STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN THE DAIRY COOPERATIVE SECTOR, 1992-2000

Industrial Organization, Livestock Production/Industries,

Southern Dairy Farmers' Evaluation of Milk Handlers

Southern dairy farmers' perception of their cooperative's or proprietary handler's performance, level of satisfaction with the milk handler, and reasons for staying with the handler, or for shifting handlers, were evaluated. The data were from a 1989 mail survey of Southern dairy farmers. The dairy farmers' differing evaluations of their milk handlers depended on the type of handler they dealt with, geographic location, and/or the characteristics of the farm and farmer. Generally, dairy farmers were concerned about price, deductions, and assessments. The price farmers received appeared to be a significant factor affecting farmers' satisfaction level. There appeared to be a tradeoff between price and deductions versus service, and market and payment assurance. Dairy farmers wanted cooperatives to provide an assured market for members' milk.Cooperative, milk handler, proprietary handler, assured market, price, S-217, Agribusiness,

Structural Change in the Dairy Cooperative Sector, 1992-2000

There was a net decline of 52 U.S. dairy cooperatives between 1992 and 2000. Eightyfour cooperatives went out of existence via dissolution, merger, acquisition, or by reducing dairy to a minor share in their operations. During this same period, 32 new dairy cooperatives were formed, either by new groups of producers or by consolidation of existing cooperatives. Structure of the dairy cooperatives sector headed in two divergent directions. Some cooperatives became more vertically integrated (engaging in further manufacturing and processing, differentiating their products and strengthening ties in the marketing chain). In contrast, others focused their operations on bargaining only

Structural Change in the Dairy Cooperative Sector, 1992-2000

There was a net decline of 52 U.S. dairy cooperatives between 1992 and 2000. Eightyfour cooperatives went out of existence via dissolution, merger, acquisition, or by reducing dairy to a minor share in their operations. During this same period, 32 new dairy cooperatives were formed, either by new groups of producers or by consolidation of existing cooperatives. Structure of the dairy cooperatives sector headed in two divergent directions. Some cooperatives became more vertically integrated (engaging in further manufacturing and processing, differentiating their products and strengthening ties in the marketing chain). In contrast, others focused their operations on bargaining only

Financial Profile of Dairy Cooperatives, 1997

Financial statements for U.S. dairy cooperatives in 1997 are presented. The nation's dairy cooperatives were categorized into six groups based on their primary function (bargaining-only, bargaining-balancing, hard-product manufacturing, branded-cheese, fluid processing and diversified) and according to size (common-size and per-cwt of milk), as well a financial ratios, were developed for U.S. dairy cooperatives by type and by type and size

Financial Profile of Dairy Cooperatives, 2012

This study profiles the financial status and performance for U.S. dairy cooperatives in 2012. Consolidated financial statements for 89 dairy cooperatives are presented. Dairy cooperatives were categorized into groups based on their primary function and according to size (volume of milk handled). Balance sheets and operating statements were presented on a per-hundredweight (cwt) of milk basis by operating type and by size category. Dairy cooperatives employed $10.90 per cwt in assets to market member milk. Net margins before tax were 19 cents per cwt of total milk handled, which represented an 8.4-percent return on member equity

Financial Profile of Dairy Cooperatives, 1997

Financial statements for U.S. dairy cooperatives in 1997 are presented. The nation's dairy cooperatives were categorized into six groups based on their primary function (bargaining-only, bargaining-balancing, hard-product manufacturing, branded-cheese, fluid processing and diversified) and according to size (common-size and per-cwt of milk), as well a financial ratios, were developed for U.S. dairy cooperatives by type and by type and size