Current trends in cooperative finance

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the recent financial trends affecting grain and farm supply cooperatives. Design/methodology/approach Review of and descriptive analysis of current cooperative finance topics. Findings In recent years three important trends have become apparent among grain marketing and farm supply cooperatives. These farmer-owned firms have been rapidly investing in infrastructure, reformulating profit distribution and equity strategies, and have pursued consolidation with other cooperatives. Originality/value Grain and farm supply cooperatives are changing at a rapid clip to meet the needs of their evolving and growing farmer-owners. New research is needed to help these cooperatives meet these needs, and this paper identifies new areas of research in cooperative finance.