In this Issue:

• Headlines
• Feed Act Seeks to Fast Track Feed Additives Approval
• USDA NRCS Announces CSP Signup
• GA Foundation for Ag Scholarship
• Steak Biscuit Day at the Capitol
• Legislative Tracker
• Upcoming Events

Headlines

articles and press releases of interest this week

• Kroger the Most-Visited Grocery Chain in 2023; Publix leads in GA
• Milk Production Continues to Drop in Europe
• Will Dairy Producers Fill the $7 Billion Processing Gap
• USDA Slashes Dairy Heifer Count
• Net Farm Income in 2024 Forecast to Be Down 25 Percent from Last Year
• Vermont to Add 4 More Anaerobic Digesters on Dairy Farms
• Digging Into DMC Payout Trends

Innovative FEED Act and FDA Regulations on Animal Feed Additives

As many of our E-news readers may know, some of the leading research on methane reduction in the livestock industry has come across the pond in feed additive trials in Europe. Many leading animal nutrition brands have developed feed additives that are said to reduce enteric methane emissions in livestock and could hold the key to meeting environmental impact goals set by the beef, dairy, and pork industries. 

In the US, adoption of these feed ingredients has been curtailed by existing Food and Drug Administration regulations that classify such additives as animal drugs instead of feed ingredients. This classification and the regulatory hurdles that come along with it have potentially hindered and limited investment here in the U.S. That could all be changing with two significant events from last week.

First, the FDA announced on Friday, February 2, that it would be rescinding it’s rule (Policy and Procedures Manual Regulating Animal Foods with Drug Claims). Additionally, FDA stated in the same press release that it would be working with Congress to create legislative authority for the agency to adopt new regulations that would better serve the animal feed industry and these new (to the U.S.) products. 

This legislation is called the Innovative FEED Act (HR 6687/SR 1842). According to National Milk Producers Federation, this bill is “a pivotal opportunity for U.S. dairy farmers to enhance their global competitiveness, maintain profitability and reduce environmental impacts.” The American Feed Industry Association states that the Innovative FEED Act will provide “FDA with the tools it needs to codify a regulatory pathway and support American animal food manufacturers.”

The bill was introduced in the US Senate by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) with co-sponsors Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and later Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Angus King (I-ME). On the house side, Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN) introduced the bill along with 11 original, bipartisan co-sponsors and an additional 12 signing on afterwards. According to AFIA and NMPF, the bills have a combined 190 legislators signed on in support.

The National Milk Producers Federation is asking dairy farmers and dairy supporters to contact your Congressman and Senators to show your support for this bill by visiting their action center and sending an email to their office. Take 2 minutes out of your day and let your representatives know that the Innovative FEED Act is good for dairy.

NMPF ACTION CENTER

Agri-Pulse Daybreak Story (Starts at 4:16)



USDA NRCS Announces CSP Signup in GA

ATHENS, GEORGIA, Feb. 5, 2024 – The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia is announcing a Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) sign-up today. Agricultural producers and forest landowners looking to build on previous conservation efforts and building climate resiliency should consider one of two funding opportunities available to them this year and apply by March 8.

“The Conservation Stewardship Program continues to help our customers invest in more a sustainable future,” said Terrance O. Rudolph, state conservationist for NRCS in Georgia. “This year’s sign-up, including the IRA funding will help Georgia’s producers build a more climate resilient landscape across more communities.”

CSP-Classic

NRCS offers CSP in all 50 states, as well as the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous sign-ups. The program provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience to adverse weather. CSP is for working lands, including organic and traditional agricultural cropland and pastureland, as well as nonindustrial private forest land, and agricultural land under Indian tribe jurisdiction.

Special provisions are available for historically underserved producers, which include those considered beginning, socially disadvantaged and limited resource as well as military veterans. These producers have targeted funds.

Find eligible practices in Georgia and practice payment amounts here. Payment rates for conservation practices are reviewed and set each fiscal year for the state.

CSP-Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

For the IRA funded portion of this year’s statewide sign-up, all organic and traditional agricultural cropland and pastureland, as well as nonindustrial private forest land operators are eligible to apply for the following Climate-Smart practices and enhancement categories: Soil Health and Nutrient Management; Energy and Electrical Efficiency; Grazing and Pasture; and Agroforestry, Forestry and Upland Wildlife Habitat.

Download the Georgia CSP – Inflation Reduction Act Activities List for more information.

How to Apply

NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round, but to be included in this funding batch, interested producers should contact their local USDA Service Center and apply by March 8, 2024. Additional sign-up batches may be announced later, subject to the availability of funding.

More Information

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.





Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Scholarship

Reminder: CAFO Annual Report for GA CAFOs Due February 15

A reminder from the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Ag Inputs Division: 

NPDES and LAS Large CAFO permit holders must submit an annual report for 2023 to GDA Ag Inputs by February 15, 2023. 

Fill out the attached form below and email it to J.R. Joshi at jr.joshi@agr.georgia.gov

LAS LARGE ANNUAL REPORT FORM

NPDES ANNUAL REPORT FORM



Rewatch the Presentation from the 2024 GA Dairy Conference

Did you miss one of our GDC General Session Seminars? Or was there something in one of the presentations you wanted to revisit once you got back to the farm? You're in luck!

You can view the slideshows and recordings of our General Session Seminars HERE or by visiting gadairyconference.com

Steak Biscuit Day at the Capitol

The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association’s annual Steak Biscuit Breakfast at the Georgia State Capitol will be February 29, 2024 at 7:30 AM. This is GCA’s largest legislative event of the year, and GMP members are welcome to attend and meet with their local legislators. Georgia Milk Producers will be supplying milk for the breakfast and the GA Mobile Dairy Classroom will be there for a milking demonstration. 

