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2007
POLICY RESOLUTIONS
ONE
OF THE SECRETS OF LIFE IS TO MAKE STEPPING
STONES OUT OF STUMBLING BLOCKS!
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CONGRESSIONAL-LEGISLATIVE-TAX-TRANSPORTATION-
RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS
SUBSECTIONS:
C=Congressional (US)
L=Legislative (ID)
T=Tax (ID)
Trans=Transportation
CONGRESSIONAL
Congressional
Policy Statement
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports
●Section
179 of the IRS Code dealing with accelerated Depreciation at current
levels,
●a
reduction in Capital Gains taxes for long-held properties,
●the
deferment of capital gains taxes when profits are placed in a qualified
retirement plan,
●the
development of a Farm and Risk Management Account (FARRM),
●exempting
the first three million dollars of estate tax for family farms and
businesses,
●the
re-licensing of all power generating dams in the northwest,
●planting
flexibility currently included in the farm bill and with fair and open
trade,
●disaster
assistance on an “as needed” basis,
●land
exchange between private, state and federal entities on a site specific
basis,
●keeping
fair market exchange of foreign grain without the use of artificial
barriers,
●all
levels of government to use sound scientific data when making public
health and environmental decisions that could also affect crop viability,
●legal
action to enforce existing US laws prohibiting the importation of food
products on which chemicals are used that are not registered in the US,
●Farm
Credit’s Horizons Program
●major
reductions in USDA farm payment limitations.
Resolution No. C-1
- Investment Tax Credit
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will urge the National Association of Wheat Growers and the
National Barley Growers Association to help expedite legislation in which
Investment Tax Credit will be reinstated. The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will work to maintain the Investment Tax Credit in Idaho.
Resolution No. C-2 – Aberdeen ARS – Barley
Research
The Idaho Grain Producers Association supports
enhanced funding for federal barley research at the USDA/ARS Small Grains
Research Program in Aberdeen, Idaho.
Resolution No. C-3 – Guest Workers
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports a workable Guest Worker Program that secures the
borders of the United States and provides a legal, affordable, and stable
workforce for agriculture.
Resolution No. C-4 –
Recently Purchased Land
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports maintaining recently purchased state and county lands
on the county tax roles or when receiving payment in lieu of taxes.
Supporting Statement
County’s positioned within
Indian Reservations need to keep a constant tax base when private lands are
acquired by the tribe.
Resolution No. C-5 – 2007
Farm Bill
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will support the farm bill proposals of the national small
grains organization (NAWG and NBGA).
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LEGISLATIVE
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Legislative Policy
Statement
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports
●using
burning as a tool in crop production and will oppose any legislation that
prevents farmers from burning crop residue,
●bringing
together all groups that use burning as a management tool,
●all
warehouses being under a state licensing program,
●changes
in Idaho’s trespass law that would give the landowner better protection
while putting a bigger burden of proof on the violator,
●tax
credits for farmland preservation.
●to
protect farmers from legal actions brought against them based on smoke,
dust, and other environmental trespass issues,
●with
the Idaho Cattle Association and other groups to resolve issues with the
open range law.
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association will be
●actively
engaged in legislative action regarding all water issues in the state.
●new
lien laws or changes to current law that are detrimental to grain
producers.
Resolution No. L-1 –
Voluntary Agriculture Burning & Smoke Management
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association encourages the Director of the Department of Agriculture to
continue an effective voluntary agriculture burning and smoke management
program throughout southern Idaho. If the voluntary management program
proves ineffective in the future, IGPA will work with the Director to
develop and implement a mandatory system.
Resolution No. L-2 – Legal
Protection for Farmers
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports legislation that would require reimbursement of defense
expenses to agricultural producers who prevail in any action, claim, or
counter action alleging that the agricultural activities are causing harm.
Resolution No L-3 – Moving
Depredation Fund to IDOA
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association seek legislation and regulations that assign the administration
of the Big Game Depredation Fund to the Idaho State Department of
Agriculture, with the remaining balance each year in the fund going back to
the Idaho Fish and Game Department as provided in the Idaho Code 36-115.
Resolution No L-4 – Animal
Damage Payments on Tribal Lands
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will support changes in Fish and Game rules that will allow for
animal damage payments to be made from the Fish and Game Depredation account
to farmer leaseholders of Tribal Lands.
Resolution No. L-5 –
Aquifer
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports aquifer recharge.
