Wyoming Crop Improvement Association
Northwest District Meeting
December 6, 2016
UW Powell R & E Center
747 Road 9, Powell, WY
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Meeting called to order at 8:12 am by President Forman.
In attendance:Mike Forman, Mike Moore, Jolene Sweet, Debbie Hufford, Keith Kennedy, Morgan Grover, Dave Johnson, Mary Hetzel, Lyle Evelo, Brent Brewer, Brian Duyck, Kim Decker, Josh Shorb, Cindy Fulton, Corey Forman, Samantha Fulton, BradMay, Keith Schaefer, Stormi Allen, Vivek Sharma, Brent Horton, Jared Gebauer, Jeremiah Vardiman, Gary White, Camby Reynolds, Fred Hopkin, Josh Christofferson, JacobJarrett, Kelly Spiering, John Grover, Gustavo Sbatella, Denny Hall.
Chairman Mike Forman welcomed all of the attendees, and thanked them for their time.
Approval of 2015 Minutes
Morgan Grovermoved, Brian Duyck second, to accept the minutes as presented.Motion carried.
2016Acreage and Field Inspection Report
Mike Moore gave a report on the previous inspection season.He noted that the total acres in the program was similar to last year, with increases in alfalfa and grasses, but a drop in beans.Mike noted that the acreage totals included seedling inspections for crops that did not make seed this year, such as new grass plantings.There were no surprises this year during inspections, but he did strongly recommend the use of Prowl on alfalfa seed fields that border creeks and rivers and have heavy deer traffic, as dodder is hard to find, even with multiple trips by labor and inspectors, as it is often under the canopy for most of the growing season.The question was asked what was included in the native species acres column.Mike stated that it included native grasses, sunflowers, and blue grama.Jolene Sweet noted that the inspection season is not over yet as we still have two beans fields left to inspect. No blight was found in beans this year.
There was a lot of discussion last year regarding late application fees, with 17 late applications in 2015. The result of the discussions was to wait and see if late applications were a trend or simply “one of those years”. Only three late application fees were charged in 2016, so the wait and see decision may well have been the right one. There were three declined applications that were received well into August. Two were bean applications, and one was a small grain. On a related note, no remapping fees were charged.
Mike Moore shared a copy of an article by Chavawn Kelley, Writer/Editor for the University of Wyoming Extension. Mike provided information for the article, and Chavawndid a good job on representing seed certification in an easy to read article that has been in the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and the Powell Tribune. Mike also took the opportunity to express his appreciation for KellySpiering’scomments at the UW President’s listening session in Cody about the seed industry being small, but very important.
Dry Beans
Beau Fulton and Hank Uhdenprovided a handout of Bean Commission activities over the past year, as both were unable to attend today’s meeting.The Commission has met six times, with the next meeting at the WCIA meeting in Powell on February 2nd and 3rd.The dry bean checkoff generated $94,000 this year with only two refunds in the amount of $788.Five research projects funded by the commission included a grower survey (Tanaka), direct harvest (Kniss & Claypool), late season weed control (Sbatella), drought tolerance genotypes (Heitholt & Sharma), and disease management (Stump). Funding for the projects was doubled through Wyoming Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Grants, thanks to the efforts of Bret Hess and Ted Craig. The report also included established rules for the Bean Commission, as well as a proposed bill that would address LSO office issues with current wording related to commission member elections. The bill is clarification of the elections, and is not a concern at this point. Bean growers who paid into the bean checkoff will receive a nomination form early next year for bean commissioners, with the election ballot to follow shortly after that. In order to nominate, vote, or serve on the Wyoming Bean Commission, growers must have paid into the checkoff without submitting a successful refund request.
Mike Moore gave a brief report on the Rocky Mountain Dry Bean Consortium. He reminded the group that it is made up of the bean commissions and agricultural experiment stations of Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming. They are in the final stages of getting legal review and approval of the formative agreement for the group. The agreement includes suggested areas of effort for each Ag Experiment Station, with Colorado conducting the breeding and early generation testing, Idaho conducting early line testing and seed increases, and Wyoming conducting testing and agronomic research. The consortium was unsuccessful with a grant proposal to the USDA for a multi-million dollar, multi-year breeding and development project, so funding for the consortium will fall back to commission support until revenue streams can be developed.
Mike Forman asked if this group can offer requests for research to the Wyoming Bean Commission. Mike Moore stated that anyone with research ideas should contact the bean commissioners.Mike Forman noted that he has used both pop-up fertilizer and foliar applications. He would like to see research that helps him understand if and when it is economical, and offered to supply the field for the study.Research proposals to the commission are due this month, so there is a short window for projects for the coming growing season. It was noted that bean contractors are also encouraged to communicate research needs.
Mike Moore informed the group that he has been contracted by the Wyoming Department of Ag to produce a gluten free dry bean production manual. He explained the importance of gluten free food, and that while beans are gluten free themselves, many bean producers also produce grains such as wheat and barley, resulting in contamination by whole grain and grain dust. For those that are highly sensitive to gluten, dust can, in sufficient quantities, produce a reaction. Mike noted that the grant is generating funds for seed certification. The contract includes a manual and two training sessions that will be conducted in the near future.
