Corn growers refuse to pay more for marketing plan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan corn producers have rejected a proposal to pay more for a program that promotes their industry.

The plan called for boosting the assessment rate from 1 cent per bushel to 2 cents per bushel to generate revenue for research, education and marketing.

The April referendum was the first that asked growers to boost their payment rate since the corn marketing program was created in 1993.

President Mark Kies says the program’s operators are disappointed with the vote results and will talk with growers around the state about what to do next.

He says a strong and sophisticated marketing program is needed to answer criticism of the industry.