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Bell, Florence C. (Florence Colfax), 1899- / Farmer co-ops in Wisconsin
([1941])
Badger state makes half of U. S. cheese, pp. 16-18
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In addition, cheese is manufactured cooperatively by a considerable num- ber of creameries. According to re- ports received by the Farm Credit Administration, Wisconsin dairy co-ops manufactured in 1938 more than one- fifth of the State's entire production. In three areas there are concentra- tions of co-op factories making Ameri- can type cheese. These are: counties generally east and northeast of Lake Winnebago in the east central part of the State; Marathon County as well as Clark, Waupaca, Wood, and adja- cent counties in a central region; and southwestern and southern counties. Sections of southwestern Wisconsin have been called "The Switzerland of America," because of the compara- tively hilly terrain and because for many years the manufacture of Swiss cheese there has been an important industry. Local cheese factories in operation 50 years or more.-A number of Jefferson County cooperative cheese factories organized more than 55 years ago in the vicinity of Watertown, are operat- ing today. It is estimated that the Lebanon Cheese Co. may have been formed as early as 1877. A number were organized in the early 80's-in- cluding the County Line Cheese Fac- tory, Tilden Cheese Factory, Main Street Cheese Factory, and North Road Cheese Factory Co. Cooperative Dairymen's Association. -'Ihe cheese factory with the largest dollar value of sales in 1939 was the Cooperative Dairymen's Association of Plymouth. It has made a steady andl substantial growth each year since its organization in 1931. From a business of $10,000 in 1932, the asso- ciation had developed at the close of 1939 an annual business of more than $195,000. Sales of American cheese amounted to $185,000 and of whey cream to $10,000. The cheese receipts were for more than 1,400,000 pounds of cheese made in the association's fac- tory. The co-op receives milk from 180 members and operates on a monthly pool plan. This enterprising coopera- tive is one of the locals affiliated with the Wisconsin Cheese Producers' Co- operative, through which sales are made. Sale of cheese manufactured cooper- atively.-It is the usual practice for Wisconsin cheese factories to sell their output directly to buyers on the basis The manufacture of cheese on a cooperative basis is an important outlet for the large milk production of Wisconsin fa.rers.
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