News

Michigan Wheat Checkoff up for vote, Propane Commission passed

The Michigan Department of Agriculture is asking the state’s wheat growers if they want to continue the state checkoff for the next five years.

The Michigan Wheat Program was created to promote profitable production, marketing, and utilization of wheat on behalf of Michigan farmers.  Producers are currently assessed one-half of one cent of the net value of wheat sold.

Any farmer who produces market wheat used beyond their own family’s use and made more than $800 at the first point of sale in any one growing season within the last three years is eligible to vote.

More than half of the votes casts, representing more than half of the total production, must approve the checkoff for it to be continued.

Meanwhile, the state’s retail propane marketers have approved a referendum that will create a funding mechanism for the Michigan Propane Commission.  Marketers will be assessed one-tenth of one cent per gallon of odorized propane sold and placed into commerce in Michigan.  The Department of Agriculture will oversee the commission.