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Features- Co-op Month ‘14: Much to celebrate, but much more to do; Co-op Mergers, Acquisitions, 2000-2013; Staying Relevant; Finding Courage; Gauging Performance

Features - Building Success on Service; The Right Blend; The Long Run; A ‘Human Soul on Fire with Great Cause’; Remembering the ‘Badlands’ Report; Your Guide to the New Farm Bill

A survey of 2,186 U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2013 showed a record business volume and net income before taxes. Gross business volume was $246 billion, while net business volume was $209 billion and net income before taxes totaled $6.2 billion. These cooperatives had almost $83 billion in assets, $48 billion of liabilities, and $35 billion in equity. Cooperatives were a major employer in rural areas, with 136,000 full-time workers and 55,000 part-time or seasonal employees. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, supply, or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported.

A 2011 survey of 2,285 U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives was used to update employee compensation studies conducted in 1993 and 1999. There were 553 respondents to the survey, or a 24- percent response rate. Five job categories were used in the survey, with questions on: number of employees; average salary; bonuses; benefits; perks; retirement; performance; and directors. Responses were further divided into nine sales sizes, seven employee sizes, and by State(s).

Features - Keeping their co-op alive; Survey reveals co-op employee compensation trends; Specialty Potato Alliance; Telling the co-op story; Organic Valley turns 25; The Need for Speed; Worker Cooperatives; Effort launched to assist worker co-ops; Smart Growth

A survey of 2,238 U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2012 showed a record business volume, net income, and total assets. Gross business volume was $235 billion, while net business volume was $202 billion and net income totaled $6.1 billion. These cooperatives had more than $82 billion in assets, $52 billion of liabilities, and $30 billion in equity. Cooperatives were a major employer in rural areas, with 129,000 full-time workers and 56,000 part-time or seasonal employees. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, supply, or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported.

A survey of 2,285 U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2011 showed a record business volume, net income, and total assets. Gross business volume was $213.5 billion while net business volume was $183.6 billion, and net income totaled slightly more than $5 billion. These cooperatives had more than $78 billion in assets, $50 billion of liabilities, and $28 billion in equity. Cooperatives were a major employer in rural areas, with 131,000 full-time workers and 53,000 part-time or seasonal employees. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, supply or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported.

Features - Flying High; Minnesota home to largest number of ag co-ops; Iowa tops for business volume; Preserving Common Ground; The Many Faces of Cooperatives; Mine tailing sites tested for growing miscanthus grass for biofuel

Features- Virtual food hub help Virginia producers tap into local food markets; Switchgrass plant switches on; USDA program helps offset cost of flex-fuel pump installation; Co-ops for caregivers; Tanzanian dairy farmers and co-ops benefit from USDA, Land O' Lakes help; Breeding a merger; Cooperation on tap; Long-term trends show co-ops relying less on member equity while use of debt increasing; Ostrander co-op joins century club

A 2008 survey of 2,473 U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives was conducted to examine their financial characteristics. The 1,164 respondents provided information on how they distributed their net income or losses, source of borrowed funds, and the composition of their equity capital. Common-size balance sheets and income statements and financial ratio analysis are used to compare responses between cooperatives. Additionally, the responses were grouped into eight cooperative types based on products sold or marketed and into seven asset sizes.

A survey of 2,310 U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2010 showed a net business volume of $146.1 billion, with a net income of $4.0 billion. These cooperatives had assets totaling $65 billion, $39 billion of liabilities, and $26 billion in equity. Cooperatives were a major employer in rural areas, with 129,000 full-time workers and 54,000 part-time or seasonal employees. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, supply, or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported.

A 2008 survey of 2,473 U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives was conducted to examine their equity redemption practices. The 792 respondents provided information on whether they had redeemed allocated equity in 2008 and if so, by what method. A revolving fund was most often used for redeeming member's equity, closely followed by redemption to patrons' estates. Information from 460 cooperatives that responded to both this and a 1991 equity redemption study is also compared. Additionally, the responses were grouped into eight cooperative types based on products sold or marketed and into seven asset sizes.

