WHEAT CHECKOFF 4/21/25 Illinois
will now have a voluntary wheat checkoff program after farmers approved the
program last month. The
Wheat Development Act passed with nearly 75% of votes in favor. The
Illinois Department of Agriculture confirmed the vote April 17th,
officially adopting the program proposed by the Wheat Development Checkoff
Committee. The new program goes into effect January 1st. The
farmer-funded initiative aims to enhance wheat production, develop new markets
and boost demand for wheat products. Farmers can opt to pay 1.5 cents per
bushel, which will be used to fund research, market development and promotional
activities benefiting the entire wheat industry. IWA
was established 30 years ago to build a community of individuals interested in
the development of wheat production. The Illinois Wheat Development Act,
enacted in 1997, created the committee that attempted the first wheat checkoff
proposal, which was defeated by a 4-to-1 margin. However,
wheat production has continued to grow in Illinois, with USDA data showing a 3%
increase from 2024 to 2025. 