Farmer's Cooperative in Ottosen finds niche
Kevin Walker, General Manager of the Farmer’s Cooperative of Ottosen, is shown in front of seed storage tanks that were added recently. Humboldt Independent photo.
By Jeff Gargano
Finding a niche and doing it well is helping the Farmer’s Cooperative Elevator of Ottosen survive, and even thrive, in a time of constant consolidation in the industry.
While grain and fertilizer remain their biggest enterprise, specialty feeds for smaller operations has been a growth area.
“Most feed mills today are massive. Our feed mill is small and we custom make our feed for many smaller producers, 4-H and FFA projects,” Kevin Walker, General Manager of the Farmer’s Cooperative Elevator of Ottosen and Algona, said.
Another new niche is they’ll be shipping organic grain by rail out of Ottosen.
“There are quite a few producers entering the organic market, and some that have been in it a long time. It’s another niche market, something we can do to increase our profitability for our members,” Walker said.
Read more about this business and others in our special Salute to Cooperatives section in this week's Humboldt Independent. Subscribe by clicking on the link at the top of the page and read what you are missing.
