Montana, USA
May 26, 2015
The Montana Department of Agriculture, at the request of the Corn Advisory Committee, has mailed and published a proposed corn check-off referendum to develop a research and market development program for corn production in Montana.
The six-member Corn Advisory Committee identified the difficulties in getting neutral third-party analysis on the production characteristics of commercial corn hybrids when grown in Montana. After receiving input from growers, producers, and first purchasers, the committee voted at its March meeting to hold a referendum of affected growers and producers on whether an appropriate check-off to develop a Corn Research and Market Development Program should be created.
Under the proposed check-off, producers pay an assessment on corn seed purchases to support the program. The Corn Advisory Committee directs the use of the assessments with administrative help from the department. The proposed assessment would equal $3.00 per 80,000 seeds, the common seed count for commercial corn seed bags. Similar programs have been established by Montana pulse, cherry and potato producers.
Copies of the proposed referendum have been mailed to corn producers identified from lists made available to the department by USDA Farm Service Agency. Eligible producers who do not receive a copy of the referendum in the mail can print a copy from department’s website at: agr.mt.gov/agr/About/Boards/CornComm/Corn_Advisory_Documents/REFERENDUM-2015.3.16-CORN_CHECK_FINAL.pdf.
Eligible voters should return the completed corn check-off referendum no later than June 15, 2015 to the Montana Department of Agriculture, C/O Marty Earnheart, PO Box 200201, Helena, MT 59620, by fax at (406) 444-5409; or by e-mail to mearnheart@mt.gov.
The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries. For more information on the Montana Department of Agriculture, visit agr.mt.gov.