Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

NCCC-9: MWPS  Research and Extension Educational Materials Minutes 2013 Annual Meeting May 15 and 16, 2013, Ames, IA 2012-13 officers: Chair, Rick Stowell, (NE) Vice-Chair, Ken Hellevang, (ND) Secretary, Kevin Janni, (MN) Past Chair, Lingying Zhao, (OH) John Lawrence, Administrative Advisor Brad Rein, NIFA Representative Participant List (5/20/2013, http://nimss.umd.edu/homepages/member.cfm?trackID=10696 ) Richard Cooke (IL) Kevin Janni (MN) Richard Stowell (NE) Jay Harmon (IA) Don Jones (IN) Yuanhui Zhang (IL) Joseph P. Harner (KS) Rebecca A. Larson (WI) Lingying Zhao (OH) Kenneth Hellevang (ND) Laura Pepple (IL) Joe Zulovich (MO) Brian Holmes (WI) Tom Scherer (ND) The meeting was called to order by Rick Stowell, NCCC-9 Chair. Members and guests in attendance included: Richard Stowell and Amy Schmidt (NE) Kevin Janni and Larry Jacobson (MN) Ken Hellevang and Tom Scherer (ND) Lingying Zhao (OH) Brian Holmes and Rebecca Larson (WI) Laura Pepple, (IL) Joe Zulovich and Teng Lim (MO) Jay Harmon, Steve Hoff, Dan Andersen, Dan Huyser and John Lawrence (IA) Kathy Walker (MWPS) During introductions attendees were invited to highlight one or two key ways that NCCC-9 has helped them achieve extension and/or research dissemination objectives. Collaboration Discussion 1 Members and guests broke into two groups based on interest areas to identify potential opportunities and needs for collaboration for research and extension educational. Numerous ideas were identified. Small group reports were presented. Administrative Update Dr. John Lawrence, NCCC-9 Administrative Adviser, gave a report on the projects status. The midterm reviews for NCCC-9 were labeled good to excellent. The committee was encouraged to continue to report on multi-state efforts, outcomes and impacts. The annual report and final report were encouraged to be comprehensive. NCCC-9 is ending in 2014 so a proposal for renewal is due in 2013. Deadlines for renewing NCCC-9 were reviewed. They can be found online at http://ncra.info/MSR_ApprovalProcess.php. The Issues and Justification sections are due September 15. Objectives are due October 15. Completed Appendix E forms from each participating state are due November 15. The completed proposal is due in NIMSS in its entirety by December 1, 2013. NIFA priorities were reviewed including: Climate Change, Energy, Water Quality and Feeding 9 billion people on earth. Budget cuts due to sequestration were expected to be permanent. USDA is backing away from the large CAP projects. NIFA is down 40 staff members and is expected to delay the release of grant funds. Dr. Lawrence encouraged members to look to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for potential funding by emphasizing impacts and use of proposed intellectually meritorious work proposed. Review of Project Objectives of Proposal Renewal Project objectives from the current project were reviewed, reordered and revised for the project renewal. The new project objectives are: 1. Identify, conceptualize and communicate emerging issues for feed, food, fiber and energy production systems that necessitate basic and/or applied research to maintain the viability and competitive marketing advantage of U.S. feed, food, fiber and energy sectors. 2. Develop science-based information for nontraditional audiences, in addition to traditional audiences, regarding feed, food, fiber and energy production to help ensure resources are sustained and the environment is protected. 3. Foster science-based, multidisciplinary and multi-state activities for the protection of our natural resources through sustainable feed, food, fiber and energy systems, including protection of surface and ground water, soils, and air quality through appropriate technology transfer. 4. Enlarge and preserve the knowledge base made available through NCCC-009 activities and transform this knowledge for use by clientele-based media. MWPS Report Kathy Walker presented a report on MWPS for 2012-2013 activities. MWPS has a new website, which has several new features including auto rotation of products on the home page, and capabilities to tag products and handle international sales. She also reported that NRAES (Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service) has changed its name to PALS (Plant and Life Sciences) Publishing. PALS is selling off its inventory and going digital. New MWPS publications for the year include: " Cattle Feeding Buildings in the Midwest (AED-60) " Wiring Handbook for Rural Facilities (MWPS-28) " Dairy Freestall Housing and Equipment Handbook (MWPS-7) Eighth edition Materials in production include the Grain Drying Handling and Storage (MWPS-13). Kathy requested NCCC-9 members to assist with marketing through their networks. Several ideas were discussed including: developing a tri-fold (pdf) with lists of books that could be distributed to extension offices, creating MWPS business cards with website and phone number, and developing a marketing schedule. The group also discussed E-books and / or digital downloads. Several members suggested selling books in pdf that users can read using tablets and other computers. Other ideas were discussed. MWPS Best Sellers for the past year were: 1. Cattle Feeding Buildings in the