Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting: MULTISTATE RESEARCH COORDINATING COMMITTEE/INFORMATION EXCHANGE GROUP, SERA 11 Review and Coordination of Oilseed Rape Research Programs in the Southern Region (IEG-55) ANNUAL MEETING, Arkansas Union 504, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, April 6-7, 2006. 1.The meeting was officially called to order by Rufina Ward at 1:10 p.m. on April 06, 2006. She thanked Robert Bacon and his staff for their work in preparing and hosting the meeting, and for the exciting program they had put together, before turning the podium over to Robert Bacon, incoming chair of SERA 11 IEG 55. 2.Robert Bacon started the program by introducing Dr. Greg Weidemann, University of Arkansas Dean and VP for Research. Dr. Weidemann welcomed the group and recognized canola as having excellent potential in the southeastern region. As an alternative crop, its agronomic and pest management needs must be met. The potential and need for canola for biofuel production has been demonstrated and he stressed the significance of establishing a federal partnership. 3.After the first speaker, R. Bacon welcomed all participants and they each briefly introduced themselves (see participant list). 4.John Kelly reported on the canola breeding program at the University of Arkansas. Germplasm lines of canola adapted to the Midsouth are evaluated for yield, test weight, oil composition (total oil, low erucic acid, glucosinolate), disease resistance and agronomic characteristics. Genotype evaluation, breeding trials and national variety tests are conducted in 2 locations: Marianna (east location) and Kibler (west location). Potential parent genotypes are evaluated for high yield potential, high oil content, winter hardiness, and disease resistance. 5.Rose Gergerich, Plant Virologist, University of Arkansas, reported on vectors and incidence of aster yellows on canola. She declared that it was location, location, location, when it comes to contracting plant disease. Location is an important determinant of incidence levels. Canola is infected by viruses and phytoplasmas transmitted by leafhoppers. Other hosts for these organisms are tomato, plantain, marigold, and cone flowers. Disease symptoms of cupping of leaves, twisting of stems, and stunted plants may be caused by phytoplasmas but PCR testing is necessary to confirm infection. Fall infection may be accompanied by severe symptoms and great yield losses. Disease management options for viruses in canola include pyrethroid insecticides, good weed control, clean seed (if seed transmitted), tolerant varieties or resistant varieties. Phytoplasma has been found to be a problem. Viruses are not yet widespread but aphid vectors have potential for diseases. 6.Michael Popp spoke on the Economic Feasibility of Canola Production. The energy price outlook was for $50-65/barrel in 2004, but since that has changed dramatically, biodiesel has become economically feasible. Biodiesel can also be made from chicken fat, beef tallow, or soybean. Using biodiesel as an additive (1% biodiesel) gives lubricating properties and will replace sulfur, but will not affect diesel price much. More oil crops are needed for biodiesel to alleviate dependence on foreign oil. Canola is a promising oil crop. Marianna, AR has been the best location for canola in Arkansas where an average of 2308 lb/acre has been produced. Prices are driven by oil/meal demand, but currently $11.50/lb is the market value in Vancouver, Canada. Canola is typically 80% of the market value of soybean. Current numbers would indicate that returns of canola production in Arkansas would be very favorable compared to wheat or soybeans. 7.Cal McCastalin from Patriot Biofuels, Inc. spoke of the growing biodiesel industry in Arkansas. The Midsouth as a region is ideally situated as a key energy producer. Besides his company, Eastman Chemicals is interested in biodiesel and is becoming a major player. The biodiesel industry is trying to encourage canola production because oil production per acre is the important issue. He felt that US policy, public agencies and industry can bring the crop to fruition and give value added to the farmers. Agriculture research and extension programs are critical because they have the network to piece everything together. 8.Mark Boyles, Extension Specialist at OSU, discussed the growing canola industry in Oklahoma. It started as small-plot research and the primary goal was to have a rotational crop with wheat to clean-up weed problems, primarily Italian Ryegrass. The effort to educate farmers on growing winter canola began in 2003 with 10 farmers with 10 acres each. It expanded in 2004 to about 16,000 acres; in 2005 it has grown to 50,000-65,000 acres. Chad Godsey, Kansas State University, discussed the KSU/OSU joint breeding program. He described the breeding objectives and variety trials that are conducted. He indicated their production research was limited to Central Great Plains. 9.Dale Thorenson updated the group on national canola issues. He discussed a crop amendment to the FY 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill passed by the House and Senate and signed into law concerning Federal Crop Insurance, as well as the Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006. He also talked about the efforts to get funding that would help the biodiesel industry. He announced the USCA-sponsored Canola Research Conference will be on November 12-15 in Indianapolis in conjunction with the ASA meetings. 