4-H4-H 
Junior
Livestock Producer's Association (JLPA)
Meeting Minutes
February 24, 2003
Meeting called to order at 7:10 pm by Vice President, Warren Sell.
Board Members Present were: Stephen Rajzer, Melissa Warkentien, Jessica Sell, Casey Tripp, Dain Webster, Warren Sell, Tom Pursley, Dean Ransler and Tammy Burch.
Secretary’s Report: Melissa Warkentien read the secretary's report. There were a few changes that had to be made. Some of the dates in the Treasurer's report said that they were from November 2003 when they needed to be November 2002. Under Bills and Correspondence, the flowers had been sent to the Hostetler Funeral not the Fleetwood funeral. Warren Sell also asked to have it included that not all of the fair board members were opposed to the plans that JLPA had presented to them about our building project. Warren Sell asked for a motion to accept the minutes, Tom Pursley made a motion, Dean Ransler seconded the motion, motion passed.
Bills and Correspondence: Warren Sell read a letter that had been written to the fair board, but had a lot to do with JLPA also. The letter was from a Mrs. MaryAnn Redmond voicing her approval of what our fair does and that she really enjoyed herself along with her grandchildren.
$200.00 had been given to JLPA in memory of James Hostetler. This money will be put towards the building fund.
Warren asked for a motion to accept the bills and correspondence. Tom P. made a motion, Dean R. seconded it, motion passed.
Committee Reports: Barn Committee - Warren had talked to a gentleman about the new barn/pavilion. They went out to the fairgrounds to look at the site. The largest problem that was seen was the grade differences. There was discussion on how far south we could build. The grade problem wouldn't be as large the further south the building could go. There was also discussion about the drainage. David Streich asked how big of a building JLPA is talking about building. He also asked about the idea of a new wing off the sheep wing. Warren S. explained to him the problems with that idea. There are no other committee reports at this time.
Bruce MacKellar said that Sara Pion had informed him that we will probably have to do Pseudorabies testing again next year.
Old Business:
JLPA scholarships are due on March 1, 2003 at the Extension office. Keith Rigoni is the only one that has turned in an application as of tonight.
Fair Book cover contest - only one has been submitted so far. More information available if you are interested.
Michigan 4-H Livestock Camp - brochures were passed out. More information is available if you are interested.
Bruce MacKellar talked about the Pork Quality Assurance Program. He explained a little about what is learned and talked about at one of these certification meetings. Cass County isn't making it mandatory for this year, but they are strongly encouraging it. Branch County did make it mandatory. Bruce feels that we will be okay going either way this year. It takes about two weeks to get your certification back so it was suggested that if and of these meetings were to be held, to hold them no later than 45 days before the fair. That way we leave plenty of time to make sure everyone will have their certification upon weight in. Sara Pion will be holding a meeting the same date and time, March 24, 2003, 7:00 p.m., as our next JLPA meeting. Tammy Burch had a few questions about this program. Warren S. voiced his opinion about what he disagreed with about this program. Bruce M. told Warren that he knew about all of what he had mentioned. Everyone needs to try and spread the news about the March Certification meeting.
April JLPA Newsletter: Dean Ransler told JLPA what he had found out about the sawdust if we were to buy it. #2 curl shavings, low dust - $770.00. #1 plastic bags, $2.75-$2.90 per bag. Dean suggested that we put these prices in the newsletter so that we could possibly get all the help we need for unloading the free sawdust this year. It was discussed that it is already mandatory that each club has at least one representative at the sawdust unloading, or else there will be a $25.00 charge to each club not represented. There should be plenty of help. Tom P. made a motion to mention this fact in the April newsletter. Stephen R. seconded the motion, motion passed.
New Business
Bruce M. asked around to the other counties surrounding us what they were doing about testing this year. Pseudorabies testing - Cass and Branch are both sending all hogs straight to market if they are under or over-weight. They are avoiding having Pseudorabies testing done that way. TB testing - all counties are still requiring all steers, calves, and goats to have TB tags/tattoos and papers. Scrappy - all counties are requiring all sheep and lambs to have tags. We discussed each of these tests. Both the TB and Scrappy testing will remain the same as before for this year. Tammy B. talked about the fact that weight tapes are only, at the most, 10 lbs. off. There are also scales around that hogs can be weighed at. There is no reason why your animal(s) shouldn't be tame enough to tape them a week before the fair. After more discussion about this, a motion was made by Stephen R. to drop the mandatory Pseudorabies testing and that all hogs under or over the weight limit upon weigh in will be put onto a waiting truck and be sent to Michigan Livestock. Dean R. seconded this motion, motion passed.
Judge Updates: All of the judges have been placed except for a dairy judge. There has been a verbal "yes" on that, but no definite yet. Karron Tortorelli would like to see JLPA do the same thing with judges for interviews as last year. Sweepstakes judges are still needed also.
It was suggested that JLPA have a plaque made in memory of James Hostetler for the barn as a thank you for the generous money gift. Warren S. made a motion, Tom P. seconded it. Motion passed.
JLPA was informed that Tod K.'s mother had died. Instead of sending flowers, the family would rather have money donations sent to the JLPA Building Fund in her memory.
Next meeting will be held March 24, 2003 at 7:00 pm at the Van Buren Conference Center.
Motion made by Tom P. to adjourn meeting at 8:20 pm, seconded by Warren S., motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Warkentien
