Econ 332, S08

Cooperatives

Cooperative Identification

1. A regional soybean processing cooperative headquartered in Omaha and owned by approximately 240 local co-ops and 8 regional co-ops in 16 states and Canada. It is the largest cooperative soybean processor in the world (4^th largest overall), the largest processor of soybeans in Iowa, and the third largest supplier of refined vegetable oil in the U.S. The 9 soybean processing plants of this co-op give it about 10-20% of the U.S. industry capacity. Its original plants were initially owned by 3 co-ops, Land O'Lakes, Farmland, and Boone Valley, until they were purchased in 1983. Two of its original plants are still in operation in Eagle Grove and Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. In 1986, this co-op acquired 2 additional soybean processing plants in Mason City and Manning, Iowa from Agri Industries. In 1996, this co-op opened a plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. A sixth plant operated in Iowa by this co-op is in Sheldon.

2. In 1991, entered into a Consolidated Nutrition feed manufacturing partnership involving the brand Supersweet Feeds with ADM. In 2001, the co-op’s domestic feed operations were sold to ADM. Its Masterfeeds subsidiary purchased Shur-Gain Feed of Alberta, Canada in 1994. Currently operates 4 feed manufacturing plants in Canada. This co-op built a 30-million gallon ethanol plant in Hastings, NE in 1995 which processes corn and milo.

3. This co-op, headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, is more than 80 years old. For many years it was known as the Farmers Grain Dealers Assoc., until it acquired its present name in 1979. In the early 1980s this co-op was one of the nation's 5 largest agricultural co-ops based on sales. During this time, the co-op owned and operated the following, all of which have been subsequently sold or leased: 1) Pickett's brewery of Dubuque (bought in 1980, sold in 1983), 2) four Mississippi River grain elevators, including ones at Meeker's Landing, Muscatine, and McGregor which was leased along with its Mississippi barge and rail facilities in 1986 to a partnership jointly owned with Cargill (51% ownership by Cargill), 3) Farmers Commodity Corp., a commodities brokerage firm subsidiary, sold to 659 local co-ops in 1986, 4) two soybean processing plants in Iowa (sold to AGP in 1986), 5) an export terminal and stevedoring company near Houston, 6) a travel agency in Des Moines, 7) an equipment leasing company in Mason City, and 8) a grain elevator in Avon (near Des Moines), sold in 1986 to the Avon Grain Co. (owned by 12 local co-ops). As a result of these and other changes, sales of this co-op decreased from nearly $2.3 billion (fiscal '84) to $.3 billion (fiscal '86).

4. This co-op suffered serious financial losses in the early 1980s due to 1) it's ownership in a national or interregional grain co-op called Farmers Export (headquartered in KC); Farmers Export, organized for grain exporting purposes, got into financial trouble as a result of speculative losses in the futures market; Farmers Export, co-owned by this co-op along with GROWMARK, Farmarco, Harvest States, and MFA was sold to ADM in 1985; 2) a soybean processing plant collapse in Manning in 1980 and a grain elevator explosion in Council Bluffs in 1982 (the latter resulted in 5 deaths and a string of lawsuits); 3) an illegal transfer of government-owned wheat in 1983 from one of its Texas elevators to fulfill an export contract; the co-op and some of it's officials were subsequently fined; the co-op's marketing director and vice president were fired as a result by the co-op's president, Jerry O'Dowd, a former Continental Grain Co. officer (who in turn was forced to resign shortly thereafter).

5. A West Des Moines-based grain-marketing cooperative owned by 235 cooperative elevators in Iowa and surrounding states. In 1995, renewed AGRI Grain Marketing a partnership grain marketing agreement with Cargill for another 10 years. In 2004, this partnership was terminated and replaced with one involving Bunge. This partnership manages 6 elevators on the Mississippi River and 1 on the Missouri River. AGRI Terminal is a subsidiary that operates other terminals. Industrial and Transportation Equipment Co. Is a subsidiary that I s jointly owned with the Heartland Co-op to repair rail cars at Avon Lake. Annual sales of this co-op are around $3 million.

