[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359864,"mediaKeyId","2175573-cb2d5ca3da5cac8a1cdd29c55dd368ee","parentId",2175573,"title","Commissioner requests $150,000 for wildlife services operations; ranchers urge stronger predator control","audioSeconds",93,"startMs",674000,"endMs",767000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175573-cb2d5ca3da5cac8a1cdd29c55dd368ee&start=674&end=767","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175573-cb2d5ca3da5cac8a1cdd29c55dd368ee/thumbnail_674000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359864/North-Dakota/Commissioner-requests-150000-for-wildlife-services-operations-ranchers-urge-stronger-predator-control","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359864-07648cdd02bf40224ed4f80fcafc0251/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171041&Signature=RXTOHBq6S~fZm26ejWWBiRE-13FfxS3nA-gP6Kd85ogUdPHO71Y0yn5Npg8dSBDCz4age4d8W9oqVBVZWPgGqRsRFZbHRc6zfFvol0aL1qQT8NdSt9H~Lfwzc0ohXMtnOFYY~1Lmdy-NlqovY9xhS9AgChprJjEt4zp2LmFfVO1bKe6~MRLouFUWc2Sv6-pEVNLRV59bAi-X1CkQjqTvF~nICL3GmKS6XSnvWJ9o~zMgHq2GHox60I3GWx1ym5cdJWdnOQyy2~Age1uq4SiGr3Ea0j-rp5pubCKN4JF4kex-lY0Gs0m-IB~FBWAmTpP4U8RxtrXLhQ9MdcLKD1XlnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Appropriations - Government Operations Division, ND","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","The Agriculture Department asked lawmakers to consider an optional request of $150,000 to support wildlife services operations targeted at predator control. Commissioner Doug Goring said the amount would help with operations for an aircraft provided to USDA Wildlife Services (APHIS) that the department would utilize in areas with gaps in contracted pilot coverage.

\"This would help with the plane that was actually provided to, USDA APHIS or wildlife services and it was for feral swine... We could utilize this plane for predator control in central and southern North Dakota where we have a lack of predator control. And that's what the 150,000 would be for,\" Goring told the committee.

Goring explained the department manages the contract and audits work performed under the wildlife services agreement; the requested funding would pay operational costs in the next biennium to close coverage gaps.

During public testimony livestock stakeholders urged stronger predator control. Larry Fry, who described himself as representing producers affected by predators, told the committee the state needs more aerial capacity and personnel. \"We need to get more help than what's out there,\" Fry said, describing losses from coyotes and wolves.

Committee members acknowledged the long history of state support for predator control and indicated they would seek more detail from the department on how the $150,000 would be budgeted, whether it augments existing contracts, and which territories would receive increased service.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Jan 30, 2025 II","oneSentenceSummary","The Agriculture Department told the committee it requests $150,000 in optional funds to support wildlife services predator control operations, citing aircraft and operational gaps; ranchers and livestock stakeholders urged more capacity for aerial control of coyotes and other predators.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Government Operations Division, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28887,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359869,"Commissioner seeks $3 million SIF appropriation for grasslands phase‑two water and fencing work",4966,1090000,6056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175573-cb2d5ca3da5cac8a1cdd29c55dd368ee&start=1090&end=6056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175573-cb2d5ca3da5cac8a1cdd29c55dd368ee/thumbnail_1090000.jpg","/articles/6359869/North-Dakota/Commissioner-seeks-3-million-SIF-appropriation-for-grasslands-phasetwo-water-and-fencing-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359869-c6ee119140ad9a488be46ebdb0272075/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171041&Signature=G80tb8Gj1Hw47wtFLmmw6rLfUF7xVgYRQjK6Mvglr6YmH6M35gz1rHVqWIH3aufBJDsi3j0CA8tNwpoqgrW6OrSW400CbZ3r58wPoZ1-yTzJKj3I6kQeptQeKpEa4HGNHCCNAFO7NN5jhkaAkuQZObEXI5hC4WGMYX3145ly3v1Wl-0TWNfPR5XGfbrw5qbexE835QwfAjkPaKxWnKRb4PZBXW3E6F0p90iBUll1vbrHgqWuIZMXcrZtCiLRbeGz2wfLR9j4ZgqGbvsTNtCudKl-rpr5oZQXzqLFfTt7Tt7lhO7EhzULm~4Q57IjeitnZWBbdmGKD8Ic1xIb41oU8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Agriculture Department proposed a $3,000,000 appropriation from the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) to continue a grasslands grazing program begun with ARPA funds in a prior session. Commissioner Doug Goring described the request as a phase‑2 continuation of work to convert abandoned oil and gas wells into watering points, install pipelines and fencing, and otherwise improve grazing and range health on national grasslands.

\"This would be the phase 2. This would wrap up and finalize all of the work that had started,\" Goring said, adding that initial projects began with ARPA/COVID funds roughly three years earlier and that construction season timing pushed some work into later sessions.

