Articles «Previous Next»

The Economic Feasibility of Forming A California Wheat Cooperative

Jay E. Noel, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
James J. Ahern, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
David J. Schaffner, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Jill Johnson, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Kristina Muelrath, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Kyle Schroeder, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

Article comments

Copyright © 2002 by Jay E. Noel, James J. Ahern, David, J. Schaffner, Jill Johnson, Kristina Muelrath, Kyle Schroeder

Abstract

Recent concerns relative to California farm gate prices for wheat and a lack of profitability in wheat production has been expressed by a group of California wheat growers. Their dissatisfaction has resulted in their consideration to form a California wheat grower cooperative. The cooperative would become the marketing agent for the growers and potentially allow growers to pool their production for greater market power as well as capture profits beyond the farm gate. Two feasibility issues are addressed by the study: 1) The organizational feasibility of forming the cooperative, and 2) The economic feasibility of a California wheat growers cooperative engaging in value-added marketing opportunities upstream from the farm gate that would result in increased the return to wheat grower production. The objective of the study was to evaluate those feasibilities.

Suggested Citation

Jay E. Noel, James J. Ahern, David J. Schaffner, Jill Johnson, Kristina Muelrath, and Kyle Schroeder. "The Economic Feasibility of Forming A California Wheat Cooperative" Rural Cooperatives Center: Report (2002): 1-152.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jahern/8