Dodge County Forage Council Minutes

11:30 am   March 7, 2007

Gingers Hideaway Restaurant - Hwy 33 and Cty E

Present: Paul Roemer, Mark Holl John Mersch, Dale Schwantes, Jason Sterr, Jason Beck, Joe Hasslinger, Jared Hildebrandt and Matt Hanson

Meeting called to order at 12:30 pm by Jason Beck

Secretary’s Report – Reviewed the minutes from the Feb 9, 2007 annual meeting.  A few minor changes were suggested to clarify status of motions and Matt being elected as Secretary.  Changes have been made and the minutes will be voted upon at the upcoming Annual meeting in 2008.

Treasurer’s Report – Paul Roemer reported $1,115.69 in checking and a CD matures on March 15^th which will be rolled into a 1 year CD for $3608.37.

Old Business:

-Debrief the Annual Meeting Feb 9, 2007

Overall, the committee felt the meeting was well attended.  There were too many speakers for the time allotted this year.  Suggestion was made to get handouts of the participants printed out and distributed in a packet when they register.  Hold the presentations to 20 minutes in length to allow time for questions.

New Business:

-Forage Council Twilight Meeting

Possible location of Dale Christian in 2008.  Suggestions for 2007 include Jeff Elsinger, Jem Jaster, Allen Schmitt, Dennis Oechsner.  The June field day will be held either June 13 or June 27^th.  Potential topics include – Randy Fortenberry with a market update/risk management; Manure management on newly cut alfalfa; Laws that related to environment, machinery and transportation; USDA designing plants for improved traits; Storage bunker packing densities, covering, facing during feedout (will check with Brian Holmes); Baleage discussion about handling practices and innoculant treatments (Brian Holmes or Dan Undersander); Recycling plastic?; Dry cow feeds (Richard Drummer?).

We could conduct leafhopper sweeps at the twilight meeting as well.  Idea as well to host a Stump the Extension Agent program.  Invite Craig Grau, Chris Boerboom, Joe Lauer, Brian Hudelson and others??

-Horse Meeting discussion

We will hold off on trying to coordinate a Horse Meeting this spring.  The Fond du Lac event was cancelled because of snowy weather and their initial signup was low.  Will consider this in the fall of 2007 or spring of 2008.

-Farm Tech Days demonstrations/research

Ideas to consider – Treat half the plot/field with roundup and the other half with Rapter to look at stunting of plants with Rapter applications.  The silage tube demonstration and the benefits of covering with an airtight plastic was also discussed.

-Forage Council scissor clip/drydown locations

Will essentially utilize the same group of people from around the county as last year.  Reports will be given on the Extension Telephone as well as local radio stations.  A press release early in the spring (May) will inform forage growers about the PEAQ program.  We will only use PEAQ measurements this year.

-Other research to participate in

Dairy Brunch will be held at Richard and Gloria Hafmeisters Farm.  Develop the educational chart of milk produced, feed consumed, cheese and other products that could be made from this farm operation and manure produced

Dairy Breakfast will be held on June 24th

Following Farm Tech Days, consider hosting the Forage Expo at the Crave Bros. farm.  Likely a single day event focusing on hay making equipment.

The Burndown field day will be hosted either August 24 or 31^st.  Location to be determined

Dates to Remember:

-Next Tested Hay Auction April 6, 2007, at Equity in Lomira

-Next meeting is 8pm on August 2, 2007 at UWEX office. We will discuss the fall burndown, horse meeting and fair poster contest

-Other meetings include Oct 18 and December 20th

-The DCFC Annual meeting for 2008 will be on Feb 8^th.

Adjourn – Made at 2:30 pm by John Mersch, Seconded by Paul Roemer.  Passed