Michigan corn farmers vote down assessment increase

Michigan corn farmers vote down assessment increase

Michigan corn farmers narrowly voted against increasing program assessments.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says 52 percent of producers, representing 57 percent of bushels represented in the ballots, voted no to a penny per bushel increase for the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan.

Eight percent of the more than 1,300 ballots were declared invalid.

Corn Marketing Program of Michigan Executive Director Jim Zook tells Brownfield the checkoff is committed to improving the profitability of the state’s corn farmers but will need to assess what programs can continue to be offered as costs rise.

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