2000 CCIA District Meeting Minutes

Southeast District

Southeast District Meeting Minutes

December 8, 2000 – Fargo, ND

Southeast District Director Joel Anderson called the meeting to order. Minutes of the last meeting were read with a motion by Joe Harbeke to approve as read. Second by Dale Riemers. Paulette gave the financial report with a motion to approve by Neal Goerger and second by John Schatz. Paulette updated on dues and check-offs. Griggs county had not paid 2000 dues as yet. Counties from the Southeast District not reporting check-off as yet on the varieties allocated in 1999 are: Emmons, Logan and Sargent.

Resolutions were presented. Mike Gartner presented the following resolution that was passed at the Southwest District Meeting:

Whereas it is necessary for farmers or any other business to show a profit and

Whereas seed production is a value added venture which helps make farming profitable;

Therefore be it resolved that the North Dakota Ag Experiment Station discontinue the policy of setting a state wide price on new increase seed so that local Crop Improvement and the local grower are able to set a price that is profitable.

Seed prices now are figured by taking the estimated year end Minneapolis price, adding a grower increase premium which then gives you the registered bulk price. A 10% association fee (check-off) is added which then gives you your final selling price for bulk seed. Galen said the grower increase premium is based for the most part, on a survey done in 1994, and that maybe it is time to redo that survey and come up with a better idea of what the grower increase premium should be. It was noted however, that this would still not put flexibility into the system. Tom mentioned that maybe they need to investigate why there was such a difference in oat prices from one year to the next.

John Kringler, Cass County Agent introduced the following Resolution from Cass County:

Whereas Dr. LeRoy Spilde is retiring as Director of the Foundation Seedstocks Project at NDSU; and

Wherea Dr. Spilde has provided leadership to the Foundation seed program in North Dakota, first as the Director of the Agronomy Seed Farm for eleven years and for the past seventeen years as Director of the Foundation Seedstocks Project; and

Whereas Dr. Spilde, as a teacher and advisor, has developed and effectively taught a course in “Seed Technology’ which has provided training to many NDSU students who have returned to farming or have entered the North Dakota seed industry; and

Whereas the combined total of these positions represent a career of 28 years dedicated to agriculture and the farmers of North Dakota through the production and distribution of high quality seed of new crop varieties developed by NDSU plant breeders;

Therefore Be It Resolve that the North Dakota Crop Improvement and Seed Association commends Dr. Spilde for his efforts and expresses its thanks and appreciation for his dedication and service not only to the state and county Crop Improvement organizations but to the whole of North Dakota agriculture.

Joe Harbeke moved to adopt with a second by Bob Sinner. The resolution will go to the state meeting in February.

Election of District Directors was next on the agenda. Joel Anderson stated that Greg Nelson’s first 3yr term was up. Joel reminded the group that current by-laws state that any director missing more than 2 meetings, on an annual basis, shall be removed from the Board of Directors and replaced at the next District meeting. Joel then asked for nominations for Southeast District Director. Dale nominated Joe Harbeke. Joe having served previously on the Board of Directors, declined the nomination. Joe then nominated John Miller. Neal moved nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for John. Dale second. Motion passed. John Milller, Buffalo, ND will be the new Southeast District Director.

Dale Reimers moved to nominate Joel Anderson to sit on the Allocation Committee with a second by Neal. Joe Harbeke moved nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for Joel. Second by Dale. Motion passed.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Paulette Neva

Executive Secretary

Door Prize Winners: Joe Harbeke, Mark Sheppard, Bob Sinner and John Schatz

Northwest District Meeting Minutes

December 6, 2000, Minot REC

The meeting was called to order by Northwest District Director, Bob Kornkven. Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved as read with one correction noted by Galen Schroeder. Paulette read the financial report with a motion to approve by Greg Simonson and second by Wayne Johnson. Griggs was the only county not having paid the 2000 membership dues. In looking at the check-offs due, there were 4 counties which had not reported as yet on varieties allocated in 1999.