6. In 1995, bought controlling interest in Mrs. Clark’s Foods, an Ankeny-based manufacturer of juices, salad dressings, and other food products. Owned by more than 200 cooperative grain elevators.

7. Was the largest agricultural supply cooperative in the Eastern U.S. Also involved in dairy marketing, food processing, and farm management. Operates in about 12 states in the New England area with headquarters in Syracuse, N.Y. Supplies a complete line of hardware items, farm inputs, as well as garden and home needs through branch, affiliated, or subsidiary retail outlets. Went out of business in 2002 after it sold its agronomy division to GROWMARK and filed for bankruptcy.

8. Somewhat surprisingly, perhaps, San Antonio, Texas is the headquarters for what was the largest dairy marketing cooperative in the U.S. up through 1997 whose members marketed about 10% of the nation's, cheese, butter, and milk powder respectively.

9. This California cooperative, formed in 1927, is one of the leading marketers and exporters of cotton.

10. Was the nation’s largest fertilizer supply cooperative before going public in 2005 with headquarters near Chicago (Long Grove). Was owned by 8 regional co-ops including CHS, GROWMARK, Land O’Lakes, and Southern States. Iowa facilities are in Garner and Spencer.

11. Headquartered in Stockton, CA, this cooperative is known nationwide as a marketer of walnuts. Is a subsidiary of Sun-Diamond Co-op.

12. Became a farmer-owned cooperative in 1973. This cooperative is the nation's largest processor of sugarbeets and operates plants at Moorhead, Crookston, and East Gran Forks, MN; Drayton and Hillsboro, ND; and Clarksburg, CA. Its sugar advertisements are frequently seen on TV.

13. The largest U.S. agricultural cooperative currently (based on sales for most recent fiscal year).

14. Was often identified by its trademark - the "double-circle" co-op. Was the largest U.S. ag co-op as recently as 2001 ($11.76 bil.) before declaring bankruptcy in 2002.

15. Used to operate plants which process and market pork and beef. Had a hog slaughtering facility in Denison, IA and Crete, NB; beef packing plants in Dodge City and Liberal, KS; and a catfish processing plant. Was involved in the following partnerships: Country Energy (petroleum with CHS), Agriliance (crop nutrients/ag chem. With CHS and LOL), feed with LOL, grain with ADM.

16. Organized in 1929 as the Union Oil Company. Acquired its most recent name in 1966. Was a federated supply cooperative. Its plants or subsidiaries manufactured batteries, grease, paint, feed, soybeans, fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia (including a plant at Ft. Dodge since 1966), and petroleum. Had member co-ops in about 19 states. Owned a 90,000 barrels/day oil refinery in Coffeyville, Kansas. Owned a global grain marketing subsidiary called Tradigrain which is headquartered in Geneva Switzerland.

17. The nation’s largest consumer cooperative with over 2 million members. Organized in 1938 and has grown into a renowned supplier of outdoor gear and clothing through the internet and 78 retail stores nationwide.

18. Organized in 1927 as the Illinois Farm Supply Company. Merged with the Farm Bureau Service co. (Des Moines) in 1962 and Wisconsin Farmco in 1965. Is a regional supply cooperative with locals usually operating on a country basis in WI, IL, and IA. FS Services merged with Illinois Grain Corporation to form this new cooperative in 1980. Its grain marketing river terminals were sold in 1985 to an ADM subsidiary in which the co-op maintains some ownership interest.

19. Entered into a joint venture in 1996 with Countrymark. The joint venture created the Mark II Plan involving a livestock and nutrition division and an agronomy (fertilizer, chemicals, and seed) division. Purchased the agronomy division of Agway in 2002. Fuel 24 and Fast Stop stores are names associated with this co-op.

