Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

2015 NCCC-31 Ecophysiological Aspects of Forage Management Annual Meeting - MINUTES May 26-28, 2015 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas Tuesday, May 26, 2015 -- Matador Ballroom, Hawthorn Suites Meeting started at 2:00 pm. Attendees (in person): Kim Cassida (MI), John Guretzky (NE), Marvin Hall (PA), Anowar Islam (WY), Bill Lamp (MD), Dirk Phillipp (AR), Craig Roberts (MO), Chuck West (TX), Jamie Foster (TX), and guests Dariusz Malinowski (TX), Emi Kimura (TX), Jourdan Bell (TX), and graduate students – Lisa Baxter, Victoria Xiong, Alexandre R, and Krishna Bhandari. Attendees (remote): Mark Sulc (OH), Jim Kells (MI) The meeting was called to order by Anowar Islam, followed by introduction of attending members and guests. Host Chuck West provided information on logistics, tours, housekeeping, etc. The published agenda was adjusted to accommodate late arrivals and Skype presentations for six planned participants whose flights were cancelled or delayed by bad storms in Texas. Committees were appointed, and the members were: Location of next meeting: Bill Lamp, Dirk Phillip, and Craig Roberts Nominations for Secretary and Chair-Elect: John Guretzky, Jamie Foster, and Kim Cassida Resolutions: Marvin Hall Renewal of NCCC-TEMP31: Mark Sulc joined via Skype and discussed and gave update on the renewal of NCCC-TEMP31. State reports were presented. State Report: M. Sulc, OHIO (via Skype) Mark apologized for being unable to attend in person, but his flights were cancelled by the airline. Mark reported that requested revisions to our renewal proposal have been uploaded to NIMSS and all questions were answered. If approved, the new project starts October 1, 2015. One suggestion was that the committee adopt a “Big Data” project, such as taking over the alfalfa variety test archive that was run by Dan Undersander until the recent retirement of his technician. Mark then presented interesting results from his collaboration with Brazilian researchers investigating “rotatinuous grazing” which is based on removal of 40% of plant height on a fast rotation. Much discussion occurred in response to this presentation. State Report: M. Hall, PENNSYLVANIA Marvin gave up on rescheduling a connecting flight, rented a car and drove to Lubbock from Dallas. First, he commented on the problem of shrinking forage variety test entries across the country, which reduces research dollars that helped fund applied research, the replacement of alfalfa acreage with corn silage, and stagnation of growth in the Pennsylvania grazing dairy industry. He announced that PennState is hiring another forage agronomist to take over the extension component of Marvin’s position. Marvin will continue with research and teaching. An update on the hay ash study indicates that 8% ash in hay is acceptable but some commercial labs are seeing levels up to 18%. State Report: C. Roberts, MISSOURI Craig presented data on a pasture biomass monitoring system developed by Rob Kallenbach. The system is based on ultrasound, can be mounted on an ATV, and is linked to GPS coordinates. He also presented an update on progress in developing a patented vaccine for fescue toxicosis and work on novel endophytes. His presentation led to discussion on how universities handle conflicts of interest when research leads to marketable technology. State Report: D. Phillipp, ARKANSAS Dirk presented results on Arkansas grazing research including Brassica variety trials, small ruminant study, turnip variety trials, and agroforestry/biomass/native grass establishment. At 5:30 pm, the meeting paused for a catered dinner, and then resumed for an evening session. Administrative Advisor Report, Jim Kells, MI (by conference call) Jim was stranded at an airport en route and regretted being unable to get to the meeting, but he reported that the committee is right on track for what it needs to be doing. The proposal went through review very smoothly and our revision request was considered minor. Pluses for our committee include productivity, reporting on time, and good attendance at the annual meeting. There are no negative