Resolution No. L-6 – Water
Allocation
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports a solution to the water allocation problem within the
state of Idaho.
Supporting Statement
IGPA believes all
pumpers who are properly licensed by Idaho Department of Water Resources are
part of a class and supports state funded mitigation for those impacted by
the water calls.
Resolution No. L-7 –
Idaho Quality Assurance Lab
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports the full base funding of the Idaho Quality Assurance
Lab (Twin Falls) from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
Supporting Statement
As this lab is needed to
keep our agricultural products safe to consumers and as the work load varies
greatly from year to year, the base salary and base operational costs should
be fully funded from general fund through the Idaho State Department of AG
of which it is based. This lab has the highest “GLP” (Good Laboratory
Practices) rating available. The requirements of audits, licenses, and
paper trails make their results eligible as evidence in courts of law.
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TAXES
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Tax Policy Statement
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports
●the
research efforts of the University of Idaho College of Agriculture and
encourages the Idaho legislature to adequately fund the College of
Agriculture,
●a
two-thirds majority to be retained as a requirement to pass a bond levy,
●relieving
the burden of property taxes on Idaho farmers,
●the
encouragement of the Idaho Wheat Commission to fund the updating of the U
of I property tax study.
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association opposes
●changes
to the production exemption as it now stands,
●changing
the homeowner’s exemption law that adversely affects grain producers.
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TRANSPORTATION
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Transportation Policy Statement
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association supports
●
maintaining the Snake & Columbia River transportation
system and facilities,
●deepening
and widening the lower Columbia River Channel and Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA)
●eliminating
bulk grain exports from cargo preference policy requirements,
●uniform
truck regulation for the United States, Canada and Mexico,
●amending
Idaho truck weight laws to the maximum federal Formula B, therefore
providing uniform maximum gross vehicle weights among western states,
●a
single tier weight distance tax.
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association opposes
●any
highway fuel tax or increase in vehicle registration in a fair and
equitable way including all vehicles,
●the
CANAMEX corridor until the federal government eliminates the current
weight disadvantage to Idaho carriers.
Resolution
No. Trans-1 - Railroad Access
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association (IGPA) will support federal legislation that provides increased
competition on U.S. railroads. Such legislation will serve to provide
rail-to-rail competition for Idaho’s captive rail customers.
Supporting Statement
The IGPA recognized the efforts by the
Alliance for Rail Competition that have developed legislation to provide
competitive, increased, and enhanced competition for captive rail shippers.
Such increased access is important, given the current merger climate that
results in fewer railroads in the United States.
Resolution No. Trans-2 – Heavy Hauler Tax
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports increasing the 7500-mile cap on mileage for the federal
heavy hauler tax.
Resolution No. Trans-3 –
Elimination of Triple Trailers for Increased Truck Weights
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports legislation outlawing triple trailers in Idaho for
legislation amending Idaho truck weight laws to the maximum federal Formula
B, therefore providing uniform maximum gross vehicle weights among western
states.
Resolution No. Trans-4 - Reciprocity Agreements
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports additional reciprocity coverage of farmer carriers
delivering their own products across state lines.
Resolution No. Trans-5 – Uniform Truck Weights
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports rescinding the freeze on interstate highway truck
weights.
Resolution No. Trans-7 – Fuel Tax Collection
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports the exemption of tax on dyed fuel if the point
of fuel tax collection is changed to the ‘first point of delivery.
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RISK MANAGEMENT
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Risk Management
Policy Statement
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports
●the
continuation and improvements of federal risk management programs,
including crop insurance,
●funding
for producers risk management education,
●risk
management programs that are available to all growers in Idaho on an
equitable basis.
Resolution
No. Rmgmt 1 – Animal Damage and APH
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will work to affect changes in RMA policy that will include
animal damage when reporting to RMA for APH.
Resolution No. Rmgmt 2 – Crop Insurance by Class
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will work with the USDA Risk Management Agency to have all wheat
insurable by class in the Multi Peril Insurance Program.
Resolution No. Rmgmt 3 – Pack Factor
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will work with RMA to consider changes to the ‘pack factor’
adjustments to more fairly account for farm-stored production at loss
adjustments.