Midwest (AED-60) 2. Residential Onsite Wastewater (CIDWT) 3. Grain Drying Handling and Storage (MWPS-13) 4. Wiring Handbook for Rural Facilities (MWPS-28) 5. Structures and Environment Handbook (MWPS-1) 6. Installation of Wastewater Treatment (CIDWT-Installer) 7. Sheep Housing and Equipment Handbook (MWPS-3) 8. Horse Facilities Handbook (MWPS-60) 9. Sprinkler Irrigation Systems (MWPS-30) 10. Raising Dairy Replacements  Book / CD (RDR) Kathy also reported that the MWPS debt has been reduced 60% since August 2006; 16% since July 1, 2012. Collaboration Discussion 2 Members and guests again broke into two groups based on interest areas to discuss opportunities and needs for collaboration for research and extension education from the first discussion. Participants were asked to prioritize two or three topics. Some of the prioritized topics included (not in order): " Water conservation and emergency preparedness for animal agriculture " Revising MWPS-13, Grain Drying Handling and Storage " Lighting for animal agriculture " An AED for anaerobic digester management for training programs in multiple states " Pit foaming " Manure processing " MWPS-1 revision " Vegetative filters for feedlot runoff NCCC-9 Business Meeting NCCC-9 Chair Rick Stowell called the NCCC-9 business meeting to order. It was moved and seconded that the minutes of the 2012 annual meeting of NCCC-9 be approved as distributed. The motion passed. Committee membership. It was noted that Dr. Don Jones (IN) has retired. Dr. Jiqin Ni was contacted and has expressed interest in participating in NCCC-9. Potential members from Michigan State University were discussed, but no one has been contacted. In an effort to increase participation in NCCC-9 and its quarterly conference call and webinars, it was suggested that webinars related to new topics be organized to meet prospective member interests. Precision agriculture was an example topic that might be used in the future for a webinar topic. The revised project objectives for NCCC-9 were reviewed again and approved. Nominations for NCCC-9 secretary were solicited. Dr. Becky Larson (WI) was nominated and elected to serve as NCCC-9 secretary. Plans for the 2014 NCCC-9 Annual meeting were discussed. Proposed dates were May 13, 14 or 15, 2014. A central location where members can drive seemed to have more support than at an airport hotel or rotating campuses. The meeting was adjourned. A tour of the new Iowa State University laboratory and office buildings for the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department was conducted after lunch.

SIGNIFICANT EFFORTS AND OUTCOMES NCCC-9 Collaborations NCCC-9 members worked together on the following collaborations: 1. NCCC-9 Quarterly Conference Calls NCCC-9 successfully continued to hold quarterly teleconferences. During each teleconference people were invited to present on an extension program that was recently completed or has produced significant outcomes. Each presentation provided opportunity for discussion and was recorded for later viewing. Quarterly conference calls were also used to provide update on Midwest Plan Service materials and ideas for collaboration. Outcomes: Presentations made during the year addressed: " Dairy farm energy audits (Scott Sanford, University of Wisconsin-Madison) " Diesel engine efficiency in field operations (Dana Peterson, Iowa State University) " On-farm grain drying system efficiency (Sam McNeill, University of Kentucky) " Air quality videos and outreach (Kevin Janni, University of Minnesota) 2. Minnkota Builders Conference: Minnesota and South Dakota organized the 2013 meeting of the Minnkota Builders and Equipment Association in Sioux Falls, SD. Outcomes: The meeting provided consultants, builders, and equipment suppliers with current information about gestation stall issues, pig industry changes, animal feeding operation site selection, confinement beef barns with deep manure pits, airflow patterns in monoslope beef barns, beef cattle performance in slatted floor confinement beef barns, dairy feed storage design and selection, swine deep pit manure foaming, rural utility view of energy needs and climate change education. 3. Beef finisher planning: Illinois, Iowa and South Dakota are continuing collaborative work to develop planning specifications for bedded-pack beef barns. Bedded-pack barns (solid manure) are presently sized based upon manure production and storage figures for liquid manure systems. As a result, many regulation-driven designs are oversized and inefficient. Outcomes: State universities and agencies are working together to develop new beef unit planning procedures using the field data collected. 4. Ventilation workshops: Extension engineers and animal scientists in MN, IA, SD and NE continue to deliver workshops for barn managers and pig caretakers to address the need for improved understanding and management of mechanical ventilation systems in swine buildings. This year engineers from MO helped present a workshop in MO too. A mobile ventilation laboratory was used to demonstrate mechanical ventilation principles, fan interactions, inlet behaviors and controller performance. Funds for the mobile lab were provided by the pork producer organizations in the four states. Outcomes: Fourteen workshops were held in the four-state region this year with more than 300 participants. In addition two workshops were held in MO with another 70 participants. 