bill. The massive piece of legislation serves as a key lifeline for not only the agricultural-heavy home states of nearly every Senate Republican leader, but for the rural economy in states like Montana, Ohio and Pennsylvania that the party hopes to win back in 2024.

The broad funding cuts and new restrictions on anti-hunger programs that House Republicans are clamoring for in a debt-limit deal are likely to bleed into the 2023 farm bill, threatening to delay and possibly derail the legislation, which would reauthorize U.S. food and agriculture spending for the next decade. Without it, key agriculture programs begin to expire at the end of September. Even passing a slimmed-down version of the bill would be a political blow for GOP leaders like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his top lieutenant Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) back home, not to mention for their hopes of retaking the Senate next year.

Click Here For Full Article

CONGRESSMAN INTRODUCES DRIVE ACT 

This week, Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) introduced the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen Wheelers Act, commonly known as the DRIVE Act. The bill would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from imposing rules requiring vehicles over 26,000 pounds to have speed limiting devices.

Last year, the FMCSA announced it was considering rules requiring speed-limiting devices for certain large commercial vehicles. “I know from experience driving a semi while hauling equipment, and years spent hauling livestock, that the flow of traffic set by state law is critical for safety instead of an arbitrary one-size-fits-all speed limit imposed by some bureaucrat sitting at his desk in Washington, D.C.,” Rep. Brecheen said. “This rule will add one more needless burden and Congress must stop it.”

FERTILIZER PRICES MIXED, 5 OF 8 MAJOR FERTILIZERS LOWER - Progressive Farmer

OMAHA (DTN) -- For the first time in several months retail fertilizer prices are somewhat varied, according to prices tracked by DTN for the first week of May 2023. Five of the eight major fertilizer prices are lower compared to last month while the remaining three are higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Anhydrous continues to lead fertilizer prices lower. The nitrogen fertilizer was 8% lower compared to last month and had an average price of $926/ton.

Four other fertilizers were just slightly lower compared to last month. MAP had an average price of $805/ton, potash $623/ton, urea $599/ton and 10-34-0 $739/ton.

Three fertilizers, meanwhile, were slightly higher compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $826/ton, UAN28 $424/ton and UAN32 $507/ton.

Click Here For Full Article

USDA DETAILS PAYMENT AID FOR FSA DIRECT LOAN BORROWERS

USDA on Monday announced the department was providing nearly $130 million in automatic payment relief for Farm Service Agency direct loan borrowers who had been up to 60 days past due or had restructured their debt in the past three years. The funding was part of $3.1 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to help distressed farm-loan borrowers. Since the IRA passed last fall, USDA stated the department has provided roughly $1.1 billion in aid to more than 20,000 distressed farm-loan borrowers.

USDA also stated that FSA will start accepting applications this month to review requests from distressed borrowers for aid. Eligible producers would be those who have missed recent loan payments or are unable to make their next installment (payment). Producers who are within two months of their next installment can receive a cashflow analysis from FSA to determine their eligibility.

FSA stated all borrowers should have received a letter detailing the process.

USDA Investing $820 Million to Strengthen Local Food Supply Chains

USDA unveiled 12 new Regional Food Business Centers Wednesday, funded with $400 million, that will provide technical and financial assistance to strengthen local and regional food systems, along with another $420 million in a new Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program to expand capacity and processing for non-meat and poultry products, reports Agri-Pulse. 

Vilsack stressed during a press conference Wednesday that the commercial production agricultural system will continue to be needed to produce the food and fiber needed domestically and around the world, “But we need a companion system to be able to ensure that small and mid-sized producers can stay in business and remain profitable.”

The $420 million for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI), designed to complement USDA's meat and poultry processing grant programs, will allow the Agricultural Marketing Service to enter into cooperative agreements with states or U.S. territories to support “projects that expand capacity for the collection, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling and distribution of food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products other than meat and poultry,” USDA said.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO BE A STAR SPONSOR

The 2023 GAC Star Sponsor program registration is now underway and it's not too late to be apart of it. This program helps 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, as posted on this page, along with the weekly legislative reports throughout each session of the Georgia General Assembly, monthly newsletters, and more. Click here for 2023 Star Sponsor registration form or for more information email Jill Hansard or call the GAC office at 706-336-6830. Click Here for Online registration. Thank you!

