Farm supply and sugar cooperatives were the other two commodities with increased interest expenses. The other sectors all showed lower interest expenses. Patronage refunds received for all cooperatives fell to a new decade low. Cotton and dairy cooperatives were the only sectors to receive higher patronage refunds. The major decline occurred in diversified and grain cooperatives.
Interest income includes revenue earned on member accounts and finance subsidiaries.
For some cooperatives, interest income is substantial and represents up to 7 percent of total revenue. For most co-op, it represents less than 1 percent of total revenue. Every commodity group had lower interest income. Generally, this income indirectly relates to operations. However, eight cooperatives would have ended 1999 with a loss if not for income generated by these sources.