OAKWOOD, Ohio — Cooper Farms has completed its acquisition of Fort Recovery Equity, a chicken egg-layer and pullet cooperative based in Fort Recovery.
The purchase allows Cooper Farms to grow their egg division and branch into value-added egg products.
The purchase will give Cooper Farms an additional 2 million chicken egg-layers and the ability to raise up to 6 million pullets, for their own needs and outside customers. These birds are raised by more than 40 farmers, who will be joining Cooper Farms as contract growers.
Feed mill
Cooper Farms will also acquire a feed mill, Cooper Farms’ fourth, which will produce approximately 400,000 tons of feed in 2015. This mill will offer the ability to create specialty feeds and accept specialty grains.
The equity’s 75 team members have been asked to stay on as members of the Cooper Farms team as well. With these individuals, Cooper Farms will employ nearly 1,700 people total throughout northwest and west central Ohio.
In addition to the specialty egg portion of the business, Cooper Farms wants to also focus on other value-added products.
Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms COO, said the company sees great potential in providing liquid eggs and cooked egg products.
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