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While the large -- and not so large -- corporate dairies in Ireland have had a difficult time over the past year or so, the co-operative sector has wrestled with [...]

When insurance companies and agencies go looking for new producers, they rely mostly on referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations, and they find the best places to look for those new recruits [...]

Harvest States Cooperatives has filed a petition with the SEC to sell equity participation units in its soybean processing and wheat milling operations. The units would provide farmers with value-added returns from their soybeans and wheat. The offering is expected to raise close to $100 million while proceeds from the sale will be used to expand capacity, decrease borrowing and retire old equity issues.

The Cotswold Fare food co-operative has been set up by 20 food and drink processors and producers in the Cotswolds region. The co-operative has been advisfed and supported by the Rural Development Commission and a list of members has already been recruited. Members include Lechlade Trout Farm, Crickley Windward Vineyard, FWP Matthews, Winstone's Cotswold Ice-Cream, Sandair Foods, Cotswold Drinks Company, and Cotswold Bees.

Land O' Lakes Inc. commented that it will continue its commitment to assist local cooperatives and independent producers amidst changing market conditions. According to Land O' Lakes Pres. Ron Ostby, the company is ready to face up to the changes and challenges occurring in the agriculture sector. For 1994, Ostby reported increased earnings amounting to $74.8 million compared to $46.8 million the year before. Sales totaled $2.9 billion for 1994 versus $2.7 billion in 1993.

Workers cooperatives can assist in the rehabilitation of patients with mental health problems, with cooperatives proving more rewarding for them than undertaking repetitive or pointless therapy. The patients operate the cooperatives themselves, with businesses ranging from catering to plastering and video production. Cooperatives should encompass voluntary membership, distribute profits fairly, be commited to education, give each member a vote at meetings, cooperate with other cooperatives and give limited interest on share capital. Cooperatives offer patients self-expression and stability.

WE ALL HAVE THEM--habits that we have developed over time that we know we should change, but can't. Perhaps it was because we learned to do something one way when [...]

Dairy Farmers of America is the largest dairy cooperative in the US formed by the merger of Mid-America Dairymen, Milk Marketing Inc, Western Dairymen Cooperative Inc and the Associated Milk Producers Inc (DFA). It has 22,000 members in 42 states, produces 21% of the total milk production, has an estimated sales at $6.9 billion, and is expected to save $7 million by year 2001 with $20 million annual savings for the following years. DFA has recently formed a joint venture with Milk Products Holdings to import Parmesan and Romano cheese for processing and sale., Dairy Farmers of America has 22,000 members in 42 states and produces more than 21% of the milk in the United States. Estimated sales are $6.9 billion. DFA has been [...]

Over 200 wheat growers in Colorado formed a cooperative, Mountain View Harvest, to purchase Gerard's Bakery, Longmont, CO. The Colorado cooperative is not the first effort by growers transforming their [...]

Tri Valley Growers, a cooperative of 530 California fruit and vegetable growers, will expand to include bean farmers by next summer, starting with cash contracts negotiated this summer with bean [...]

Land O' Lakes Inc. (LOL) is urging members to be more business-minded to face the challenges of a globally-competitive market. LOL Pres. John E. Gherty and Chmn. Stan Zylstra likewise advised cooperatives to learn more the demands of its customers. According to Gherty and Zylstra, LOL has continued to post increasing sales for the 10th straight year with 1994 sales amounting to $2.9 billion.

Producers Moves Forward Rice is consumed by more than one-half the world's population as a primary food source, and its popularity is increasing in the United States. That's good news [...]

Subtle Erosion of Charter Supports May Force MCC to Open Ranks to Foreigh Companies--Including Japanese Rivals Although a budget increase to $75 million is in place for next year, the [...]