5. Manure pit foaming: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska are continuing to collaborate on research to combat excessive foaming in swine deep manure pits. These states continue to experience excessive foaming in some manure pits, with foam sometimes causing flash fires in buildings. Studies are being conducted to determine foaming causes, come up with safe management strategies, and find possible long-term solutions. Outcomes: A team of university and industry personnel representing a broad spectrum of experience and capabilities were addressing the problem. Extension articles and safety information were conveyed across the region to help address short-term concerns. 6. Technical Service Provider (TSP) training: Illinois is coordinating TSP training for developing comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMP) for livestock producers. TSPs work with livestock producers and typically write several nutrient management plans each year. Outcomes: In addition to Illinois TSPs, this course was recently approved by the National Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide training to all TSP who need certification. 7. Biofilter research and webinar: Illinois, Missouri and South Dakota are collaboratively evaluating biofilters for ammonia and odor control from mechanically ventilated swine buildings. Outcomes: A webinar entitled Modern biofilters, critical points in the systems, footprints and costs was presented by faculty from IL, MO and MN in December 2012 via the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center Educational Webcast Series. Approximately 80 people attended the webinar including personnel from EPA, DNR, NRCS, extension, research, and education. The webinar was based on research with two novel biofilters at the University of Illinois and experience with a large-scale vertical biofilter at a commercial farm installation. Extension publications on biofilters were posted on the Livestock & Poultry Environmental Learning Centers eXtension website. 8. Air Emissions Rates for Swine Finishing Researchers from Missouri and Indiana analyzed ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and dust emissions rate data from Indiana and North Carolina swine finishing facilities. The data was used to develop emission models that estimate daily and annual emission rates for commercial facilities with similar production characteristics, and based on local weather station data. Outcomes: Emission models based on the Indiana and North Carolina data were developed. New user friendly swine finishing emission model website was setup. The website shows daily and annual emission rates and figures that illustrate the emission rate variations at different growth stage and time of the year. 9. AFO air emissions monitoring and outreach: Minnesota is collaborating with research and extension faculty at Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota on a USDA NIFA-funded integrated project on airborne emissions from animal feeding operations. Assessment of the videos is ongoing. Outcomes: Six videos for public policy makers, regulators, producers, owners, managers and interested citizens were produced. The videos are posted on the on the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center website. 10. Horse manure composting: Illinois and Wisconsin are collaborating on a project to improve use of horse manure in the Chicago and Milwaukee multi-county areas by composting, thus diverting manure from landfills. Outcome: A composting demonstration site was set up in Wisconsin, and workshops have been held for composting cooperators. 11. Climate change: A national project team including Nebraska, Washington, Texas, Georgia, New York, and Minnesota is collaborating on a funded (NIFA) Extension project addressing Animal Agriculture and Climate Change. The project aims to build up extension capacity in this topic area through provision of educational resources via the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center [eXtension] and professional development offered via regional programs. Outcomes: Working groups assessed needs and are planning programming within each of five regions in the U.S. Minnesota leads efforts in the Midwest and is involving several NCCC-9 members (ex. Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri) in the Midwest working group. An online course was developed (in review) to provide baseline continuing education for extension educators and other producer advisors. A Climate Change Symposium was held in conjunction with the Waste-to-Worth Conference to bring together leading experts in the field and disseminate current information to a national extension audience. 12. National Air Quality Site-Assessment Tool (NAQSAT): Faculty from Nebraska and Minnesota contributed to revision and updating of NAQSAT. Outcomes: NAQSAT is a free and confidential online tool that animal feeding operators and managers can use to assess the impact of common animal feeding operation practices and alternatives on emissions from their operation. 13. Flood recovery: North Dakota and Missouri are collaborating in a NIFA Special Needs grant that is providing funding for a National Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) project to create subject matter work groups who are compiling and developing technical resources for both EDEN and eXtension related to preparation and recovery from flooding. Having peer reviewed science and research based resources compiled in subject matter groups will save Extension educators a great deal of time as they prepare for flood response. The project is also clarifying the roles of extension staff during the phases of a flood and recovery. Outcomes: Information and resources were provided at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood in a timely manner for use throughout affected areas in the Midwest. 14. Field tile drainage: North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota collaborated to deliver joint workshops on designing and installing field tile. Outcomes: Field Tiling Workshops were filled to capacity. Water quality monitoring results were made available at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/waterquality/tile-drainage-1. 15. Energy Education and Outreach: Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Minnesota have contributed to various renewable energy and farm energy conservation extension programs underway in the Midwest. Members from WI, IA and MN participate as ex-offico members on the board of directors of the Midwest Rural Energy Council (MREC). MREC holds an annual educational conference Outcomes: Contributing NCCC-9 members have produced fact sheets, webinars, You Tube videos, and other web content related to grain drying and storage for corn, barley, and sunflowers; swine housing and manure digestion. One of the quarter NCCC-9 conference calls focused on energy Extension programming. South Dakota is leading development of workshops to help dairy producers manage risk and energy associated with hot weather ventilation of mechanically ventilated dairy barns. 16. National AgrAbility: Indiana is host to the National AgrAbility Project which serves 24 state and regional projects and provides limited assistance in all states through the www.agrability.org website, toll free assistance line and regional workshops. Participating states included Indiana, Minnesota, Vermont, North Carolina, New York, Missouri, Maine, Kentucky, Utah, Delaware, Ohio, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. The group conducted monthly planning meetings from October 2012 to April 2013 to develop the annual National Training Workshop. The Workshop was attended by all 32 State and regional AgrAbility projects, affiliate programs and clients. Outcomes: AgrAbility National Training Workshop was held to address issues of disability in agriculture. It improved client enrollment, assistive technology resources, and individuals learned about research and extension materials and programs of interest to others attending the workshop. 17. Robotic Milking Surveys: Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota have collaborated on robotic milking surveys. Outcomes: Survey results will provide date for Extension and outreach programming activities to provide robotic milking system users with science-based information. Iowa State Extension had developed an online spreadsheet to help interested producers analyze the economics of robotic milking as they investigate the new technology. 18. Manure Systems: Several states participated in the planning, hosting and educational programming of the 2012 North American Manure EXPO and the 2013 Midwest Manure Summit. Both events were held in WI. Outcomes: The EXPO included a digester tour, pump school, demonstrations of numerous agitation, pumping, and application systems for manure. The Midwest Manure summit included talks on research and developments associate with farmstead manure issues ranging from digestion to manure storage design to climate change. 19. Vegetative Treatment Systems for Feedlot Runoff: Research results at sites across four states served as the basis to inform producers, designers and consultants about the merits and needs of vegetative treatment systems for managing runoff from open feedlots. Outcomes: Nebraska hosted a multi-state workshop to equip NRCS engineers and industry consultants with information to design and manage vegetative treatment systems for managing runoff from open lots. More than 20 participants received technical training and professional development. A draft Owners Manual for Vegetative Treatment Systems was produced and reviewed. 20. MWPS Publications: NCCC-009 members coordinate the review and revision of existing Midwest Plan Service (MWPS) publications and the writing of new materials. Outcomes: Two new publications were published this year. A few MWPS publications were prioritized as warranting revision and select new publications were identified for development at the annual meeting.

NCCC-9 Publications NCCC-9 member led efforts to produce two new publications published by MWPS. They include " Wiring Handbook for Rural Facilities (MWPS-28 4th edition), 92 pages, Technical Editor L. Stetson 2013. " Dairy Freestall Housing and Equipment (MWPS-7 8th edition), 226 pages, B. Holmes, N. Cook, T. Funk, R. Graves, D. Kammel, D. Reinemann and J. Zulovich. 2013.