USDA Rural Development-BCP Coop Library of Pubs RRs

Research Reports (RRs)

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2005. USDA Rural Development Public Forum on Cooperative Research held before Thomas Dorr, Chairman. Public Meeting on Research Transcript: September 27, 2005

2012. K. Charles Ling. The nature of the cooperative is viewed as a composite picture of three facets: (1) the
unique structure, organization, governance, equity financing, and operation of cooperatives;
(2) the market performance of cooperatives; and (3) the relations of cooperatives
to other market participants through their roles in transaction governance. RR 226 Joint Ventures and Subsidiaries of Agricultural Cooperatives

RR 225 Dairy Cooperatives in the 21st Century - The First Decade

2012. Bruce Reynolds. Agricultural cooperatives participate in joint ventures or establish subsidiaries to scale efficiency, improve market access, or share capacity and expertise. The limited liability company (LLC) is the form of business organization most frequently used by cooperatives. Cooperative ventures are related to, or value-added extensions of, their core businesses. RR 224 The Nature of the Cooperative: A Dairy Cooperative Case Study

2011. James J. Wadsworth. Describes farmer cooperatives' education initiatives--providing information on whom they are educating and how, topics covered, their sources for educational materials and programs, and what educational topics they feel directors most need. The degree of cooperative education provided is reported for respondents overall and by cooperative type, size, and location. RR 223 Education Initiatives of Farmer Cooperatives

2011. E. Eldon Eversull. A survey of 1,164 U.S. cooperatives provides information on net income or losses, borrowed funds, and equity capital. Common-size balance sheets and income statements and financial ratio analysis are used to compare responses between cooperatives. Responses were grouped into eight cooperative types and seven asset sizes. RR 222 Cooperative Financial Profile

2011. K. Charles Ling. Cooperation as practiced by dairy farmers in marketing milk is an enduring business model that is in full accord with the economic theory of what cooperatives are and what cooperatives do. Cooperatives as the aggregates of economic units (such as farms) as well as financing issues are explained. RR 221 Cooperative Theory, Practice, and Financing: A Dairy Cooperative Case Study

2010. E. Eldon Eversull. A 2008 survey of 792 U.S. cooperatives studies equity redemption practices. A revolving fund was most often used, followed closely by redemption to patrons' estates. Information from 2008 was also compared to a 1991 study. Responses were grouped into eight cooperative types and seven asset sizes. RR 220 Cooperative Equity Redemption

2010. Carolyn B. Liebrand. Financial statements for U.S. dairy cooperatives in 2007 are presented. Balance sheets and operating statements were presented on per hundredweight (cwt), per cooperative, and common-size basis for U.S. dairy cooperatives by operating type (primary function) and by size category (volume of milk handled). RR 219 Financial Profile of Dairy Cooperatives, 2007

2009. K. Charles Ling. A total of 49,675 member-producers of the Nation's 155 dairy cooperatives marketed 152.5 billion pounds of milk, or 82.6 percent of all milk marketed, in 2007. Manufacturing and processing operations, volume of dairy products produced by dairy cooperatives and financial data are reported, including share of U.S. production. RR 218 Marketing Operations of Dairy Cooperatives, 2007

RR 217 Cooperative Approaches for Implementation of Dairy Manure Digesters

2009. Thomas W. Gray. From a socio-historical context, this report assesses different cooperative membership structures--local, centralized, and federated--for their appropriateness for mid-level farms. Mid-level farms are referred to as n the middlestructurally because they are positioned between large industrialized farms and much smaller farms located near metropolitan areas. RR 216 Selecting a Cooperative Membership Structure for the Agriculture-of-the-Middle Initiative

2008. Kathleen Painter. Report finds food-chain demand for differentiated farm commodities and growth in demand for food with various characteristics, including locally produced and organic. Strong growth in farmersmarkets and direct to consumer agriculture show consumers are willing to spend time and money to support local food production. RR 215 An Analysis of Food-Chain Demand for Differentiated Farm Commodities: Implications for the Farm Sector

2008. K. Charles Ling. Whey-to-fuel ethanol production is explored and reviewed. A potential of producing up to 203 million gallons of fuel ethanol from whey in 2006 was estimated, and dairy cooperatives could have a share of 65 million gallons. Lessons on the factors for success and the pitfalls to avoid are summarized. RR 214 Whey to Ethanol: A Biofuel Role for Dairy Cooperatives?

