Board of Directors Mtg

SD Stockgrowers Board of Directors Mtg January 16, 2014, Pierre, SD Meeting Minutes

President Bob Fortune called the meeting to order and asked the Secretary to call the roll. Members Present: Bob Fortune, Bill Kluck, Marvin Jessen, Randy Volmer, David Niemi, Chance Davis, Marvin Jobgen, Scott Edoff, T. W. Schalesky, Gary Deering, Chuck O’Connor, Mark DeVries, Chris Harvey, Shane Kolb, Rick Fox, Ken Knuppe, Kenny Fox, Silvia Christen, Excused: Dan Holloway, Vaughn Meyer, Brad Bunker, Larry Nelson, Brad Reis, Wayne Nelson, Dave Fuoss, Matt Kammerer, Mark Tubbs, Mike Maher Absent: Cole Lange, Lester Longwood, Bob Mack

The Agenda was presented. A motion was made by Randy Volmer, seconded by Mark DeVries, to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried.

Secretary’s Report was presented. Motion by Gary Deering, seconded by Marvin Jessen to approve the Secretary’s Report. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report was presented and discussed.  Marvin Jessen made a motion, seconded by Chuck O’Connor to approve the financial statements as presented. Motion carried.  Account balances and CD’s were discussed including the maturation of the First Interstate Bank CD. Board discussed moving a portion of the interest earned on the account into a savings account to be used as needed for cash flow. Motion by Gary Deering, seconded by Randy Volmer to ask Officers to make decision on rollover of the First Interstate Bank CD as needed. Motion Carried.  Silvia Christen asked Board of Directors to discuss potential hiring of additional staff for the office. As the sole staff person, it is overwhelming to complete all the work required to keep the organization running smoothly however, income has not allowed this decision to be made yet. Gary Deering asked that Silvia and the Finance Committee include a proposal for addition of a staff person in the 2014 Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2014.

Committee Reports: Ag and Natural Resources Committee – David Niemi reported on his efforts to organize oil and gas legislation which is moving through the Senate as SB 161 and SB 170.

Animal Health Committee: Bill Kluck reported on Brazil Beef importation rules and his concerns about the FMD risk. A resolution is being drafted for consideration by the SD Legislature.

Animal ID: Kenny Fox had no report Brand and Theft: Bill Hutchinson was not in attendance. President Fortune reported that rules for rodeo permits went into effect on January 1 and seem to be moving smoothly.

Education/Taxation/Legislation: Chance Davis asked for this discussion to be held later in the meeting when our lobbyist could be present.

Federal Lands Committee: Mark Tubbs discussed the Sage Grouse plan which is open for comment until March 31. Several Stockgrowers members were also successfully appointed to the BLM Advisory Committee.

Marketing Committee: Vaughn Meyer reported on the ongoing efforts to defend and protect COOL as the Farm Bill moves forward. The lawsuit is also still pending. Press Releases and pressure on Rep Noem’s office continues.

Membership Committee Chair: Bill Kluck asked board members to continue thinking about times and placements for area meetings that can help grow membership.

Property Rights: No Report

Trade Committee: No Report

Wildlife Committee: Mark DeVries reported that is committee had offered comments on the Ferret Management plan from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to expand prairie dog habitat in an effort to continue expansion of ferret populations. Comments on the Wolf management plan also need to be submitted. The USFWS has opened and reopened this comment period multiple times without moving the plan forward to delist the gray wolf.

OLD BUSINESS COOL/WTO Lawsuit Update – A hearing on the injunction to block COOL from being implemented was held on January 9. We anticipate a ruling on the injunction by mid March. The WTO suit is still pending and the suit from NCBA and AMI against USDA is also still pending.

Horse Slaughter lawsuit – Stockgrowers continues to serve as a friend of the court on the case to keep USDA from blocking the opening of horse slaughter facilities and specifically to adjust how the NEPA process is required to apply for slaughter permits. The suit has moved from Valley Meats to a larger suit against USDA on the general topic of horse slaughter. Stockgrowers continue to be a party to this suit.

