Cooperative Feed and Animal Health Operations

摘要

The report discusses the purchasing, distribution, and manufacturing of feed andanimal health products. Livestock, poultry, and dairy farmers buy significant amounts of their feeds and animal health supplies through cooperatives. Farmers' ownership and control of cooperatives exists in two primary forms. One is the federated cooperative system. In a federation, farmers own local cooperatives that operate warehouses, feed stores, delivery trucks, and often feed mills. In turn, local cooperatives own regional organizations that provide wholesaling and manufacturing services. Beyond that, regional cooperatives may own inter-regional cooperatives engaged in purchasing, manufacturing, or research activities. The second form of ownership is the centralized cooperative. Under it, farmers are direct owners of the regional cooperatives that provide wholesaling and manufacturing services, much like the federated regionals. The form distinguishes itself by operating branch retail outlets that serve their owners. Through these cooperative systems, farmers extended ownership and control of the farm supply system beyond the farm gate. In return, they receive products, services, and the net margins or profits that arise from the cooperatives' operations.