Checkoff Activities in Full Swing for 3 NCGA Grower States (8-14-01)

In the corn checkoff community, times they are a-changing...at least in Maryland, Nebraska and Indiana. Recognizing the opportunities to improve profit potential for corn and corn products through grower-funded research and market-development projects, corn farmers are choosing to initiate new checkoff funds and to continue existing programs.

This has been a busy week for both the Nebraska and Maryland checkoffs. Nebraska checkoff officials raised the checkoff price from a quarter cent per bushel to four-tenths of a cent per bushel; and Maryland growers voted to continue their checkoff for another five years. Actions in both states are effective Oct. 1.

Doug Boisen, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and a corn grower from Minden, Neb., said corn producers would be in a more tenuous position today if it weren't for checkoff investments.

"We fully realize the fact that producers are plagued with low commodity prices and increased input costs, but we feel farmers have to be proactive in developing new uses for corn and creating more demand," said Boisen. "Those projects ranged from Nebraska-specific to national in scope. With the funds that the checkoff increase will generate, we'll revisit our budget and determine which projects would most benefit Nebraska's corn producers and reallocate funds as a result."
Organizers of the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program referendum were encouragedby the passage of their grain checkoff program by an 85% marginon Aug. 2.

"We are very pleased that Maryland's grain producers were in favor of the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program," stated Donnie Tennyson, president of the Maryland Grain Producers Association and a grain farmer in Dameron, Md. "I feel that farmers realize the importance of this program and how it is expanding new uses of grain to improve the profitability of our business."
The 10-year-old Maryland Grain Checkoff Program will continue for five years before another vote is required.

Currently, 19 corn and 21 small grain checkoff programs across America are working together to improve grower profitability.
But the newest addition to the checkoff honor roll is, Indiana. The Hoosier State will become the 20th corn checkoff state when its program officially begins Sept. 1 at a half-cent per bushel. But Aug. 31 is also a critical date for Hoosier farmers. That's the deadline to sign up to participate in the state's checkoff.

"Participating in the checkoff would cost most corn growers less than sixty-five cents an acre," says Mike Aylesworth, president of Indiana Corn Growers Association and a farmer from Hebron, Ind., "But it would generate hundreds of thousands of dollars to be used to build demand for their corn. This is a real opportunity for farmers to take action to help increase the value of Indiana corn."

To participate in the corn checkoff program in 2001-2002, growers must fill out and submit an enrollment form to each grain buyer to whom they will be selling corn in 2001-2002. The deadline for filing the forms is Aug. 31. The one-page enrollment forms are available from local grain dealers, from the state Commissioner of Agriculture's office, from the August issue of Indiana Prairie Farmer or online at www.in.gov/oca/icmc. Growers can also get enrollment forms by calling the ICGA office at 317-692-7151.

Earlier this year, the Indiana General Assembly amended the state's Corn Market Development Law to create a voluntary corn checkoff program. The newly established Indiana Corn Marketing Council will coordinate these efforts.

"We want to make sure growers are aware of their opportunity to help corn marketing in Indiana catch up with marketing programs other states already have," says Aylesworth. "For example, about 30 plants which will produce ethanol from corn are on the drawing boards for other Corn Belt states because of the investment those farmers have made in checkoff-funded marketing programs. There are currently no plans for any ethanol plants in Indiana. Money from the marketing development program checkoff would help our state get its fair share of new market outlets for corn."

Last reviewed August 14, 2001

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