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State seeks nominations for Michigan Wheat Program Committee
Contact: Bob Boehm (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023
LANSING, Aug. 12, 2011 - Now that the state's wheat farmers have voted to establish the Michigan Wheat Program, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is taking the next crucial step and seeking nominations from individuals interested in serving on the Michigan Wheat Program Committee. Nominations for all committee positions are being accepted through Aug. 31.
The Michigan Wheat Program will be administered by a committee of nine members appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder. The committee will be made up of eight Michigan wheat farmers representing eight wheat-growing districts, along with one member representing industry interests. Bob Boehm, manager of the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Commodity and Marketing Department, cautions that the program will be at a standstill until the committee is established, so he recommends that at least two nominating petitions be submitted to MDARD per district.
"There's a lot of work ahead and nothing can happen until the nominating petitions are in and the Governor appoints the committee," said Boehm. "The Michigan Farm Bureau looks forward to a swift process in establishing the committee so that the Michigan Wheat Marketing Program can move full steam ahead and start making progress on its objectives."
Approved by eligible growers in a referendum that took place June 20 to July 1, the Michigan Wheat Program is designed to foster the profitable production, marketing and utilization of wheat on behalf of Michigan farmers, as well as advancements in wheat research, education, information delivery, market development and industry-wide collaboration.
The program's activities will be fully funded by assessments on bushels of wheat, collected at the first point of sale by the buyer and then remitted to the Michigan Wheat Program on a monthly basis. The Michigan Wheat Program Committee will annually set the assessment rate, which has a maximum amount of one-half percent (.5 percent) of the value of wheat sold.
Wheat farmers have an opportunity to be trailblazers in their industry by serving on the Michigan Wheat Marketing Program Committee, said Boehm. However, growers must first submit the proper paperwork, which includes gathering signatures from five farmers from within the district affected by the program.
"The Michigan Farm Bureau encourages wheat farmers and industry representatives to review the committee description and nominating petition, available on the Farm Bureau website at http://www.michfb.com/commodities/wheat, and consider submitting a nominating petition to serve in what will be an engaging new role that makes a positive impact," said Boehm.
Review a copy of the Michigan Wheat Program or download the nominating petition by visiting http://www.michigan.gov/mda or calling (800) 292-3939. The MDARD documents can also be found on MFB's website at http://www.michfb.com/commodities/wheat.
Michigan wheat industry: Facts at a glance
- The Michigan wheat industry contributes more than $2.7 billion to the state's economy when associated economic activity and value-added aspects are included. This estimate includes activities involved in research, seed production and input suppliers.
- Approximately 8,000 Michigan farmers in more than 50 counties annually plant 600,000 to 700,000 acres of wheat and harvest nearly 40 million bushels.
- Wheat is the third most valuable crop in Michigan, with cash receipts of nearly $180 million.
- Michigan-produced wheat is sold to grain elevators and an in-state milling industry, supplying product for cereal and baking companies with household names such as Kellogg's, Post, "Jiffy" Mix, and many others.
- Michigan wheat farmers expect to harvest 680,000 acres this year, an increase of 170,000 acres from last year, according to the Michigan Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The state's total wheat production is expected to total 49.64 million bushels this year, up 39 percent from last year, If realized, this would set a new production record and would tie the 2006 record yield of 73 bushels per acre.