20. One of the six largest U.S. agricultural cooperatives based on its annual sales of over $2 billion. Offers a crop consulting service to farmer members called FS Green Plan. In 1995, purchased United Cooperatives of Ontario, the largest farm supply cooperative in Canada involved primarily in feed and fertilizer.

21. Organized in 1936 in Atlanta as the Cotton Producers Association. Is a large diversified regional marketing cooperative operating in FL, GA, AL, SC, and TN. In 1995, built a 300-plus acre aquaculture research facility in Indianola, Mississippi. Was one of the nation’s ten largest agricultural cooperatives with annual sales approaching $2.0 billion before going public in 2005.

22. Involved in pork and poultry processing, egg mktg., cotton mktg. In 2003, divested operations involved with catfish production, farm supplies, and peanut and pecan mktg. Until recently had owned a warehouse (once owned by former President Carter) in Plains, GA. Has developed new products from peanut hulls, such as compressed fire logs, hi protein beef feed, and improved kitty litter. Manufactures chicken nuggets for the fast food industry and was estimated to be the 2nd largest and the only cooperative chicken processor in the U.S. before going public in 2005.

23. From 1972 to 1998, this federated supply cooperative operated in about 14 states from WI or OR and was listed among Fortune's list of the 500 largest U.S. industrial firms. Formerly known as the Farmers' Union Central Exchange. It operates fertilizer plants, gas pipelines, and is extensively involved in oil refining and exploration. Sales include fertilizer, ag chemicals, feed, seed, animal care products, automotive equipment, and farm equipment. In 1987 entered into a joint venture with Land O’Lakes where it managed the combined petroleum operations for itself and Land O’Lakes, its fertilizer/chemicals operations was managed by Land O’Lakes. Merged with Harvest States in 1998.

24. Operated under this name until 1998. Acts as a commission firm buying grain from over 600 local member cooperatives. Operates terminal or subterminal markets in WI, MT, IA, and MN. Also operates grain, soybean, and sunflower processing plants. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN. Formerly known as GTA or the Grain Terminal Assoc. Until 1983 when it merged with the North Pacific Grain Growers. Involved in food processing (Holsum Foods, Gregg’s Foods). One of the nation’s largest cooperative wheat processors. Merged with Cenex in 1998.

25. Formed as a result of a merger between Harvest States and Cenex in 1998. Entered into a wheat milling joint venture with Cargill in 2001called Horizon Milling (Cargill is managing partner). Purchased Farmland’s share of Country Energy in 2001. In 2003, opened new soybean plant in Mankato, MN and a tortilla plant in Newton, NC.

26. The brand name under which CHS. It provides petroleum products and related services to member co-ops.

27. This regional marketing cooperative entered the meat packing industry in 1978 with its purchase of Spencer Foods, Inc., Spencer, IA. It became involved in meat packing to an even greater extent when it acquired an American Beef Packers, Inc. Plant at Oakland, IA in June 1979. It had tried to sell its beef packing operation to Cargill, but eventually sold it to the Miller Co. (of Utah) in 1985. Became extensively involved in the farm supply business in 1965 when it merged with the Felco cooperative.

28. A regional marketing cooperative with headquarters in Minnesota. Involved in marketing turkeys and eggs, but probably best noted for its dairy products, and currently has a dairy product marketing agreement with Dean’s Foods. Atlantic Dairy Co-op, headquartered in Philadelphia and the largest fluid milk supplier in New England, merged into this cooperative in 1997.

29. This cooperative is organized into five divisions: agricultural services, dairy, foods, meats, and international. Entered into a feed manufacturing joint venture with Farmland in 2000. In 2001, purchased the Purina Mills feed business (‘Chow’ brands).

30. This cooperative’s butter is the leading brand in the nation with a 30 percent market share. Much of it is sold under an Indian Maiden@ trademark.

31. One of the nation’s 2 or 3 largest food marketing cooperatives. Branded products sold include 1) Schweigert sausages and luncheon meats, 2) Country Morning Blend (40% butter, 60% corn oil margarine), 3) Lean Cream (sour cream), and 4) Lake to Lake and Bridgemond dairy products, dried cheese for snack items, and sliced turkey to numerous restaurants and food processors. McDonald buys cheese products and sliced turkey (for salads) from this cooperative.

