In 1985, a total of 17 regional cooperatives marketed livestock. These cooperatives were created to provide greater competition, bargaining power, and market access for producers. Growth in direct marketing, bypassing the services of cooperatives, has occurred because the number of buyers has...

This study examines how locally owned cooperatives have responded to the transition from commodity to identity-preserved grain marketing. Survey results showed locals’ overall commitment to identity-preserved grains was determined more by a cultural receptivity to innovation than by...

Structural changes in the dairy industry such as the adoption of Total Mixed Rations in place of manufactured complete feeds and declines in milk production in the areas served by locals are bringing these cooperatives to a crossroads where they must decide who will be their core customer. The...

At least 12 reasons could propel cooperatives into a greater role in the swine industry; among them, protecting their market share in feed and offering a cooperative alternative to existing marketing channels. Yet, the industry offers a special challenge during the mid-l 990s because structural...

The evolution of the federated relationship between local and regional cooperatives is examined from the perspective of local cooperatives’ need for commodity-based farm supplies and regional cooperatives’ identity as food companies. Because locals want many competing bids for the supplies...

The artificial insemination industry provides breeding products and services for both dairy and beef cattle. Two-thirds of the industry is organized as producer-owned cooperatives. The industry has been so highly successful in meeting the needs of producers for a high-quality reliable product...

In 1981, there were 158 cooperative wool marketing pools and 9 cooperative warehouses. Pools operate a few days each year to assemble and sell wool. Warehouses operate daily and also grade, store, and blend wool to buyer specifications. Pools frequently sell without knowledge of grade and clean...

Montana Livestock Cooperative and the Utah-based Intermountain Livestock Packing Association are meatpacking cooperatives established through equity and livestock commitments by producers. Their goals are to obtain sufficient capital to construct and operate a slaughter/processing plant. Member...