Now that it is approved, an extra $4 million will be raised, ICPB officials estimate. We're fighting for our image, and that's what the new dollars will go for,' says Keller. 1 corn-producing state, but people don't understand we're not growing sweet corn. The reason the checkoff was put up for the increase is because more money is needed to educate people about agriculture as they become further disconnected from the land.Ĭheckoff increase was needed to be used to help corn defend its imageĪdvocates of the checkoff increase also say more cash is required to combat negative comments about corn products and the industry's primary customers-the ethanol industry and livestock producers. That won't change, says Deb Keller, board chairwoman who farms with her husband and family near Clarion. The money is spent on research, promotion, market development and education efforts.

The Iowa Corn Promotion Board, made up of farmers elected by their peers, invests the checkoff dollars. The checkoff has generated $13 million to $15 million annually the last few years, depending on acres planted and productivity, according to the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Anyone who raised at least 250 bushels of corn from Sept. Now that the increase is approved, farmers will pay 1 cent, the maximum allowed by law, for every bushel that enters commercial channels. 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 the checkoff dollars for research, education, promotion and market development. For more information on how checkoff dollars are used, you can contact the Iowa Corn Promotion Board at 51 or find out more online at ~~~PAGE_BREAK_HERE~~~Ĭorn farmers in Iowa will soon begin paying 1 cent, the maximum allowed by law

The corn checkoff is collected on corn that enters commercial channels, but not on grain used on-farm. The last increase in the checkoff was in 2008 when it was raised to ¾ cent per bushel marketed. In accordance with Iowa Code, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship conducted the vote and has 30 days to officially certify the results. Iowa's new corn checkoff rate will be 1 cent per bushel as of September 1 A simple majority is needed to pass the referendum. With results submitted from nearly all counties and most absentee ballots counted, currently over 70% of those who voted supported the increase. Supporters of the checkoff increase say the money will be used to combat negative comments about corn products and corn's primary customers-the ethanol industry and livestock producers. The increase takes it from the current three-fourths of a cent per bushel to a new rate of 1 cent per bushel, effective September 1, 2012. The vote was held July 10 across Iowa. The preliminary results show a solid positive vote in favor of increasing the Iowa corn checkoff rate by one-fourth of a cent per bushel. The Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board on July 12 released the preliminary results from the statewide referendum to increase the corn checkoff.

Corn check off