implications for having so many members outside the NC region—in fact, this is good. He is willing to continue as our Admin Advisor as long as we wish to have him. Chuck West asked how federal dollar allocations for participating states are to be spent. The answer is that it is completely up to each participating state as to how they spend their allocation. They are not required to support the researchers in any way, including travel to the annual meeting, though most do support travel. Bill Lamp asked about the possibility of getting some of the money to support the research methods publication. Jim replied that this is up to the Ag Experiment Station directors in each state, but he is willing to help us. The final action of the day was a discussion of collaboration efforts. Chuck West reported on the recent Alfalfa and Forage Research Program RFA, which had the minimum deadlines required by law (30 days). NAFA staff are advising: 1) that research groups expect a RFA each year and prepare proposals well in advance of the release date because short turnaround times are expected to be the norm, and 2) that the requirement for three participating states per proposal is expected to continue, but the three states do not have to be working on the same project. Chuck suggested that the committee needs to plan for how it will break up into groups to make sure everyone is included in a proposal. Discussion included comments that 1) collaboration is not practical when grant amounts are so small, 2) possibility of changing the AFRP rules to make them more reasonable, and 3) shooting for bigger grant RFAs. The meeting adjourned for the day at 8:00 PM. Wednesday, May 27, 2015 -- Matador Ballroom, Hawthorn Suites, and field sites Meeting started at 8:00 am. Attendees (in person): Kim Cassida (MI), Tom Griggs (WV) (joined during the field tour), John Guretzky (KS), Marvin Hall (PA), Anowar Islam (WY), Bill Lamp (MD), Dirk Phillipp (AR), Craig Roberts (MO), Chuck West (TX), Jamie Foster (TX), and guests Dariusz Malinowski (TX), Emi Kimura (TX), Jourdan Bell (TX), and graduate students. Attendees (via Skype): Rebecca McCulley (KY) State Report: K. Cassida, MICHIGAN Kim reported on pasture forages for grass-fed beef, forages as cover crops, and birdsfoot trefoil breeding for increased tannin. Conference call with Jim Dobrowolski, NIFA representative. Jim outlined funding possibilities for forages within NIFA programs. Collaboration across regions is often helpful in getting funded. Questioned about the AFRP, he thought it unlikely the deadline situation will improve, and was not aware that researchers were being told collaborators did not have to align their projects. He believes panels are unlikely to consider unaligned proposals favorably. Jim will continue as our NIFA representative unless we request someone else. State Report: J. Guretsky, NEBRASKA John reported on research regarding N cycling in pastures including patch burning research. State Report: R. McCulley, KENTUCKY (via Skype) Rebecca regretted cancellation of her flights to the meeting, but presented results on fescue endophyte blot tests via Skype. State Report: Jamie Foster, TEXAS A&M Jamie’s report focused on the status of forage research and researchers across the Texas A&M system including work of Dariusz Malinowski, Emi Kimura, and Jourdan Bell. State Report: Chuck West, TEXAS Tech Chuck reported on work using digital images to evaluate forage stands and on volatile compounds in WW B Dahl bluestem that repel flies and fire ants. He deferred to the field tour for the rest of his report. Field tour: After lunch, the committee proceeded to the field tour at Texas Tech University. Fortunately a break in the weather allowed the tour to proceed. Chuck West apologized for having less to show us than he had planned. The unusually cool, wet growing season resulted in delayed planting for many of his trials and they had not yet been able to put stocker cattle on pasture because the access road was too wet for the cattle truck. Nevertheless, there was plenty to see. Current research is aimed at reducing water use by integrating grazing into cropping systems. The committee