A survey of U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2009 showed a net business volume of $147.7 billion with a net income of $4.4 billion. These cooperatives had assets totaling $61 billion, $37 billion of liabilities, and $24 billion in equity. Cooperatives were a major employer in rural areas, with 123,000 full-time workers and 58,000 part-time or seasonal employees. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, supply, or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported.

Features- A legacy of cooperation and innovation; Filling the gap; Project pathway; Celebrating the greatest public-private partnership; Out of darkness; $122 billion in '08 sales set record for top 100; Heat by bushel; Uniquely cooperative: Equity redemption; Organic farmers increasingly turn to cooperative business model

A survey of 2,473 U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2008 showed a net business volume of $191.9 billion with a net income of $4.8 billion. These cooperatives had assets totaling $69 billion, $46 billion of liabilities, and $23 billion in equity. Cooperatives were a major employer in rural areas, with 124,000 full-time workers and 54,000 parttime or seasonal employees. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, supply, or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported.

A survey of 2,594 U.S. farmer, rancher, and fishery cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2007 showed a net business volume of $127.8 billion with a net income of $3.8 billion. These cooperatives had assets totaling $57 billion, $36 billion of liabilities, and $21 billion in equity. Cooperatives were a major employer in rural areas, with 125,000 full-time workers, and 56,000 part-time or seasonal employees. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, supply, or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported.

Features - Rewards of Ownership; Carbon Credits for Farmers; Vermont dairy farm turns manure into renewable energy; Grain industry must evolve, adjust to a new market paradigm; Co-ops ring up additional $14 billion in sales via other ownership structures; Sky's the Limit!; CCA salutes top co-op communicators; CDF's multi-pronged efforts support co-op mission in America and abroad

Features - Largest 100 ag co-ops post record sales, margins; 75 years strong: Oregon cherry co-op; Whey to ethanol; Norhtwest Passage; Organic and beyond; North wind; State of art; Ag versus industrial waste for energy; Alto dairy sold to Saputo Cheese USA

A survey of 2,896 U.S. farmer-owned cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2005 showed a net business volume of $106.5 billion with a net income of $2.5 billion. These cooperatives had assets totaling $47 billion, about $27 billion of liabilities, and $20 billion in equity. Cooperatives were a major employer in rural areas, with 125,000 full-time workers, but this was about 40,000 fewer employees than in 2003 due to the bankruptcy of two large cooperatives and the conversion of another two cooperatives to investor-oriented firms. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, farm supply, or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported.

A survey of 3,086 U.S. farmer-owned cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2003 showed a net business volume of $100.6 billion with a net income of $1.1 billion. These cooperatives had assets totaling $47 billion, about $27 billion of liabilities, and $20 billion in equity. Cooperatives continued to be a major employer in rural areas, with 165,000 full-time workers. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, farm supply, or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported.

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. The cooperatives were also asked what animal types they produced feed for and how the feed was sold. Questions asked were similar to ones used in 1984, 1975, 1969, and 1959 surveys. The data was also sorted into 10 standard U.S. farm production regions and 7 feed mill sizes.

A survey of 3,140 U.S. farmer-owned cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2002 showed a net business volume of $96.8 billion with a net income of $1.2 billion. These cooperatives had assets totaling $47 billion, about $28 billion of liabilities, and almost $20 billion in equity. Cooperatives continued to be a major employer in rural areas, with 166,000 full-time workers. Business volume by commodity is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to whether the business is a marketing, farm supply, or service cooperative. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported, along with data on selected activities of other cooperative service organizations.

A survey of U.S. farmer-owned cooperatives ending their business year during calendar year 2001 showed a net income of $1.36 billion, up from $1.28 billion in 2000. Gross and net business volumes were also up for the 3,229 cooperatives surveyed. Assets and liabilities were down and net worth was about the same. Business volume by commodity handled is reported for all cooperatives. Number of cooperatives, cooperative memberships, and number of employees are classified according to marketing, farm supply, and service function. Trends in cooperative numbers, memberships, employees, business size, sales volume, net income, assets, liabilities, and net worth are reported along with data on selected activities of other cooperative service organizations.

