Illinois Wheat Checkoff Program Approved by State Producers

By Andi Anderson

Illinois wheat producers have voted in favor of launching a new wheat checkoff program, with the final count showing 207 in support and 69 against. The checkoff initiative introduces a voluntary assessment of 1.5 cents per bushel to support research, marketing, and development of wheat in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) certified the results and officially announced the passage of the referendum. The program, which aims to boost the state’s wheat industry, will officially take effect on January 1, 2026.

Over the next few weeks, the Illinois Wheat Checkoff Committee will work alongside the IDOA to set up procedures for electing members to the Illinois Wheat Development Board in fall 2025. This board will be responsible for overseeing the activities and funds collected through the checkoff.

The Illinois Wheat Development Act was passed to help the industry adapt to changing markets, expand market opportunities, and improve wheat production through science-based research and farmer education. The checkoff is expected to provide the necessary resources to support these goals.

Illinois is currently ranked 11th in wheat production in the United States, with 60.2 million bushels produced in 2024. With agriculture as the state's top industry, this move aims to further enhance Illinois’s contribution to national and global wheat markets.

“Agriculture is our state’s #1 industry, and we are proud to be the #11 producer of wheat in the nation,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. “The wheat checkoff will foster continued growth, positioning Illinois as a global leader in wheat production.”

This new initiative marks a positive step toward a stronger, research-backed, and market-driven wheat industry in Illinois.

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