This paper compares socioeconomic and technical characteristics of dairy cooperative members and nonmembers based on a sample of New England dairy herd improvement association participants.
Descriptive statistics indicate there is little difference between the two groups.
A high proportion of members stated cooperatives were helpful primarily because they provide a safe or guaranteed market. Estimates of a Cobb-Douglas production function suggest membership in one specific cooperative was positively and significantly associated with average farm efficiency. Results of a logit analysis indicate the probability of being a cooperative member was positively related to extension contacts and negatively related to output per cow and per farm.