This report describes relationships between major farm characteristics and co-op use and membership. Analyses were based on multivariate logit regression. Statistically significant relationships were found between farm size and farm location and co-op use but relationships varied greatly by farm...

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...

Sixty-three agricultural cooperatives had direct exports of $3.2 billion in calendar year 1980. Grains and preparations had the largest dollar volume of direct exports, followed by oilseeds, cotton, and fruits. Cooperative share of U.S. agricultural exports decreased from 9.2 percent in 1976 to...

This study develops methods of estimating annual marketings by members of forestry cooperatives in order to formulate a long range business plan for the cooperative. A reliable prediction of total annual sales by the cooperative is possible, but individual product estimates are subject to...

A survey of commercial farmers throughout the United States showed 57 percent were members of marketing/farm supply cooperatives in 1980. An additional 14 percent used those cooperatives as nonmember patrons. Thirty-seven percent of commercial farmers were member-users of marketing cooperatives...

Growth of fruit- and vegetable-processing cooperatives slowed in the late seventies. High-growth cooperatives employed more full-time employees and more headquarters personnel than low-growth ones and organized their operations to minimize the impact of the peak season. The 14 cooperatives that...

Seventy-eight percent of commercial farmers were either members or nonmember patrons of marketing/farm supply cooperatives in 1986 compared with more than 76 percent in 1980. From 1980 to 1986, the percentage of commercial farmers who were members of cooperatives increased from 65 to 66 percent....