The Brand Committee was instructed to write a letter to the Brand Board regarding financial situations after the fee increase. This was decided at the September board meeting. The letter has not yet been sent.

NEW BUSINESS Approval of new members as printed in the magazine: Motion by Rick Fox, seconded by Scott Edoff to approve members. Motion carried.

SD Game Fish and Parks is developing an Elk Management Plan Stakeholder committee and would like Stockgrowers to consider a representative. A motion was made by Chance Davis, seconded by Bill Kluck, to appoint Casey Miller of Spearfish to serve as Stockgrowers representative on this taskforce and report to the board. Motion carried.

2014 Legislative Discussion  Animal Welfare Legislation – SB 22 was presented and discussed by State Veterinarian Dr. Oedekoven. The Board asked a lot of questions. – A motion was made by David Niemi, seconded by Kenny Fox, to support SB22 based on the strong protections for agriculture and rodeo sports.  Property Tax Proposals: SDSGA will support both based on our member policy. o Actual Use Legislation – Moving forward but likely difficult to pass because of missing information on our side of the argument. o County Assessment definitions – moving forward with Jeremiah’s leadership.  Hunter Trespass: The bill has been drafted by Stockgrowers and seeks to elevate the penalty for trespassing while en route to a hunting location.  Oil and Gas: o School and Public Lands proposal to allow for multiple well-heads on one well site. o SB 161 and SB 170 drafted by SDSGA to support surface owners in receiving and seeking damages from oil and gas development.  Brand Violation Tickets: SB22 seeks to allow Brand Investigators to write tickets for failure to have a brand inspection. Motion by Gary Deering, seconded by Mark DeVries to support SB22.  Non-Meandered Waters: Legislation would seek to give definition to access of waters on private property but deemed to be under state jurisdiction. SDSGA will support private property rights by supporting landowners on this bill.  Ag Loan Program: Representative Gary Cammack attended the board meeting to discuss his plans for seeking a special loan program that may help ranchers to recover in the aftermath of the October blizzard. No details were available. Stockgrowers supports the concept but takes no action at this time. A motion was made by Kenny Fox, seconded by Rick Fox, to have a weekly conference call on Friday’s at 5:30pm for Legislative reports and updates to the Board of Directors. Motion carried.

Ranchers Relief Fund Silvia briefed the Board about the creation and implementation of the Rancher Relief Fund to this point. Stockgrowers members on the RRF committee are Marvin Jobgen, Larry Nelson and Bob Fortune. Funds raised to date total $4.2 million. Discussion was held and Silvia answered questions as well as thanked the board for their support.

Black Hills Stock Show Silvia asked Board members to help with set up and to run the booth throughout the week. Rick Fox will help haul booth to the arena. A variety of Ranchers Relief fundraisers and awareness events will be held throughout the week. Silvia is attempting to contact Rep Noem, Senator Thune and Governor Daugaard about Farm Bill forums or meetings with ranchers. Details will be announced. Sheep Day will be February 6 at the Kjerstad Event Center.

Silvia’s SDARL trip – February 10 to 25 Silvia will be gone to Chile and Peru as a part of the South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership program for two weeks. Member emails will continue to go out weekly, and Jeremiah will cover the session by communicating with Bob Fortune, Bill Kluck and Mark DeVries. Ag Fest will be held on February 11 at Ramkota. Silvia will arrange booth and food to be delivered before leaving. Bob Fortune and Wayne Nelson committed to attending the event. Other items regarding Silvia’s absence: Dan Holloway will have a key to the office. Bills will be sent before leaving. BHStockshow booth will be packed away on the day before Silvia leaves. Silvia will be available via email while traveling. Board members are asked to email her or contact Bob Fortune with any questions.