MITCH ALTERMATT, CEO & General Manager
Fiscal year 2024 was a milestone for United Farmers Coop, landing as one of the top three most profitable years in our 109-year history. In today’s challenging economic environment, that speaks volumes. Our success reflects our ability to seize opportunities while navigating the hurdles in front of us—but as always, there’s more work to be done. We’ll continue to keep our noses to the grindstone, staying focused and agile as we move forward.
One of the highlights of fiscal year 2024 was the over $11 million in cash that went back to the countryside through cash patronage and equity retirement. That’s a massive benefit to our members and an impact that strengthens the communities we serve. We’re proud to return this value, ensuring UFC’s success translates directly into rewards for our member-owners.
With our strong financial performance, we’re reinvesting heavily into UFC’s future. We’ve budgeted over $20 million in capital expenditures for fiscal year 2025. These investments will go toward maintaining and improving our key assets, ensuring UFC continues to deliver for our members while setting the stage for long-term growth. At the same time, we will remain mindful of the challenges ahead.
The U.S. agriculture industry is navigating geopolitical headwinds, including disruptions to global trade, tariffs, and export restrictions that impact key markets. Ongoing conflicts and diplomatic uncertainties, particularly in regions critical to global food supply chains, continue to affect both input costs and market access. Rising interest rates have compounded these issues, making it more expensive to finance equipment, operations, and capital investments. These pressures will likely persist, but UFC is actively preparing to navigate these headwinds, ensuring we remain adaptable and ready for whatever lies ahead.
UFC is in a strong position going into 2025. With a healthy balance sheet and a commitment to reinvesting in the coop, we’re ready to face the challenges ahead. Our leadership team and Board of Directors remain committed to making strategic moves, including exploring partnerships, joint ventures, and mergers, all aimed at delivering maximum value to our members.
Thank you for your continued trust and support. We look forward to tackling the year ahead with determination, resilience, and focus.