Corn Checkoff Referendum Results Certified: Rate Increase Official

Iowa Ag Connection - 07/28/2008

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Friday certified the results from the referendum held July 8th to increase the corn checkoff rate by one-fourth of a cent per bushel of corn marketed.

The certified results show the referendum passed decisively with nearly 73 percent of producers in favor of the increase. A simple majority was needed to pass the referendum.

The new rate of three-quarters cents per bushel marketed will go into effect on September 1, 2008. The last increase in the checkoff was in 1995 when it was raised to one-half cent per bushel marketed.

The corn checkoff is collected on corn that enters commercial channels, but not on grain used on-farm. Producers are able to request a refund of their checkoff contribution and that was not affected by the vote.

In accordance with Iowa Code, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship conducted the vote and certified the results. All costs incurred by the Department will be reimbursed by the Corn Promotion Board.

The Iowa Corn Checkoff was established by producer referendum in 1977. The Iowa Corn Promotion Board, made up of farmers elected by their peers, invests checkoff dollars for research, education, promotion, and market development. For more information on how checkoff dollars are used contact the Iowa Corn Promotion Board at 515-225-9242 or find out more online at www.IowaCorn.org.

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