2007. Carolyn B. Liebrand. Extra value is calculated for 65 agricultural cooperatives by subtracting an interest charge on equity from net savings and also expressed as a percentage of operating capital. Cooperative performance is examined by type of agricultural cooperativeotton, dairy, farm supply, fruit and vegetable, grain, sugar, and otheror 1992-96 and 2000-04. RR 213 Measuring the Performance of Agricultural Cooperatives

2006. K. Charles Ling. The extra-value approach for member-producers to evaluate cooperative performance is revised and simplified. Extra value is net savings less an interest charge on equity. Extra-value is used to examine the performance of the surviving cooperatives following mergers and consolidations and the influence of cooperative size on performance. RR 212 Measuring Performance of Dairy Cooperatives

2006. Tracey L. Kennedy. This report describes export activity of agricultural cooperatives during the period 1997 through 2002. This activity is described in terms of dollar values of exports by commodity group and destination market (region), shares of U.S. agricultural exports, and a profile of cooperatives engaged in international trade. RR 211 U.S. Cooperatives in International Trade, 1997-2002

RR 210 Small-Scale Grower Cooperatives in the Northeast United States

2006. Anthony Crooks, et al. This study used panels of ethanol industry experts and follow-up interviews with plant owners and managers to examine how information technology has affected the structure, organization, and operations of the fuel ethanol industry. RR 209 The Role of Information Technology in the Fuel Ethanol Industry

2005. Greg Lawless and Anne Reynolds. A USDA-funded report prepared for Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund by the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. RR 208 Keys to Success for Food Co-op Start Ups in Rural Areas: Four Case Studies

2006. E. Eldon Eversull. This report analyzes the feed mill operations of over 200 farm supply and marketing cooperatives. They were surveyed about their 2004 feed mill ownership, production, type of feed produced, method of sales, and feed form. RR 207 Feed Mill Operations of Agricultural Cooperative

RR 206 Dairy Cooperative Growth Challenges: Technology, Ingredients (Proteins) and Equity Finance

2005. Beverly L. Rotan. The report analyzes balance sheets and income statements of local farm supply and marketing cooperatives, comparing 2002 and 2003 and trends over the past 10 years. Four cooperative sizes and types are used to develop common-size income statements and balance sheets. RR 205 Analysis of Financial Statements: Local Farm Supply, Marketing Co-ops, 2003

2004. David S. Chesnick. The financial profile of the top 100 farmer-owned cooperativeshow that more than half of the co-ops ended 2002 with lower total revenue and net margins than in 2001. For these cooperatives as a whole, revenue dipped 7.5 percent while net margins dropped 71.7 percent. RR 204 Financial Profile of the 100 Largest Agricultural Cooperatives, 2002

2004. Carolyn B. Liebrand. Financial statements and ratios for U.S. dairy cooperatives in 2002 are presented. Balance sheets and operating statements were presented on a per-cwt, per-cooperative and common-size basis for U.S. dairy cooperatives by operating type and by size category RR 203 Financial Profile of Dairy Cooperatives, 2002

2004. Jennifer M. Vandeburg, et al. Local cooperatives are engaging in a variety in business arrangements, including strategic alliances, joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions. The driving forces that motivate local cooperatives to get involved in these relationships are examined. The relative importance of factors in the success of these new business arrangements are also examined. RR 202 Driving Forces and Success Factors for Mergers, Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, and Strategic Alliances Among Local Cooperatives

2004. K. Charles Ling. The Nation's 196 dairy cooperatives marketed 139.2 billion pounds of milk delivered by 61,390 member-producers, or 83 percent of all milk sold to plants and dealers, in 2002. Manufacturing and processing operations, volume of dairy products produced by dairy cooperatives and financial data are reported, included share of U.S. production. RR 201 Marketing Operations of Dairy Cooperatives, 2002

2003. Joe Folsom. This study suggests that cooperatives, by nature of their being locally owned and having benefits accrue to the local member-owners, result in a higher level of impact than businesses such as a corporations where benefits (dividends) are mainly distributed outside the community and local ownership is missing. RR 200 Measuring the Economic Impact of Cooperatives in Minnesota

