Summit Executive Committee
February 4, 2000 Telephone Conference Call

MINUTES

Members Present:
John Abernathy
Cullen Looney
Mike Petter
Graddy Tunnell
John Anderson
Mark McLaughlin
L.G. Raun, Jr.
Charlotte Watson
Daniel Brackeen
Pierce Miller
John Schneider, Jr.
W.E. "Bill" West, Jr.
J.B. Cooper
Donald Patman

Others in Attendance:
Gene Nelson
Aaron Wendt

Introductions - Chair Graddy Tunnell welcomed SEC members at 10:58 a.m. Graddy explained he is an attorney from Plainview and is looking forward to chairing the SEC. Graddy explained that John Anderson had agreed to serve as the new Vice Chair. John said he would be glad to serve in this capacity. Gene Nelson noted Jim Stewart's past work as Secretary and hoped he will continue to serve in that position. Jim was not available beforehand and, therefore, it was not possible to confirm if Jim would continue to serve as Secretary.

Four new members were introduced: Lynn Drawe (Welder Wildlife Foundation), Mark Miller (Texas Ag Finance), W.E. "Bill" West (Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority), and Donald Patman (President, Texas Farm Bureau). Lynn and Mark were not able to connect to the call. Bill thanks the SEC for the invitation to serve and is glad to participate and hopes to bring the water aspect of American agriculture to the SEC. Donald is looking forward to working with the other SEC members. Due to time constraints, new members will be able to talk about their organizations at the next SEC meeting.

Also introduced was Aaron Wendt (Program Assistant, Agriculture Program, Texas A&M University System). He will serve as Summit Initiative support staff and assist Gene Nelson in coordinating the SEC and Summit activities. Aaron said he is glad to be a part of the Summit Initiative and hopes to keep up the good communication he has had with SEC members thus far.

Four departing SEC members were recognized for their hard work with the Summit Initiative over the past years: James Herring (Friona Industries), Harold Maxwell (Temple-Inland Forest Products Corporation), Wayne Showers (independent vegetable producer), and Bob Stallman (immediate past President, Texas Farm Bureau). It was noted that these retiring SEC members were sent a gift for our appreciation of their hard work. Bob was also congratulated on his election to President of the American Farm Bureau.

Graddy recognized Roddy Peeples and Jim Stewart for agreeing to serve another term on the SEC. Graddy also mentioned his appreciation to all SEC members for their hard work in the past and their willingness to continue their dedication to Texas agriculture.

Aaron Wendt presented the minutes from the September 28, 1999 meeting. A motion by Pierce Miller to accept the minutes as received was accepted. John Anderson seconded the motion and the minutes were approved as received by unanimous voice vote.

Budget Report - Gene Nelson indicated the current Summit Initiative balance to be $30,000 which is close to what was reported at the last meeting. Gene referred to this balance as "holding on." Gene reported that the Biotechnology Summit cost approximately $12,000 but a donation of $15,000 from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo has offset that expense. Graddy Tunnell mentioned the prospect for establishing a permanent endowment fund for the Summit Initiative. This topic will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.

Membership Update - Graddy Tunnell indicated that the SEC is always seeking additional members in order to keep it representative of the various sectors of Texas agriculture. Graddy mentioned the SEC is looking to add Lampkin Butt (Sanderson Farms; Steve Harper to contact), Bob Anderson (John Abernathy to contact), a representative from Prairie View A&M, a representative from the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, and a representative from the medical community. Gene Nelson would like suggestions from SEC members for any new member prospects.

Biotechnology Summit - Gene Nelson reported the Biotechnology Summit held September 29-30, 1999 to be successful. There was lots of participation and interaction. The final report is currently at the printers and is expected to be back early next week. It will be posted on the web site (http://agsummit.tamu.edu/) within a few days. The final report will be mailed out to all participants and to SEC members. Gene reported that a good spectrum of recommendations for state agencies and research groups were made at the Summit. John Anderson asked if biotechnology is in deep trouble for agriculture due to recent events. Gene responded that he has been following the recent developments with companies stepping back their promotion of biotechnology. However, Gene commented the ADM has withdrawn its stance against genetically modified organisms and is willing to receive all agriculture commodities. Gene also noted that in the Biotechnology final report, one of the recommendations is to define biotechnology more broadly and call it "life science technology." This will allow more initiatives to be supported, i.e., the health of food products. Consumers will be able to recognize the benefits of healthier and more nutritious foods generated through life science technology. John Anderson commented that the agriculture community needs to readily and rapidly ally with the medical community in promoting life science technology. Their involvement is important.