GustavoSbatella has completed the second year of a venice mallow control study with two sites in Burlington.He indicated that the treatments being used are working well.He doesn’t have the results ready for a full presentation at this time, but will make a full presentation at the WCIA meeting in February.He did note that Raptorhas been a component of most of the mixes, and he may look at control without Raptor in the future because of plant-back restrictions with that herbicide. He is expecting to use the same approach on nightshade in the future.Mike Moore noted that two fields have failed due to heavy infestations of venice mallow in the past due to a lack of visibility, so it is a weed that can have significant impact on dry beans.
Mike noted that a lot of growers were using different techniques to try and dry out windrows this year. He provided photos of a R-S Hay & Bean Fluffer (208-734-0445) that Michael Rasmussen owned and said was working well for him. Michael said it was gentle on the beans, and could be run at a slight angle to move the windrows to dry(er) ground. Mike understands they can also be purchased through Felix Carrizales.
Grass
Gustavo Sbatella gave an update on his annual grass herbicide tolerance study on seedling grasses. He is using the greenhouse and a spray chamber, and is currently working on smooth brome, with the opportunity for a tour after the meeting. This is the first phase of the study funded by the Grass Seed Research Account, with a second phase to test the herbicides that were safe in the seedling test on established plants to see if they affect seed production. Kelly Spieringasked if a new herbicide could be added to the study at this point, and Gustavo indicated it was possible.Mike Forman mentioned a grass herbicide that acted as a germination inhibitor called Esplenade. Gustavo said it had been used in orchards, and that he has used it in forage alfalfa, and that it should be safe on established grasses. The main concern is that it is very persistent in the soil, and we don’t know what it’s impact might be on crop rotations. Mike Moore wondered if using it at the top of the field to control cheatgrass that seems to be the worst on that part of fields. Gustavo said that there is a chance it might be mobile in the soil, like Tordon, and that it warranted research before people tried it.People were encouraged to contact Gustavo and Vivekwith their research needs.
The first Wyoming crop of Timothy grass seed was grown this summer, which prompted Mike to start the process to develop field and seed standards. Mike provided a handout of Timothy seed standards from Idaho and Minnesota. It is a small, dense seed.Gary White indicated that the cleaned seed inert matter was 99.8% for this year’s production.Idaho standards are 97% pure seed, while Minnesota standards are 99%.Gary indicated that 97% vs 99%shouldn’t make any difference as far as marketing is concerned, and felt that either one would be acceptable to customers.He noted that the orange label, which is a Washington program, means it has to be very clean seed from a weed seed content perspective. Mike Moore recommended forwarding Idaho’s standards of 97% with 3% inert mater for consideration at the WCIA Annual Meeting.
Handouts were provided on ventenata grass, also known as wiregrass, and medusahead. They have been brought to our attention by Luke Sanders, Sheridan County Weed and Pest supervisor, and by Brian Mealor, who have found expanding infestations in Sheridan County. Ventenata was discovered in Sheridan County in 1997 in a range assessment, but has moved from the original site as well as spread at the original locations. It is very invasive, with the ability to choke out cheatgrass. It has a high silica content, and is not usable by wildlife or livestock. It looks a lot like cheatgrass, with similar floret structures, so it is easy to miss or misidentify. Some of the infested areas are public land that sees a lot of public use, which may be a method of spread. Medusahead is similar to ventenata, as it has a high silica content that makes it unpalatable. Medusahead creates a heavy thatch that shades out desirable species as well as creating a fire hazard. Both of these grasses were recommended for inclusion on the Weed and Pest state designated noxious weed list at the most recent Weed and Pest meeting, which would allow for use of Weed and Pest funds to combat them. The request was tabled by Slade Franklin and Josh Shorb, who wanted to reach out to the grass seed industry before taking that step to see if there might be unintended impacts to grass seed producers. Mike Moore recommended that ventenata should be considered for inclusion on the Wyoming Prohibited Noxious Weed List, as well as added to the same list for seed certification. A check by Denny Hall showed that ventenata grass was not on any state prohibited noxious seed list at this time. Medusahead is already on the Wyoming Prohibited Noxious Weed List. Mike had reached out to DustinTerrel with Sharp Brothers Seed, who sources and markets seed in the western US, to get an idea of the scope of the problem. Dustin said ventenata grass has not been a problem for him to date. Josh Shorbstated that both species were added to the list on an emergency basis this year, but having them on the designated list makes funding control efforts much easier. Luke Sanders with Sheridan Weed and Pest joined by telephone.He noted that they found ventenata in several spots in Sheridan County and at least one location in Johnson County.Washington and Oregonhave infestations at this point, and shared that both states would much rather have cheatgrass.Sheridan County Weed and Pest sprayedinfestations by helicopter this fall, and used a combination of Plateau and Milestone, which should be effective based on research and experience. They are distributing identification information, so people know what to look for.Both ventenata and medusahead have choked out desirable plant speices in some areas, and it will be important to reseed control areas rather than simply provide an opportunity for another invasive weed to establish there. Funding is an issue, as the 2016 Wyoming Legislature initially defunded weed control on state lands, but the final outcome was about a 50% reduction in funds. Last year, some counties donated unused funds to Sheridan County to help with these invasive species, but it is unknown what funding might be available in the future. The current plan is to do less on other state lands and put the money towards these issues.Gustavo asked if Mike had shared an article about Palmer amaranth with the grass seed growers. Mike had not, so Gustavo stated that Iowa saw an explosion of the weed, and it looks like the increase was due to contamination in native seed. Palmer amaranth is common in the south and Midwest, and has become a big problem due to its ability to develop resistance to herbicides, including Roundup. It is essentially red root pigweed on steroids, and can be tall enough to be visible above mature corn.Kelly would like Mike and Gustavo to look into the details and report back at the annual meeting.Brian Duyck indicated that about six growers tried the bacterial cheatgrass control, with hopes that it will show results in the next couple of years.
