Niche Marketing Opportunities Through Lamb Cooperatives

摘要

Sheep producers are increasingly considering organizing producer cooperatives tomarket lamb to niche markets such as retail food stores, restaurants, mail order sales, and specialty wholesalers. The organizational, physical, and operational attributes of several established and newly organized lamb marketing cooperatives as well as several emerging producer groups are briefly described. The types of market outlets, quality niches, and value-added products targeted by these groups are described in more detail. Specific cooperative marketing strategies addressing issues such as supply consistency, quality consistency, buyer satisfaction, and member satisfaction are also included. Member equity, sources of non-equity capital, recordkeeping, financial statements, and financial planning are briefly described for producer groups organizing a niche marketing cooperative for lamb.