2003. David S. Chesnick. Joint ventures and limited liability companies were the focus of activity among the nation largest cooperatives in 2001. Total revenue for the Top 100 cooperatives climbed 3.8 percent, to $74.2 billion in 2001, while net margins increased nearly 10 percent, to more than $502 million. RR 199 Financial Profile of Largest 100 Agricultural Cooperatives

2003. K. Charles Ling. Prices generated by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange spot and futures markets were used to estimate and compare with Federal Milk Market Order (FMMO) Class I base, Class III, and Class IV prices. The time period covered 36 months since the FMMO reforms went into effect in January 2000. RR 198 Alternative Milk Price Series: Information for Cooperatives

2003. Kimberly Zeuli, et al. This study measures the economic impact of cooperatives at the State level and therefore quantifies a portion of their contribution to economic development. Financial data was collected from almost 800 agricultural and non-agricultural cooperatives in Wisconsin during 2000. RR 196 Measuring the Economic Impact of Cooperatives: Results from Wisconsin

2002. Bruce J. Reynolds. Black farmers struggled to own land and operate independently. Cooperative associations were organized in black farming communities prior to the 1960s. The civil rights movement brought renewed emphasis on cooperatives. Cooperatives may be motivated, with similar determination as those serving black farmers, to pursue strategies for maintaining independent farming. RR 194 Black Farmers in America, 1865-2000 - The Pursuit of Independent Farming and the Role of Cooperatives

2002. David S. Chesnick. The volume of business conducted by the largest 100 agricultural cooperatives represents nearly 62 percent of the total gross business volume of all cooperatives, up from 58 percent in 1999. They also control 60 percent of the total assets while representing only 3 percent of all agricultural cooperatives. RR 193 Financial Profile of Largest 100 Agricultural Cooperatives

RR 192 Problems and Issues Facing Farmer Cooperatives

2002. Julie A. Hogeland. The evolution of the federated relationship between local and regional cooperatives is examined. Regional cooperatives have instituted tighter bonds with selected local cooperatives to reduce the impact of local cooperativesneed for commodity-based farm supplies and regional cooperativesidentity as food companies within the federated system. RR 190 The Changing Federated Relationship Between Local and Regional Cooperatives

2001. Beverly L. Rotan. This report looks at how education, cooperative function, and geography influence compensation of cooperative employees and directors. Compensation varied from per diem and travel to set fees for attending meetings. Financial performance of the cooperative was the basis for bonuses, setting salaries, and evaluating employees. RR 189 Cooperative Employee Compensation, 1999

RR 188 Cost of Balancing Milk Supplies: Northeast Regional Market

2001. Carolyn B. Liebrand. There was a net decline of 52 U.S. dairy cooperatives over 1992-2000. Structure of the dairy cooperative sector headed in two directions. Some cooperatives became more engaged in further manufacturing and processing, differentiating their products and strengthening ties in the marketing chain. Others focused their operations on bargaining only. RR 187 Structural Change in the Dairy Cooperative Sector, 1992-2000

2001. David S. Chesnick. While the top 100 agricultural cooperatives represent only 3 percent of the total number of cooperatives, they account for 58 percent of the total gross business volume. The top 100 agricultural cooperatives also control 59 percent of the total assets. RR 186 Financial Profile -- the 100 Largest Agricultural Cooperatives

2001. David S. Chesnick. While the top 100 agricultural cooperatives represent only 3 percent of the total number of cooperatives, they account for 58 percent of the total gross business volume. The top 100 agricultural cooperatives also control 59 percent of the total assets. RR 185 Cooperative Conversion and Restructuring In Theory and Practice

2001. David S. Chesnick. While the top 100 agricultural cooperatives represent only 3 percent of the total number of cooperatives, they account for 58 percent of the total gross business volume. The top 100 agricultural cooperatives also control 59 percent of the total assets. RR 184 Strategic Planning in Farmer Cooperatives

2001. David S. Chesnick. While the top 100 agricultural cooperatives represent only 3 percent of the total number of cooperatives, they account for 58 percent of the total gross business volume. The top 100 agricultural cooperatives also control 59 percent of the total assets. RR 183 Crop Protectant Operations of Local Farm Supply and Marketing Cooperatives

2001. Beverly L. Rotan. This report analyzes the balance sheets and income statements of local farm supply and marketing cooperatives, comparing 1999 and 1998 and trends over the past 10 years. Trends for major balance sheet and income statement items, ratio analysis and common-size items offer comparison by cooperative size and type. RR 182 Analysis of Financial Statements: Local Farm Supply, Marketing Cooperatives

