Visit Our Website GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOMMY IRVIN, COMMISSIONER Vol.J?f No. 17 Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Copyright 2008 Wat&i Piamwa WkUe Oak Padtum Nomination Deadline Near Ga. Farm Produces and Processes Humanely-Raised Grass-Fed Beef For Regional Councils Georgia's Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Plan, signed earlier this year, created 10 regional water planning councils throughout the state. Each council will be called upon to prepare a recommended 'water development and conservation plan that will guide water management decisions in its region. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is accepting nominations for positions on these councils through August 29, 2008. Self nominations will be accepted. Commissioner Tommy . Irvin is urging those within the agricultural industry who can and will make the commitment to serve on the council in their region to complete, sign and return a nomination (Continued on Page 11) While the vast majority of American beef is produced in feedlots where cattle are fattened on grain, a few farmers and ranchers are producing superb beef from cattle fed only on grass. Will Harris of White Oak Pastures is one such producer that is producing prize-winning beef on grass at his farm in Bluffton, Ga. In addition to producing grass-fed beef, White Oak Pastures has constructed its own on-site slaughterhouse with a Georgia Department of Agriculture/USDA inspector on premises to insure all the meat products meet federal standards. The processing plant, which had its grand opening April 26, is designed to process beef according to rigorous humane animal treatment standards and to minimize environmental impact. Although consumers are increasingly favoring locally-grown foods, getting the product into the marketplace can still be a `Shade Tree Mechanics' Provide Alternative To High Gas Prices and Poor Fuel Economy Throughout their history the American people have been known to pool their talents and resources to achieve great accomplishments in spite of tremendous odds, whether it be turning the fide of the Second World War or putting a man on the moon. Now with gasoline prices at or near $4 per gallon, Gary Brown, a selfemployed businessman and farmer in Warner Robins, Ga., hopes the spirit of the American people will again come through in a time of need. For the past 27 years, Brown has operated Wholesale Supply Company, which reconditions tractors, backhoes and bulldozers. After gasoline prices reached $3 per gallon after Hurricane Katrina, Brown experienced a 50 percent reduction in his business. He and some of his local friends and fellow businessmen--his brother Rudy, Jimmy McLeod, Donald Anderson, Ray Thompson and D.R. Gottschalk--first became angry about the escalating fuel prices, but then decided to try and do something positive under the circumstances. Now that gas prices have climbed to their current level, Brown is convinced they made the right decision. Along with his fellow "shade tree mechanics," Brown began taking old tractor engines and installing them in used pickup tracks in order to stretch their fuel dollars. The converted vehicles will ran on diesel or bio diesel and get upward of 50 miles per gallon. "Pickups are essential for our daily commerce and that is why we chose them first," Brown said. He noted that many farmers have older model pickups on hand that would be ideal for such conversions. Since farmers also have developed mechanical skills by necessity in maintaining their farming equipment, they have the expertise to make the necessary modifications without a great deal of expense, Brown explained. Photo: Brenda Brown Pictured above is the Perkins Detroit diesel tractor engine Warner Robins farmer and businessman Gary Brown installed in his Ford pickup truck to improve mileage and save on fuel costs. The first experiment involved taking a 3-cylinder Ford tractor engine and installing it in a used Ford F-150 pickup track with a used Chevrolet transmission. Brown noted the 3-cyliner engine "was not too smooth on idle," but would attain a speed of 85 miles per hour. (Continued on Page 12) challenge for the producer. So Harris decided to try and convince a few chefs to add White Oak Pastures beef to their menus. With the help of Georgia Green Foodservice Alliance (a collaboration of Photo: Christy Cook Manny Vizcaino of Buckhead Beef is shown trimming a portion cut from a side of beef at the processing facility at White Oak Pastures. The facility processes beef according to rigorous humane animal treatment standards and to minimize environmental impact. the Georgia Restaurant Association, the Atlanta Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, Georgia Organics and the Georgia Department of Agriculture's `Georgia Grown' program), a field trip was scheduled in late July to enable some of Atlanta's top chefs to see how his beef was prepared, from the cattle in the field to the final product produced in the slaughterhouse. Notice of Auction Of Equine 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 yr old Bay Quarter Horse Appendix Gelding 10 yr old Bay QH Appendix Gelding 6 yr old Sorrel QH Appendix Mare 12 yr old Palomino QH Mare 1 1/2 yr old Chestnut Arabian Gelding 4 1/2 yr old Draft Cross Gelding 3 1/2 yr old Sorrel QH Gelding 5 yr old Bay & White Paint Mare 10 yr old Gray & White Paint Gelding 2 1/2 yr old Palomino Paint Gelding 3 1/2 yr old Palomino Paint Gelding 11 yr old Black Mustang Mare 4 1/2 yr old Sorrel QH Mare 2 1/2 yr old Sorrel QH Mare (Continued on Page 12) "It is more humane for the animals and, without a doubt, is better for the environment to have a closed production loop on the farm," said Harris. Prior to completion of the 5,329 square-foot processing facility, Harris transported his cattle to a processing plant 100 miles away. Now Harris saves on transportation costs, reduces the use of fossil fuels, and his cattle do not have to endure the stress caused by loading and hauling. Harris said he thinks his beef is better and healthier for consumers "because our animals spend their lives as nature intended, roaming freely in the pasture and grazing on grass." He noted that grass-fed beef is lower in saturated fat and higher in essential nutrients, such as Omega-3, a fatty acid believed to reduce the risk of coronary disease. Harris added that he does not use hormones or antibiotics on his cattle, nor does he apply pesticides and chemical fertilizers to the land. (Continued on Page 12) Notice Ad Deadline for the Sept. 10 issue is noon Aug. 27 Note: Farmland Ad Deadline is Aug. 20 -- 3O ' 00 o(N- < o c Dt=/5j E Ui < tSa<:D3- -C "d Q cd a Eo >> O> _c U 13 >> -d -cC Cr. >S-H >>