Checkoff Outcry May Be Persuading Neb. Lawmakers

Farmer Opposition To Using Checkoff Dollars To Help Balance Nebraska Budget May Be Working

(AP)  LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Opposition to Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman's plan to use some crop checkoff dollars to balance the state budget may be working.

Nebraska Farm Bureau President Keith Olsen has been asking state lawmakers whether they support Heineman's proposal to take about $750,000 from the corn, wheat, dry bean and other funds to help deal with a projected $334 million revenue shortfall.

Olsen said on Friday that he hasn't heard "any senators say this makes sense."

Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln said she and other lawmakers have received a lot of correspondence from farmers opposing the use of checkoff dollars.

Checkoff fees are paid when farmers sell their crops. The money is used to research and promote crops.