observed research on old world bluestem pastures, alfalfa, and triticale. The meeting adjourned for the second day at 4:30 pm. Thursday, May 28, 2015 -- Matador Ballroom, Hawthorn Suites Meeting started at 8:00 am. Attendees (in person): Kim Cassida (MI), John Guretsky (KS), Anowar Islam (WY), Bill Lamp (MD), Dirk Phillipp (AR), Craig Roberts (MO), Chuck West (TX), Jamie Foster (TX), and guests Dariusz Malinowski (TX), Emi Kimura (TX), Jourdan Bell (TX), and graduate students Attendees (via Skype): Ben Tracy (VA) State Report: Bill Lamp, MARYLAND Bill reported on his potato leafhopper research and notified us about the SocioEnvironmental Synthesis Center (SeSync) which can assist in analyzing complex data sets. State Report: Ben Tracy, VIRGINIA (via Skype) Ben was unable to attend in person due to cancellation of his flights, but used Skype to present data on carbon sequestration in continuous, rotational, and mob grazing systems. This led to a lively discussion regarding the definition of mob grazing and how data should be presented to farmers. State Report: Anowar Islam, WYOMING Anowar reported on research on alfalfa-grass mixtures and bromegrasses. Business - Committee reports: Location of next meeting: Bill Lamp was willing to host the next meeting in Maryland, but does not have an interesting tour. The committee discussed holding the meeting at a site of mutual interest and high learning value, but not necessarily at a member institution. Discussion centered on the Willamette Valley of Oregon, with the meeting held at a hotel and the tour organized around the forage seed industry. Tom Griggs is willing to arrange this. Target date is the second week of June. The committee approved a meeting in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Nominations and elections for Secretary and Chair-Elect: Craig Roberts was nominated by Kim Cassida with discussion with the committee and seconded by Chuck West. Committee passed Craig Roberts as Secretary and Chair-Elect. Resolutions: Marvin Hall offered the following resolution which was read by Bill Lamp. Whereas members of the NCCC-31 committee enjoyed a stimulating exchange of information and ideas on 26-28 May, 2015 at the excellent meeting facilities at Texas Tech University in Lubbock; be it hereby resolved that we are deeply grateful to Chuck West for making local arrangements. Whereas Anowar Islam has been a faithful chair of the NCCC-31 committee this past year; be it hereby resolved that the members deeply appreciate his excellent leadership. Renewal of NCCC-TEMP31: Just before the meeting adjourned, the committee received email notice that the renewal proposal has been accepted! Finally, Chair, Anowar Islam, thanked Chuck West (host) and all for their time, fruitful discussions, and making this meeting a successful one. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 am. NCCC-31 History of Officers and Meeting Locations 1966-2016 Year Chair Secretary Location 1966 D. Smith A. G. Matches Wisconsin; 1967 L. Smith K. L. Larson Minnesota; 1968 K. L. Larson W. F. Wedin Illinois; 1969 W. F. Wedin A. G. Matches North Dakota; 1970 A. G. Matches G. C. Marten Missouri; 1971 G. C. Marten R. W. Van Keuren Indiana; 1972 R. W. Van Keuren M. B. Tesar Pennsylvania; 1973 M. B. Tesar C. R. Krueger Nebraska; 1974 C. R. Krueger L. J. Klebesadel South Dakota; 1975 L. J. Klebesadel D. A. Holt Michigan; 1976 D. A. Holt D. W. Graffis Iowa; 1977 D. W. Graffis L. E. Moser Ohio; 1978 L. E. Moser C. J. Nelson Kansas; 1979 C. J. Nelson F. L. Barnett Illinois; 1980 F. L. Barnett A. L. Barta Minnesota; 1981 A. L. Barta D. W. Meyer North Dakota; 1982 D. W. Meyer S. H. Duke Wisconsin; 1983 S. H. Duke G. Heichel Missouri; 1984 G. Heichel J. R. George Nebraska; 1985 J. R. George G. L. Posler St. Louis, MO; 1986 G. L. Posler A. B. Frank Indiana; 1987 A. B. Frank J. J. Volenec St. Louis, MO; 1988 J. J. Volenec D. W. Graffis Iowa; 1989 D. W. Graffis K. D. Kephart Kansas; 1990 K. D. Kephart W. J. Moline South Dakota; 1991 W. J. Moline L. E. Moser Columbia, Missouri; 1992 L. E. Moser C. J. Nelson Grand Rapids, MI; 1993 C. J. Nelson J. R. George Des Moines, IA; 1994 J. R. George