A referendum to increase Iowa’s corn checkoff will be held July 10th.
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) wants to increase the checkoff by one-quarter cent per bushel, from the current three-quarters of a cent up to one cent per bushel.
The last increase in Iowa’s corn checkoff occurred in 2008.
“In the last four or five years, we have seen a dramatic change in agriculture with the valuation of ground and commodities,” says Kevin Rempp of Montezuma, vice-chair of the ICPB. “We’re just seeing a need for some extra funds—directed toward research or ethanol or helping our livestock producers in different programs—that our current budget cannot meet.”
Rempp says another potential area for new funding would be programs to improve the image of farmers, both in Iowa and across the U.S.
Voting will take place at county extension offices on July 10th.
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