NDCISA Annual Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2000
Minot, ND

The meeting was called to order by President Mike Gartner. Paulette read the minutes of last year's meeting . There being no additions/corrections, the minutes were approved as read. The financial report was then read with Dale Reimers moving to approve and Gene Elhard second. Paulette reported that as of February 7, 35 counties had paid dues for this year, and there were a couple of counties plus the Ag Association owing check-off on seed allocated in 1998.

Joel Anderson reported on the Certified Seed Committee Meeting. (minutes attached)

Bill Flaget gave a report from the Research & Extension Committee (minutes attached)

Dennis Miller, chair of the resolutions committee presented this year's resolutions.

Resolution #1 with regard to continuing with the current uniform pricing system among all counties was discussed. Lloyd moved to adopt with a second by Neal. Passed.

Resolution #2 with regard to maintaining the current pricing system, but allowing the NDAES Seed Pricing Committee to change these prices if the year and/or particular variety deem it necessary was presented. There was discussion. Galen asked who would make the decision on whether or not to lower the price and how and when to go about implementing it; how many counties would it take that are not selling the variety, who would decide whether a variety is "not selling". Bob Finken moved for adoption with a second by John Peyerl. Vote taken with motion Defeated.

Resolution #3 regarding a class system for growers was presented. Tim moved for adoption and Dale Reimers second. There was discussion and Bob Kornkven moved to table this resolution until Resolution #8 comes up for discussion. Second by Dan,

Karlyle Erickson moved to table Resolution #4 until #8 is discussed.

Resolution #5 with regard to discounting price of seed for early orders was presented. Lloyd moved to approve to get it on the floor, with a second by Dick Tweeten. Lloyd addressed the group with regard to this resolution, stating that he would like to see it defeated, as the NE District feels it needs to be examined and reviewed further. Rich Maine moved, with a second by Joel Anderson to table this and refer it to the Seed Pricing Committee. Motion carried.

Kent Vesterso, Towner County addressed the group on Resolution #6 regarding adding a common class of seed to the PVP classes and moved to adopt with a second by Terry Lykken. Question was called, vote taken and resolution Defeated.

Resolution #7 was presented. There was discussion as to what purpose/effect this resolution was trying to establish. LoAyne said the purpose was that the counties wanted to say that they feel they "are" doing a good job of conducting the Seed Increase Program. Lloyd moved to adopt with a second by Joe Anderson. Vote taken with 30 in favor and 25 opposed. Passed.

Dennis presented Resolution #8 regarding a 3-class grower system along with the 9 points listing clarification on how it should be implemented. Jackie moved to adopt with a second by Dan Skarsgard. Dan then moved to amend the resolution adding point #10- Implementation of this resolution would not take effect until 2-years following its adoption. Motion second by Marty Visto. Question was called for and vote taken. Amendment Passed. Bob Finken then moved to amend the 1st paragraph: adding "as a recommendation for county crop improvement associations to use as a guideline in choosing increase growers" at the end of the 1st paragraph. Questions was called, vote taken with 29 in favor of the amendment and 25 opposed. Amendment Passed. There was more discussion and then the question was called. Resolution Defeated.

Tim Semler then moved to remove resolution #3 from the table with a second by Kent Alderin. Dan moved to amend Resolution #3 to include the 3-class system as designated in Resolution #8 with a second by Jackie Buckley. Dan then moved to amend his amendment to include adding in point #10 from Resolution #8 with a second by Randy Melaas. Question called for on the amended amendment with it being Defeated. Question was called for on the 1st amendment with it being Defeated. There was more discussion on Resolution #3 with regard to maintaining a list of the 3-class system of growers. Galen felt that there would be too much time and effort put into maintaining a grower classification list, if this list was only going to be used only as a "guideline" for counties and not implemented state-wide. Question was called for on Resolution #3 with it being Defeated.

Dennis presented Resolution #9 with regard to final certification deadlines not being met, and requesting that NDAES Seedstocks program contact approved seed conditioners to verify dates and appointments for conditioning of new increase seed allotments. Shawn moved for adoption with a second by Brian Hollinger. There was discussion, with Galen stating that the counties are wanting to "maintain control" of the seed increases at the county level, then they should also be responsible for making sure that deadlines, as stated in the contract, are being met. Lloyd called for the question with motion Defeated.

Karlyle Erickson moved to remove Resolution #4 from the table with a second by Neal Goerger. There being no motion to adopt, Resolution #4 Failed.

Resolution #10 regarding noxious weed standards was introduced. Bruce Aakenbauer moved to adopt with a second by Joe Anderson. Motion Passed.

President Gartner mentioned to the group that the Board of Directors passed a motion to contribute the state's portion of the "Alsen" checkoff to the NDSU Research Foundation to help fund a Spring Wheat Endowed Chair to assure continued support for research in developing spring wheat varieties. This endowment is reserved for the exclusive use by the Department of Plant Sciences at NDSU to enhance the salary, benefits, research and teaching expenses of the faculty in hard spring wheat breeding research. Gartner asked the counties to consider doing the same with their portion of the "Alsen" check-off.