2001. Julie A. Hogeland. This study examines how local cooperatives have responded to the transition from commodity to identity-preserved grain marketing. Survey results showed localsoverall commitment to identity-preserved grains was determined more by a cultural receptivity to innovation than by differences in priorities among grain, feed, and general managers. RR 181 Local Coopertives' Role in the Identity-Preserved Grain Industry

2001. Anthony Crooks. RBS began keeping detailed statistics on mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, and bankruptcies in 1993. Of the 367 events involving grain cooperatives, most occurred in recent years (53 percent in 1996 and 1997), and among cooperatives having less than $15 million in total sales (63 percent). RR 180 Grain Cooperative Mergers and Acquisitions, 1993-1997

2000. Robert C. Rathbone, et al. This report analyzes the distribution of net income and losses, per-unit capital retain deductions, financial structure, composition of equity capital, and sources of borrowed capital. Financial ratio analysis is conducted to analyze the general financial condition of cooperatives. RR 178 Farmer Cooperatives' Financial Profile, 1997

RR 177 The Impact of New Generation Cooperatives on Their Communities

1999. Carolyn B. Liebrand. Financial statements and ratios for U.S. dairy cooperatives in 1997 are presented. Balance sheets and operating statements were presented on a per-cwt, per-cooperative and common-size basis for U.S. dairy cooperatives by operating type and by size category RR 176 Financial Profile of Dairy Cooperatives, 1997

2000. David S. Chesnick. This study discusses differences in financial management and goals between investor-oriented firms and cooperatives. It reviews what bankers look for when appraising potential borrowers. A summary of standard financial ratios used to analyze a variety of business structures and other modified ratios are included to address deficiencies in standard ratios. RR 175 Financial Management and Ratio Analysis for Cooperative Enterprises

1999. James J. Wadsworth. Highlights of unification activities, most of them among well-known cooperatives, are described for the 10-year period, January 1989 - April 1999. Selected activities are cataloged in the appendix, listed by date, naming the cooperatives involved with a brief description of what the unification entailed. RR 174 Cooperative Unification: Highlights From 1989 to Early 1999

1999. K. Charles Ling. The Nation 226 dairy cooperatives marketed 127.4 billion pounds of milk, or 83 percent of all milk sold, in 1997. These cooperatives were owned by 87,938 member-producers. Manufacturing and processing operations, volume of dairy products produced by dairy cooperatives and financial data are reported, including share of U.S. production. RR 173 Marketing Operations of Dairy Cooperatives

1999. Beverly L. Rotan. This report analyzes the balance sheets and income statements of local farm supply and marketing cooperatives, comparing 1996 and 1997 and trends over the past 10 years. Four cooperative sizes and types are used to develop common-size income statements and balance sheets. RR 172 Financial Performance of Local Farm Supply, Marketing Cooperatives, 1997

1999. E. Eldon Eversull. This report analyzes the balance sheets and income statements of 208 local farm supply and marketing cooperatives, comparing information from 1991 through 1997. The data represent four cooperative sizes and types. Common-size income statements and balance sheets are used to compare and contrast these cooperatives. RR 171 Local Farm Supply, Marketing Cooperatives Financial Trends: Changes in the 1990s

1999. Andrew A. Jermolowicz. Pooling is a marketing practice distinct to cooperatives and refers to a particular method by which a cooperative markets the crops of its producer-members. This report discusses the pooling practices of fruit and vegetable cooperatives and presents the structural, managerial, financial, and coordination aspects of a successful commodity pooling program. RR 168 Pooling Operations of Cooperatives

1999. Roland D. Smith and others. A case study approach was used to evaluate two producer-owned ventures- American Lamb Producers, Inc. and Virginia Lamb Cooperative. Findings have relevance in determining the potential for future producer-owned ventures into value-added lamb processing and marketing in an industry characterized by significant concentration among a few established marketing firms. RR 167 Lessons From Producer-Owned Lamb Ventures

1998. K. Charles Ling and Carolyn Liebrand. This report prescribes a new measure for comparing operating efficiency between dairy cooperatives and investor-owned dairy firms (IOFs). A cooperative is creating extra value if net operating margin more than covers operating cost, including the opportunity cost of operating capital. Dairy cooperatives performed as well as IOFs by this measure. RR 166 A New Approach to Measuring Dairy Co-op Performance

