Oklahoma Grazing Lands Conservation Association

Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

December 13th, 2005

 

The OGLCA met on December 13th, 2005, at the Farm Bureau Office in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

 

Attendance Included:

 

Steering Committee Members:                        Kim Barker, (OLSA), CHAIR

                                                            Larry Hensley, (OCA), Past-CHAIR

                                                            Walt Davis, (Producer At-Large)

                                                            Frank Austin, OFB)

                                                            Dennis Vaughan, (Producer At-Large)

                                                            Gary Read, (OGSP) – New Member       

 

Ex-Officio/Advisory Members:              Herman Mayeux, ARS, Ft. Reno

                                                            Chongo Mundende, Langston University

                                                            Clay Pope, OACD

                                                            Mike Thralls, OCC

                                                            Steve Glasgow, State GLCI Coordinator

 

Other Guests:                                       None

 

I.                The meeting was called to order by Mr. Barker.  Introductions were made and Mr. Gary Read was welcomed as a new member representing the Oklahoma Grain and Stocker Producers.

 

II.              The agenda was adopted as submitted.

 

III.             The minutes of the June, 2005 meeting was reviewed.  Motion by Mr. Austin to approve the minutes.  Second by Mr. Davis.  All ayes, motion carried.

 

IV.           The Financial Statement was passed out and reviewed.  Motion by Mr. Davis to approve the statement.  Second by Mr. Austin.  All ayes, motion carried.

 

V.             Old Business

A)      By-Laws Revision 

Mr. Glasgow provided the final revision of by-laws as agreed upon at the last meeting.  After review by the committee, Mr. Hensley made a motion to adopt the revised bylaws as written.  Second by Mr. Austin.  All ayes, motion carried.  Mr. Barker then signed the bylaws.

B)      Membership Status Update

Mr. Glasgow updated the committee on the status of the membership for the Oklahoma Grain an Stocker Producers (OGSP) and the Oklahoma Forage and Grassland Council (OFGC).  Gary Read is now the new representative for the OGSP.  The OFGC has not met in over a year but the past president indicated he felt they would still want to be a member of the OGLCA.  OFGC will remain a member and he will try again to get representation.  Mr. Glasgow will continue to follow-up with the OFGC.

C)      Grants Update

Mr. Glasgow provided a printout of the current status of grants.  Currently there are 4 active grants – 1 demonstration and 3 educational.

D)      2006 Workplan and Budget

The committee reviewed items in the workplan.  Funds to support the Range and Wildlife Academy held during the summer were not used this year since the event did not have enough students participating.  These funds will remain for this purpose for future years.  The funds budgeted for the Grazinglands record books were not used.  OSU printed the books for the OGLCA.  These funds can now be used for other publications as determined at a later date.  3 workshops are planned for 2006.  The silvopasture workshops will be a joint effort with department of forestry department and Langston.  They are developing an application process for landowners to apply for a scholarship to attend.  The ecotourism workshop planned for western Oklahoma will be led by Mr. Barker.  He will contact Ag Department and others to partner in this effort.  The Fred Provenza Workshop will be planned for April (depending on availability of Dr. Provenza).  Mr. Olson will be the lead on this workshop.

 

VI.           New Business

A)      Grant Applications

Ouachita RC&D submitted two applications for educational grants for two Women in Ag conferences.  Each was for $1,000.  After review and discussions, Mr. Austin made a motion to approve a total of $1000 for two workshops instead of $2000.  Second by Mr. Hensley.  All ayes, motion carried.

B)      Review of Grant Process and Opportunities

Currently the OGLCA grant application process allows for applications to be received three times a year.  Most of the applications approved have been for educational workshops.  Active demonstration projects have been declining.  In an effort to facilitate funding for demonstration projects, it was suggested that the OGLCA look at opportunities and carry out demonstrations with partners.  Mr. Glasgow led the committee through a process of identifying some issues that could be addressed through the OGLCA Grant process.  One issue of importance was dealing with recent wildfires, specifically in western Oklahoma on an area that burned back in November in Beckham County.  The fires were so hot and conditions dry that it burned down into the crowns of the plants and into the soil.  Due to this damage, there is much concern as to what the response from the plant communities will be.  Are these plants lost?  Will there be forage next year?  Should producers re-seed or wait to see what comes back? What are alternatives and what are the economics involved with re-seeding versus waiting?  Based on these discussions, Mr. Austin made a motion to approve $2000 for demonstration projects to address the issues and questions posed in these discussions.  Efforts would look at re-seeding versus waiting for re-growth, evaluations of time and expenses involved and efforts for educating landowners.  The project would be for 2-3 years.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Vaughan.  All ayes, motion carried.  Mr. Glasgow also reminded the group that a recent OGLCA demonstration grant was approved for OSU to conduct demonstrations on season of burns and that OSU had been doing some studies on these issues.  Mr. Glasgow agreed to follow-up with the counties involved to identify and assess damaged areas, identify partners to be involved and work on demonstration protocols for implementation.  This information will be discussed further at the next meeting in February.