Join beef and dairy producers from across Georgia on Mitchell Street between the Georgia State Capitol and Coverdell Legislative Office Building from 7:30-9:00 am.

For more information about the Steak Biscuit Breakfast, please feel free to email Bryce Trotter at bryce@gamilk.org.



GMP Classifieds

2024 Legislative Tracker

The following is an excerpt from the Georgia Farm Bureau's Legislative Report. To sign up for GFB's weekly reports from the Capitol, visit www.gfb.org/advocate/session-reports

On Wednesday (February 6), House Appropriations Chairman Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin) presented their version of the Amended FY24 Budget, HB 915. Legislators were eager to take advantage of the roughly $5 billion available over the initial revenue projections that guided their initial budget last year. The proposal dedicates much of this to statewide priorities including $1.5 billion to DOT for roads, infrastructure, and freight and logistics projects; $81.2 million for University system receiving $81.2 million for building projects and $15.8 million for B-unit projects; and $100 million for OneGeorgia rural economic development projects.

The AFY24 Budget proposal also included several new additions beneficial to agriculture and rural communities, such as $2 million to the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund. This has been a priority of Georgia Farm Bureau, who now have two appointees serving on the Board which will guide the program. Please see below for other pertinent changes included in the House proposal compared to the Governor's original recommendation reported on earlier this session.

Department of Agriculture

• Removed $3,315,000 proposed for GA Electric Vehicle Charging Program to reflect delayed implementation.
• Added $150,000 for GA Pet Education Campaign and Portal.
• Added $2,000,000 for GA Farmland Conservation Fund passed in 2023.
• Added $500,000 for Atlanta Farmers Market capital needs.
• Added $72,000 for the development of a Master Farmer Program under GA Soil & Water - Conservation Commission.

Department of Community Affairs

• Added $1,300,000 in one-time funds for community development projects under OneGeorgia Authority

Forestry Commission

• Added $260,000 for harrow replacement and firebreak services.

Capital Project Funds

• Added $675,000 for Tifton Diagnostic Lab for storage upgrades & security
• Added $4,700,000 for Phase II of UGA Ag Hill Modernization project
• Reduced funds by $15,000,000 to $35,000,000 for Atlanta Farmers Market renovations.

The following are pieces of legislation of potential interest to GMP members and E-News readers:

• HB 848 – Reps. Taylor, Lumsden, Collins, Hitchens, and Dunahoo
• A bill to authorize the enforcement of excess vehicle weight violations through an automated vehicle weight detection system.
• Status - Referred to the committee on Motor Vehicles on 1/8/24.
• HB 908 – Reps. Ridley, J., Ridley, J., Jasperse, Fleming, and Persinger
• A bill to require food service establishments to disclose if food products contain cell-cultured meat and/or plant-based meat alternatives.
• Status – Referred to the committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 1/11/24.
• HB 922 – Reps. Vances, Tarvin, Lunsden, Collins, and Hitchens
• A bill to constitute the entrance upon another’s property without consent of the owner as an offense of criminal trespass.
• Status – referred to the committee on Judiciary Non-Civil on 1/12/24.
• HB 981 - Reps. Burchett, C. Cannon, Dickey, Meeks, Rhodes
• A bill to exempt agricultural structures from permitting fees by local or municipal governments.
• Status - Read and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 1/23/24
• SR 470 - Sens. Hickman, Goodman, Watson, Anderson, and Gooch
• A resolution creating the Senate Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands; and for other purposes.
• Status - Passed Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs on 2/8/24
• HB 1015 - Reps. McDonald, Blackmon, Jones, Hong, Wade and others
• A bill to lower the state income tax rate for 2024 to 5.39% and reduce the income tax rate by 0.1% annually until the maximum tax rate is 4.99%.
• Status - House passed 2/8/24
• SB 420 – Senators Anavitarte, Goodman, Beach, Cowsert, and Gooch
• A bill to prohibit certain foreign entities from purchasing agricultural land.
• Status: Assigned to Committee on Regulated Industries
• SB 436 – Senators Watson, Goodman, Anderson, Walker, Ginn, and others
• A bill to give operators of farm vehicles the right of way on a state or local roadway when it is unsafe for the farm vehicle to pull off the far-right-hand side of the road.
• Status: Passed Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on 2/7/24
• HB 1052 – Reps. Cannon, Dickey, Huddleston, McCollum, and Meeks
• A bill to allow corporations to qualify for CUVA if the land they are leasing is used for agriculture or timber purposes and if the corporation ownership includes at least one US citizen
• Status: Referred to the committee on Ways and Means 1/30/24
• HB 1093 – Reps. Clark, Pirkle, Blackmon, Corbett, and Bonner
• A bill to prohibit certain foreign companies or individuals from purchasing agricultural land
• Status: Referred to House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee 
• HB 1099 – Reps. Huddleston, Burchett, Cannon, Camp, and Rhodes
• A bill to constitute a charge of criminal trespass against individuals who enter the land of another person that has been marked with purple paint marks on either trees or posts on said property.
• Status: Referred to the committee on Judiciary Non-Civil on 2/1/24
• HB 1169 – Reps. Townsend, Smith, DeLoach, Vance, and Reeves
• A bill to allow the Environmental Protection Division to deny permit applications if the applicant has violated environmental laws or regulations
• Status: Referred to the committee on Natural Resources and Environment on 2/7/24
• HB 1172 – Reps. Burchett, Rhodes, Leverett, Smith, and Williams
• A bill to limit the public’s right of navigable streams to only using water as highways and for hunting and fishing. The public is not permitted to trespass upon privately owned beds
• Status: Referred to the committee on Judiciary on 2/8/24

Until Next Time,

Bryce Trotter