Jim Hennessy introduced the following resolution submitted by the Mountrail County Ag Improvement Association:

Jim Swanson noted that CRP mixes are a problem and that State Seed doesn’t get access to the seed to test and therefore the problem is only seen after the seed is planted in the field. With ND having quack grass only on the “restricted” weedslist, lots failing for quack in Montana and South Dakota (where quack is a “prohibited” weed) are then able to be sold into North Dakota. Swanson mentioned that the Seed Commission has decided not to take a stand on the resolution. Ordean Fossaa, seed commission member said his personal feelings are that the resolution should be adopted. Advise to the group if the resolution passes at the state, is to find legislative sponsors for it. Jim Hennessy and Ordean Fossaa have met with their legislative representatives and plan to proceed with introducing it to the legislature if it is passed at the state meeting.

Jim Hennessy moved to have the Northwest District support the adoption of the resolution. Second by Dale Tinjum. Motion carried. The resolution will go the state meeting.

Mike Gartner then read the following resolution that was passed at the Southwest District Meeting:

Whereas it is necessary for farmers or any other business to show a profit, and

Whereas seed production is a value added venture which helps make farming profitable;

Therefore Be It Resolved that the North Dakota Ag Experiment Station discontinue the policy of setting a state wide price on new increase seed so that local Crop Improvement and the local grower are able to set a price that is profitable.

Mike showed some examples of his cost of production and end net profit on the varieties he grew last year, noting that his end net profit on the oats was $.06/bushel, which is not enough to keep any farming operation afloat. It was mentioned that maybe there should be a set minimum price, but let the growers/counties have the flexibility to charge what they see as a fair price or what the market will bear. It was noted this would open the door for price gouging. Warren moved the Northwest District support the adoption of the resolution from the Southwest District. Wayne Johnson second. Vote taken, motion failed.

LoAyne said she has heard that seed dealers are saying they have found Alsen to purchase in other counties and would just like to make people aware of this. There seems to be some question as to how a county is going to sell all of the Alsen that was produced and why there was such a large number of bushels available for increase the first year. Dr. Schneiter said he will take responsibility for the large increase of Alsen and stands by that decision. He would rather see too much seed of a scab tolerant variety than not enough. It was noted that some counties are sold out of Alsen.

Election of District Director from the Northwest was next on the agenda. It was noted that Greg Marshall’s 1^st term was up and that he did not wish to serve a second term. Bob Kornkven then opened the floor for nominations for district director. Dan nominated Darwin Quandt with a second by Bob. Mike Rose nominated Craig Birdsall with a second by Loren Ness. Warren moved nominations cease with a second by Dan Thomas. Hand count taken, Craig Birdsall is the new Northwest District Director. Nominations were taken for the Allocation Committee. Pat Murphy nominated Dan Skarsgard with a second by Darwin. Clayton Fegley moved nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for Dan. Loren Ness second. Dan will serve on the Allocation Committee.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Paulette Neva

Executive Secretary

Door Prize Winners: Clayton Fegley, Greg Simonson, Dave Miller, Steve Lauckner

Northeast District Meeting Minutes

December 7, 2000 – Lakota, ND

Northeast District Director, Dennis Miller called the meeting to order. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as read. Paulette gave the financial report with a motion to approve by Lloyd Thompson and second by Bill Erbstoesser. Paulette updated on dues and check-offs. Griggs county had not paid 2000 dues as yet. Counties from the Northeast District not reporting check-off as yet on the varieties allocated in 1999 are: Eddy, Foster, Ramsey, Rolette, Towner & Walsh.

Randy Mehlhoff, Director of the Langdon REC addressed the group with information on the planned “Vic Sturlaugson Learning Facility” to be built in Langdon. The facility will be an Ag Based Rural Economic Development Technology & Information Transfer Center for Northeast North Dakota. Randy asked the County Crop Improvement Associations in the district to consider a donation to the facility by adding an agenda item to their next county meeting. Randy said he would be willing to attend any county meetings to address their group with regard to the new center.

Resolutions were next on the agenda. Mike Gartner presented the following resolution that was passed at the Southwest District Meeting:

Whereas it is necessary for farmers or any other business to show a profit and Whereas seed production is a value added venture which helps make farming profitable; Therefore be it resolved that the North Dakota Ag Experiment Station discontinue the policy of setting a state wide price on new increase seed so that local Crop Improvement and the local grower are able to set a price that is profitable.