RR 165 Member Participation in Agricultural Cooperatives

1998. Michael D. Kane. This study presents a compilation of financial data obtained from the annual reports of the nation largest dairy cooperatives between 1980 and 1995. Financial data and ratios are presented for the group as a whole. The information can be used to gauge the financial health of an individual dairy cooperative. RR 164 Financial Statistics of the Largest Dairy Cooperatives, 1980-1995

1998. Michael D. Kane. This study presents a compilation of financial data obtained from the annual reports of the nation largest dairy cooperatives between 1980 and 1995. Financial data and ratios are presented for the group as a whole. The information can be used to gauge the financial health of an individual dairy cooperative. RR 163 Cost of Capital for Agricultural Cooperatives

1998. Julie A. Hogeland. Structural changes in the dairy industry are bringing local cooperatives to a crossroads where they must decide who will be their core customer. Survey results from 247 locals indicated small producers, whose production practices appeared to lag significantly behind innovators and large producers, were 80 percent of these cooperativesclientele. RR 162 Local Cooperatives' Role in the Emerging Dairy Industry

1997. E. Eldon Eversull. This report analyzes the fertilizer operations of 497 local farm supply and marketing cooperatives. They were surveyed about their 1996 fertilizer sales, source of product, competitors and type of competition, and services offered or desired to offer. RR 161 Fertilizer Operations of Local Farm Supply and Marketing Cooperatives

1998. Beverly L. Rotan. Trends, performances, and financial measures of 403 cooperatives handling farm supplies are compared for 1994 and 1995. Four cooperative sizes and types are used to develop common-size income statements and balance sheets. RR 160 Performance of Cooperatives Handling Farm Supplies, by Region

1997. Roger A. Wissman. The use of marketing agreements adds elements of marketing coordination between members and cooperatives. Based on a survey of marketing cooperatives, this report cites coordination levels by cooperative type and characteristics associated with marketing coordination. RR 159 Marketing Coordination in Agricultural Cooperatives

1997. Larry Sterns, et al. The structure and operations of local cooperative elevators were affected by excess storage capacity, modifications in Government programs, and other factors. This report analyzes management strategies, implemented between 1988 and 1992, their degree of success, and their importance in keeping the cooperative elevator viable. RR 158 Strategies for Survival By Cooperative Country Elevators - Revisited

RR 157 Cooperatives in a Changing Global Food System

1997. Bruce J. Reynolds and others. This report documents the use of one-member, one-vote and proportional voting systems, at-large, geographic districting, and delegate systems, and combinations of districting and delegate systems by U.S. cooperatives, by type, function, and membership size. The report finds one-member, one-vote, and at-large systems predominate. RR 156 Voting and Representation Systems in Agricultural Cooperatives

1997. Bruce J. Reynolds. This research examines the role of member consensus and policy consistency in a cooperative; member consensus and policy in a strategic framework of competition, where competitors offer individualized terms to selective producers; and develops a game theory analysis for situations where cooperatives need to attract large-scale producers. RR 155 Decision-Making in Cooperatives with Diverse Member Interests

1997. Eldon Eversull, et al. The balance sheets and income statements of local farm supply and marketing cooperatives are examined, comparing 1994 and 1995, and trends over the past 10 years. Four cooperative sizes and types are used to develop common-size income statements and balance sheets. RR 154 Analysis of Financial Statements: Local Farm Supply, Marketing Cooperatives

197. Larry Stearns and others. In 1988 and 1992, managers of 71 cooperatives in 7 States were surveyed about their structure and operations. This report discusses the effect of Government program changes and other factors between 1988 and 1992 on the structure and operations of the surveyed cooperatives. RR 153 Response of Cooperative Elevators to Changes in Government Policies

RR 152 Dairy Cooperatives' Role in Managing Price Risks

1997. Paul Lasley and others. This report explains why ethics is important to the success of cooperatives and what boards of directors and managers can do to strengthen it. Emphasis upon ethical business conduct may help distinguish cooperatives from other types of business while at the same time reinforcing membership commitment and loyalty. RR 151 Strengthening Ethics Within Agricultural Cooperatives

