The Different Types of Co-ops and Collaboration (webinar)

The benefits of co-operation are well-evidenced. Co-operation involves farmers and others, working together to achieve a commercial objective, which they cannot achieve independently and individually. Through co-operation, members help themselves, pro-actively taking responsibility for generating value and sustainable services in which they have a common purpose.
To showcase the benefits of increased co-operation and collaboration we have brought together a range of expert speakers and farmers actively participating in some form of co-operation to share their experiences.

The Different Types of Co-ops and Collaboration webinar will be chaired by Kerry Allison from SAC Consulting. Our guest speakers are Jim Booth from SAOS, a specialist on Farmer co-operation and supply chain collaboration, Russell Brown chairman of SPC on the role of co-ops in a supply chain and how they help address the imbalance of power from the multiple retailers; Donald Ross Rhynie Farm, Tain, sharing his views and experiences of co-operation, why he does it and the benefits he gets.

This second webinar will focus on formal co-operation, the various types of co-ops (marketing co-ops, producer co-ops, input supply co-ops, machinery rings, environmental and community co-ops) and the benefits they provide to their farmer members. Although the benefits of farmer co-operation are well evidenced, co-op participation levels in the UK lag those of our international competitors.

Traditionally the focus of co-ops was to lower cost, get market access and improved prices – the economic benefits. Increasingly, co-ops are a route to access innovation, manage risk and market volatility, take hassle away, save time and build resilience – all to protect family farms.