32. This co-op operates feed manufacturing plants in Iowa at Ft. Dodge, Mason City, Clarence, and Sheldon.

33. Dairy plants operated by this cooperative produce cheese, butter, nonfat dry milk, and whey products. It also packages fresh milk, which is sold in parts of IL and WI and throughout IA. Its headquarters are in Davenport, IA. In 1978, it acquired the Iowa-Illinois Division of Land O Lakes fluid milk and ice cream facilities. Up until 1981, it was known as Mississippi Valley Milk Producers. Has dairy farmer members in IA, IL, MN, and WI. The largest dairy cooperative headquartered in Iowa (Davenport). Also has an Ag Services division.

34. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and has long been recognized as a leading brand of turkey products in the U.S. In 2006, became part of West Liberty Foods (IA) which enables them to produce and sell other sliced meats.

35. Headquartered in Hanson, Mass. and is the largest marketer of cranberries and juice drinks in the U.S. It is also extensively involved in marketing grapefruit. Formed in 1930.

36. This cooperative, located in Stuttgart, Arkansas, is extensively involved in soybean processing and is the nation’s largest seller of unprocessed white rice.

37. Founded in 1921. Operates plants in Anaheim, CA; Temple, TX; Umatilla, FL; Waycros, GA; Wendell, ID; and Sioux City, IA. The specialized product of this cooperative is sold in grocery stores, sold bulk to bakeries and food manufacturers, and also sold to buyers in some 30 countries. Its home office is in Sioux City, IA.

38. Headquartered in Richmond, VA. Is a large regional supply co-op with annual sales of over $1 billion that sells petroleum, fertilizer, feed seed, and farm supply products also making it one of the nation’s 10 largest ag co-ops. It distributes these items through over 1300 retail stores located from Maine to Florida. In 2002 leased its grain marketing facilities to Perdue Farms, a major poultry producer (Salisbury, MD).

39. The largest citrus marketing cooperative in the U.S.

40. This cooperative has been a leader in promoting and differentiating its brand of product. Organized before the turn of the century, this co-op began advertising campaigns in 1908 and developed its now familiar product stamp in 1926. The co-op has developed special grading and packaging technology to minimize the amount of damage done to its produce during marketing.

41. Headquartered in Kingburg, CA and has been recognized as a leader in the marketing of raisins. Is a subsidiary of Sun-Diamond Co-op.

42. This California cooperative, organized in 1959, is the world’s largest handler of dried fruits, with prunes accounting for over 90 percent of its business. Is a subsidiary of Sun-Diamond Co-op.

43. The product line of this cooperative includes a variety of fruit concentrates, juices, spreads, drinks, and sodas. Headquartered in Westfield, NY, this cooperative is the world’s largest grower, processor, and marketer of Concord grapes. Purchased the ‘Welch’ company and brand name in 1956.

44. California’s largest fruit and vegetable processing and marketing cooperative. Based in San Francisco, this co-op operates 10 processing facilities with combined annual sales of over $.8 billion.

45. One of the nation’s largest cooperative livestock marketing firms headquartered in Baraboo, WI. Nearly 1 2 million head of livestock are sold annually through this co-op (about 23% cattle, 36% calves, 30% hogs, and 11% sheep). These livestock are marketed in a number of ways including through traditional auction barns, and more recently through electronic auctions. Annual sales are about $.5 billion.

46. An interregional supply cooperative headquartered in Minneapolis and owned originally by regional co-ops such as Farmland, Agway, GROWMARK, Countrymark, Land O Lakes, Cenex, and Gold Kist. Supplies its current member co-ops with such products as tires, batteries, livestock equipment, animal health products, ag chemicals, and twine.