1996. James J. Wadsworth. This report provides an overview and strategic planning study of the dairy herd improvement (DHI) system, concentrating on assessing current trends and conditions of the industry and how DHI organizations are structured within it. Information is provided for the principal DHI organizations to carry out strategic planning. RR 150 A Strategic Planning Study of the Dairy Herd Improvement System

1996. David Chesnick. Petroleum is one of the most important farm production supplies provided by local cooperatives to their farmer-members and rural communities. The report studies product mix, services, supply source, and competition. Cooperatives are analyzed based on various characteristics such as size, type, and region. RR 149 Local Petroleum Operations

1997. Anthony C. Crooks. This report provides an overview of the ethanol fuel industry and documents involvement of cooperatives and other businesses in it. An industry overview looks at production technology, costs, future of the industry, emerging technologies, and market demand. RR 148 Cooperatives and New Uses for Agricultural Products: An Assessment of the Fuel Ethanol Industry

1995. Julie A. Hogeland. Results from a survey of 1,314 local cooperatives in 1993 indicated local cooperatives urgently wanted greater direction and leadership from their regional cooperatives and financial backing to offer members financing. Locals also indicated cooperatives had a special responsibility to work with small- and medium-size swine producers to avert complete integration. RR 144 Role of Local Cooperatives in Emerging Swine Industry

1995. E. Eldon Eversull, et al. Agricultural cooperatives play a significant role in providing petroleum products to U.S. farmers and rural markets. A 1993 study shoved they provided 41 percent of the petroleum products used by U.S. farmers for farm production, up slightly from 1988. RR 143 Petroleum Cooperatives, 1995

1997. Anthony C. Crooks and others. This report describes the structure and operations of shared-services cooperatives and discusses some of the benefits accorded to their owners. This report provides insights for business people and public servants interested in organizing a shared-services cooperative. It discusses governance, management, and elements that promote their success. RR 141 Shared-Services Cooperatives

RR 139 Consolidation of Balance Sheet Components During Cooperative Mergers

1995. Eldon Eversull, et al. Balance sheet data from 1983 to 1990 for 1,337 farm supply and marketing cooperatives is examined. Trends of major balance sheet classifications and financial ratios are presented for four cooperative sizes and types. RR 138 Analysis of Balance Sheets of Local Farm Supply and Marketing Cooperatives

RR 137 Cooperatives in the U.S. Citrus Industry

1994. Galen W.Rapp. This publication is a selection of proven tools from multiple sources for cooperative boards of directors to use to objectively appraise the cooperative manager performance. It provides every cooperative with the necessary tools to implement and conduct a proper system for manager evaluation. RR 136 Appraising Manager Performance

1994. David S. Chesnick and E. Eldon Eversull. This study analyzed income statement variables of local farm supply and marketing cooperatives by looking at trends and current values, and comparing different types, sizes, and profitability levels of cooperatives. The major areas studied were income and expenses. Expenses were divided into four categories; administrative, general, labor, and other. RR 134 Analysis of Income Statements of Local Farm Supply and Marketing Cooperatives

RR 133 Marketing Operations of Dairy Cooperatives

1994. David E. Cummins. This report presents information for 1983-91 on the physical and financial structure adjustments made by local first-handlers-of-grain cooperatives in three major wheat areas. They had annual total sales of at least $5 million, more than half in grain. Most associations also handled farm supplies and all provided related services. RR 132 Wheat Grain Cooperatives Adjust to Challenges of 1980s, Poised for 1990s

RR 131 Membership Structural Design: A Pilot Test on DHI Cooperatives

1994. Charles Kraenzle. The number of full-time employees, sales, and total assets of a select group of 509 farmer cooperatives in 1981, 1986, and 1991 are examined by asset group and type. Ratios studied varied by cooperative size over the years. RR 129 Full-Time Employees, Sales, and Assets of Selected Farmer Cooperatives: 1981, 1986, and 1991

1994. Anthony C. Crooks and David E. Cummins. The response of grain cooperatives to their changing market and policy environment from 1983 to 1991 is quantified. An economic model is constructed to measure grain cooperative output supply response, changes in grain cooperative factor demands, and substitution rates among the factors of production employed by grain cooperatives. RR 128 First-Handler Grain Cooperative Elasticities

