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OK may create checkoff to fund canola researchCanola growers in Oklahoma may soon see a state oilseed checkoff. The recently formed Great Plains Canola Association is proposing an oilseed checkoff for research and market development. House Bill 3187 will be known as the Oklahoma Oilseed Resources Act, and was introduced by Rep. Dale DeWitt in the Oklahoma Legislature Feb. 4. The bill was referred to the Natural Resources Committee Feb. 5 and was passed by the committee March 5. The act proposes a checkoff rate of 3 cents per hundredweight for any oilseed marketed in the state and sold or handled through commercial channels. The bill will develop programs to enhance oilseed production, research and promote market development and education, as well as improving the profitability of Oklahoma oilseed growers. The draft legislation would create a commission in 2012, with five elected members. Subcommittees would be appointed for each oilseed represented, such as canola and others. Canola is the only crop named in the act, but any oilseed could petition for a checkoff under the act, except for soybeans because it has a national checkoff. From the election of the initial commission, it would take 90 days for the 3-cent checkoff to start assessing. In addition to fees being collected within the state, neighboring states sending qualifying oilseeds to Oklahoma crushing plants, such as Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico, would contribute. If other oilseed crops choose to petition for inclusion in the act, any money each separate crop sends into the Oklahoma Oilseed Resources Fund would be earmarked for research and development of the specific crop. For more information, visit www.greatplainscanola.org, or find the full text of the bill at www.lsb.state.ok.us, and search for HB3187. 3/31/08 Date: 3/27/08
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