The July/August 2019 issue of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer is now available online.
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Water conservation is a part of the everyday work done at the University of Georgia’s Stripling Irrigation Research Park (SIRP), where scientists are constantly developing innovative sustainable agricultural practices.
Georgia farmers can see some of those methods firsthand on Thursday, July 18, during the park’s annual field day beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently designated July as Smart Irrigation Month and the SIRP is participating by emphasizing the importance of water conservation.
Bob Stougaard, assistant dean for research at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), and Mark McCann, CAES assistant dean for Extension, will serve as keynote speakers.
“Georgia is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in efficient irrigation technologies that have been tested and refined by irrigation and precision-agriculture scientists and researchers and adopted industry wide,” said Calvin Perry, SIRP superintendent. “This field day is an opportunity to showcase some of those technological advancements and the differences they’re making in our research plots.”
SIRP provides educational opportunities for farmers, irrigation companies and students to learn more about water use in agriculture through field days, tours and the annual 4-H20 camp held in June. At the SIRP, UGA faculty test different technological advancements and develop unique irrigation methods designed to conserve water.
For example, variable rate irrigation (VRI) optimizes irrigation applications throughout a field allowing farmers to adjust irrigation settings to match field size, shape, and condition so water is not wasted on an areas where irrigation isn’t needed.
“A dynamic collaboration of entities in Georgia has teamed up to spotlight Smart Irrigation tools, management practices, and the social and economic benefits derived from irrigated agriculture throughout the month of July, to share the message of Georgia’s commitment to water stewardship,” Perry said.
The field day is free to attend, but those interested are asked to RSVP by July 11 at 229-522-3623 or via email at sirp@uga.edu. The park is located at 8207 Hwy 37, Camilla, Georgia, 31730.
To learn more about the park, visit https://striplingpark.org.
By Clint Thompson, University of Georgia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)announced June 20 it is offering $75 million in funding for the eradication and control of feral swine through the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) in a joint effort between USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The 2018 Farm Bill included this new pilot program to help address the threat that feral swine pose to agriculture, ecosystems and human and animal health.
NRCS will direct up to $33.75 million of the allocated FSCP funds toward partnership efforts to work with landowners in identified pilot projects in targeted areas. Applications are being accepted through Aug. 19, 2019, for partners to carry out activities as part of these pilot projects in select areas of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. APHIS has determined that these states have among the highest feral swine population densities and associated damages in the country.
“NRCS state conservationists and APHIS state directors, in coordination with state technical committees, have identified pilot projects that can be carried out within these target states,” NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr said. “Our agencies stand ready to work with partners at the state and local level to respond to the threat of feral swine.”
Pilot projects will consist broadly of three coordinated components: 1) feral swine removal by APHIS; 2) restoration efforts supported by NRCS; and 3) assistance to producers for feral swine control provided through partnership agreements with non-federal partners. Projects can be one to three years in duration.
“The projects selected for funding will allow APHIS and NRCS to collectively reduce the damage and disease caused by one of the most destructive and formidable invasive species in the United States,” said APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea. “Overall, this pilot program builds upon and expands work already underway by APHIS’ National Feral Swine Damage Management Program to both manage feral swine and eliminate populations in partnership with local government, the private sector, industry and academia.”
NRCS is now accepting proposals from non-federal partners to provide landowner assistance for on-farm trapping and related services as part of the pilot projects described above. NRCS will provide funding for these services through partnership agreements. The funding limit for a single award is $1.5 million. Awardees will be required to provide at least 25 percent of the partnership agreement budget as a match to NRCS funding.
Additional information on the complete funding announcement and about specific pilot projects, including target areas and the roles for which partner assistance is being requested, can be found on the FSCP webpage.
Applications must be submitted through grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 19, 2019.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement June 10 on disaster and trade-related assistance:
“Whether it’s because of natural disasters or unfair retaliatory tariffs, farmers across the country are facing significant challenges and tough decisions on their farms and ranches. Last month, immediately upon China reneging on commitments made during the trade talks, President Trump committed USDA to provide up to $16 billion to support farmers as they absorb some of the negative impact of unjustified retaliation and trade disruption. In addition, President Trump immediately signed into law the long-awaited disaster legislation that provides a lifeline to farmers, ranchers, and producers dealing with extensive damage to their operations caused by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019.
“Given the size and scope of these many disasters, as well as the uncertainty of the final size and scope of this year’s prevented planting acreage, we will use up to $16 billion in support for farmers and the $3 billion in disaster aid to provide as much help as possible to all our affected producers.
“I have been out in the country this spring and visited with many farmers. I know they’re discouraged, and many are facing difficult decisions about what to do this planting season or if they’ve got the capital to stay in business, but they shouldn’t wait for an announcement to make their decisions. I urge farmers to plant for the market and plant what works best on their farm, regardless of what type of assistance programs USDA is able to provide.
“In the coming weeks, USDA will provide information on the Market Facilitation Program payment rates and details of the various components of the disaster relief legislation. USDA is not legally authorized to make Market Facilitation Program payments to producers for acreage that is not planted. However, we are exploring legal flexibilities to provide a minimal per acre market facilitation payment to folks who filed prevent plant and chose to plant an MFP-eligible cover crop, with the potential to be harvested and for subsequent use of those cover crops for forage.”
Visit these websites for more info:
USDA RMA Flooding page
2019 Market Facilitation Program
The May/June 2019 issue of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer is now available online.
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This issue features:
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced May 23 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will take several actions to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation and trade disruption. President Trump directed Secretary Perdue to craft a relief strategy to support American agricultural producers while the Administration continues to work on free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals to open more markets in the long run to help American farmers compete globally. Specifically, the President has authorized USDA to provide up to $16 billion in programs, which is in line with the estimated impacts of unjustified retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods and other trade disruptions. These programs will assist agricultural producers while President Trump works to address long-standing market access barriers.
