United Dairymen of Arizona: The Need for Cooperatives

Cooperatives are defined as "a farm, business, or other organization which is owned and run jointly by its members, who share the profits or benefits" (Pitman, 2018). The United Dairymen of Arizona (UDA) is a well-known cooperative located in Maricopa County and is owned by Arizona Dairy families. This company allows families to band together and use a compilation of all their resources to market their dairy products. Cooperatives such as the UDA are an integral part in sustaining family agricultural businesses in the economic climate of today.

History of Cooperatives:

The first cooperative known to be founded in the United States of America was a fire insurance cooperative started by Benjamin Franklin (Pitman, 2018); it still runs today. From there the agricultural co-ops were born, dairy and cheese first organizing in 1810 and other agricultural commodities followed (Pitman, 2018). Cooperatives were created on behalf of three main needs:

• Marketing

• Supply

• Services

Each of these needs represent a different type of cooperative. The United Dairymen of Arizona is a marketing cooperative. Economic hardship is not new to the American farmer. Troubles of "low prices, wide marketing margins, high freight charges, and high interest rates" caused farmers to get together to lessen these struggles (Clemson). From there, marketing cooperatives were born. Combining financial, intellectual, and commodity resources allowed farmers to "capture greater market share and achieve better prices"(Pitman, 2018). With more to offer more markets opened up. Markets that normally would not have been accessible due to size or cost constraints. Also, risk is mitigated as it is spread out among all members instead of putting the liability on one person. This was an incredible realization for those making a living off of selling their products, and cooperatives began to take off and thrive.

About the United Dairymen of Arizona:

The United Dairymen of Arizona is one of the oldest and largest agricultural cooperatives in Arizona. It was founded in 1960 making it one of the oldest in the entire country. The UDA is made up of dairy families all over the state of Arizona. Their mission is to "ensure an adequate supply of fresh milk and dairy products of the highest possible quality for customers" (UDA, 2022). Suppliers and consumers alike gain many benefits from the United Dairymen of Arizona.

Members of the cooperative have a unique position as they are a part of "one of the few remaining full-service dairy co-ops in the country" (UDA, 2022). Members have access to many resources such as emergency repair and transportation services which they would otherwise not have if they were on their own or even apart of most other dairy cooperatives. Consumers are sure to receive high quality products from hardworking dairy families across the state. These products include more than just milk bottles. If you shop at your local grocery store most likely you have bought UDA's products such as butter or whey protein.

A fun fact: If you wonder where the milk you buy comes from, you can locate the secret code on your dairy container and type it into the website: Home - Where Is My Milk From? This will tell you exactly what dairy your milk came from!

Local Producer Spotlight:

Saddle Mountain Dairy is family-owned dairy in Maricopa County, members of the UDA, and active in advocating on behalf of agriculture. They milk thousands of cows per day and grow their own feed to support the needs of the dairy. As fourth generation dairymen they continue to use their means to preserve their family's legacy and give the next generation the ability continue farming as well. It is essential consumers learn about these local families and where their food comes from. This way they can better appreciate the hard work, dedication, and the value of their local agriculture.

Why Co-ops Are Important to All:

Cooperatives are not only important to members but to the general public as well. They educate consumers, promote sustainability, and implement animal care standards (UDA, 2022). Dairy cows and cows in general eat food that would otherwise have gone to waste, promoting food sustainability practices. The United Dairymen of Arizona is whom these examples are from as the UDA is most relevant concerning Maricopa County co-ops.

Picture of feed being dropped off for a dairy that would otherwise have gone to waste

A ten-year difference in dairy producers showed significantly better environmental statistics. Pooling resources and knowledge between farmers in the cooperative allow for better practices to be implemented at an increased rate. From 2007 to 2017 dairies on average used 30 percent less water, 29 percent less land, and 19 percent less greenhouse grass emissions to generate the same amount of product (UDA, 2022). By 2050, in all aspects of the dairy supply chain, the dairy industry plans to be greenhouse gas neutral or better. This is an incredible accomplishment to keep food on the table for consumers while also not harming the environment. The practices done by the cooperatives are imperative in keeping the general public informed, as advocates for agriculture, not against.

References:

Clemson. (n.d.). Types of Cooperatives, Benefits, and Constraints. Types of cooperatives, benefits, and constraints. https://www.clemson.edu/extension/agribusiness/sccced/resources/cooperatives-benefits-constraints.html

Home. UDA. (2022, September 7). https://www.uda.coop/

Home. Where Is My Milk From? (2023, May 26). https://www.whereismymilkfrom.com/

Murphree, J. (2024, August 6). Arizona hosts one of the oldest dairy cooperatives in the country: We visit with one of its leaders. azfb.org. https://www.azfb.org/Article/Arizona-Hosts-One-of-the-Oldest-Dairy-Cooperatives-in-the-Country-We-Visit-With-One-of-Its-Leaders

Pitman, L. (2018, December). History of cooperatives in the United States: An overview. Center for Cooperatives. https://resources.uwcc.wisc.edu/History_of_Cooperatives.pdf