Minutes of the American Oat Workers Conference Business Meeting

May 7, 2002, Wilmington, North Carolina

The meeting was called to order by Fred Kolb, Chair.

(1) Minutes of the last meeting of the AOWC, held November 13, 2001, Lincoln, New Zealand.

• The minutes were reviewed and approved as printed in the 2001 Oat Newsletter, Vol. 47.

(2) Oat Newsletter

• David Hoffman, editor of the Newsletter succeeding past editor James Chong, reported that a call for contributions due June 1, 2002, has gone out for Volume 48. The past four volumes contained 85 articles and 17 new oat releases described.
• Special thanks were accorded to David Matthews, Victoria Carollo, and Gerard Lazo for their efforts in posting the Oat Newsletter on GrainGenes at the website: http://wheat.pw.usda.gov/ggpages/oatnewsletter. Individuals needing hard copies should contact David Hoffman.
• A motion was made and unanimously passed that the AOWC provide special thanks to James Chong for his efforts in publishing the past four volumes.
• Solomon Kibite was announced as the Editor-elect, to assume editorship in 2006.

(3) Uniform Regional Nurseries

• David Livingston reported that David Marshall will take over as coordinator of the Uniform Winter Oat Yield Nursery while he will continue to coordinate the Oat Winterhardiness Nursery.
• Howard Rines, coordinator of the Uniform Early and Midseason Oat Performance Nurseries, reported efforts to move toward more electronic publication of the nursery reports. Also, cooperators are encouraged to submit data electronically. Location changes in the nurseries include the addition of Waseca, Minnesota, to the Early Oat Nursery and Morden, Manitoba, to the Midseason Oat Nursery; Pennsylvania and Nebraska no longer grow either nursery; and Missouri is growing only the Early nursery. For checks ‘Richard’ replaced ‘Dane’ in the Early Oat Nursery and ‘Assiniboia’ will replace ‘Jerry’ in the Midseason Oat Nursery.

(4) 2006 Meeting Site and 2003 Summer Field Day Site

• Mike McMullen, chair of the Meeting Site Selection Committee, reported that an invitation had been extended by Solomon Kibite for the Lacombe Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, to host the 2006 AOWC meeting, probably in Calgary, Alberta, in late July or early August. Art McElroy extended an invitation for the Ottawa Research Station, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, to host the 2003 Oat Summer Field Day at a time to be announced, probably mid-July.
• It was moved, seconded, and unanimously passed to accept both meeting site invitations.
• Jean-Luc Jannink offered a tentative invitation to host the 2005 Oat Summer Field Day at Iowa State University.

(5) Nominating Committee Report and Elections

• Brian Rossnagel, chair of the Nominating Committee, reported the following slate for the 2002-2006 AOWC Committee.

• Executive Committee:
  Past Chair – Fred Kolb
  Chair – Paul Murphy
  Chair Elect – Solomon Kibite
  Secretary – Howard Rines
• Newsletter:
  Past Editor – James Chong
  Editor – David Hoffman
  Editor Elect – Solomon Kibite
• Members-at-Large:
  Trevor Pizzey (industry), Stephen Harrison, David Marshall
• Regional and other representatives:
  Eastern Canada – Art McElroy
  Western Canada – James Chong
  AAFC – Ken Campbell
  North Central USA – Deon Stuthman
  Northeastern USA – Mark Sorrells
  Western USA – David Hoffman
  USDA, ARS – Kay Simmons
  Mexico – Jose Salmeron
  Industry – Bruce Roskens
• The nominations committee moved acceptance of the slate as submitted. Seconded and passed.
• Brian Rossnagel moved that AOWC thank the past officers for their efforts and contributions. Passed by acclamation.

(6) AOWC Awards for Distinguished Service to Oat Improvement

• Fred Kolb, chair of the Awards Committee, announced that Milton McDaniel, Charles (Chuck) Murphy, Dale Reeves, and Sam Weaver have been selected as 2002 recipients of the AOWC Award for Distinguished Service to Oat Improvement. Biographical write-ups detailing their contributions are presented elsewhere in the Newsletter.

(7) Resolutions

• Howard Rines, chair, presented the following resolutions on behalf of the Resolutions Committee.
• #1 Whereas this has been a most successful, educational, and enjoyable American Oat Workers Conference, held here in the fair city of Wilmington, North Carolina, and whereas this success has been largely due to the excellent organization provided by Dr. J. Paul Murphy and colleagues at North Carolina State University; therefore be it Resolved that the American Oat Workers Conference participants express their sincere appreciation to Paul, Dr. Steve Leath, Dr. David Livingston, and Renee Navarro for their efforts in hosting the conference and also to the Conference Steering Committee for their contributions in formulating the stimulating program.
• #2 Whereas The Quaker Oats Company, the North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association Inc., and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service generously provided financial support for this conference; therefore be it Resolved that the Conference participants gratefully acknowledge these contributions.
• #3 Whereas Dr. James Chong has worked diligently as Editor of the Oat Newsletter for the past five years, be it resolved that the AOWC extend their sincere thanks to James for his exemplary work and welcome David Hoffman’s acceptance of future responsibilities for the Oat Newsletter.
• #4 Whereas Dr. Fred Kolb has faithfully served the American Oat Workers Conference as chair and Dr. Brian Rossnagel as past-chair for the past four years, be it Resolved that the members of AOWC extend their sincere appreciation for their leadership during this period.
• The committee moved that the Resolutions be adopted. Second and unanimously passed.

(8) Oat Germplasm Committee

• Greg Shaner, chair, reported for the Oat Germplasm Committee. The crop germplasm committees are intended to provide “sound information and authoritative recommendations” to the National Plant Germplasm System of USDA acquisition, conservation, and use of germplasm. Current members of the Oat Germplasm Committee include Greg Shaner (chair), Fred Kolb, Michael McMullen, Paul Murphy, David Peterson, Harold Bockelman (ex-officio), Kay Simmons (ex-officio), Sam Weaver, Darrell Wesenberg and Pam White. The committee is appointed by the National Oat Improvement Committee. Fred Kolb, chair of the N.O.I.C., will survey the current members to determine who is interested in continuing to be involved, and a new Oat CGC will be appointed.

(9) Other

• A question was raised as to the current status of the Oat Gene Nomenclature committee. Fred Kolb will contact Richard Cross, current chair of the International Oat Conference, regarding it.

(10) The meeting was adjourned by the new chair, Paul Murphy.

Reported by
Howard Rines
AOWC Secretary

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