GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOMMY IRVIN, COMMISSIONER Vol.^t No. 11 ^------------------------------------------ n Notice Equine of Auction Pursuant to Section 4-13-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (Humane Care for Equines Act), the Georgia Department of Agriculture will conduct a live auction on the following equine-as grade horses, to wit: 7 year old bay and white Paint mare, with 3 month old bay and white colt at side 4 year old palomino Quarter Horse gelding 5 year old chestnut Quarter Horse gelding 13 year old chestnut Quarter Horse gelding 10 year old sorrel roan Appaloosa gelding 5 year old black and white Paint gelding 1 year old bay and white Paint gelding 1 year old sorrel and white Paint mare 18 year old chestnut Quarter Horse X mare 1 year old black Quarter Horse X mare 15 year old black roan Quarter Horse X gelding 4 year old bay Quarter Horse X mare 12 year old sorrel Quarter Horse X mare 3 year old sorrel Quarter Horse TB X gelding 4 year old black Quarter Horse X mare 20 year old sorrel Quarter Horse mare 1 year old bay Quarter Horse mare 1 year old buckskin Quarter Horse mare 10 year old Palomino Paint mare 20 year old buckskin Quarter Horse mare 10 year old black Tennessee Walking Horse X mare 8 year old black Tennessee Walking Horse X mare The auction will be held at the Georgia Department of Agriculture Decatur Impound Facility in Decatur, GA at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2008. The said equine may be inspected at the facility from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00p.m.on Saturday,May 31, (Continued on Page 12) Eaum Deadline Announced For Summer Edition The Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin special summer equine edition is scheduled for July 16. This issue will include notices for horse shows and events in July, August and September, as well as listings of boarding facilities, horses at stud, and ads for miscellaneous equine equipment and supplies. A 30-word limit will be observed for these notices. (Continued on Page 12) ^ Inside S Pick Your Own Produce See page 7 Special Handicraft Issue See page 12 Wednesday, May 21,2008 Copyright 2008 Farm Front Ga. Dept, of Agriculture Monitors NASS Conducts Quality of Fuel Supplies in Georgia Mid-Year Survey The Georgia Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service is in the process of conducting its June Agricultural Survey. NASS representatives will be contacting local producers through June 16; some respondents will be chosen from sampled areas of land identified on aerial photographs. According to NASS, this survey is particularly vital because it will provide the first clear indications of the potential production of major commodities in 2008. The results of the 2008 Mid-Year Agricultural Survey will be released June 30, 2008. All agricultural statistics published by NASS are available at www.usda.gov/nass. For more information, call 1-800-253-4419 and ask to speak to someone about the Mid-Year Agricultural Survey. Regulating motor fuel quality is a key responsibility in the Georgia Department of Agriculture's mission to protect consumers and farmers. The Fuel and Measures section monitors the wholesale distribution and retail sales of a large amount of petroleum products. Georgia currently ranks ninth nationally with annual gasoline sales of more than five billion gallons and ranks fifth in diesel fuel marketing with yearly sales exceeding 1.75 billion gallons. In addition to gasoline and diesel fuel, the Department inspects aviation fuels, kerosene and liquid propane (LP) gas. Retail gas pumps, terminal and transport truck meters are tested to assure accurate delivery, and station signs are monitored to verify that advertised prices are the same as those on the pumps. Also, petroleum storage tanks are checked for potential water or contamination problems. Consequently, Georgia motorists have relatively few problems related to fuel ?idtrYowi-Om-?uduat Follow Farm Guidelines to Insure quality, and the number of gasoline pumps tested out of tolerance has been minimal over the past few years. That kind of quality control is important not only to gasoline consumers, but also to Georgia farmers who use propane gas and diesel in their farming operations. In addition to routine petroleum inspections at retail and distribution points, the Department promptly responds to consumer and industry requests. Although the Fuels and Measures section has more than 144,000 retail gasoline pumps to monitor, fuel oil inspectors give first priority to consumer complaints. Any suspected instance of adulterated fuel, inaccurate pumps or deceptive advertising is investigated immediately, usually within one working day. "Our department does not have any regulatory authority concerning the price charged for fuels," noted Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin. "Fuel prices are set by the market place; however we do check for accuracy and consistency in advertising. That means the price advertised at a fuel dispensing (Continued on Page 12) Enjoyable and Productive Harvest When visiting pick-your-own-produce farms, consumers should note and obey all rules and regulations posted by owners at their picking locations. These operations are able to make produce available at lower prices because the customers do the picking, thus lowering the farmer's production costs; however, the producers also take the risk that their crops may be damaged by unconcerned, careless or inexperienced consumers. By following the owner's guidelines for picking, consumers will help insure they will have a safe and enjoyable experience while helping to protect the farm property. Following are some general guidelines to keep in mind when visiting pick-yourown operations: Note the farm's rules regarding the use of containers. Some farms provide picking and take-home containers, while other farms may provide only picking baskets or buckets or no containers at all. If you carry your own containers, make certain they are appropriate for the crop you are picking. For example, use smaller picking and transporting containers for berries to minimize bruising. When picking larger fruits and vegetables, consider the weight of the container when full. A full basket or hamper can get heavy after hauling it around the field or orchard and then having to carry it to the check out area. Upon arrival at the picking site, look for the location of check-in and check-out areas. Also, before picking, note whether you will be charged according to weight, volume or count, and inquire if there is a minimum quantity requirement. (Continued on Page 10) Legal Notice Notice of Intent to Consider the Adoption of Amendments to the Rules relating to the Georgia Treated Timber Products Act O.C.G.A. 2-14-100, et seq. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that the Georgia Department of Agriculture will consider the adoption of amendments to the rules relating to the Georgia Treated Timber Products Act, on Friday, June 6,2008, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon (no hearing is scheduled), in Room 543 of the Agriculture Building, 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. SYNOPSIS, MAIN FEATURES AND DIFFERENCES: The new rales update certain requirements and definitions to better reflect current industry standards. The organization formerly known as the "American Wood Preserver's Association" is now known as the "American Wood Protection Association," which is simply a change in nomenclature that will be reflected throughout the new rules. This organization will at times still be abbreviated as AWPA. Rule 40-22-1-.01 (4) More appropriately defines (Continued on Page 11) Notice Ad Deadline for the June 18 issue is noon June 4 =S O 00 *bCt) O O <^ (N C