Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board are reminding farmers of the July 8 referendum that will be held on whether or not to increase the state's corn checkoff by ¼ cent per bushel.

Any farmer who raised and marketed at least 250 bushels of corn during the 2006-07 marketing year is eligible to vote. The voting will be held at county Extension office in the crop reporting district where they live from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on July 8. Growers who wish to vote by absentee ballot may do so by contacting the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Producers may call 515-281-5321, e-mail [email protected] or visit the Henry Wallace Building, 502 E 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319 to solicit an Absentee Ballot Request Form. Absentee Ballot Request Forms must be postmarked by June 26th. Official absentee ballots must be postmarked by July 8th.

Current checkoff is one-half cent per bushel

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 will not be affected by the vote.

The current corn checkoff established in 1995, is one-half cent per bushel marketed. The current referendum would potentially increase the corn checkoff by one-quarter cent to three-quarters of a cent per bushel.

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.  

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.