The Iowa corn checkoff is marking its 25th year and several achievements. Iowa Corn Promotion Board president Vic Miller says one-half of one cent from every bushel of corn at the point-of-first-sale goes to the checkoff.Miller, a corn grower in the Oelwein area, says the checkoff raises six million dollars a year from 60-to-70-thousand producers statewide. The checkoff money is used for education, research and market development. Miller says ethanol, a corn-based blend of gasoline, is the “shining star” of the corn checkoff achievement.Miller says ethanol wouldn’t be in existence today if it weren’t for the checkoff. He also says the checkoff helped Iowa corn growers overcome a longtime rival in the battle over sweeteners.In 1984, cane sugar was used in all sweeteners. He says today, you can’t find a soft drink on the shelves that doesn’t include high-fructose corn syrup.
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