“China hasn’t played by the rules for a long time and President Trump is standing up to them, sending the clear message that the United States will no longer tolerate their unfair trade practices, which include non-tariff trade barriers and the theft of intellectual property. President Trump has great affection for America’s farmers and ranchers, and he knows they are bearing the brunt of these trade disputes. In fact, I’ve never known of a president that has been more concerned or interested in farmer wellbeing and long-term profitability than President Trump,” said Secretary Perdue. “The plan we are announcing today ensures farmers do not bear the brunt of unfair retaliatory tariffs imposed by China and other trading partners. Our team at USDA reflected on what worked well and gathered feedback on last year’s program to make this one even stronger and more effective for farmers. Our farmers work hard, are the most productive in the world, and we aim to match their enthusiasm and patriotism as we support them.”
Washington, D.C. (May 20, 2019) – The U.S. Trade Representative has announced “an agreement with Canada and Mexico to remove the Section 232 tariffs for steel and aluminum imports from those countries and for the removal of all retaliatory tariffs imposed on American goods by those countries.”
The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation released the following statement after the announcement of the removal of the Section 232 tariffs. Armond Morris, Chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, commented for the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, “Peanut growers appreciate President Trump’s efforts to negotiate the removal of the tariffs on steel and aluminum with Mexico and Canada as well as related retaliatory tariffs by those countries. Both Mexico and Canada are important trading partners for the peanut industry. This is a step in the right direction to improve the U.S. agricultural economy.”
The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation is comprised of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, the Florida Peanut Producers Association, the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and the Georgia Peanut Commission. These are the respective “check-off” organizations in each state. The SPFF board consist of 8 members comprised of the chief elected officer and the executive director of each organization. Action requires unanimous agreement.
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean Sam Pardue, left, presented Frank McGill with the Medallion of Honor during a special event on Thursday, May 2, on the UGA Tifton campus.
Frank McGill, 92, affectionally known throughout the Georgia agricultural community as “Mr. Peanut,” received the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Medallion of Honor during a private event on Thursday, May 2, on the UGA Tifton campus.
The Medallion of Honor is presented to an outstanding individual or couple in recognition of dedication to the college’s mission and to express gratitude for the time, advice, support and influence they have provided.
“Once in a generation, someone comes along who forever changes a segment of agriculture. When it comes to peanuts, Frank McGill is that person. Scientists, farmers and even former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will tell you, without hesitation, that Frank McGill was extremely instrumental in developing the peanut industry in Georgia,” said CAES Dean Sam Pardue, who presented McGill with the award. “His wise counsel, steady advice and dedication to teaching the latest principles and production practices helped triple Georgia peanut yields, changing the economic future of southwest Georgia, which now produces nearly half of the nation’s total peanut crop.”
A native of Chula, Georgia, McGill earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 1951 and a master’s degree in agronomy in 1962 from CAES.
He began his career with UGA as a county agent in southwest Georgia and later became the state’s UGA Cooperative Extension peanut specialist. McGill, who worked at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia, was a member of the UGA Cooperative Extension peanut team that developed a “package approach” for peanut production in Georgia. From 1954 to 1982, McGill’s expertise helped Georgia’s peanut yields increase from 955 pounds per acre in 1955 to 2,040 pounds in 1967 and 3,220 pounds in 1974.
Over his career, McGill traveled to 21 countries as a peanut consultant. He traveled to Australia and India to review research and extension programs and to Honduras, Suriname and Barbados to “jump start” local peanut production and to help eliminate pellagra, a protein deficiency that was affecting children there.
McGill served as a technical advisor to the Georgia Peanut Commission, U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, National Peanut Council and the National Peanut Growers Group.
His honors include being named president of the American Peanut Research and Education Society and chairman of a special task force requested by the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee to determine the 40-year impact of peanut policy on the family farm. UGA named him a D.W. Brooks Distinguished Professor of Agronomy and Progressive Farmer magazine named him Man of the Year.
He was inducted into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame in 1982 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Peanut Council in 1999. The Council also officially named McGill “Mr. Peanut” that year. In 1996, he was inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame and received the American/World Agriculture Award from the National County Agents Association in 2000. Last year, he received the Valor Award from the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.
Of his numerous accolades, a humble McGill said, “I just did what I was hired to do.”
At his retirement in 1982, McGill discouraged gifts and the numerous monetary donations he received were used to create the J. Frank McGill “Up with Peanuts” Scholarship. As a result, a$2,000 scholarship has since been awarded each year to a rising junior or senior UGA crop and soil sciences major.
After retirement, McGill remained an active voice in the peanut industry. He served as president of the American Peanut Research and Education Society, chairman of the U.S. Task Force on Peanut Policy and the U.S. Peanut Improvement Working Group. He also worked as a peanut consultant with M&M Mars for 16 years, followed by four years as a part-time consultant with the National Peanut Laboratory.
McGill was selected as one of 12 UGA scientists whose work has impacted the world in the last 100 years as part of UGA’s centennial celebrations. And, in October 2018, he was honored by the UGA Graduate School as an Alumnus of Distinction.
“Frank is a phenomenal individual. I believe he is part of the reason the industry is as strong as it is, and production is as great as it is,” said Joe West, assistant dean of the UGA Tifton campus. West and UGA-Tifton honored McGill as one of 12 scientists whose work has impacted the world during a special ceremony in Tifton, Georgia in 2015.
“I think he is an excellent example of what a faculty member at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences can aspire to for a career of service,” West said.
By Clint Thompson, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The April 2019 issue of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer is now available online.
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The March 2019 issue of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer is now available online.
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This issue features:
