Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Lawton Stewart, University of Georgia Livestock Extension Specialist, called the meeting to order. Introductions of the officers Guillermo Scaglia, Louisiana State University, President (could not attend); Lawton Stewart, University of Georgia, President-elect (presiding); Paul Beck, University of Arkansas, Secretary; Jeff Lehmkuhler, University of Kentucky, Past President; Jimmy Henning, University of Kentucky, Administrative Advisor –Extension (could not attend); Steve Oliver, University of Tennessee, Administrative Advisor – Research (could not attend); Neal Schrick, University of Tennessee, Acting Administrative Advisor Jason Banta, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, was elected as Secretary for the 2015 meeting. Welcome to the meeting and brief overview of the SERA 41 Objectives was presented by Lawton Stewart. Report from the Administrative Advisors (offered by Neal Shrick). Department heads are very supportive of this project. Because of the overwhelming positive support, they are requesting a rewrite and reapplication by this SERA group as it is approaching the end of its run. Extension efforts by this group show very good collaboration across state lines and is used as a model example of how regional collaborative efforts should be done. Research efforts must improve in collaboration. It was pointed out that this project (which is due July 1, 2014)must be made more concise and focused. Four Objectives with 10 to 15 sub objectives is too much. Department heads want this group to continue and suggest that members of the Reproduction group that just ended be involved. Annual Report Update. States were requested to put together their reports and submit to Paul Beck by March 4, 2014. Final reports are due to be submitted to NIMSS by 60-days following the meeting. April 4, 2014. State Representatives Responsible for Compiling State Reports Person State Lawton Stewart Georgia Matt Hersom Florida John Andrae South Carolina Dat Macoon Mississippi R. Muntiferring Alabama R. Nave Tennessee G. Scaglia Louisiana K. Coffey Arkansas J. Banta Texas C. Richards/D. Lalman Oklahoma M. Poore NorthCarolina J. Lehmkuhler Kentucky Texas SERA 41 Report - Monte Rouquette, Texas A&M AgriLife - Research Overton Importance of the beef industry and forages to Texas was described and contrasted with the level of industry support from beef vs row crops (cotton, corn, wheat) industry. Currently, Texas AgriLife Extension down to 2 forage specialists (down from >10). Funding from crop industries pushes Research and Extension funding across state, thus limited potential for forage-animal interface research or collaborative research across Texas. Successful Regional Collaborative Extension Program Report - SE Cattle Advisor – Lawton Stewart. The SE Cattle Advisor is a collaborative effort from Florida, Clemson, Auburn, and Georgia, funded by the Southern Risk Management grant program. Offers regional workshops and other conventional Extension efforts, and electronic media (website, Blog, mobile apps, and webinars). Integrated Multistate Collaborative Research Efforts Report – Jeff Lehmkuhler . Members of the SERA 41 group put together a grant through USDA-NIFA AFRI program, Adapting Genetic and Management Tools to Improve Heat Tolerance in Beef Cattle. Although this was not funded it provides a model for potential further collaborative research efforts. Funds may be available to put groups together for regional grant opportunities. 6th Southern Section ASAS Interdisciplinary Beef Program – Matt Poore. Is one of the groups most successful research collaboration efforts. Has been renamed the “Bill E. Kunkle Interdisciplinary Beef Symposium” and is supported through generous donation by Novus International. Leadership for this symposium is from the SERA 41 officers and chairs of SS ASAS Program Planning Committees and is chaired by the Past President of SERA 41.This year focus is on animal well-being. Each year presenters have the potential to provide an invited review article to Journal of Animal Science. Resubmission of SERA 41. Discussion was opened to decide if the group is in favor of resubmission of the SERA 41 project. The project offers a formal regional group that may enhance the potential for grant funding of regional projects. Writing group was put together. G. Scaglia (LSU), P. Beck (Arkansas), L. Stewart (Georgia), M. Hersom (Florida), M. Poore (NCSU), and B. Macoon (MSU). Due July 1. Potential for collaboration was discussed and included: Best Management Grazing Principles to Reduce Winter Feeding of Cowherds Stocker and Retained Ownership in the Southeast Cool Season Annual Forage Production and Animal Grazing Management It was moved by Matt Hersom (Florida) to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Jason Banta (Texas A&M AgriLife).