Approved Minutes of the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education

State Board of Agricultural Research and Education
Minutes - February 25-26, 2002
Roughrider Room, State Capitol, Bismarck,ND

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met at the State Capitol, Roughrider Room, in Bismarck, ND on February 25-26, 2002 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Members present were Sharon Anderson, Tom Archbold, Ryan Brooks, Tim Bryan, Jerry Doan, Patrice Eblen (for Roger Johnson), Neal Fisher, Carol Goodman, Jody Hauge, Maynard Helgaas, George Heller, Patricia Jensen, Burdell Johnson, Phillip Mueller, Ken Solberg, and Jim Venette.

Chairman Jerry Doan called the meeting to order. Minutes of the December 17, 2001 meeting were approved as distributed.

In January, over 260 letters were mailed from the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education to constituents, including commodity/producer groups, multi county program unit advisory council chairs, research extension center advisory board chairs, Ag Research Fund granting committee chairs, State Board of Higher Education members, representatives from North Dakota University System Office, Office of Management and Budget, Governor's office, and North Dakota legislators. The letters invited participation with the SBARE budget planning process. Representatives that responded to the invite attended the meeting Monday, February 25 to share input as follows.

Wade Moser, North Dakota Stockmen's Association

• need changes in the drylot cow herd
• need genetic studies
• need to get livestock feeding information distributed
• need environmental management studies to comply with government regulations
• need a better/different funding system that would allow research extension centers that produce cattle to use those cattle for research

Mark Weber, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers and Ken Schellack, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers and Agricultural Research Fund Granting Committee

• the consortium of ND/MN growers appreciate the support for research through the agricultural research fund
• the sugarbeet growers are very concerned with high costs of transportation for research since NDSU faculty and staff are required to use the state fleet and would like SBARE to explore ways to save on costs that consume research dollars

Bill Riebe, North Dakota Buffalo Association

• request research on heifer feeding
• request research study on maximum forage
• request more nutrition research, looking at economics

Eric Bartsch, Northern Canola Growers

• disease control is the number one issue for canola growers
• increased funding should be considered for research on diseases
• the NDAWN weather stations are critical and support is encouraged

Eric Bartsch, North Dakota Dry Pea and Lentil and American Renewable Oil

• because of the increased popularity of dry peas and lentils and the potential for growth, additional research is needed
• explore idea of obtaining breeder for midwest
• work for expanded utilization in United States for human consumption
• crambe growers would like to get full label for Roundup

Lance Hagen presented a statement on behalf of Jim Broten, chairman of the North Dakota Barley Council

• encourage incorporation of the western malting barley project into the 2003-05 biennium request
• request support for feed barley research, including funds for development of feed barley cultivars, funds for research considering the feeding value of the potential new cultivars coming from feed barley variety development program, and economic development specialist that would assist in the promotion of the livestock industry in North Dakota
• restoration of operating funds from prior initiatives to original budget category
• support for research equipment needs

Tom Christensen, ND State Soil Conservation district supervisor, expressed concern with regard to staffing needs for the organization. With possible changes coming through the federal farm bill and the possibility of grants to be administered by the SSCS, there is concern regarding the ability to respond.

Scott Kronberg, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Mandan

• the lab is expanding research in the area of cattle nutrition and management and integrated cattle/crop production to benefit producers in the northern great plains and would like to develop a specific cooperative agreement between NDSU (Central Grasslands Research Extension Center) and the ARS in Mandan

Larry Lee, Agricultural Research Fund Wheat Granting Committee

• there are many positive results from wheat research conducted, but currently $76,000 is contributed to three vital projects and the competitive nature of the process prevents opportunities for new innovative ideas
• granting committee needs flexibility to try new things, but currently the granting committees are covering shortfalls for essential research

Duane Boehm, Dakota Resource Council

• concern that research test plots around the state may be contaminated
• testing related to foundation seed - is there exposure without awareness?
• the council asks that genetically modified wheat not be grown, processed or tested in the same facility or using the same equipment where it could be exposed to other wheat

Bob Subart, Carrington Research Extension Center Advisory Board

• wages and compensation for researchers and professional staff are critical to acquire and maintain quality staff and adequately compensate researchers who show initiative
• lack of available labor is a concern on midsize farms
• encourage joint projects between commodity groups and NDSU researchers without making projects dependent on private funding

Bob Bahm, North Dakota Grain Growers

In addition to issues already being addressed the NDGG would like consideration of:

• effects of long-term nitrogen fertilizer on wheat and potential effects on group water quality
• research with the use of split applications of nitrogen using low pressure dribble nozzles
• research on the potential nitrogen loss from surface applied urea and the potential nitrogen loss when anhydrous ammonia is applied when soil conditions are not optimum
• research on the use of cerone on Conlon barley for better standability

Burton Pfliger, North Dakota Lamb and Wool Growers

• need to update sheep facility at NDSU
• continue to support sheep research and extension projects

Conrad Kalber, North Dakota Irrigation Caucus

• request research that supports irrigated production practices and post-harvest storage and processing

Correspondence from Larry Kleingartner, National Sunflower Association and Deb Escen, North Dakota Soybean Council, was distributed.