Other ideas discussed was funding for students to work on research projects, thesis projects, etc.  These students could be located at ARS, AES or with OSU.  Work could emphasize plant materials (evaluations of field plantings), assisting with ongoing projects (such as those in place at ARS stations), and evaluations of management strategies.  Another idea is demonstration projects on CRP lands as contracts begin to expire in 2007.  And finally, identifying new partners (i.e. OERB) and conducting demonstrations to address specific issues and concerns.  These additional ideas will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting in February.

C)      2006 Oklahoma Grazing Lands Conference

The committee discussed ideas and topics for the 2006 grazing lands conference.  The main theme from discussions is focusing on pasture management and the goal of year round grazing.  The second issue was grass fed beef and how the year round grazing is needed to maintain a “forage chain” for providing high quantity and quality of forages to meet grass fed beef demands.  Key topics would include: Forage Production systems (legumes, cools season grasses, nutrients, etc.); grazing management on pastures; grass fed beef (animal selection, genetics, etc.); and marketing grass fed beef.  A committee was formed for planning the conference.  Members will be:  Larry Hensley, Kim Barker, Walt Davis, Herman Mayeux, Frank Austin, Gary Read, Chongo Mendunde, Wally Olson and Steve Glasgow.  The first planning meeting will be January 31, 2006, location to be determined.

 

D)      2006 Meeting dates: Meeting locations to be determined.  Meeting reminders will be sent out 30 days prior to meetings.

            February 21 – 9:30 am

            June 20 – 9:30 am

            October 17 – 9:30 am

 

E)      Officer Elections

Officer Elections – Mr. Austin nominated existing officers to retain their current positions.   Mr. Davis made the motion to retain current officers for 2006 anda that nominations cease.  Mr. Read seconded the motion.  All ayes, motion carried.  Officers for 2006: CHAIR - Kim Barker Vice CHAIR – Wally Olson.

 

VII.         Reports

A)      NRCS:  Mr. Glasgow provided copies of the National GLCI report and partnership reports.

 

VIII.       Motion made by Mr. Hensley to adjourn and return in the afternoon for Invasive Species discussion session.  Second by Mr. Read.  All ayes, motion carried.

 

 

NEXT MEETING set for February 21st, 2006.

 

Invasive Species Session

The afternoon session was spent with Dr. Karen Hickman from OSU discussing invasive species.  Dr. Hickman provided an overview of invasive species including the sources, what they are and where they come from; their biology and characteristics that make them invasive;  and the effects they have on health, economics, biodiversity, livestock production, nutrient and water cycles and impacts on wildlife.  She explained that funds for research and addressing invasive species typically have to meet the criteria of addressing human health (#1), economics and biodiversity.  She informed the group that ODWC is proposing a statewide to evaluate old world bluestem apertures and options for converting to natives and assessing wildlife habitats.  After presentations, the committee brainstormed some ideas on where to go from here and what actions could or should be taken.  It was agreed that research and education should be the primary focus for now.  Educating landowners, organizations, agencies, etc. through workshops, information booths at conferences and meetings and presentations at meetings would be a good approach.  Increasing knowledge and understanding could then lead to voluntary approaches to management and control as well as support for funding and action by agencies, organizations and political leaders.  Research should focus on species we need to learn more about in order to understand effects, distribution, management needed and impacts.  Another option to consider would be creation of an invasive species task force, modeled after the Red Cedar Task force.  The committee agreed to compile a list of key people and plan a meeting to provide information and understanding of invasive species and their impacts.  Mr. Glasgow will work with Dr. Hickman to develop a letter with information that will be sent to member organizations and other partners to inform them of invasive species issues and invite them to an information meeting sometime in 2006.