1994. Bruce J. Reynolds. Marketing agencies-in-common (MACs) have been used by farmer cooperatives for many years to accomplish specific marketing activities. Members of MACs retain individual member ownership of assets, with their MAC providing various supplementary functions such as group communications and product selling coordination. MACs are governed in a multiple principal structure. RR 127 Cooperative Marketing Agencies-in-Common

1993. Carolyn B. Liebrand and Karen J. Spatz. The report conceptualizes a marketing agency-in-common (MAC) of dairy cooperatives to facilitate the export of manufactured dairy products. A specific plan for the organization and operation of a MAC to export product(s) is described. Avenues for exporting both bulk and differentiated (value added) product lines are discussed. RR 126 DariMac: An Export Marketing Agency-in-Common for Dairy Cooperatives

1993. Robert C. Rathbone, et al. This 1991-92 survey of farmer cooperatives shows equity redemption practices including how equity is distributed between allocated and unallocated accounts. This report updates the previous survey of nearly 20 years ago and reflects many changes in the financial, operational, and structural makeup of cooperatives. RR 124 Equity Redemption and Member Equity Allocation Practices of Agricultural Cooperatives

1994. Marc Warman. This report discusses the various changes the cooperative grain marketing industry has experienced during the past 2 decades. The different influences and factors that led to these changes are analyzed. Issues currently affecting grain marketing cooperatives and that will define the future environment in which they operate are also discussed. RR 123 Cooperative Grain Marketing: Changes, Issues, and Alternatives

1993. Karen J. Spatz. Thirty cooperatives reported imports valued at $463.64 million in 1991. Farm inputs accounted for the largest share, 69.8 percent or $323.57 million. Agricultural commodity imports accounted for $137.75 million. Canada is the largest individual supplier of goods to cooperatives in the United States, providing more than 60 percent of imports. RR 121 Imports by Cooperatives, 1991

1993. John R. Dunn. This special report presents a summary of the findings from the recent survey of cooperative organizations regarding cooperative education. The survey was conducted to examine the needs and priorities for contemporary cooperative education. RR 119 Cooperative Education Survey: Cooperatives' Version - Summary of Findings

1993. T. Fred White, Jr. This report provides a review of current functions and marketing methods used by cooperatives handling livestock, wool, poultry, and meats. Functions, services offered by, and marketing techniques used by these cooperatives are outlined in this report. Differences within and among commodity groups are also discussed. RR 118 Livestock, Wool, Poultry, and Meat Cooperatives Function, Marketing and Services

1993. David E. Cummins. This report presents information for 1983 through 1991 on the physical and financial structure adjustments made by local first-handlers-of-grain cooperatives in the Corn Belt. They had annual total sales of at least $5 million, more than half in grain. Most associations also handled farm supplies and all provided related services. RR 117 Corn Belt Grain Cooperatives Adjust to Challenges of 1980s, Poised for 1990s

1993. V. James Rhodes. In the next 20 years the role of feed supply cooperatives in the hog industry will change greatly or largely disappear. Whether vertically integrated or not, super-producers of hogs generally mill their own feed. Cooperatives can help their hog producer-members to compete with these super-producers or can become super-producers themselves. RR 116 Cooperatives' Role in Hog Contract Production

1993. Charles L. Hunley, et al. More than 1,700 local first-handlers-of-grain cooperatives surveyed for this report marketed 5.1 billion bushels of grain in 1990-91. Storage capacity, State and Federal licensing, turnover rate, grain bank, and rail service also are examined. RR 115 Marketing and Transportation of Grain by Local Cooperatives

1993. Beverly Rotan. Looks at how education, cooperative function, and geography influence patterns in compensating employees. Job responsibility, decision-making, and performance were the three most important factors for setting salaries. Health, life, and disability insurance were the most commonly paid benefits. RR 114 Cooperative Employee Compensation

1993. Alan D. Borst and Bruce J. Reynolds. This report outlines the different types of foreign technical standards (FTS) and considers the nature of FTS and their impact on cooperatives. Strategic approaches which cooperatives may adopt for dealing with FTS are considered, including organizational options for joining with other exporters with a common interest. RR 113 Cooperative Exporters and Foreign Technical Standards

1993. James J. Wadsworth and others. This report presents a conceptual model of strategic planning for use by small and midsize farmer cooperatives. Basic elements and attributes of strategic planning are defined and described in the context of cooperative organizational structure. Information on how strategic planning can be implemented is provided. RR 112 Strategic Planning - A Conceptual for Small and Midsize Farmer Cooperatives

