-
NCB
announces top 100 co-ops
NCB Co-op 100 shows the top 100 U.S. co-ops reporting revenues
total over $140 billion in 2005. California's share by geographic
location is about 6%, but actually is much higher when taking
into account multi-state co-ops, especially dairy. While agricultural
co-ops predominate, other sectors include grocery, purchasing,
finance, and energy. For a related story, see the news item below
on the top 300 global cooperatives.
- Ethanol focus of USDA Rural
Cooperatives Magazine
A recent edition
of USDA's Rural
Cooperatives magazine focused on the growing issue of ethanol
production. Driven in part by federal incentives, a glut of corn,
and fluctuating gasoline prices, there are more than 140 ethanol
plants either operating or under construction in the United States
and by 2007 it is forecast that ethanol production will be equal
about 5 percent of U.S. gasoline consumption. To satisfy that, many
growers are considering switching to crops suitable for ethanol
production. Of course, these require various services such as transportation
and processing, which create opportunities for new cooperatives.
Renewable energy, as a "rural, distributed resource,"
is a major strategic goal for USDA Rural Development through such
programs as the Renewable
Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program, and
Value-Added
Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Existing and potential cooperatives
may be able to take advantage of these programs. Visit their web
sites for details.
While currently a Midwestern
phenomenon, ethanol is also being taken very seriously in California.
For example, Pacific Ethanol,
which includes Bill Gates as an investor, has just completed a large
plant in California. But just how appropriate ethanol production
is for California remains to be seen. Although it is clear that
demand for ethanol in California will continue to grow, the California
farm environment is substantially different from the Midwest. Higher
value crop alternatives may impact extensive planting of ethanol
bound crops. However, there are also reports that some dairy operations
are already concerned that the demand for corn by ethanol plants
may raise
corn prices.
|