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. 

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Bagwell Insurance Group, Inc.

Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation

Georgia Electric Membership Corporation

Georgia Power Co.

Osage Farms Inc.

Premium Peanut

Southwest Georgia Farm Credit

Ag Technologies LLC

Albany Dougherty Economic

Development Commission

Brooksco Dairy LLC

Carroll EMC

Color Burst

DeWitt Produce Co. Inc.

Fort Valley State University

Georgia Cotton Commission

Georgia Crop Production Alliance

GA Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association

Georgia Green Industry Association

Georgia Peanut Commission

Georgia Young Farmers Association

Green Fern Enterprises, LLC

Greg Sikes Farm, LLC

Growers Gin & Warehouse, Inc.

Growers Supply Inc.

Hattaway Farms Partnership

Hillside Orchard Farms, Inc.

J & B Irrigation Inc.

Kelley Manufacturing Co.

Leatherbrook Holsteins LLC

Mixon Seed Services Inc.

Mobley Greenhouse, Inc.

SafEnvirons, Inc.

Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition

Terra Chula Property Holdings

The Turfgrass Group, Inc.

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association

USA Poultry & Egg Export Council

WDairy LLC

Woodruff & Howe Environmental Engineering, Inc.

Agri-Business Technologies, Inc.

AgLanta Grown

American Peanut Shellers Association

American Peanut Trailers, LLC

Barrington Dairy, LLC

Boston Gin Co.

Broken Antler Farms

Bulloch Gin Inc.

Burriss Law Group, LLC

C.M. Tanner Grocery Co. Inc.

Calhoun Stockyard Hwy. 53 Inc.

Centurion Poultry Inc.

Circle C Farms Inc.

Coley Gin & Fertilizer

Cotton Partners LLC

Curry Farm Supply Inc.

Easterlin Pecan Company

EGA, Inc.

Emanuel Peanut & Grain LLC

Embry Farm Service

Feeding Georgia

Food Safety Net Services

Funston Gin Co. Inc.

Georgia 4-H Foundation

GA Assoc. of Conservation Districts

GA Assoc. of County Agricultural Agents

GA Assoc. of Professional Ag Consultants

Georgia Cattlemen's Association

Georgia Christmas Tree Association

Georgia Crop Improvement Assoc.

Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Inc.

Georgia FFA Association

Georgia Foundation for Agriculture

Georgia Milk Producers Inc.

Georgia Peach Council

Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Inc.

Georgia Pork Producers Association

Georgia Poultry Federation

Georgia Seed Association Inc.

Georgia Vocational Ag Teacher Association

Georgia Watermelon Association

Georgia Women in Agriculture Association Inc.

International Forest Company

Israel Farm Supply, Inc.

L. R. Land & Cattle Company, Inc.

Lenox Peanut Company

Longleaf Land LLC

Majors Electric & Mechanical Company, Inc.

Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority

National Peanut Buying Points Assn.

Northeast Georgia Livestock

Oglethorpe Power Corporation

P.G.C. Farms

Pike Creek Turf, Inc.

Quality Gin, Inc.

Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc

Samara Plantation, LLC

Shealy Farms, Inc.

South GA Ag & Fertilizer

Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association

Southern Crop Production Association

Southern Livestock

Southern Seed Company, Inc.

Southern Specialty Equipment

Sweet Corn Co-Op

The Satsuma Company, LLC

Three Brothers Trucking, LLC

Vidalia Onion Business Council





Special thanks to all of our Star Sponsors. Please call our office at 706-336-6830 for details. Thank you!

CELEBRATING 57 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP TO GEORGIA'S STRONGEST INDUSTRY