OXFORD – Soybean producers will be able to request a referendum on the National Soybean Checkoff program through May 28.

The request for the referendum will be conducted at Farm Service Agency county offices. To participate, farmers must certify and provide documentation that shows they produced soybeans and paid an assessment on the soybeans during the period of Jan. 1, 2002, through Dec. 31, 2003.

“Only those producers who desire a referendum on the order need to participate,” said Laura Rand, county executive director. “USDA will conduct a referendum if at least 10 percent of the nation’s soybean producers request a referendum, provided that no more than one-fifth of the requests come from one state.”

Producers may obtain a form to request a referendum from county FSA offices in person or by sending a request by mail or facsimile. Forms may also be obtained online from www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/re-soy.htm

Individual producers and other producer entities may request a referendum at the county FSA office where their administrative farm records are maintained. Producers not participating in FSA programs can do so at the county FSA office where they own or rent land.

Mail-in requests must be postmarked by May 28 and received in the county FSA office by June 7. Requests by facsimile or in person must be received in the county FSA office by May 28.

USDA monitors activities of the United Soybean Board. The mandatory program is financed by an assessment of one-half of 1 percent of the net market value of the soybeans.

The Secretary of Agriculture is required by law to conduct a request for referendum every five years after the initial referendum, which was in 1994.