Using the Ag Experiment Station set price, Mike showed examples of his cost of production and end net profit on Alsen HRSW and Youngs and Ebeltoft Oats that he grew last year. With regard to the oats, his end net profit of $.06/bushel is not enough to keep his or any other farming operation afloat. With the case of Parshall HRSW last year, if there had been some flexibility in the pricing system, a grower would have been able to capitalize and make a decent profit. And in year’s where a variety wasn’t selling well, with a flexible system, a grower would have the opportunity to lower the price and maybe sell the seed instead of having to carry it over or sell at the elevator. Mike mentioned that this resolution will be going to the state meeting in February and asked for their support of the resolution. Ron Beneda suggested that maybe there should at least be a “minimum” price set, with the ceiling cap left open. There was discussion that with a system such as Mike was proposing, even with a minimum, there would be price “gouging”. Seed prices now are figured by taking the estimated year end Minneapolis price, adding a grower increase premium which then gives you the registered bulk price. A 10% association fee (check-off) is added giving you your final selling price for bulk seed. Galen said the grower increase premium is based for the most part, on a survey that was done in 1994, although there has been some “tweaking” with regard to bag & treatment costs. It was suggested that maybe it is time to redo that survey and come up with a better idea of what the grower increase premium should be. There was also mention that maybe there should be a couple of producers to sit on the seed pricing committee.

Ron Beneda recommended that the bagging price be raised from $.75/bushel to $1.00/bushel, and also take into consideration totes when pricing is done. The Seed Pricing Committee will take this under advisement.

Ron Beneda addressed the issue of seed lots that do not pass as registered or certified seed. There were quite a few lots of Alsen in Cavalier county this year that did not make seed, and according to the contract, the seed must be dumped. These growers have paid $17.00/bushel for the seed and now have to dump at the elevator for $1.50. They would like to see something in the contract that allows for a grower to seed this “uncertified” seed back on his own farm. Jim Swanson stated that PVP will allow a variety to “plant back”, but purity is the issue. If purity is met, a substandard tag can be ordered from State Seed. Galen mentioned that the Seed Increase Agreement is based on issues that have come up over time, and there has been effort put forth to put as much “teeth” into the contract as possible to keep seed in the system. However, that is not say that the contract cannot be changed.

The resolution from last year with regard to discount pricing for early orders was discussed. The resolution reads:

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 downpayment be collected at the time of the order to insure the sale. Ron Beneda moved to resubmit the resolution this year with a second by Leon Hiltner. Motion passed.

Dennis Miller then opened the floor for nominations for District Director, noting that Bill Erbstoesser’s 1^st term is up and that he is eligible to serve another 3-years. Gary Hiam nominated Bill Erbstoesser with a second by John. Lloyd moved nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for Bill. Second by Gary Hiam. Bill will serve another 3-year term. Bill Erbstoesser was nominated to sit on the Allocation Committee. Lloyd moved nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for Bill. Second by Chuck Nelson.

There being no further business, meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Paulette Neva

Executive Secretary

Door Prize Winners: Dick Hamel, Chuck Nelson, John Steffan, Russel Hoge

Southwest District Meeting Minutes

December 5, 2000, Mandan, ND

District Director and President, Mike Gartner called the meeting to order. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as read. Financial statement was read with a motion to approve by Daryl Anderson and second by Eric Ericksmoen. Paulette updated on dues and check-offs. Griggs County had not paid 2000 dues as yet. Counties from the Southwest District not reporting check-off as yet on the varieties allocated in 1999 are: Adams, Bowman, Burleigh, Dunn, and Oliver.

Mike opened the floor for nominations for District Director, noting that Miles Hansen’s 1^st term is up and that he is eligible to serve another 3-year term. Chester Miller nominated Miles Hansen with a second by Jim Ballweber. Daryl Anderson moved nominations cease and cast a unanimous ballot for Miles. Second by Bill Flaget. Miles will serve another 3-year term. Mike Gartner was selected to remain as the Southwest District’s representative on the Allocation Committee.

Mike introduced the following resolution:

Whereas it is necessary for farmers or any other business to show a profit, and

Whereas seed production is a value added venture which helps make farming profitable,

Eric reminded the group of the upcoming Western Dakota Crops Day which will be held December 13 in Hettinger. Eric also mentioned the 4 bulk bins at the Hettinger REC are up and going and plans are to have Reeder and Conlon available at the Hettinger station.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Paulette Neva

Executive Secretary