<b>By TIM ALEXANDER<br>
Illinois Correspondent</b> </p><p> SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced that Illinois soybean growers have voted to approve a change in the state soybean checkoff rate that would bring the rate in line with that of the national checkoff.</p><p>
The measure, approved by a margin of nearly three-to-one, would change the state soybean checkoff rate from one cent per bushel to half a percent of the net selling price per bushel.</p><p>
The amendment passed by a vote of 605-254 and the result was announced by the IDOA on Dec. 3.</p><p>
Growers will not see a change in what they are paying into the checkoff. Since 1991 the state has operated under the national checkoff rate and Illinois growers would only see a change in what they pay in to the checkoff if the national program were to be terminated.</p><p>
If the national program were dissolved, the state would take over at the same rate but operate under state rather than national law.
“As a soybean grower myself, I know how important it is to continue to have markets for our products, which in turn increases our prices,” said Illinois Soybean Assoc. President David Hartke of Teutopolois.</p><p>
“The soybean checkoff helps secure those markets for us both in good times, as well as lean times.”</p><p>
Voting was at local University of Illinois Extension offices Nov. 15 and by absentee ballot. An IDOA-appointed committee then reviewed the ballots in part to weed out duplicates, an ISA official said, before releasing the results.</p><p>
The ISA, which administers soybean checkoff funds, had urged members to vote in favor of realigning the state checkoff rate.
“This rate is a sustainable option for the Illinois soybean checkoff program,” Hartke said.</p><p>
“The referendum is a safety net for Illinois growers, so they can continue to fund the research and marketing efforts that are already in place.” </p><p>
The soybean checkoff program supports research, promotions and educational programs designed to increase demand for Illinois soybeans.</p><p> |