Beef Industry Summit - Gene Nelson commented that a planning committee meeting is being scheduled for February 14 or 15 in Austin. Any SEC members are invited to come to provide information and insight. This will be an important meeting because of the complex issues surfacing in the beef industry. Gene hopes to have the planning committee prioritize and build the Summit activities and agenda. Also, the planning committee will make a decision on time and place of the Summit. Most likely it will be in late April or early May. Currently it appears the best location will be Fort Worth. Gene described he and Dr. Charles Long of the TAMU Research and Extension Center at Overton (academic co-chair of the Beef Summit) are rapidly pulling together the planning committee membership. Graddy Tunnell asked about the industry response. Gene commented industry is responding positively with broad involvement of beef sectors from producer to retail and all levels between. Mike Petter inquired as to a topical theme for the Summit. Gene responded that the evolution of agriculture has suggested that the key is to maintain quality through better coordination of quality control mechanisms between, among, and through sectors of the industry. This will require an enhancement of coordination of components of the industry. However, there are many overriding issues and the topical theme will be finalized by the planning committee. Mike Petter mentioned he is at a conference and heard Dr. Brent Auvermann of TAMU speak and suggests he be on the list of speakers for the Beef Summit. Cullen Looney inquired about risk management as a topic. Gene indicated that variability due to drought and market mechanisms is definitely a major problem facing producers and this topic will be explored at the Summit. Graddy mentioned that the planning committee is going into the meting without an agenda in order to lay out the key issues facing the industry. Mark McLaughlin commented that what is needed is an improvement in quality through value-added marketing. Pierce Miller echoed Mark and suggested that all these issues be explored at the planning committee meeting.

International Agriculture Summit - Gene Nelson stated that this Summit is not as far along in the planning process as he would like. He has obtained internal help through Dr. Ed Price and Dr. Parr Rosson. They are just starting to assemble a list of potential planning committee members. The Summit is still scheduled for October in Houston. The Summit Initiative will partner with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Ag Forum to produce a better Summit. Graddy Tunnell, realizing that this is very preliminary, asked what the focus of the Summit will be. Gene suggested how can Texas more effectively move agricultural commodities and products in the international market. J.B. Cooper said the Ag Forum wants to participate fully and help in the development of the Summit as it is important to set future agricultural policy issues before next spring.

Farm Policy Workshop - Discussion of the International Agriculture Summit developed into discussion of the Farm Policy Workshop. Gene Nelson mentioned it would be wise to wait until after the national elections this fall and the inevitable changes in national agricultural policy before hosting a Farm Policy Workshop, perhaps in February or March 2001. This also fits nicely into the SEC obligations. The Workshop might be titled a National Agriculture Policy Summit. J.B. Cooper mentioned that at a meeting in January, Congressman Charlie Stenholm (TX-17-D) was excited to support an International Agriculture Summit and will be scheduling hearings in February regarding agriculture policy, specifically international aspects. L.G. Raun, Jr. suggested that this Workshop be scheduled for late January or early February in order to accommodate crop production planting season.

Open Forum - Graddy Tunnel inquired about when and where the next SEC meeting should be held. It was suggested by Gene Nelson and decided by general consensus that the next meeting of the SEC be held in conjunction with the Beef Industry Summit in May. Gene commented on the positive aspect of the SEC and the Summit Initiative. If you bring together a group of Texans, you can solve any problem." Gene continued by adding that the diverse make-up of the SEC has led to broad representation and attendance at summits as well as a wealth of ideas. Graddy thanked Gene for doing a fantastic job as Coordinator. Graddy also thanked everyone for their commitment to Texas agriculture. L.G. Raun, Jr. commented that this was a good meeting but a phone call is no substitute for a face-to-face meeting. L.G. suggested conference calls be held more often, perhaps every two months, to help keep the SEC updated on Summit developments. Graddy Tunnell agreed with L.G.'s suggestion. It was decided by general consensus to adjourn at 11:29 a.m.