The National Sunflower Association's most important request for the next budget cycle and subsequent legislative session is maintenance of the core research community at NDSU and at the research extension centers.

Production research was listed as the Soybean Council's number one priority, number two priority - new uses research, and number three - human health research and the benefits of incorporating soyfoods in diet.

Neal Fisher distributed copies of North Dakota Wheat Commission county representative responses to a request for input. Concerns and priorities noted include disease, biotech, varieties/quality, and transportation costs.

After hearing input from the representatives, Chairman Doan asked the SBARE members for direction in the planning process. It was suggested that common themes be drawn from the input, followed by visits with appropriate faculty and staff to see how the recommendations fit. Ryan Brooks recommended that the SBARE budget subcommittee work actively to propose recommendations to full board for approval.

The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education reconvened at 8:00 a.m. on February 26 in the Roughrider Room.

Tom Archbold provided an update on the work of the SBARE extension engagement subcommittee, indicating they were looking at ways for the extension service to partner with the total university. He stressed the fact that there is no intention of taking funds from existing extension programs.

Sharon Anderson gave examples of how the engagement may happen, i.e., rural leadership programs, mini-grant program proposals, and a theater camp out state.

Jody Hauge expressed concern with how the engagement would be financed and Neal Fisher expressed concern with the perception that NDSU is moving support away from agriculture. Fisher stressed the importance of being cautious in how plans are "packaged", keeping agriculture in the forefront, building on it and not around it.

Tom Archbold made a motion that contingent on budget additions, and with concern for maintaining and enhancing the extension service existing agricultural programs, SBARE supports the concept of finding new ways to partner more broadly on the campus, to access the changing needs of North Dakota and to offer new ways of providing programs and opportunities to meet these needs. Carol Goodman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Ryan Brooks reported that the SBARE livestock subcommittee will plan to meet with the Carrington Advisory Board and research committee of the Stockmen's Association in March to continue discussions regarding the Carrington feedlot and cow herd.

Brooks made a motion to ask the NDSU Vice President's Office to look into the idea of providing livestock to the Mandan ARS in a collaborative project. Phil Mueller seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Blaine Schatz and Vern Anderson, from the Carrington Research Extension Center, gave a report on the status of the feedmill project at Carrington. Anderson stated that all bids came back well over the $300,000 that was allocated for the project. Since those bids are only good for thirty days, Anderson asked the board what the next step should be.

Ken Solberg introduced Joel Leapaldt, architect with the Office of Management and Budget, and recommended he work with the project team in an advisory capacity because of the uniqueness of the project.

Following discussions, Ryan Brooks made a motion to reject the feedmill bids received and move on. Tom Archbold seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Ken Solberg made a motion that the Carrington Research Extension Center staff, working with OMB's architect Joel Leapaldt, work on a concept to rebid the feedmill project allowing for suitable expansion. Burdell Johnson seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Bruce Bollinger presented a list of capital improvement projects compiled by NDSU agriculture department chairs and research extension center directors. Bollinger stated that there has been considerable support for the NDSU greenhouse complex, which carries a proposed price tag of almost eight million dollars. With that in mind, SBARE members questioned the need to prioritize any further on the list.

Neal Fisher made a motion to consider support of the entire list as presented with the greenhouse project as a priority. Ryan Brooks seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Kris Ringwall, director at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, visited with SBARE about requesting authorization for a new headquarters building at Dickinson, using oil revenue for the proposed three million dollar project. There was some discussion regarding the high cost of the proposed building project, but Carol Goodman reminded board members that all centers have different needs and scopes. She does not feel they should be compared to one another. SBARE members agreed to delay action and asked Kris Ringwall to provide more specific information on the project.

Paul Nyren asked the board to consider approval of an addition to the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center. He indicated he plans to seek local support, but also expects general fund dollars will be needed.

Joel Leapaldt recommended an engineer be contracted to evaluate the NDSU greenhouse project. He also reminded the board that future operating costs need to be considered when planning for new building projects, specifically the Dickinson Research Extension Center.

Ken Solberg made a motion to reconsider the action of the previous motion which noted the greenhouse project as the priority. Ryan seconded the motion which passed with three opposing votes.

Ken Solberg moved that no prioritization take place until the March meeting to allow for further consideration of the capital projects list presented. Tom Archbold seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Patricia Jensen agreed to talk with NDSU faculty and staff and will come back with a recommended capital project list. She stressed the difficulty in prioritizing as all needs exist.

Jerry Doan told SBARE he will work with the budget subcommittee on planning and will work with Bruce Bollinger to evaluate the budget situation prior to the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.

Recorded by Margaret Olson

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