Features- New kids on the block; House calls; Trailblazers; Co-ops increase share of farm marketings; share of farm supply sales dips slightly; No mountain too high; Tune-up your meetings

Features- All ag, all the time; All bogged down; Local co-ops embrace high-tech agronomy systems; Hang on to the ranch; Local cooperatives’ role in identity-preserved grain industry

This report analyzes the crop protectant operations of 383 local farm supply and marketing cooperatives. They were surveyed about their 1999 crop protectant sales, source of product, competitors and type of competition, and services offered or desired to offer. Questions focused on global positioning and geographic information systems in crop protectant use and application. Most questions were similar to ones in a 1996 fertilizer survey. That facilitated comparisons. Crop protectant sales trends for these cooperatives during the past 9 years were compared to the prior survey. Data from 10 standard U.S. farm production regions and 4 cooperative sizes and types were compiled.

This report analyzes the balance sheets and income statements of 208 local farm sup ply 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. Charts are used to look for trends in major balance sheet and income statement items and financial ratios.

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. Four questions focused on the relatively new use of global positioning and geographic information systems in fertilizer use and application. Fertilizer sales trends for these cooperatives during the past 11 years were compared to questionnaire responses, sales growth, and a prior survey. The data was also divided into 10 standard U.S. farm production regions and four cooperative sizes and types.

This report analyzes the balance sheets and income statements of local farm supply and marketing cooperatives, comparing 1995 and 1994 and trends over the past 10 years. The data in this report represent four cooperative sizes and types. Common size income statements and balance sheets are used to compare different cooperative sizes and types. Trends for major balance sheet and income statement items and ratio analysis are used to compare and contrast cooperatives by size and type.

Using a data set developed by USDA/Rural Development Administration’s Cooperative Service, wealth creation by agricultural cooperatives was quantified by value-added measurement. Small sized cooperatives generated more value-added per member than medium-sized cooperatives. Cooperative type had less influence on value-added. Value-added amounts created per member were similar for marketing and supply cooperatives. Employees received the largest portion of value-added while members received the second largest. As marketing activity increased, the percentage of value-added going to members tended to increase.

This report analyzes the balance sheets of local farm supply and marketing cooperatives for 1983-90. The data in this report represent tour cooperative types and four cooperative sizes. Trends for this time period for major balance sheet classifications were made by cooperative types and sizes. Ratio analysis was used to compare and contrast trends by size, type, and profitability.

This report examines the vital role that agricultural cooperatives perform in providing petroleum products to farmers and rural America. All aspects of cooperative involvement are documented, from acquisition of crude oil and natural gas and crude oil refining, to the wholesale and retail distribution of refined petroleum products. Fifteen regional and interregional cooperatives responded to a survey that asked detailed information on their petroleum operations. Cooperatives continue to be an important supplier of petroleum products for farm production, having a 41 percent share of marketing activity in 1993.

This study analyzed income statement variables of local farm supply and marketing cooperatives by looking at trends and current values. The study drew comparisons between 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.

This report examines the sales and sales methods that local cooperatives used to sell agricultural chemicals and fertilizers and how these factors affected the cooperatives’ sales of these products from 1983 through 1988. Data gathered through a special survey about sales and sales methods of these two products were combined with data from the annual Agricultural Cooperative Service surveys. Of the original 868 cooperatives in 1985, 91 merged with other cooperatives, went out of business, or were sold to investor-owned firms by 1990.

This study examines both the strengths and weaknesses of cooperative involvement in the seed industry. Although the focus is on cooperatives, investor-owned firms and public research institutions are also discussed. The three major areas studied in this report are research, production, and marketing. The 14 interviews conducted included 9 regional cooperatives, 3 investor-owned firms, and 2 agricultural experiment stations. The rapidly changing seed industry provides the cooperative system with a unique opportunity to assist the American farmer.