At the 35th NAAIC Meeting in Oklahoma City, June 16-20, 1996 there
were two actions taken by the committee:
First, The Industry Liaison Committee was to be expanded to include
a voting member from each company conducting alfalfa breeding
research and releasing alfalfa varieties.
February 1997 letters were sent to 11 firms listing companies
known to have varietal development programs & soliciting feedback
as to whether any companies were left off the mailing list. Three
companies responded that the list appeared complete. That taken
together with the lack of response from the other 8 companies
suggested that the list was complete. Each company has subsequently
been given the opportunity to name a voting committee member and
an alternate and the committee membership list has been forwarded
to the executive secretary.
This winter a proposal was submitted to the Industry Liaison
Committee that the committee chairmanship should be systematically
rotated among member companies every two years to ensure that
all firms have an opportunity to serve in this capacity. This
proposal was discussed at the Committee Meeting August 3, 1998
and approved by the Industry Liaison Committee. Sam Stratton
of FFR Cooperative was elected to serve as the Inustry Liaison
Committee Chairman for the two year period 1998 - 2000.
Second, The NAAIC Industry Liaison Committee would have the responsibility
for recommending to the Alfalfa Committee of the American Seed
Trade Association (ASTA) an individual to serve as the ASTA research
representative to the National Alfalfa Variety Review Board (NAVRB).
This winter a proposal was submitted to the Industry Liaison
Committee that the committee systematically recommend the outgoing
chairperson to the ASTA Alfalfa committee to serve as research
representative to the NAVRB. This proposal was discussed at the
Committee Meeting August 3, 1998 and approved by the Industry
Liaison Committee.
Beginning with the January 1999 meeting Jon Reich of Cal/West
Seeds will serve on the NAVRB board for four years; two years
as a non-voting alternate, followed by two years as the voting
member. Sam Stratton, his successor to the Industry Liaison Committee
Chair will serve NAAIC from 1998 - 2000. Beginning with the January
2001 meeting, Sam will serve on the NAVRB for four years. Two
years as a non-voting alternate followed by two years as the voting
member.
Other activity of the Industry Liaison Committee (1996 - 1998):
Responsibility to secure funds for publication of the CAIC Variety
Test Publication compiled each year by John Caddel.
March 1997
Letters were mailed to 53 companies that market alfalfa seed
and which ask to receive the report each year. Contributions
were received from 17 companies totaling $2,550 which barely covered
the cost for duplication, collating, and mailing.
March 1998
Letters were mailed to 66 companies. Contributions were received
from 17 companies totaling $3,550, an amount that more than paid
for immediate costs associated with publication and helped make
up for past shortfalls.
This concludes the report of the Industry Liaison Committee for
activities between 1996 and 1998.
Submitted by Jonathan Reich, Chair Industry Liaison Committee 1996 - 1998.