02/24/05 Voting deadline for lamb referendum

Washington Ag February 24, 2005 Sheep producers and feeders only have a few days left to cast ballots in the lamb referendum, which will determine whether the Lamb Checkoff Program will continue. Chris Bieker with the Washington State Office of the Farm Service Agency, says voting is being conducted at local FSA offices. Bieker: "And the deadline for the referendum is February 28th, in person or by fax Or producers can mail in their ballots by March 7th." Bieker comments on the level of voting. Bieker: "Participation in the referendum has been low so far so we would encourage producers to get their ballots in to the county offices." Again the deadline is February 28th, except mail in ballots, which must be returned by March 7th. Both the number of persons voting and the volume of lambs voted, must be a majority in favor of the Lamb Checkoff in order for it to continue. This afternoon is that meeting in Moses Lake to discuss the plans to form a Washington State Fresh Potato Cooperative. It is being held at the Best Western Lake Inn in Moses Lake from two to four p.m. The objective of the cooperative would be to stabilize potato prices and supplies and work with cooperatives in other states. I'm Bob Hoff.