Rural Cooperative Magazine September/October 2000




On the Cover:

Gary Ledger is a hog farmer in Williamsburg, Iowa, and a board member of the new Pork America cooperative. He and many other like-minded producers say that without a strong, national marketing cooperative, producers' ranks will continue to be decimated by market downturns. Story on page 6. Photo for USDA by Mark Tade, Cedar Rapids Gazette


FEATURES

 Lower commodity prices cause drop in co-op sales

Last train leaving?
Some say Pork America represents best, and possibly last, chance for hog farmers to gain significant market access.
By James Matson and Brad C. Gehrke

Trade takes a tumble
Cooperative trade plunges 41 percent as Asian markets cool.
By Tracy Kennedy

New Directions:
Co-ops help tobacco farmers transition to new crops
By Pamela J. Karg

DEPARTMENTS

COMMENTARY
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
MANAGEMENT TIP
NEWSLINE


Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture

Jill Long Thompson, Under Secretary, Rural Development

Wilbur T. Peer, Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Gladys Rodriguez, Director, Public Affairs

Dan Campbell, Managing Editor

Vision 2000/Kota, Design

RURAL COOPERATIVES (1088-8845) is published bimonthly by Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 0705, Washington, DC. 20250-0705 The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of public business required by law of the Department. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC. and additional mailing offices. Copies may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 20402, at $3.50 domestic, $4.38 foreign; or by annual subscription at $15.00 domestic, $18.75 foreign. Postmaster: send address change to: Rural Cooperatives, USDA/RBS, Stop 3255, Wash., DC 20250-3255. order form

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