Gateway Beef Cooperative Prepares for Equity Drive

The Missouri Farmers Union Family Farm Opportunity Center is facilitating the development of a beef processing and marketing cooperative that plans to sell premium niche beef products to restaurants and steak houses.

Memberships to Gateway Beef Cooperative are being solicited and after the prospectus is approved by the interim board, an equity drive will commence. “We’ve got to provide some sound, sustainable economic development opportunities such as the Gateway Beef Cooperative if there is to be any future for our farms, community and young people,” insists Robert Meyer, board president, who farms with family near Bowling Green.

The MFU Opportunity Center worked with a group of cattle farmers to explore the feasibility of marketing prime Certified Angus Beef products. A market for this highly differentiated beef has been developed and pro forma projections are encouraging. The group completed a business plan and is currently looking at a further processing site in the St. Louis area. Processing could begin as early as mid November.

If you are your group has a unique value added idea that that needs assistance, or community development feel free to contact us. The Family Farm Center is located within the Missouri Farmers Union office and can be reached by calling (573) 659-4787 or emailing jlucht@missourifarmersunion.org.