Committee members and witnesses described local benefits: Representative Brandenburg said the funding would be placed in a new bill section and noted the program aims to extend water distribution across extensive public grasslands. John Hilde, who testified on behalf of grazing stakeholders, told the committee the program had converted two wells and would serve many permittees across national grasslands. He cited uses that include livestock distribution, wildlife water access and emergency firefighting water supplies.

Goring said the projects primarily affect national grasslands managed under Forest Service rules; he explained that private land interspersed with federal land often cannot access USDA programs, which is why the state program was created to address gaps in water and infrastructure on intermingled lands.

Committee members asked staff to add a section to the bill for the $3 million SIF request and signaled they would discuss the proposal in further detail during continued appropriation work.

","The Agriculture Department requested $3 million from the Strategic Investment Fund to finish a grasslands conversion program that repurposes abandoned oil and gas wells into water sources, adds fencing and pipelines for grazing improvement and wildfire support.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359874,"APUC grants draw praise from recipients; committee asks for measurable results",1759,3191000,4950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175573-cb2d5ca3da5cac8a1cdd29c55dd368ee&start=3191&end=4950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175573-cb2d5ca3da5cac8a1cdd29c55dd368ee/thumbnail_3191000.jpg","/articles/6359874/North-Dakota/APUC-grants-draw-praise-from-recipients-committee-asks-for-measurable-results","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359874-b97c3c70d502498c96cf7cc882226040/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171041&Signature=D4DcrCsZ1r-oPSFqoVLq~EhX392mdizK8qY9vY~R7ZQSpIRO5rBTEu945X0CesMWRX0kzX7oLCZAT6o5U~-PfPKYhH~R5KwJa3VBqBAQy7htMmGovTKgQKvFLNM-3yGc17ELN31ts7pIHbCd5nX6QK3OY8GyoB9nBwa5lv8Gntgv8TBIDMHA8gIA0NFLLs22amQcNgta7kLSiVTxJUHuBNsNgcnIllB3p4WcgRb8eYKaR52b2X5k3C-VrqkkrzN2fT-1r98ImvHmrP1eRfDJykV-Y-Yo~idD4zuDIbe5jk2n5jsT0WMyLUkG1T-vYcb8-TH0pQ~azebUqvQ-A0LS7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Government Operations Division pressed the Ag Products Utilization Commission (APUC) and grantees for results and accountability after reviewing the commission's grant activity. Committee members requested examples that show whether awarded grants produced measurable outcomes.

Dan Kalyle, chairman of the Egg Products Utilization Commission (APUC), described the commission's competitive process: applicants present, commissioners score using a rubric, and awards proceed after a public discussion and vote. \"There is 15 minutes to present, and then another 10 minutes allocated to questions,\" Kalyle said, and he described a score sheet and a ranking process that leads commissioners to the final awards.

Committee members asked for examples of awarded projects that met contractual deliverables and for projects that failed to meet goals so the legislature can assess return on investment. Representative Dave Bosch and others asked APUC and the department to provide top and bottom examples with their original application objectives and final outcomes. Kalyle said the commission and the department can work together to produce those materials.

Several grant recipients spoke to the committee and described business results tied to APUC awards:

- Roger Gushas, Healthy Oil Seeds (Carrington), said APUC funding helped his company obtain federal approvals and open markets. He said the company exported to 26 countries, sells in 49 states and employs eight people. He described a $65,000 APUC award for the \"Hemp Feed Coalition\" study that supported regulatory approvals allowing hemp seed into poultry feed markets, and earlier APUC support of $15,000 that aided market development.

- Deanna Lozinski of Guardian Grains (Ward County) said APUC funding purchased a stone mill and supported packaging and nutritional testing that enabled sales to larger buyers and distribution to food banks. She reported 59% business growth in 2023 and additional 40% growth in the following year after further APUC support; she noted her business received funding in two rounds.

- Casey Murphy, co‑owner of Cows & Co Creamery (Carrington), said a roughly $50,000 award in 2018 helped launch a licensed dairy processing operation that has since expanded to a retail cafe, a Fargo scoop shop and nationwide shipping, producing jobs and collecting sales tax for the state.

- Talon Steffen, CEO of EcoBalance Global, described an APUC award of roughly $172,000 that helped the startup pivot to attach soil carbon and stewardship claims to North Dakota beef and to begin marketing and verification work. Steffen said the award supported travel, verifiers and marketing that led to memorandum‑level agreements in Dubai and market conversations with buyers in Mongolia, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.

APUC-related statistics the committee reviewed: since 2021 the commission recorded 59 applications in the most recent biennium, funding 34 projects for roughly $2.3 million from about $7.3 million in requests; nine companies have received funding twice (typically for a distinct or phased project rather than identical repeat awards).

Kalyle and committee members agreed to assemble representative high‑scoring and lower‑scoring applications with their contractual deliverables and final reports so legislators can see which projects met benchmarks, which did not, and how the commission enforces contractual reporting and payment conditions.

","The committee examined Ag Products Utilization Commission (APUC) grant results and heard multiple recipients describe sales growth and export activity following state grants. Commissioners and grantees agreed to provide follow‑up metrics and contractual deliverables for legislator review.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359879,"Appropriations panel questions Agriculture Department trade-office travel, inflation and ombudsman funding",1347,1830000,3177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175573-cb2d5ca3da5cac8a1cdd29c55dd368ee&start=1830&end=3177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175573-cb2d5ca3da5cac8a1cdd29c55dd368ee/thumbnail_1830000.jpg","/articles/6359879/North-Dakota/Appropriations-panel-questions-Agriculture-Department-trade-office-travel-inflation-and-ombudsman-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359879-ed2b1cc29a9ba20c5443a74566ae3be5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171041&Signature=oc8zMiJpFDgNi0NdpmS2jk-Z2RISBB1Ur-vx7vmKR9RuFov5-lYwe8-2NC7x4dzVgjpdEMBBgCyc-2O-oZHUstYMamRatOR16iBaCGPbA83rI0arxV5Ic8TLtbwrZUaXXaAo48pc6NbwNSI945iMl6OcOuz3IRAlSeV5TcshZayRRhlYDsK9nZQkWOUGbPMWGrF1jRFx9iCUyysu59-BSz1bEcnON830KLsrAQsG6gYkTLgsrumVJTSRgGfQCYxuXcTZrJQEo~03N-FDLXyU7Vv2PEm1jyoGMOOYJJUFxpGbwbGvXWvvlEABo9yBxDMATfacqzg-01TYZNpfLfSC0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers on the House Appropriations Government Operations Division pressed North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goring on the department's trade‑office travel, inflationary operating requests and a reorganization of ombudsman funding as they reviewed the department's budget materials.

Commissioner Doug Goring told the committee he has participated in seven out‑of‑country trade missions in the past 18 months and that department staff have attended about 13–14 domestic marketing trade shows over the same period. \"I believe I've been on 7 out of the country trade missions in the last 18 months,\" Goring said, and described how the department vets markets with the U.S. Commercial Service, Foreign Agricultural Service and other partners before committing resources.

Members asked for more granular documentation. Representative Dave Bosch asked for written pre‑trip goals and post‑trip closeouts for upcoming missions so legislators can evaluate whether additional travel funding is justified. Goring agreed to provide detail on the list of upcoming missions and said the trade office would share planning materials and closeout reporting.

The committee also pressed the department on inflationary operating requests covering travel, office supplies, printing and insurance. Goring said one large driver is a near doubling of assigned vehicle rates from the Department of Transportation, and that an optional request submitted to the committee includes travel increases. \"When you're looking at travel here at 750,000 that's in addition to your base travel funding,\" a committee member asked; Goring confirmed the additional sum would cover operational travel costs.

On staffing and budget detail, Goring said the position that covers domestic and international travel is budgeted for about $45,000 of general fund and $11,000 of federal funds (approximately $56,000 total) in the biennium; he said the trade office handles much of the legwork for companies and that travel planning can begin many months in advance.

The committee discussed a departmental reorganization of two ombudsman lines. Goring said the department proposes reducing a royalty ombudsman appropriation from $500,000 to $300,000 and merging it with the pipeline restoration/reclamation ombudsman line so the combined single appropriation would total $500,000. \"We'd actually cut the overall funding from 700 to 500, but it'd be just in one line,\" Goring said. Committee members confirmed this is intended as an internal redesignation of lines rather than a net increase in program dollars.

Committee members also requested follow‑up materials: a breakdown of base vs. proposed travel funding, a schedule of upcoming trade missions with stated objectives, and documentation of inbound trade delegations and outcomes.

The committee recorded two basic program counts provided during the hearing: the Agriculture Department reported 20 wineries and 46 vineyards in the state, and Goring described coordination with Northern Crops Institute and other partners for trade missions and buyer education.

The committee agreed to accept Goring's offer to return with written, mission‑level detail prior to final budget decisions so legislators can better assess whether the trade‑office and travel requests provide measurable returns.

","Legislators pressed North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goring on trade‑office travel, inflationary operational requests and a proposed consolidation of two ombudsman lines as they review the department's budget requests, seeking more detail on trip planning, results and cost breakdowns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioner requests $150,000 for wildlife services operations; ranchers urge stronger predator control

Commissioner seeks $3 million SIF appropriation for grasslands phase‑two water and fencing work

APUC grants draw praise from recipients; committee asks for measurable results

Appropriations panel questions Agriculture Department trade-office travel, inflation and ombudsman funding