The Michigan Wheat Promotion Committee voted at its first business meeting to assess wheat growers one-half percent (.5 percent) on the value of wheat sold in Michigan beginning May 1, according to committee chairman Dave Milligan.

"The assessment will work the same as the soybean checkoff," Milligan said. "If wheat is sold for $4 a bushel, the assessment will be 2 cents per bushel."

Michigan grain elevators will collect the assessment upon sale of wheat, and the Wheat Promotion Committee will administer the funds for investments in wheat product promotion and research activities that benefit Michigan wheat farmers.

The committee also decided to advertise for an executive director. Applications are being accepted until Feb. 3. Candidates will be evaluated at the next public meeting of the committee, set for 9 a.m. Feb. 13 at GreenStone Farm Credit Services in Lansing, said Milligan. 

The Michigan Wheat Program was established last summer, as approved by eligible growers in a referendum that took place June 20 to July 1, 2011. It is fully funded by assessments on bushels of wheat. The program is administered by the nine-member Michigan Wheat Promotion Committee, which was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder and is made up of eight Michigan wheat farmers and one industry representative. 

For more information, including questions from grain elevator managers who must collect the assessment, call Milligan at (989) 872-2937 or committee treasurer Scott Heussner at (989) 550-4352.