47. A cooperatively owned wholesale distributor of natural foods. A consumer cooperative whose customers include food buying clubs, natural food and health stores, restaurants, day care centers, public meal programs, etc. This cooperative has two main operational locations - Iowa City, Iowa and Minneapolis, MN.

48. On July 1, 1996, this co-op which had been formed two months earlier was reorganized as a closed co-op in Iowa with 45 turkey-grower members. Purchased a turkey processing plant located in West Liberty, Iowa that was previously owned by Louis Rich Foods (a subsidiary of Oscar Mayer and Kraft Foods). Opened a plant in Sigourney, IA in 2002 and is scheduled to open a new plant in Mt. Pleasant, IA in 2003. Products are sold under the West Liberty Foods label.

49. The nation’s largest feed research cooperative formed in the 1950's and owned by cooperatives in the U.S., France, and Canada including Southern States Co-op.

50. Started in 1933 when a group of Florida orange growers decided to process their own crops rather than sell to big juice companies. Originally sold most of its frozen juice products under private-label brands including Donald Duck. In 1987, grower owners who were worried about the fading popularies of frozen juice products decided to enter the small but fast growing pasteurized juice market which at that time was dominated by Tropicana and Minute Maid. The co-op now has annual sales of nearly $1/2 billion and its Florida’s Natural brand overtook Minute Maid in 1995 as the second leading brand in the industry.

51. Formed in 1976. Headquartered in Norway, Iowa. One of the nation’s largest processor and wholesaler of herbs and spices. This co-op produces over 6,000 dried herbs and related products.

52. This California-based co-op is the world’s largest marketer and processor of almonds with annual sales in excess of $1/2 billion.

53. Currently, the nation’s largest dairy cooperative as a result of a consolidation in 1997 involving Milk Marketing Inc. (MI), Mid America Dairymen (Springfield, MO), Western Dairymen, and the southern division of AMPI. This co-op has annual sales of about $8 billion and a market share in excess of 20% of U.S. dairy farmer milk sales.

54. This cooperative is headquartered in Rochester, NY and was formed in 1960 by over 500 small fruit and vegetable producers. In 1994, this cooperative purchased Curtice Burns, a food processing company that Ag Way had one-third ownership in at the time and that the co-op relied on as a market for their members’ products. This marked one of the first times that a cooperative had ever acquired a major publicly held food company. After the acquisition, Curtice Burns became known as Agrilink Foods subsequently sold a 60% share in this business in 2002. The co-op markets a variety of processed fruit, vegetable, and popcorn products. Brands include Birds Eye, Comstock, Veg-All, and Wilderness.

55. A federated cherry marketing cooperative whose 28 member co-ops in the U.S. and Canada represent 75-80 percent of Michigan’s tart cherry production and significant portions of tart cherry production in New York, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Ontario. The co-op establishes minimum prices for tart cherries and licenses sales agents to represent members.

56. This cooperative began selling $300 memberships to Iowa hog producers in January 2000. The co-op grew out of a task force initiated in December 1998 by the Iowa Pork Producers Assn and charged with determining if and how independent Iowa hog producers could increase their profitability through cooperative marketing. This co-op provides marketing services to its members and collects carcass information on members’ hogs to be used in targeting marketing efforts.

57. Headquartered in Lake Wales, FL. Recent annual sales have exceeded $600 million of citrus juice and processed citrus products. This co-op exports to 40 countries primarily in Europe, Japan, and the Caribbean. Products are sold under a brand name that is the same as the co-op’s name.

58. New England’s largest dairy co-op with about a 40% market share. Formed in 1980 with the New England Milk Producers Association’s acquisition Yankee Milk Producers and H.P. Hood dairy. Markets dairy products under the brand name Cabot. One of the nation’s 100 largest co-ops.

59. A cooperatively-owned food store located in Ames, IA, that specializes in the marketing of ‘natural’ food products to members.

60. Became known as Winfield Solutions in 2007 after reorganizing.

61. Formed in 2000 as a result of a joint venture between two co-ops including Farmland. The nation’s largest cooperative feed company. The company’s name combines the names of the two regional co-op owners that jointly own and control this subsidiary.

