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| Illinois corn growers vote to increase checkoff rate |
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| By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois corn producers voted in favor of raising the amount they contribute to the state’s corn checkoff from 1/4 of a cent to 3/8 of a cent per bushel in a referendum on March 29.
The referendum passed in 70 of 102 Illinois counties, or by a margin of 69 percent to 31 percent. The new rate will take effect Oct. 1 with the program retaining the right to refund.
“The Illinois Corn Marketing Board is happy about the referendum result and what the increased funding will mean for our industry,” said Wendell Shauman, ICMB chairman. “This is a unique program because it is funded and managed by volunteer corn growers at the grassroots level and because it gives growers the continued right to refund.”
The checkoff was established through the Illinois Corn Marketing Act of 1982 as a means of funding corn market development, research and promotion. The increase, which is the first since the program was initiated, is equivalent to around 20 cents per acre. The referendum passed by an actual vote of 1,180 in favor and 520 against.
“Illinois has the leaders and vision to improve the lot of the corn industry and with this vote we help assure we will also have the needed resources to tackle the challenges ahead,” Shauman said.
ICMB administers the checkoff fund, which funds promotional programs designed to enhance the profitability of Illinois corn growers. Market development, research activities, evaluating the impact of investments, cooperating with major commodity organizations on market development efforts and disseminating valuable information to corn growers are among the activities and functions funded through checkoff dollars.
The Illinois Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA), which has agreed to increase their investment in the checkoff program, also applauded the voters’ decision.
“The majority of our membership feels the ICMB and the checkoff program they administer is making a positive difference,” said Steve Ruh, ICGA president. “The result of the referendum vote was very similar to what the ICGA found in our producer surveys this past winter.”
A recent survey of more than 1,000 ICGA members showed that 65 percent were willing to support a revision to the checkoff program.
Ruh said long-term growth in ethanol production and consumer acceptance are examples of checkoff successes, but are also major challenges facing the industry.
“If we are going to sustain growth in the ethanol market, grow consumer acceptance and do so in a way that is responsible, we have more work to do,” Ruh commented. “The ICMB indicated they will boost efforts to expand E85 markets and work to make DDGS (dried distillers grains, a by-product of ethanol production used for feed) more functional for all livestock. Those messages rang true with our members.”
Illinois Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke scheduled the referendum at the request of the ICMB, which decided to put the issue to a vote following a Feb. 16 public hearing on the proposal. |
| 4/18/2007 |
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