(click on image to enlarge)
Today I drove back from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I was in new Holland yesterday for the annual meeting of Lanco-Pennland cooperative, usually known simply as Lanco.
Lanco is just over ten years old and has grown amazingly in an area where Dairy Marketing Service (DMS), a subset of DFA, has a great deal of power. The growth could not have occurred without delivering more than the competition.
A significant number of members are Amish, which means most farms are under 50 cows. Some might see that as a logistical nightmare but, Lanco continues to operate in a manner which returns value to their members.
The level of engagement of the board and the transparency of management is refreshing to say the least.
For the past year the cooperative's member milk has averaged 268,000 somatic cell count - that is real quality. The milk quality certainly helps sales and returns premiums to members.
Lanco's annual meeting was held at Yoder's, in New Holland, Pennsylvania. Members came in cars, vans, buses and buggies. With an estimated 500 attending, the room was packed to capacity.
