Weed Free Forage Committee Meeting, Aug.9, 1999 (Lethbridge, AB, Canada

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Steve Watts at 4:20 pm.

Members Present:

George Hittle, WY Alan Pomeroy, WY

Cris Burks, NE Jan Bruhn, NE

Brent Meyer, NE Jay Cole, MT

Adrienne Peterson, WY Roy Reichenbach, WY

Bob Parsons, WY Tim Dietzler, AB

The agenda was approved with one update: Proposed name change to “North American Weed Free Forage Program”.

Members presented a summary of their local WFF programs:

Wyoming, Roy Reichenbach - Wyoming recently developed a new set of standards that were approved this spring, putting their program in line with the NAWMA WFF standards. Many calls for hay have come from the drought stricken east coast. They are seeing more uptake of the colour-coded twine (acquired through agreement with Colorado) for marking this year. The Forest Service and BLM are in the process of updating their closure orders. Roy felt that if a program name change were to take place, it wouldn’t be a problem for them to be included in these closure order updates.

Montana, Jay Cole - This is the second year of use of coloured twine, but still many producers want to use small tags. Twine use increased from 6 pallets to 7. 36,000 tons of weed free forage were produced this year, up from 24,000 in 1998. Rules were changed slightly to reflect the needs of the Forest Service re: certified whole grain and other minor changes. A new program pamphlet is being produced. The program is going relatively well in Montana.

Nebraska, Brent Meyer - Nebraska is still using the tag system, not twine. They are doing more training. The Department of Roads still require weed free mulch, but enforcement seems to be lax. Landowners may inspect their own product under the Department of Roads program. There is a move by Forestry to require WFF on their lands.

Kansas, Steve Watts - Kansas is still inspecting hay using the transit certificate mostly, with some tagging taking place. They use an orange paper tag like Nebraska.

Alberta, Tim Dietzler - Alberta has moved to a coloured twine marking system (yellow and blue) purchased with the permission of Colorado from PolyTwine in Salt Lake City. The program is offered to municipalities throughout Alberta at their desire to provide the program to their producers. In 1999, 12 municipalities are offering Certified Weed Free Hay programs, in comparison to the pilot year of 6. Alberta is not yet fully compliant with NAWMA’s Regional Weed Free Forage program, due to differences in the weed list and no transit certificates. Other facets such as inspection standards and marking system are concurrent with NAWMA. Producer uptake of the program was slow this year because of uncertainty of whether the coloured twine would be available. It is anticipated that by 2000, Alberta’s program will be fully compliant with NAWMA’s.

Steve Watts opened discussion on the MOU. There was general support on the wording of the MOU from all members present. Concern was expressed over whether Forestry, the BLM or other states may have concern over any of the wording.

MSP: If the minimum certification standards of the NAWMA Regional Weed Free Forage program are met in a jurisdiction’s program, specific wording of the MOU may be modified to accommodate that jurisdiction’s needs. The appropriate representative will send a cover letter and MOU to each participating state/province requesting a signature.

Steve Watts introduced the proposal from Farm & Ranch to act as a clearinghouse for the WFF program. Steve described the proposal in preparation for a conference call with representatives of the company. Following lengthy discussion with the company, the members again discussed the proposal. Brent Meyer indicated that Nebraska may consider a pilot project with Farm & Ranch and pass along their experience to NAWMA for consideration in the future. No formal action was taken with Farm & Ranch.

Tim Dietzler introduced the proposal to change the name of the WFF program to the North American Weed Free Forage Program. Discussion ensued.

MSP: To rename the Regional Weed Free Forage Program the North American Weed Free Forage Program, (and if needed add “formerly Regional Weed Free Forage Program”; and forward information to Forestry and the BLM for inclusion in their closure order through Roy Reichenbach.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 pm.

Recording Secretary,

Tim Dietzler, Co-chairman