North Dakota Stockmen's Association - Research & Education

AG RESEARCH AND EXTENSION - 26 (RE)

WHEREAS, there are many potential budget cuts by the state and federal government.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that agricultural research and Extension remain a high priority for the NDSA.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA supports the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education priorities to restore the budget.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION TEACHERS - 26 (RE)

WHEREAS, many North Dakota agricultural education teachers have retired while new and existing program expansion has occurred; and

WHEREAS, the number of post-secondary graduates has recently increased in agricultural education, but does not satisfy the teacher demand for agricultural education in our schools; and

WHEREAS, there has been an increase of alternatively certified licensed agricultural educators to help meet the demands.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports efforts to offer expanded opportunities for post-secondary certification and increased professional development opportunities to maintain high-quality agricultural education.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA encourages prospective students to pursue careers in agricultural education to allow expansion of education and literacy opportunities for the beef industry.

AM RADIO IN EVERY VEHICLE - 26 (RE)

WHEREAS, several automakers have started to eliminate AM radios from new vehicles; and

WHEREAS, farmers and ranchers depend on AM radio to obtain information about topics such as weather, markets, agricultural news, ag commentary and local events; and

WHEREAS, AM radio serves a vital role in our nation’s emergency infrastructure as the backbone of the Emergency Alert System; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has stated the success of the national public warning system hinges on the use of AM radio due to the distances its signal carries and its resiliency during catastrophic events, and, when electrical service is interrupted and cell networks are down, the car radio is often the only way for people to get information, sometimes for days at a time; and

WHEREAS, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is now being considered by Congress, making AM radio standard equipment in new vehicles and requiring consumer disclosures if a vehicle does not include AM radio.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports the AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act or equivalent legislation.

ALPHA-GAL SYNDROME RESEARCH AND CONSUMER EDUCATION - 26 (RE)

WHEREAS, Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is an emerging human allergic condition associated with bites from certain tick species, primarily the Lone Star tick, that can result in allergic reactions following the consumption of mammalian meat products; and

WHEREAS, the geographic range of the Lone Star tick has expanded throughout much of the United States, increasing the prevalence of AGS; and

WHEREAS, AGS is a tick-borne condition and is not caused by beef production practices, beef quality or food safety concerns; and

WHEREAS, misinformation regarding AGS has the potential to negatively impact consumer confidence in beef products; and

WHEREAS, additional research is needed to better understand the causes, prevention, diagnosis and long-term management of AGS, as well as effective tick management strategies.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports increased federal funding for research on AGS, including research related to tick ecology, disease prevention, improved diagnostics and public health education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA supports collaborative efforts among the U.S. Department of Agriculture, land-grant universities, veterinary and medical researchers, Cooperative Extension, state and national cattle associations and public health agencies to advance research of AGS; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA supports educational initiatives that accurately communicate that AGS is a tick-borne condition rather than a food safety issue and promote information that maintains consumer trust in beef products.

ASIAN LONGHORNED TICK - 26 (RE)

WHEREAS, the Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT) is an exotic tick that invaded the East Coast in 2017 and has already spread halfway across the United States; and

WHEREAS, the female ALT can reproduce without a male and, as such, a single female tick can create a population; and

WHEREAS, the ALT is a known/suspected vector of several viral, bacterial and protozoan agents of livestock and human diseases; and

WHEREAS, the ALT has been linked to infection with Theileria orientalis, Ikeda in cattle in the United States.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports USDA pursuing efforts for research, management and control of the ALT and its associated cattle diseases; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA requests Congress and appropriate governmental agencies secure the necessary funding for research, management and control of the ALT and associated diseases.

BEEF CHECKOFF PROGRAM - 26 (RE)

WHEREAS, the beef checkoff has helped increase beef demand by providing funding and structure for food safety research, informing the public about beef’s positive nutritional attributes, organizing and coordinating the beef industry’s issues management strategies, leveraging dollars for international and domestic marketing efforts and working with retailers and foodservice outlets to promote beef; and

WHEREAS, the NDSA was instrumental in getting the national beef checkoff passed; and

WHEREAS, the NDSA remains committed to the long-term success of the program; and

WHEREAS, the NDSA would like to continue these positive trends into the future for the benefit of the entire beef production chain.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports an increase in the national beef checkoff assessment rate for the purpose of adequately funding an effective demand-building program.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, if a revision to the beef referendum process is to be considered, it should provide producers the opportunity at regular-time intervals to petition for a referendum on continuing the beef checkoff program.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA opposes any changes to the beef checkoff program that would significantly alter the management of it, politicize the program and/or strip or limit the grassroots checkoff-investment decision-making authority of state beef councils.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA encourages the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain an open discussion about the utilization of some checkoff dollars to promote U.S. beef.

BEEF EDUCATION - 26 (RE)

WHEREAS, it’s important that consumer education begins 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 - 26 (RE)

WHEREAS, the North Dakota CattleWomen has done an outstanding job of promoting beef; and

WHEREAS, it does so with a limited budget and volunteer help.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA commends the North Dakota CattleWomen in its efforts to promote our product, beef.

IMITATION OR LAB-GROWN PROTEIN - 26 (RE)

WHEREAS, there is an increase in investment toward the development and marketing of imitation or lab-grown protein sources, some of which use meat terminology in their product names.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the NDSA supports educational efforts to inform consumers on the value of meat in the diet and the difference between meat and imitation or lab-grown protein products; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA supports truth in labeling rules that would clarify that difference.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY - 26 (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 the importance of the cattle industry to this state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NDSA requests the North Dakota State University administration reaffirms 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 - 26 (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.