Illinois corn farmers have agreed to increase their checkoff rate by ¼ of a cent per bushel, bringing it up to 7/8 of a cent per bushel beginning October 1st.
Eighty-eight percent of all farmers subject to the Illinois Corn Marketing Act voted in favor of the increase. Farmers still have the right to receive a full refund if they choose.
Illinois Corn Marketing Board Chairman Mark Wilson says the extra funds will be used to educate government officials on the need for waterway infrastructure improvements, increase relevance among non-farmers, grow the domestic fuel ethanol market and build diverse export markets.