U-S Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman has called for a vote by the pork industry on whether the mandatory pork check-off should continue. Under the check-off, hog farmers pay 45 cents on every one-hundred dollars worth of pork they sell. The money is used to promote the industry. Marshall County farmer Larry Ginter is chairman of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, a group that collected signatures on petitions required to get the check-off vote. Ginter, who farms near Rhodes, says the check-off dollars have benefited large operations and not done enough for family farmers.He says he’s not sure how the vote may turn out.Ag Secretary Glickman has called for the vote to be held as soon as possible.