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CONSERVATION-ENVIRONMENTAL-CROP PROTECTION
COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS
SUBSECTIONS:
Cons=Conservation
E=Environmental
CP=Crop Protection
CONSERVATION
Conservation Policy Statement
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports
●grower
developed tillage practices and Best Management Practices that are
economically feasible to meet conservation plans,
●increasing
state funding that will encourage the use of tillage practices that will
improve air, water and soil quality,
●the
concept of the ‘Idaho One Plan,’
●Idaho
and adjoining sister states enforcing noxious weed laws and supporting
efforts to educate the public,
●continued
funding of STEEP III,
●new
conservation funding for conservation practices,
●the
proposed CREP program,
●consistent
implementation and interpretation of conservation programs and regulations
between Idaho and its sister states.
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will continue
●to
monitor the CRP program rules to protect Idaho producers,
●to
be a leader in providing grower representatives on agriculture committees
at the County, State, and Federal levels,
●to
work with NRCS in drafting a volunteer nutrient management program for
Idaho producers.
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association is opposed
●to
conservation dollars going to environmental groups who fight agriculture.
Resolution
No. Cons-1 – CRP Soil Rental
Rates
The Idaho
Grain Producers Association supports the standardizing soil types
(classifications) across regional, agricultural production areas without
regard to state or county boundaries when determining rental rates.
RESOLUTION
NO Cons-2 – CRP and CREP
The Idaho
Grain Producers Association (IGPA) supports the wise use of CRP and CREP as
a natural resource tool. IGPA will work to make sure CRP and CREP will be
used only on environmentally sensitive land.
Resolution
No. Cons-3 – Best Renewal of
Expiring CRP Contracts
The Idaho
Grain Producers Association will work with NAWG and NBGA to develop and
implement through FSA a new CRP rule that will provide the opportunity for
farmers to renew wheat and barley base to expiring CRP contracts. The base
would be renewed over a 3-5 year period by planting the crop from the base
that was forfeited when the CRP contract was signed.
Resolution
No. Cons-4 – CSP
The Idaho
Grain Producers Association (IGPA) supports CSP as a consistent, equitable
and fully funded stand alone program with funding to be distributed by FSA.
IGPA also supports CSP as a continuous sign up program.
Resolution
No. Cons-5 – Highly Erodible Land (HEL) Status Reviews of Non-HEL
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will work with NRCS and FSA to establish a new rule that when
fields are combined, if there are not highly erodible land (HEL) present in
any of the fields being combined, the entire combined field will remain non-HEL
without needing a NRCS status review. If any of the combined fields have
HEL acres then a status review is required.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
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Environmental Policy
Statement
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports
●the
recovery of salmon using the combination of native and non-native genes
and utilization of improved collection and transportation systems,
●current
US food safety regulations and opposes stricter regulations that could
reduce our ability to compete in world markets,
●substantial
reform of the Endangered Species Act,
●the
Quality Assurance Laboratory at the College of Southern Idaho with funding
by Idaho State General Fund,
●alternative
crop protection products,
●the
reduction of non-point source pollution,
●combating
non-native predators.
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association
●will
actively participate in the opposition to the removal of dams on the Snake
River and the Columbia River.
The Idaho
Grain Producers Association opposes
●flow
augmentation.
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CROP PROTECTION
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Crop Protection Policy Statement
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports
●the
use of science based data during the EPA’s chemical registration, and
re-registration process,
●and
encourages Congress and USDA to monitor and ensure that the EPA decisions
are based on the best available science,
●and
believes that the Idaho Department of Agriculture should retain regulatory
authority for pesticide use in Idaho,
●and
will work with the Idaho Department of Agriculture to support the
pesticide licensing and education program,
●emergency
registration such as Section 18,
●the
administration rule change that removes Sec. VII consultation requirements
for new chemical registrations,
●continued
enforcement of organic standards for certification by the regulating
authority.
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MARKETING, GRAIN
QUALITY,
AND ENERGY
COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS
SUBSECTIONS:
M=Marketing
GQ=Grain Quality
En=Energy
MARKETING
Marketing Policy
Statement
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports
●the
concepts of the Pacific Northwest Targeted Marketing proposal,
●increased
federal
funding to the U.S. Wheat Associates and the U.S. Grains Council to
continue their efforts to develop markets,
●
efforts to
promote wheat and barley whole grain health benefits,
●the
development of new agricultural based industries and technologies that
will benefit rural economies,
●review
of AWB actions in light of US laws and that if infractions have occurred,
action be taken to ban access to US wheat futures market.
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association encourages
●the
Secretary of Agriculture to continue food aid with AG commodities, GSM
credits, Sec. 416 and PL 480 federal aid programs.
