South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC)
SDCUC History
SDCUC Mission Statement
The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council is investing your check-off dollars to develop new markets, promote new uses, and increase the profitability of the South Dakota Corn Producers.
History of the SDCGA/SDCUC
The South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA) was formed by South Dakota corn producers in 1986 as a membership organization primarily to have one voice on legislative issued on the state and national levels. The state was divided into 15 districts for director representation.
In 1988, the SDCGA lobbied in Pierre for the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC) and a $.01/bushel voluntary checkoff program on corn sold in South Dakota. The Council would be formed for the education, promotion, research and market development of corn. It successfully passed the state legislature in 1988, and thus the SDCUC was formed. This meant the first purchaser (ie. elevator, licensed grain dealer, etc.) must deduct the checkoff and remit the $.01/bushel quarterly to the state remittance center in Pierre. However, the law enables the corn producer the option to request the checkoff back by sending in the proper forms and evidence of sale. The producer has 60 days from the date of the sale to request a refund.
Both organizations are broken up into the same districts, and directors are elected by fellow corn producers from their respective areas. However, SDCGA directors are elected at the SDCGA annual meeting in January, and the SDCUC directors are elected in February and officially begin their duties on March 1. The fiscal year runs July 1 – June 30, which follows the state of South Dakota. Both organizations are headquartered in the same office in Sioux Falls.
The SDCGA is involved with all legislative issues (because the state law prohibits the SDCUC to be actively involved in influencing legislation,) Corn Yield Contest, Showplots, membership, and other promotional activities. They have an annual meeting to pass resolutions & elections in January and other membership recruitment events throughout the year. County organizations enable the SDCGA to serve as a true grassroots organization.
The SDCUC is primarily responsible for all checkoff programs including new plant development, ethanol promotion, education, advertising, state corn research, market development, and refunds. However, both organizations are closely tied and work together on all activities. The SDCGA & SDCUC conducted attitude research in 1995 to trend SDCGA & SDCUC progress. Based on the results, the SDCGA & SDCUC jointly put together a 5-year strategic plan whereby objectives & goals were set.