There being no further business, Leon Hiltner moved to adjourn with a second by Lloyd.

Respectfully submitted,
Paulette Neva
Executive Secretary

Research & Extension Advisory Committee Minutes
February 8, 2000

The meeting was chaired by Bob Kornkven.

Dr. Schneiter discussed:
-extension buyout - retirement
-Budgets being cut
-shortfall made up by grants, past savings, royalties
-GMO
-signed agreement with Monsanto fall 1999 with NDSU having control of the germplasm
-close to signing scientific agreement
-production agreement, seed to be produced in ND; ND & SD have worked together
- involved only in HRSW and Soybeans

Mike Peel mentioned the frustration in dealing with the Food Industry's unwillingness to discuss future industry direction regarding GMO's.
-compared NDSU and Idaho release systems, with NDSU being open and Idaho licensed to specific companies
-discussed exclusivity - varieties are sold to highest bidders, Canada does this

Jay Fisher, Minot REC mentioned how pleased they are with the new building and have had numerous meetings since it's opening tilizing the facility. Fisher also mentioned they raised 24 different varieties this year, but hail damage hurt yields and research projects. Neil Riveland, Williston REC mentioned they also had hail damage in their increase fields. They are also very pleased with the new Ernie French Center and see a steady increase in community use of the facility.

Dr. Sharon Anderson mentioned the increased attendance at programs, interest in varieties, alternative crops. They are starting on the next budget process. She sees the base dollars eroding and plans to request a 5-6% base budget increase.

Kent McKay discussed dormant seeding.

There was discussion on the proposed grower classification system.

Tom Olson thanked the group for their financial support of the Nat'l 4-H conference to be held in North Dakota in 2001.

There was discussion of the Spring Wheat Endowed Chair. With the fluctuations in funding, this endowed chair will hopefully help even out these fluctuations. The NDCISA has agreed to gift their portion of the Alsen checkoff to this endowment. The Northeast area may committ their county's portions to the Langdon Research Center. The Northwest area has committed theirs to the Minot Center.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Minutes taken by Bill Flaget

Certified Seed Committee Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2000

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mike Gartner. There being no aditions or corrections, the minutes were approved as read.

Galen Schroeder updated the group on the small mobile mill. Bill Kuntz reported that with the high demand of barley seed, State Seed wil be auditing and looking for violations. A question was aksed about barley seed that comes from Canada. Bill said this barley seed must pass North Dakota certification. Bill also reported that the State Seed Deptartment will hold six informatoinal meetings around the state for certified seed growers between Feb. 11th and March 2nd. Bill outlined some possible certification seed standard changes that will be talked about at these informational meetings. These proposed changes include increasing some lab fees, like grass seed analysis, rush fees, and field inspection fees. Also the farmer/grower seed conditioning exemption must be cleared up. Some possible germination changes include lowering durum from 85% to 80%, not allowing pre-germs for peas, soybeans and dry beans, and accelerated aging tests for soybeans. The allowable add-mixture of wheat in durum will also be considered changing it from 3 to 5 per pound. Bill would also like it mandatory to provide FSA maps with the field inspection applications.

Neal Goerger made a motion, seconded by Ordean Fossaa to lower the allowable noxious weeds in grasses from 90 to 25/lb. Motion passed and a resolution will be written.

Galen Schroeder updated the group on the allocation committee meeting yesterday. Discussion followed on sharing released varieties with other states and the price differences between these bordering states and North Dakota.

A question was asked about the 2 new navy bean varieties released as to why they didn't go through crop improvement. Galen explained that because Navy Beans are a "specialty crop", growers will be contacted and allocated that way.

It was noted that the Foundation Seedstocks Web page is a useful tool that keeps everyone up to date on issues. The site is www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/seedstock

At this time the resolutions committee joined the group. Dennis Miller read the resolutions so that we could ponder and discuss them before the business meeting. Neal Goerger added the resolution from the seed committee.

There being no further business, meeting was adjourned.

-submitted by Joel Anderson

"2000" RESOLUTIONS

1. WHEREAS, a change in the current pricing system for registered seed of new varieties would create problems (i.e. disagreements between counties/growers, "bargain" shoppers etc.,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we continue a uniform pricing structure among all counties. PASSED

2. WHEREAS, there are discrepancies with our current pricing system and a change in such system could create excessive problems with neighboring counties such as, delayed registration for seed purchasing, and potentially strong disagreements between county boards and increase seed growers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED to maintain the current seed pricing system, but allow the NDAES Seed Pricing Committee to change these prices if the year, and/or particular variety deem it necessary. DEFEATED

3. WHEREAS, selection of increase seed growers in North Dakota has no specific guidelines;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that counties shall be notified of the growers eligible in the 3-class system and use this, at their discretion, as a guideline for selecting their growers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that counties will be responsible for contacting the eligible growers, not the state association. DEFEATED

4. WHEREAS, the control of new seed increases in a county should be controlled at the local level, and
WHEREAS, some county's may turn down or request less than the allowable allotment, and
WHEREAS, the eligible increase seed growers in that county will not be eligible to contract with the state, and
WHEREAS, some counties may not have an active crop improvement association who are willing to deal with increase seed which penalizes seed growers within those counties;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Class 1 growers within only such counties should be eligible to sign increase contracts directly with the State Crop Improvement and Seed Association, in which instance all check-off fees would go to the State Association. DEFEATED