10.The group adjourned and met at the Downtown Radisson for a reception and dinner. 11.The group reconvened on the morning of April 7. The meeting was called to order at 7:56 a.m. with Rufina Ward presiding for the business meeting. The following items were covered: a)Minutes from 2005 meeting were presented for review. Paul Raymer made the motion to accept the minutes and David Starner seconded. The 2005 minutes were accepted. b)Discussion: Canola Meeting. Other Canola meetings for 2006 and 2007 were announced by Dale Thorenson; they will be mailed again to everyone. It was suggested to have a meeting with other regional groups similar to the regional wheat meeting. It was announced that the International Rapeseed Meeting will be held in China in 2007. c)Expiration Date for SERA IEG. Ruben Moore reminded the group that SERA-IEG 11 will expire in 2007, but that an easy one-year extension can be obtained. A decision must be made by next year about renewal. d)State Reports. i)Alabama Report: U.R. Bishnoi. Although there is no commercial acreage of canola in AL, he recommended other universities should follow Oklahomas lead in getting farmers to grow canola. Although in Alabama, Auburn University dropped canola due to lack of interest by growers, the AAMU Research Director supported canola research. Ernie Cebert discussed ongoing breeding for early maturity. The thesis work on blackleg by A. Ananga has been completed with promising results. A biomass and nutrient uptake study is ongoing by C. Bell. Additional studies include rapeseed biofumigation work in rotation with cotton and a nutritional study of canola as a green vegetable. Rufina Ward summarized ongoing work on insect-canola interaction at AAMU. She is involved in bionomics study and the chemical control of cabbage seedpod weevil. ii)Arkansas Report: Robert Bacon. Although there was no commercial acreage of canola in AR for 2005-06, it appears that some acreage may be planted during the 2006-07 season. The breeding program continues with several germplasm lines released and if commercial production begins in the state it is anticipated that the next release will be a variety. There are currently two biodiesel plants operating with more being planned for the state. iii)Georgia Report: Paul Raymer. He indicated that the breeding program is suspended and that no more crosses are being made. However they will continue moving advanced lines, mostly spring types and specialty oil lines. Double haploid work for IMI resistance continues and advances are being made in blackleg resistance with North Dakotas Carl Bradley. Variety testing continues with Paul Rose and Don Day. The Disease Nursery (managed by Don Phillips and David Spalding) for blackleg and scleretonia continues to identify resistant germplasm. There are about 100 acres of winter canola production. There are two biodiesel plants in GA - Rome and a new plant in Dublin. iv)Virginia Report: David Starner. He discussed work on canola nutritional requirements and response (boron, sulfur, phosphorus). Results indicate that high P provides good winter resistance. There is biodiesel interest by small groups in VA. There is no commercial production; however, 600 acres will be planted by a group of entrepreneurs for biodiesel to be used in construction vehicles in D.C. The breeding line VX1 is being increased for release. End of State Reports e)General Discussions: Paul Raymer reminded the group they should thank David Buntin for being the representative for SERA and keeping the funds coming to the region. On behalf of the group Ernst Cebert thanked Rufina Ward and Robert Bacon for working hard to bring representatives from the Midwest (OK and KS) to participate in the SERA-IEG 11 meeting. Rufina Ward also thanked Dr. Moore for his leadership as coordinator for the SERA-IEG 11. Dr. Moore suggested that the group should seek to get research money from the DOE. Paul Rose suggested that the SERA meeting could be held for one day rather than the current two half-day arrangement. The ensuing discussion and vote resulted in continuing the current system of two half-day meetings. It was decided that the group should meet at ASA in Indianapolis (November 2006) to serve as a substitute for the 2007 SERA-IEG 11 meeting. It was pointed out that the Midwest does not have an organized group similar to SERA-IEG. Oklahoma was suggested as a potential host for future SERA-IEG annual meetings. Maybe SERA-IEG should invite the Southern Illinois canola group to join SERA-IEG. The group will use the ASA/canola symposium in Indianapolis in November 2006 to discuss the possibility of bringing all groups together. Dr. Ward pointed out the NIMSS website needs to be up-dated or that SERA-IEG 11 should possibly have its own website. f)Financial Report: Robert Bacon 2005 from Virginia: $180 registration $280 previous balance Balance $460 2006 @ Arkansas: $505 registration $460 previous balance Balance:$965 g)Nomination of Secretary/Treasurer for 2007: Ernst Cebert nominated Paul Rose of Georgia. Dave Starner and David Buntin seconded the motion. Paul Rose was unanimously elected as Secretary/Treasurer. Business meeting adjourned at 10:22 a.m. central standard time. The group proceeded to visit winter canola field plots at the University of Arkansas research station in Fayetteville. Accomplishments: Impact Statements: