RESEARCH & EDUCATION
12-Resolution passed in 2012
11-Resolution passed in 2011
10-Resolution passed in 2010
 
 
AG RESEARCH FUNDING - 12 (RE)
WHEREAS, state agricultural research and extension are vital to continuing the profitability of our industry; and
 
WHEREAS, it is also important to North Dakota animal agriculture to have animal and range science research conducted at the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports adequate funding for agricultural research and extension at North Dakota State University and the operation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Station in Mandan.
 
 
ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER - 12 (RE)
WHEREAS, North Dakota's economic well-being continues to rest heavily on increasing the efficiency and profitability of meat-animal agriculture; and
 
WHEREAS, advanced research techniques necessary to resolve the increasingly complex production problems require state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports the continued and adequate funding for the operation of the animal research facilities at North Dakota State University.
 
 
BEEF CATTLE FEEDING RESEARCH FUNDING - 12 (RE)
WHEREAS, beef cattle feeding in North Dakota is important to the future of the cattle industry; and
 
WHEREAS, more research is needed.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA continues support for expanding research for beef cattle feeding in North Dakota.
 
 
BEEF COMMISSION - 12 (RE)
WHEREAS, the NDSA was a driving force in implementing the state checkoff law and was not only instrumental in getting a national program passed, but continues to support both programs; and
 
WHEREAS, there may be challenges to the autonomy of the North Dakota Beef Commission in the legislature or through other means.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA be involved in providing direction to the program through direct comments to North Dakota Beef Commission directors.
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA opposes any effort  to attach an assessment to the North Dakota Beef Commission collection or direct the spending of this collection.
 
 
RANGELANDS RESEARCH - 12 (RE)
WHEREAS, North Dakota's private and public rangelands have been a very much overlooked and understudied resource and their economic importance little noted; and
 
WHEREAS, much potential exists for more efficient and ecologically-sound use of these rangelands on a sustained basis, not only for livestock production, but for their great value to wildlife, water conservation, responsible recreation and other compatible uses; and
 
WHEREAS, other groups, including state and federal agencies, are advocating severe restrictions on grazing of livestock, not only on state and federally owned land but private rangeland as well, using Environmental Protection Agency, threatened and endangered species laws and their interpretation of farm laws; and
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports continuing rangeland research which seeks to catalog existing research data and to initiate new studies where needed using the best scientific techniques combined with complete objectivity and integrity.
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA supports North Dakota State University efforts to secure state funding for the establishment of new programs addressing rangeland, livestock and wildlife interactions.
 
 
BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE - 12 (RE)
WHEREAS, the Beef Quality Assurance program has been an integral part of beef producer education since 1991, certifying more than 65,000 producers and reaching thousands more using Beef Quality Assurance developed educational materials; and
 
WHEREAS, the Beef Quality Assurance program’s mission is to maximize consumer confidence in and acceptance of beef by focusing the producers’ attention to daily production practices that influence the safety, wholesomeness and quality of beef and beef products through the use of science, research and education initiatives; and
 
WHEREAS, the Beef Industry’s Long Range Plan 2010 has established a vision of a beef industry that is profitable, growing and sustainable for future generations with four priorities of creating value through beef production, creating growth through consumer markets, creating sustainability through a favorable business climate and creating opportunity through global competitiveness.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports the Beef Quality Assurance program as a system to support a productive beef industry that creates profit opportunities for every segment and produces beef products that meet consumer’s needs for flavor, safety, healthfulness, consistency, convenience and value while achieving the Beef Industry’s Long Range Plan 2010.
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA supports the Beef Quality Assurance program as an avenue to educate producers and promote information accessibility so that every segment of beef production can make knowledge-driven decisions to respond to market signals and create tools to help industry participants create value for cattle, beef and by-products while employing animal welfare and good stewardship practices.
 
 
BEEF SYSTEMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE - 12 (RE)
WHEREAS, NDSA has always been a strong supporter of the Beef Systems Center of Excellence; and
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA and its members fully support, encourage and work with commodity groups, private-sector businesses, government agencies and individuals to continue support of the Beef Systems Center of Excellence.
 
 
SBARE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES - 12 (RE)
WHEREAS, beef cattle production is important to the economy of North Dakota by providing jobs generating new wealth; and
 
WHEREAS, strong agricultural research and extension programs are important to maintain or improve productivity and profitability.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education priorities for the 2013 legislative session for increased funding for beef industry research and extension, which will enhance competitiveness of the state's agricultural economy for future generations.
 