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association opposes
●all
trade embargo or sanctions, which inhibit the free, export of all US
agricultural products.
Resolution No. M-1 – World Trade Organization
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association (IGPA) supports the concepts of the US negotiating objectives in
the WTO agricultural trade negotiations. The IGPA supports the US
negotiators pursuing a comprehensive trade reform package that addresses
market access, export subsidies, state trading and equalization of domestic
subsidies, but opposes the level of proposed cuts to domestic support. IGPA
further requests that US trade negotiators continue to support all domestic
support programs included in the 2002 Farm Bill.
Supporting Statement
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association generally supports the US Administration’s agricultural trade
negotiating goals in the Doha Round, but we are skeptical of deep cuts
proposed by the Administration in the area of trade-distorting domestic
subsidies. IGPA will continue to support the commodity loan program, the
LDP program, and crop insurance subsidies. We urge Congress to conduct
thorough economic analyses of the impact of such cuts on current US farm
legislation and projected US farm income.
Resolution No. M-2 –
Transgenic Wheat
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports the commercialization of transgenic wheat by the US
wheat industry upon customer approval of acceptable tolerance levels.
Supporting Statement
Implementation: Encourage
research and customer/grower education of the benefits of transgenic wheat.
We encourage US wheat hosted trade teams to visit research facilities and to
be educated on the benefits of transgenic wheat.
Resolution No. M-3
–
Trade Harmonization
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association (IGPA)recognizes the inequity of border
access between the United States and Canada for grain commodities and
related production inputs. The IGPA will focus on driving policy to move
equal access to the borders and the harmonization of production inputs.
IGPA will also focus on setting policy regarding appropriate grading and
phytosanitary standards.
Resolution No. M-4
– Developing Markets For Idaho Wheat
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association urges the Idaho Wheat Commission to
continue to investigate and promote regional and variety specific wheat
classes and quality parameters for the purpose of targeting domestic and
overseas markets.
Supporting Statement
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association supports funding and developing markets
for Idaho wheat varieties for use in domestic and foreign markets.
Resolution No. M-5 – Hard White Wheat Classification
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association supports creating a separate market
classification for hard white wheat.
Supporting Statement
Hard
White Wheat (HWW) is currently priced according to the hard red winter wheat
market. Demand for identity preserved HW justifies class distinction.
Resolution No. M-6 – GSM Credit Program
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports continued availability and expansion of GSM Credit
program and urges USDA punitive action against any entity including the AWB
for illegal actions.
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GRAIN QUALITY
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Grain Quality Policy Statement
●Federal
Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) rules that require grain samples be
maintained for a minimum of 10 days,
●improvements
to the CUSUM loading system and the development of technology to identify
different wheat classes,
●the
licensing by FGIS of
facilities that can
provide official samples for the grain industry,
●regulations
that require end-use testing for all future new grain releases,
●funding
for wheat and barley quality workshops in the Pacific Northwest,
●the
efforts of the IWC & IBC in encouraging on-farm storage through the
interest buy-down program,
●FGIS
establishing a federal grading standard for hulless barley that will allow
it to qualify for marketing loans,
●the
use of oils as dust suppressants,
●the
use of outside storage for Idaho grain.
●FGIS
rule changes and notify growers of proposed changes.
●Dockage
charges by exporters.
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association requests that the Idaho Wheat Commission and the Idaho Barley
Commission continue the crop quality survey.
Resolution No. GQ-1 –
Functionality Test
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports timely end use
functionality tests for wheat & barley.
Supporting Statement
Customers are starting to
demand functionality tests. A timely functionality test will provide the
customers the desired specifications.
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ENERGY
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Energy Policy
Statement
●hydroelectric
power and wind power
as
renewable power sources,
●and
promotes utilization of Idaho’s agricultural biomass for industrial uses,
●NAWG’s
advocacy efforts for cellulosic ethanol and bio diesel in Idaho,
●The
development of cellulosic ethanol in Idaho,
●The
national effort calling for 25% renewable fuels by the year 2025. (25x25).
Resolution
No En-1 – Utilization Of Biomass
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports federal and state incentives for the
production and the utilization of Idaho’s agricultural biomass in industrial
products.
Supporting
Statement
Such
utilization would reduce dependence on foreign oil imports, revitalize rural
economies and provide new markets and revenue streams for grain producers.
Resolution No.