62. An Iowa cooperative involved in ethanol production. Headquartered in Blairstown.

63. One of the largest fruit and fruit juice marketing cooperatives in the U.S. Owned by apply and pear growers located in WA, OR, and Id. Brand name same as co-op name. Headquarters in Selah, WA.

64. Began producing ethanol (18 mil. Gal./yr.) in 2002. Located in Galva, IA.

65. Began producing ethanol (45 mil. Gal./yr.) in 2001. Located in Lakota, IA with 998 initial members.

66. Founded in 1971. Located in Coralville, IA. A retail food co-op owned by 11,000 members.

67. Headquartered in Sioux Center, IA. Major producer and supplier of livestock feed in northwest Iowa. Sales about $200 million, members total nearly 2750. Has an Agronomy department and owns a retail hardware store and lumberyard. Offers brokerage and financing services to cattle producers.

68. Ethanol co-op in Sioux Center, IA (14 mil. gal. plant). A closed, new generation co-op with about 400 members.

69. Had nearly 1000 producer members. Formed 2002 to slaughter fed cattle at a Tama, IA plant. Produced specialty meats for Jewish and Muslim markets.

70. Formed in 1997, headquarters in Kansas City, MO. Partnered with Farmland to create Farmland National Beef, 4^th largest U.S. beef processor. Bought Farmland’s share of ‘National Beef’ in 2003. Has about 1800 members, in 37 states, and sales around ½ billion dollars.

71. One of the largest local Iowa co-ops. Opened the nation’s largest (12 mil gal) soy diesel processing plant in 2002 in Ralston which is also the co-op’s headquarters.

72. One of the largest local co-ops in Iowa to ever go bankrupt (2001). Facilities sold off to other co-ops and private firms. Involved in grain, construction, home improvement, real estate, soybean processing.

73. The new official name of Cenex Harvest States approved 2003.

74. Acquired the assets and business units of AgWay Agronomy and Seedway (LLC) in the Northeast (U.S.) in 2002.

75. Formed in 2005 and is now the recruiting partnership for Land O’Lakes, Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, CROPLAN Genetics, and Winfield Solutions.

76. Formed in 1998 with headquarters in Bellville, IL. Is a cooperative hog processing firm (1 plant currently).

77. The Kearney Area Ag Producers Alliance (KAAPA) is a Nebraska agricultural cooperative that has established this online market place to connect consumers/tourists to agritourism and other activities and items.

78. In 2007, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation completed its acquisition of this Atlanta-based, diversified cooperative that was formed in 1933 as the Cotton Producers Assn. The co-op had exited the agronomy business in 1988 to focus mainly on producing chickens, but also pork. In 2004, its membership approved converting to an IOF, publicly traded stock corporation.

79. A wholly owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes that specializes in seed and crop protection products.

80. This seed is a brand of Winfield Solutions (Land O’Lakes).

81. No longer in business, but was the nation’s largest U.S. ag co-op from 1986 to 1988.

82. Greenwood, MS is the headquarters location of the nation’s largest cotton cooperative co-op, and one of the nation’s 10 largest co-ops overall.

83. A West Des Moines based grain marketing co-op that started a grain-condo project in 2005.

84. Nevada, Iowa is headquarters for this Iowa co-op.

85. This farm supply co-op is a member of GROWMARK and has headquarters in Humboldt, IA.

86. A generation and transmission rural electric co-op with headquarters in Winterset, IA.

87. An interregional petroleum refining cooperative owned by CHS, FS, and MFA Oil with headquarters in McPherson, KS.

88. Has a joint venture with Syngenta to sell that brand of seed corn and has cooperative members in Ontario after acquiring the United Co-op in 1994.

89. Markets soybean-based products such as shortening, oils, salad dressings (Hidden Valley brand) as well as mayonnaise, butter blends, and soups through a joint venture company called Ventura Foods.

Updated in 2008.