1992. Karen J. Spatz. Cooperative share of $4.1 billion in U.S. agricultural exports by 116 cooperatives was 6.2 percent in 1990. Grains and feeds exports by 18 cooperatives accounted for $1.6 billion or 38.7 percent. Forty-one cooperatives exported fruits and fruit product. The largest market for cooperative exports was Southeast and East Asia. RR 107 Agricultural Exports by Cooperatives, 1990

1992. John D. Reilly. This report focuses on the legal characteristics of cooperative marketing agreements. The basic legal principles governing marketing contracts are reviewed. The integral parts that make up a marketing agreement are then examined in detail. Examples of common provisions used in marketing agreements appear throughout the report for purposes of illustration. RR 106 Cooperative Marketing Agreements - Legal Aspects

1992. Julie lskow and Richard Sexton. Fruit and vegetable bargaining associations representing 36 commodities have an average market share of 60 percent and an average membership of 310 growers. In addition to raw product price, the terms of trade most frequently bargained for are ime and method of paymentand uality standards. RR 104 Bargaining Associations in Grower-Processor Markets for Fruits and Vegetables

1992. James J. Wadsworth. This report describes the methods, procedures, and functional relationships that make up the strategic planning systems of four large farmer cooperatives. Case study analysis indicates the existence of well developed, comprehensive, and active strategic planning systems. Strategic planning methods included a wide array of activities, plans, programs and feedback. RR 103 Strategic Planning Systems of Large Farmer Cooperatives

1990. Alan D. Borst. This report describes the different aspects of exporting that a U.S. agricultural cooperative must consider in developing a successful export program. It describes in detail the steps in making the decision to export; export marketing strategy; components of making the export sale; post sale activities; and, contact information for assistance. RR 93 Guide for Prospective Agricultural Cooperative Exporters

1990. Thomas W. Gray and others. Slightly less than 90 percent of all dairy farmers had some affiliation with agricultural cooperatives. When dairy farmers participated economically it was often on an ll-or-nothingbasis, both for marketings and supply purchases. In general, as size of farm increased a greater percent participated. Dairy farmers were loyal to membership. RR 86 Dairy Farmers' Participation in Cooperatives

1990. John M. Staatz. This report focuses primarily on the North American agricultural economics literature since 1980. It also concentrates almost exclusively on the literature concerning agricultural marketing and supply cooperatives. Several different theoretical approaches are discussed. RR 84 Farmer Cooperative Theory: Recent Developments, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Cooperative Service

RR 83 Leasing as an Alternative Method of Financing for Agricultural Cooperatives

RR 80 Nonqualified Notices - An Alternative for Distributing Cooperative Earnings

1988. David E, Cummins, et al. This report provides data and financial analysis of U.S. grain cooperatives. Storage capacity, grain volume, total sales, and accessibility to railroads are examined. Data based on a survey of 2,275 grain marketing cooperatives. RR 76 Changes in Financial Profile of Cooperatives Handling Grain: First Handlers With $5 Million or More in Sales in 1985 and 1983

RR 75 Designing Membership Structures for Large Agricultural Cooperatives

1988. Emerson M. Babb. Farm characteristics and other factors that affect the buying and selling behavior of farmers are analyzed. Information for 1986 was obtained from 2,537 Midwest and Southeast farmers. The major finding is that behavior of farmers does not vary greatly by size and type of farm. RR 73 Farmers' Buying and Selling Patterns - Implications for Cooperatives

1985. Arvin R. Bunker and Tracey L. Kennedy. Many agricultural cooperatives can expand foreign sales by using export management companies (EMC). Small cooperatives may find foreign markets too costly and time consuming to penetrate without EMC help. Services offered by EMC and typical fees are discussed along with some guidelines for selecting an EMC. RR 52 Using Export Companies to Expand Cooperatives' Foreign Sales

1988. William R. Garland, et al. This study describes the organizational and financial structure and operational activities of U.S. fishery cooperatives. Information on 70 fishery cooperatives of all types, sizes, and locations is summarized by region and State. RR 44 Fishery Cooperatives

In 1981, there were 158 cooperative wool marketing pools and 9 cooperative RR 41 Cooperative Wool Marketing Pools and Warehouses