 
AG EDUCATION TEACHERS - 11 (RE)
WHEREAS, many of North Dakota's agricultural teachers will be eligible for retirement; and
 
WHEREAS, North Dakota State University is the only ag teacher education program; and
 
WHEREAS, the number of graduates in agricultural education at North Dakota State University has declined since the agricultural education program moved to the College of Human Development and Education; and
 
WHEREAS, agricultural education students are not eligible for all possible scholarships in the College of Agricultural Food Systems and Natural Resources while they are under the current structure; and
 
WHEREAS, the College of Agricultural Food Systems and Natural Resources would offer greater visibility to prospective agricultural education students.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA encourages the North Dakota State University provost to initiate a study to determine the feasibility of moving the agricultural education major to the College of Agricultural Food Systems and Natural Resources.
 
 
AG RESEARCH & EXTENSION - 11 (RE)
WHEREAS, there are many potential budget cuts by the federal government.
 
BE IT RESOLVED, that Agricultural Research & Extension remain a high priority for the NDSA.
 
 
BEEF CHECKOFF PROGRAM - 11 (RE)
WHEREAS, the NDSA was instrumental in getting the national beef checkoff passed; and
 
WHEREAS, the NDSA is committed to the long-term success of the beef checkoff program; and
 
WHEREAS, the NDSA has been a strong supporter of the $1-per-head assessment; and WHEREAS, the beef checkoff has demonstrated the ability to maintain a very high level of consumer confidence, even during a crisis, while helping to significantly increase beef demand; and
 
WHEREAS, the NDSA would like to continue these trends into the future for the benefit of the cow-calf producer.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports efforts to change the Beef Checkoff Act and Order to include the recommendations of the beef checkoff task force, including an increase in the assessment per head.
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA encourages U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain an open discussion about amending the Act and Order to use checkoff dollars to promote U.S. beef.
 
 
BEEF EDUCATION - 11 (RE)
WHEREAS, it's important that consumer education begin at the grade-school level.THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA recommends the North Dakota Beef Commission continue to work with interested state and national organizations to provide educational materials and programs for grade-school children and instructors, explaining production techniques, handling and feeding of livestock, as well as the nutritional value of beef.
 
 
BEEF PROMOTION - 11 (RE)
WHEREAS, the North Dakota CattleWomen has done an outstanding job of promoting beef; and
 
WHEREAS, it does so with a very limited budget with volunteer help.THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA commends the North Dakota CattleWomen in its efforts to promote our product, beef.
 
 
CO-PRODUCT RESEARCH IN BEEF CATTLE DIETS - 11 (RE)
WHEREAS, the potential to increase cattle feeding in North Dakota has recently received considerable interest; and
 
WHEREAS, the supply of co-product feeds such as wet and dry corn gluten feed, wheat and durum middlings, potato waste, ethanol by-products and others provide a consistent feed both for beef cattle feeders and cow-calf producers; and
 
WHEREAS, there is a current lack of guidelines for co-products in the Northern Plains; and
 
WHEREAS, there is a need for information on the effects of co-products on beef cattle carcass quality, yield and consumer sensory characteristics.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports continuing co-product research in beef cattle diets at North Dakota State University research facilities.
 
 
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY - 11 (RE)
WHEREAS, the agriculture sector, including the beef cattle industry, provides the cornerstone of North Dakota's economic base; and
 
WHEREAS, North Dakota State University, through its teaching, agricultural research and extension, is a predominant source of scientific knowledge essential to the growth and success of the beef cattle industry.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA requests all levels of the North Dakota State University administration to recognize this contribution and importance of the cattle industry to this state.
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the North Dakota State University administration reaffirm the University's mission consistent with that of the Land Grant System and recognize the need to emphasize and promote agriculture.
 
 
STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION - 11 (RE)
WHEREAS, agriculture is the no. 1 industry in North Dakota and has a stake in education.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports the nomination of an ag representative to the State Board of Higher Education.
 
 
FUNDING ANIMAL SCIENCE TEACHING PROGRAMS - 10 (RE)
WHEREAS, the future of North Dakota's livestock industry rests in the hands of today's youth; and
 
WHEREAS, the costs of providing proper training in animal sciences and related fields continues to increase.
               
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports efforts to properly fund the cost of providing such training in the North Dakota University System.
 
 
JUDGING TEAMS - 10 (RE)
WHEREAS, the judging teams at North Dakota State University have been an important part of the educational system; and
 
WHEREAS, those in agriculture are called on more and more to explain our industry to the urban population; and
 
WHEREAS, it is proven that those involved in the judging teams have had a positive influence in the industry.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the North Dakota State University judging teams be a high priority when it comes to funding the curriculum.