Checkoff
Referendum Failure Disappoints NCGA, Wisconsin Associations (3-16-04)
A Wisconsin referendum
calling for significant reform of the state’s corn checkoff
program was voted down last week, leaving in place the one-tenth of
a cent per bushel assessment currently paid by the state’s growers.
The National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA), Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA) and
Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board (WCPB) expressed disappointment in
the referendum failure, noting the importance of checkoff programs
to the future of the corn industry.
“Checkoffs are designed
to promote the interests of the typical farmer. These programs fund
important initiatives that increase opportunities and profitability
for growers,” NCGA President Dee Vaughan said. “Through
checkoff programs, farmers are investing in the future of the corn
industry in their individual states and nationally.”
Puzzled by the results
of the vote, WCGA and WCPB leaders are calling on Wisconsin growers
to voice their concerns about the referendum and the future of the
state checkoff system. The referendum, which proposed changes to many
aspects of the current checkoff system, was voted down by 62 percent
of voters. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture said 5,630 ballots
were filed.
WCGA and WCPB leaders expressed
surprise and disappointment in the voting results, as both organizations
dedicated significant time and resources to promoting the changes.
At meetings with extension agents, seed dealers, the Farm Bureau and
many other organizations, WCGA heard nothing but support for the proposed
modifications.
“Frankly, everyone
on our board was surprised by the referendum failure,” said
Michelle Hahn, WCGA president and a grower from Beloit, Wis. “Our
directors attended hearings on the checkoff last fall and spent all
winter reaching out to state growers.”
WCPB President Ken Rosenow
said Wisconsin’s current checkoff rate severely limits the number
of initiatives and research projects the board and state association
are able to take on. The referendum would have raised the checkoff
from one-tenth of a cent to one-half of a cent per bushel, an increase
that would have put Wisconsin on an even level with surrounding states.
“We simply don’t
have the money to effectively promote Wisconsin corn,” Rosenow
said. “Iowa and Minnesota have one-half cent per bushel checkoffs
and Michigan has 1 cent per bushel. (Wisconsin) farmers don’t
understand that one-tenth of a cent doesn’t give us much to
work with.” Rosenow also said Wisconsin growers may not realize
they can get a refund for any checkoff they pay.
The referendum would have
also required corn coming into Wisconsin from other states to be checked
off. Rosenow said he doesn’t understand why growers weren’t
supportive of this and other changes. In an attempt to better understand
the attitudes of Wisconsin farmers, the WCGA and WCPB are soliciting
comments on the checkoff program.
“We need to hear
from the farmers who voted against the checkoff as to why they did
so and what changes they would support,” Rosenow said. “We’re
also considering a formal survey of voters to solicit input –
that’s how important this is to us.”
Rosenow and Hahn are urging
the Wisconsin’s corn growers to submit comments on the referendum
and ideas on how to make the state’s program more viable on
a national scale. Comments should be sent to WCGA, W1360 Hwy. 106,
Palmyra, Wis. 53156; or e-mailed to wicorn@idcnet.net.