DeWITT, Mich. — Checkoff funded research results will be presented during the upcoming Corn and Soybean Winter Research meetings in Michigan. This is the seventh year that the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM), the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (MSPC) and Michigan State University Extension have teamed up to bring checkoff funded research results to producers across Michigan.

“By partnering corn and soybean checkoff dollars, we can leverage our funds while at the same time providing our producers the cutting edge information they need,” said Jody Pollock, Michigan Corn Marketing Program executive director. “The checkoff programs are led by a producer board that make tough decisions every year as to which projects should be funded,” she said. “These meetings are just one way the checkoff programs are working to keep our producers up-to-date on our activities including the results of our research accomplishments.

“These meetings provide information to producers that could potentially improve their production practices as well as their bottom line,” Pollock said.

Topics to be discussed include market development and new uses for corn, hybrid variability and ethanol production, nitrogen and sulfur management, heating with corn, disease management, seed treatments for soybeans and 2007 market prospects.

Meetings are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as follows:

•Jan. 15 at Ubly Heights Country Club, Ubly. For registration call Jim Mantey at 989-269-9949 to register.

•Jan. 18 at Van Buren Center, Lawrence. For registration call Mike Staton at 269-657-7745.

•Jan. 19 at Eagle Eye Golf Club, Bath. For registration call Marilyn Thelen at 989-224-5240.

•Jan. 23 at Dow Center, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale. For registration call Mike Metzger at 517-788-4292.

•Feb. 15 at Buckley Farm Show, All-Star Restaurant, Buckley.

The CMPM also is seeking representatives to serve on Michigan’s corn Checkoff board of directors.

Established under P.A. 232 of 1965 and voted in by the state’s corn growers in 1992, CMPM receives one cent per bushel for all field corn grown and sold in Michigan.

The Checkoff funding is invested in research, market development, education and new uses.

The Checkoff board of directors oversees these efforts.

The board terms are staggered and each year three board positions are up for appointment or re-appointment to a three-year term. Michigan is divided into nine districts.

Those up for appointment this year include:

•District 5: Eaton, Ingham, Ionia and Jackson counties.

•District 6: Clinton, Genesee, Shiawassee and Tuscola counties.

•District 9: Arenac, Gladwin, Isabella, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo and all counties north including the Upper Peninsula.

Those interested should contact the CMPM office for a petition to apply for the board.

The petition must be signed by 50 farmers within the applicant’s district and returned to the CMPM office by Jan. 19. All applicants must produce corn within their district.

Two nominations for each district will be submitted to Gov. Jennifer Granholm. If two applicants for each district are not received by Jan. 19, nominations for the position will be secured during lunch at the following meetings:

•Corn and Soybean Research meeting, Jan. 19 at Eagle Eye Golf Club, Bath, for Districts 5 and 6.

•Corn and Soybean Research meeting, Jan. 23 at Dow Center, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, for District 5.

•Corn and Soybean Research meeting, Feb. 15 at Buckley Farm Show, All-Star Restaurant, Buckley, for District 9.

For more information or for a board of directors application packet call the Michigan Corn Marketing Program office at 1-888-323-6601.