Kelly Spieringmoved, Brian Duyck second, to put ventenata on the Wyoming prohibited noxious weed list, the WSCS prohibited noxious weed list, and to encourage Weed and Pest to put it on their state designated weed list.Motion carried.
Kelly Spieringmoved, Dave Johnson second, to consider using the Grass Seed Research Account to fund a project on the control and reseeding of areas affected by ventenata grass and medusahead.Motion carried.
Dave Johnson recommended that the WCIA help with funding of efforts on ventenata and medusahead as needed. Mike shared that he was on a weed control tour several years ago that included plots established by Tom Whitson near Boysen Reservoir. Russian knapweed was essentially a monoculture in the plot area that had been planted with several native grasses and the plots were then left alone to let nature take its course. Bozoisky Russian wildrye stood out, as there was no knapweed in the Bozoisky plots, while there was varying amounts of knapweed growing in the other grass species. Mike envisions something like this based on the motion, and suggested that the size of the plot area might lend itself well to donated seed. It was noted that the Sheridan R&E Center has a Truax no-till drill, which could be used to seed the plots.
Alfalfa
Mike Moore explained that Seed Certification Service inspectors were in fields that had been sprayed the night before two different times this past growing season.In the first instance, the grower called Mike to confirm that they were WSCS inspectors, and picked them up on the far side of the field to reduce exposure. The inspectors said there was no indication the field had been sprayed, including no obvious tracks and no odor. The REI was still in effect based on the chemicals used. Mike stated that the grower in this situation was very apologetic. Mike’s communication with the grower and the inspectors gave the inspectors the impression that he was not overly concerned with their well-being, so additional communication happened the following morning with all inspectors. Mike noted that this situation could be bigger than it appears, as there is no way of knowing who the involved inspectors talked to, including parents. The following day, three inspectors were in a field that had been sprayed the night before and still had an REI in effect. In this case, the grower was nonchalant about the exposure.Mike and Jolene were unable to contact the grower initially to learn what had been sprayed, so the inspectors were sent home to shower and change clothes. While postcards indicating when inspections will be conducted in areas are sent at the beginning of the season, it was recommended that we send out reminder postcards just before inspection time for each area. It was noted that we are already doing that.It was also suggested that direct communication with growers immediately prior to inspecting their fields might be necessary, even though the law says it is the grower’s responsibility to inform field labor, crop consultants, etc. that an application has been made. Mike and Jolene did just that after the second incident, with a call to growers prior to inspecting their fields, which worked well. Fred asked what had happened to the cell phone notices that we used last year, and suggested that would be another good communication tool. The texting service we used last year is no longer available, and Jolene is working on selecting another. It was noted that pesticides with an REI of 48 hours or more require posted warnings at field entrances. Cindy Fulton recommended that the growers text or otherwise inform their crop advisors as well as employees when an application is made.Mike encouraged growers/contractors to call the office or Mike or Jolene’s cell phones anytime day or night, knowing that it is easier to remember when the spraying is complete. Cindy explained that the law has changed regarding posting. At this time, fields that have been posted only have to have the signage removed before people go back in the field, and removal is no longer tied to the expiration of the REI. Mike asked what he needs to dolegally.Cindy indicated that it would be a reportable incident to her, but Mike would not be obligated to report it based on pesticide laws.Theconsensus was that Mike needs to report it for the safety of the inspectors.Cindy can’t encourage Mike to launch an investigation, but if a report comes to her, she is legally required to investigate it.Kelly believesgrowers need to be contacted prior to entering a field.Due to weather the time of spraying may change, so growers will not always be able to predict when an application will be made.In both incidences where inspectors were in fields with an REI in effect, the growers were not new growers.Mike Forman felt that the postcard should clearly state that it is the grower’s legal responsibility to inform seed certification. Mike noted that he had a hard time finding the REI when the inspectors were exposed, and Gustavo and Dave Johnson both recommended CDMS.net as an excellent website. Gustavo also said he would be glad to help with label questions.