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Corn checkoff referendum vote July 10

By Staff | Jun 28, 2012

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board announced on May 31 plans to conduct a referendum rom 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on July 10 to increase the corn checkoff by one-fourth cent per bushel.

The checkoff is currently three-fourths of a cent per bushel and if the increase is approved would be 1 cent per bushel.

Any producer who raised and marketed at least 250 bushels of corn from Sept. 1, 2010 to Aug. 31, 2011 is eligible to vote at any county Extension office in the crop reporting district where they live.

Growers who wish to vote by absentee ballot may do so by contacting IDALS. Producers may call (515) 281-5321, e-mail cornvote@IowaAgriculture.gov or visit the Henry Wallace Building, 502 E 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319 to solicit an Absentee Ballot Request Form.

The Absentee Ballot Request Form must be signed and returned to IDALS. The producer will then be mailed an absentee ballot. Request forms must be postmarked by June 27 and absentee ballots must be postmarked by July 10.

The corn checkoff was last increased in 2008 to the current rate of rate per bushel marketed. The 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 will not be affected by the vote.

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. The maximum checkoff allowed under Iowa code is 1 cent per bushel.

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.

In accordance with Chapter 185C of the Iowa Code, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responsible for holding corn checkoff referendum votes. All costs incurred by the department will be reimbursed by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.