5. WHEREAS, the current pricing system does not allow for any flexibility in pricing of new increase varieties;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that a state-wide pricing system be implemented that would allow a discounted price for early orders, with the price pro-rated up from there, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this discount be enough so the farmer can pay for the seed, yet the grower has profit also, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a cash down payment be collected at the time of the order to insure the sale. RESOLUTION TABLED, TO BE REFERRED TO SEED PRICING COMMITTEE

6. WHEREAS, the PVP laws have been written with the intention to improve seed quality and contribute to the economic well being of the producers of ND, and
WHEREAS, the absence of the common seed class from the PVP classes of foundation, registered, and certified seed is causing economic hardships to the farmers of ND, and
WHEREAS, prior to the present PVP laws, the common class offered acceptable quality seed at lower prices to many producers who could not afford the much higher prices of foundation, registered, and certified seed classes; and
WHEREAS, the absence of the common class from the PVP laws contributes to many potential seed producers choosing not to grow PVP seed because they can't afford the risk of not making the certified seed class after spending a considerable amount for the added inputs that go with seed production, and later being forced to sell the product at elevator pit prices; and
WHEREAS, the absence of the common class in the PVP laws is a strong incentive to sell seed in the brown bag market, which happens because many producers are angry at the oppressive system of being forced to buy seed at prices which they cannot afford; so therefore, they abandon a system which they feel is unfair and costly, and simply buy from the brown bag market; and
WHEREAS, the PVP present system with no common class makes it very difficult for legitimate seed dealers to compete with the brown bag market, which forces them to become economic enemies against their farmer friends who should be their customers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NDCISA support the addition of the common class to the PVP classes of foundation, registered, and certified seed, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this is for the economic benefit of the ND producers and the legitimate seed dealers of ND who want to end the incentive to carry on a brown bag market. DEFEATED

7. WHEREAS there has been statements made that the Seed Increase Program, as currently being conducted through the County Crop Improvement Associations, is not working well;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Seed Increase Program, as currently being conducted by the County Crop Improvement Associations, is working and is very effective at getting new varieties distributed to all counties, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that new varieties developed by NDSU continue to be increased and distributed through the County Crop Improvement Associations. PASSED

8. WHEREAS the NDCISA feels that a classification system of growers, combined with the current county allotment system would raise the experience level of increase growers across the state and insure a more successful performance in the Seed Increase Program,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the NDCISA recommend to the NDAES that the following Classification System be implemented:
Class 1: grower has grown certified seed in 3 of the last 5 years
Class 2: grower has grown certified seed in 2 of the last 5 years
Class 3: grower has grown certified seed in 1 of the last 5 years

and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following 9 points also be recommended to the NDAES for implementation:
1. The NDAES Seed Allocation Committee would make the determination of whether a seed supply of a new release is "limited" or "sufficient".
2. When supplis are limited, only Clas 1 growers within a county would be eligible to receive an allotment of a new variety release.
3. If a sufficient supply were available, counties would have the option to make seed allotments to Class 2 growers.
4. Class 3 growers would not be eligible to receive an allotment of a new variety. Class 3 growers would be expected to move up into a higher class by producing certified seed of older varieties in order to gain experience.
5. In the event that a county has no Class 1 growers, the county would have the option of offering an allotment to a Class 2 grower.
6. In the event that no Class 1 grower were interested in growing the variety, the county would have the option of offering the allotment to Class 2 growers.
7. In the event a county has no Class 1 or Class 2 growers, that county would not be eligible to receive an allotment of a new variety. Such counties would be encouraged to work with their Class 3 growers to bring the grower and the county into eligibility.
8. In the event a county has an inactive or non-functioning crop improvement asociation, Class 1 growers in that county could apply directly to the NDCISA for an allocation.
9. A listing of Class 1,2, and 3 growers (by county) would be maintained by the NDCISA with input from the State Seed Department and the Foundation Seedstocks project. A list of eligible growers in a county would be provided to the county crop improvement association by the NDCISA. DEFEATED

9. WHEREAS, seed grower contracts list Jan. 15 as the deadline for completion of certification and
WHEREAS many growers do not meet these deadlines;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Director of the NDAES Seedstocks Program contact approved seed conditioners to verify dates and appointments for conditioning of increase seed allotments and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that these appointments be communicated to the growers to complete conditioning before contract deadlines. DEFEATED

10. WHEREAS the neighboring states of Montana and South Dakota allow 0/# and Minnesota allows 25/# of Restricted Noxious Weeds (quackgrass, wildoats, etc) in common seed and
WHEREAS North Dakota allows 90/#; it has become a dumping ground for seed that does not meet other states requirements for noxious weeds and
WHEREAS, contamination of fields and lower seed standards causes economic loss to the farmers of North Dakota,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NDCISA support changing the North Dakota Seed law to lower the number of restricted noxious weeds to 25/#. PASSED