J. O. Fritz Lincoln, NE; 1995 J. O. Fritz K. A. Albrecht Madison, WI; 1996 A. B. Frank R. M. Sulc Vancouver, B. C.; 1997 R. M. Sulc K. J. Moore Columbus, OH; 1998 J. J. Volenec K. D. Kephart West Lafayette, IN; 1999 K. J. Moore J. J. Volenec Omaha, NE; 2000 K. D. Kephart G. Cuomo Ardmore, OK; 2001 J. J. Volenec R. H. Skinner State College, PA; 2002 R. H. Skinner J. L. Moyer Manhattan, KS; 2003 J. L. Moyer J. W. MacAdam Urbana, IL; 2004 J. W. MacAdam R. Leep Logan, UT; 2005 R. Leep K. A. Albrecht Madison, WI; 2006 K. A. Albrecht V. N. Owens Eureka Springs, AR; 2007 V. N. Owens B. Tracy Coshocton, OH; 2008 B. Tracy P. R. Peterson Ardmore, OK; 2009 P. R. Peterson C. West Grand Rapids, MI; 2010 C. West X. Dong Blacksburg, VA; 2011 B. Lamp X. Dong West Lafayette, IN; 2012 X. Dong S. Barnhart Bloomington, MN; 2013 T. C. Griggs J. MacAdam, X.Dong Lexington, KY; 2014 T. C. Griggs A. Islam Hickory Corners, MI; 2015 A. Islam K. Cassida Lubbock, TX; 2016 K. Cassida C. Roberts Willamette Valley, OR. Agenda 2015 NCCC31 Ecophysiological Aspects of Forage Management Annual Meeting May 26-28, Lubbock, TX Expected Participants: Ken Albrecht, Kim Cassida, Jamie Foster, Tom Griggs, John Guretzky, Anowar Islam, Bill Lamp, Rebecca McCulley, Dirk Philipp, Craig Roberts, Ben Tracy, Chuck West, Jim Kells (Admin Advisor), Mark Sulc, Marvin Hall, Jim Muir (Stephenville, TX), Jourdan Bell (Amarillo, TX), Dariusz Malinowski, Emi Kimura (Vernon, TX), 4 students of C. West. Jim Dobrowolski, NIFA representative, will join by conference call State/station reports <15 min. + discussion at end of each session Tuesday, May 26, 2015, Matador Ballroom, Hawthorn Suites 2:00 PM Call to order, introductions: Anowar Islam, Chair; Kim Cassida, Secretary and Chair-Elect Welcome: Chuck West, host, Texas Tech University, Lubbock Committee appointments: Location of next meeting Nominations for Secretary and Chair-Elect Resolutions NCCC-TEMP31 renewal 3:15 PM Break 3:30-5:15 PM State reports (5 @ 15 min.) and discussion 1 Tom Griggs, WV 2 Ken Albrecht, WI 3 Marvin Hall, PA 4 Kim Cassida, MI 5 Ben Tracy, VA 5:30-6:30 PM Catered Dinner 6:30-8:00 PM Comments: Admin Advisor Jim Kells, Chair, Dept. of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State Univ. NCCC-TEMP31 renewal and future goals, discussion Wednesday, May 27, 2015, Matador Ballroom, Hawthorn Suites 8:00 AM NIFA-Alfalfa grant program and NAFA information, discussion 8:30 AM Conference call with Jim Dobrowolski, NIFA representative? 9:00 AM State reports (4 @ 15 min.) and discussion 6 John Guretzky, NE 7 Bill Lamp, MD 8 Rebecca McCulley, KY 9 Dirk Philipp, AR 10:15 AM Break 10:30 AM State reports from Texas and discussion 10 Jamie Foster, TX; guests from TAMU, Muir, Bell, Malinowski, Kimura 11 Chuck West, Texas Tech 12 Chuck West, Preview of field trip 12:00 Noon Catered Lunch 1:00 PM Field Trip 6:00 PM Group Dinner at a Restaurant (pay your own) Thursday, May 28, 2015, Matador Ballroom, Hawthorn Suites 8:00 AM Business Committee reports: Location of next meeting Nominations and elections for Secretary and Chair-Elect Resolutions 8:45 AM State reports (3 @ 15 min.) and discussion 13 Mark Sulc, OH 14 Craig Roberts, MO 15 Anowar Islam, WY Discussion 10:00 AM Break 10:15 AM Wrap-up final business NCCC-TEMP31 Renewal/future goals NIFA-Alfalfa Planning Final Business 11:00 AM Adjourn

Significant accomplishments have been achieved at the annual NCCC-031 meeting in addition to individual accomplishments. These included: 1) Presentation, discussion, and reviewing of both individual and collaborative research programs and activities, 2) Discussion, updating, finalizing, and submitting the 5-year renewal of this project (and the project renewal was approved at the end of the meeting), 3) Discussion and planning for long-term larger grant proposal development, and 4) On-site field tour and discussion of projects with researchers at the Texas Tech research facilities such as reducing water use by integrating grazing into cropping systems and research on old world bluestem pastures, alfalfa, and triticale. Detailed accomplishments from the meeting activities are highlighted in the meeting minutes.