SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State officials have scheduled a March 28 referendum to increase the corn checkoff rate by 1/4 cent per bushel produced, an increase expected to raise about $4 million annually.

Leaders with the state’s largest corn group, the Illinois Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA), are backing the increase. Several members, including ICGA President Jeff Scates, testified last week in support of it, which would push the rate to 5/8 cent per bushel.

If approved by a majority of corn growers voting, the increase would mark only the second time the checkoff rate has changed since it was established in 1982. Nearly 70 percent of voters in 2007 supported an increase to the current level of 3/8 cent per bushel.

At last week’s hearing, conducted by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), Scates noted as part of ICGA’s annual membership survey a strong majority of growers backed the rate increase.

“I’ve come to this position after carefully considering the input ICGA requested from our more than 4,000 members. A strong majority of ICGA members believe that their corn checkoff dollars are being invested wisely and serve an important role in maintaining strong market demand for Illinois’ number one crop,” he said.

Tricia Braid, also with the ICGA, said roughly $7 million was raised last year at the current 3/8 cent per bushel rate. The state’s Corn Marketing Board oversees the checkoff fund, but the money cannot be used to lobby or for political purposes.

“Requesting farmers to approve an increase in their checkoff is an understandable need. However understandable it is, I want to be sure that the Corn Marketing Board understands what we expect as an association of corn farmers,” Scates said in his testimony.

Growers established the Illinois Corn Marketing Act in 1982 as a means to fund corn market development, research, promotion and education efforts.

“In our survey, some farmers replied they would not vote in favor of the referendum, primarily because they thought the checkoff rate was already adequate, because they didn’t have enough information or because they thought a smaller increase was more acceptable,” Scates explained.

One such farmer contacted last week, Williamson County grower Keith Mitchell, said he supports the mission of the checkoff. “But it raises millions now, so I’m not so sure we need to increase it at this point,” said Mitchell, who farms about 1,100 acres.

Scates also said at the hearing the four top priorities for the additional funds will be to help pay for infrastructure improvements to locks and dams; research toward disputing regulatory burdens; public education and outreach to consumers about farming practices; and support of expansion of ethanol use.

Growers can vote on March 28 at their local extension office or at some USDA Farm Service Agency offices. Absentee ballots are available only by writing the IDOA, Attn: Bureau of Marketing and Promotion, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL 62794-9281.

Illinois is second to Iowa in growing corn in the United States, producing about 17 percent of the nation’s supply last year.