WCIA Alfalfa Committee Minutes

WCIA Alfalfa Committee Minutes 9:00 a.m., February 2, 2017 Powell R&E Center

President Mike Forman called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.

Welcome and introductions. In attendance: Robert Kilian, Anthony Spiering, Travis Jackson, Pam Jackson, Mary Hetzel, Vickie Hetzel, David Johnson, Pascual Aguilar, Corey Forman, Josh Christofferson, Brent Horton, Lyle Bjornestad, Michael Rasmussen, Fred Hopkin, Phil Hartman, Josh Shorb, John Grover, Brian Duyck, Bret Hess, Gustavo Sbatella, Wayne Hort, Hank Uhden, Cindy Fulton, Dale Heggem, Samantha Fulton, Kim Decker, Beau Fulton, Brad May, Camby Reynolds, Jeremiah Vardiman, Mike Moore, Morgan Grover, Frank Galey, Glen Whipple, Gary White, Pete Poulsen, Vivek Sharma, Crystal May, Tim Anderson, Denny Hall, Andi Pierson, Ross Oyler, Jim Heitholt, Keith Schaeffer

Approval of the 2016 committee meeting minutes Brian Duyck moved, Morgan Grover second, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried.

Input on Bret Hess’s Performance as AES Director Glen Whipple asked the group to respond to a series of three questions related to Bret Hess’s activities as Wyoming Ag Experiment Station Director. A handout was provided, as well as an opportunity for comment. Several people expressed appreciation for Bret’s efforts.

Brief recap of the 2016 growing season Mike Moore noted that acres were the third highest ever at almost 11,000. Only 1999 and 2000 had more, with just over 13,000 acres one year, and just under for the other. Mike noted that the meeting sign-in sheet had the option for people to request inclusion in WSCS text messages as well as to get inspection reports by email. Email reports will be sent the day after inspections, getting the information to the growers much faster. Text messages will be announcements on WSCS activities such as inspection timing and meeting announcements.

Field Inspection Flags Mike shared that there are an increasing number of growers who have requested that field inspectors not place white flags at their fields. Some field crews do not want to come back to work on fields that have passed inspection, as their agreement with the seed grower is often a guarantee that the field will pass, with payment based on a per- acre basis. Based on discussion, most growers still want inspection flags to be placed in the field, and growers who do not want them should remove them rather than count on field inspectors to remember who wants flags and who doesn’t.

Pesticide Application Notification Mike stated that the WSCS will continue to send out postcards letting growers know when their fields will be inspected, reminder postcards as the season progresses, but will also call growers a day or two before their fields are inspected to make sure the fields are ready and that no pesticide re-entry intervals are in effect. Mike feels that it is his responsibility to keep his staff safe, and the grower calls will not only do that, but provide an opportunity for communication with growers on other field issues. Mike did note that his inspectors are probably not the only people who might be in alfalfa seed fields, and recommended that growers develop a list of people to contact when an application is made. A discussion about signage requirements followed. There is no longer a fine for leaving signage up after the REI expires so long as no one enters the field without the required personal protective equipment. There was an instance where a producer was fined when labor was in a field that was posted, even though the REI had expired. The fine was significant.

Increase Land History to Two Years Anthony Spiering moved, Corey Forman second, to increase the land history requirement for alfalfa seed from one year to two years. During discussion, the point was made that AOSCA only requires one year out, and no other states have more than one year out as their standard. Phil Hartman shared that the change would have a significant impact on him. He does not grow barley, so he uses the year after taking a stand of alfalfa out to fallow the field and clean up weeds. He does irrigate that year, and field operations control the volunteer alfalfa. He also uses a crown cutter to make sure the old crop is killed. Mike noted that land history exceptions can be made based on current standards, and that Phil’s practices would receive an exception based on his description. Wyoming-grown seed typically has a very high hard seed content, and the concern that the seed will be a genetic contaminant in future crops is real. Mike shared that it is not uncommon to have seeding alfalfa outside the row when he does a seedling inspection, but when he has asked, the growers have always explained that the planter leaks. Since Mike cannot currently identify if the seedlings are the current crop or a past crop, he has not failed a field with those circumstances. Once a field has been close cultivated, there is no way to know if the seedlings in the row are volunteer or not. Mike noted that an issue in California regarding CUF 101 is being addressed with a new test that could provide important support for the land history question in the near future. The test, with a reference sample of the variety in question, can determine if the seed produced is the intended variety. Cost of the test, and when it might be available, are unknown at this point, but Mike felt that changing the land history standard without the science to back it up would be premature. The question was called, and the motion failed.

Palmer Amaranth Palmer amaranth (PA) is a weed that is native to southwestern U.S. and Mexico. It is in the same family as pigweed, and has been described as pigweed on steroids. It became an issue in southeastern states when it developed resistance to ALS herbicides and glyphosate. It has recently become an issue as far north as Michigan, with infestations thought to be the result of contaminated conservation plantings, but has not been found in Wyoming to date, although it is just across the border in Nebraska. The reason it is an issue for Wyoming alfalfa seed growers is because the seed of Palmer amaranth and redroot pigweed are indistinguishable from each other in a seed test, so states that have Palmer amaranth on their noxious weed list have essentially also put other amaranth species on their list. ASTA has developed a DNA test to differentiate (PA) from other amaranth species, but there is no indication of price or speed of the test at the time of this meeting. Growers need to keep several things in mind moving forward. They need to keep an eye out for Palmer amaranth in fields, and let crop professionals know if they do find it so it can be aggressively controlled. Growers will also need to control pigweed in alfalfa seed fields, as seed cleanout will increase if pigweed is in the harvested seed. An excellent document on PA by Purdue can be found by Google search or by calling the WSCS office.

Alfalfa Seed Grower Names and Contact Information to the WDA Mike shared that a recent conversation with Kim Decker and Cindy Fulton pointed out that it is common for them to find out after the fact that people have leafcutter bees, which means that some bees are not being tested as per the Wyoming Bee Law. Mike asked the group if it would be appropriate for the WSCS to share alfalfa seed growers names and contact information to the WDA, with the caveat that the information would be held in confidence. Anthony Spiering moved, John Grover second, to approve the sharing of that information. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.

Footnote: The efforts of Camby Reynolds and Jeremiah Vardiman in providing notetaking for these minutes are sincerely appreciated.