En-2 – New Renewable Energy
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports establishing
a new renewable energy portfolio for utilities within the state. Such a
portfolio should include a goal of at least 15% of the states electricity
consumption to be produced by new renewable generation by the year 2015.
Supporting
Statement
The state’s
electric utilities need direction on acquiring and purchasing power produced
by independent power generators in the state. The recent utilization of
wind-generated power has created opportunities for landowners throughout the
state.
Resolution No.
En-3 – Energy Incentives
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association will support the Interim Energy Committee
recommendation for legislation providing incentives for development of wind
power, geothermal power, low head hydro, and the construction of
transmission lines.
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PUBLIC-RELATIONS-MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
RESOLUTIONS
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SUBSECTIONS:
PR=Public Relations
MEMB=Membership
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Public Relation
Policy Statement
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports
●membership
and participation in ANRI-PAC,
Channel Deepening Coalition, Food Producers of Idaho, ICIE and the NAWG
Wheat PAC,
●the
efforts of the Wheat Foods Council and National Barley Foods Council,
●“AG
in the Classroom”, “Bread in a Bag” programs,
●full
funding for NAWG and NBGA on a production formula basis.
Resolution No. Pr-1 -
“Idaho Grain” Magazine
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association strongly supports a flexible collaboration for the publication
of the “IDAHO GRAIN” magazine with the Idaho Wheat Commission and the Idaho
Barley Commission.
Supporting Statement
The “IDAHO GRAIN” magazine
is the most effective tool for distributing education and information of the
combined grain industry.
Resolution No. Pr-2
Unified Working Relationship
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association supports the NAWG, NAWG Foundation, and US Wheat, to create and
maintain a unified working relationship through consolidation.
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MEMBERSHIP
Membership Policy Statement
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association supports
●
recruitment of women for active organizational involvement.
Resolution No. Memb-1
Increasing Membership
The Idaho
Grain Producers Association recommends establishing a committee to research
ways to increase the IGPA membership.
Resolution No. Memb- 2 - One Day In County
The
Idaho Grain Producers Association requests that the Executive Director or a
member of the Executive Board spend one day in each organized county a
year. Time would be spent with the County President and the Board of
Directors to contact potential members in the county and associate members.
Resolution No. Memb- 3
- Convention Attendance
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association encourages all organized counties to provide a scholarship for
members that have not previously attended an Idaho Grain Producers
Association convention. The Idaho Grain Producers Association Executive
Board will work with counties that have limited funding to locate and secure
funding. Implementing methods of at least one new member from each county
organization to the state convention will be forwarded to county executives.
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RESEARCH COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS
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Research Policy
Statement
The Idaho Grain
Producers Association supports
●research
to
upgrade fertilizer recommendations,
●research
on weeds, pests and diseases that threaten cereal crops system,
●research
on new food and nonfood uses for cereal grains and co-products,
●the
continued multi-state research effort to attract new funds and pool
existing funds for small grains research projects,
●the
public release of all wheat and barley varieties developed with public
dollars,
●the
research committee in identifying and recommending priorities for research
faculty, extension faculty, and staff positions at the U of I,
●continuation
of the Regional Research Advisory Committee,
●a
cost analysis that is done periodically on research projects funded by IWC
and IBC,
●an
insectary and related facilities for biological control of cereal pests,
●the
continued funding of a National Stripe Rust Initiative to address the
threat posed to cereal production in the US,
●a
systems approach to Best Management Practices (BMP).
Resolution No. R-1
- Managing Invasive Weeds in Cereal Grains
The Idaho
Grain Producers Association supports the research and education program to
develop control practices for invasive weeds. The Idaho Grain Producers
Association requests federal funding for the University of Idaho and other
state Agricultural Experiment Stations including USDA-ARS, and USDA-APHIS to
develop control programs for invasive weeds.
Resolution No. R–2 - Tri State Wheat Research
Agreement
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will work to develop a tri-state wheat research agreement that
promotes collaborative research on individual classes of wheat among the
colleges in the tri-state region.
Resolution No. R-3 - Yield And Quality In Barley And Wheat Varieties
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association recommends that the Idaho Wheat Commission and the Idaho Barley
Commission continue funding a
development program with priority towards developing widely adapted high
yielding quality wheat and barley varieties.
Resolution No. R-4 – National Hard White Wheat Initiative
The Idaho Grain Producers
Association will support the development of a National Hard White Wheat
Initiative that includes issues specific to the Pacific Northwest.
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