The U.S. Department of Agriculture will have a referendum regarding the continuation of the sorghum checkoff program through April 21 at county USDA Farm Service Agency offices for producers and the agricultural marketing service office for importers.

Ballots may be obtained in person, by mail or facsimile at county FSA offices, or via the Internet. The voting began Monday.

Any eligible person engaged in the production or importation of sorghum from Jan. 1, 2011, to Dec. 31, 2014, is eligible to participate. Individuals are required to provide documentation such as a sales receipt or remittance form that shows they engaged in the production or importation of sorghum.

The Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order requires that a referendum be conducted no later than seven years after the start of assessments, which began on July 1, 2008.

For the program to continue, a majority of those voting must favor the continuation of the order.

For more information, contact Craig Shackelford, marketing specialist for the research and promotion division of the livestock, poultry, and seed program, AMS by mail at USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 30184 or by phone at 470-315-4246; craig.shackelford@ams.usda.gov.