March 17, 2004
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. |