About Us
Who We Are
Adding value to our members farming operations for over five decades.
Since its founding in 1973, one principle has remained at the heart of NEW Cooperative: shared strength through unified purpose. NEW Cooperative was established by farmers who recognized the strategic advantages of combining resources to achieve greater efficiency and collective benefit. The company's direction was shaped by two local cooperatives--one with access to rail infrastructure, the other with the grain supply needed to maximize outbound shipments. From the beginning, the concept was forward-looking, practical, and economically sound. The founding vision was simple yet powerful: when resources are joined, every farm advances. By working together, our members enhance their purchasing power, improve market access, and increase productivity across every growing season. Supported by a team of experienced professionals who share our mission, NEW Cooperative helps its members evaluate emerging technologies and adopt only those innovations that deliver measurable value. This unwavering focus enables NEW Cooperative to continue driving long-term success for our members and the communities we serve--season after season.
Founding & Early Growth
1973
NEW Cooperative, Inc. (Northeast Webster County) is formed through the merger of the Badger and Vincent farmer cooperatives. During the first operation year, Duncombe farmers voted to add their rail location to the mix.
1978
The cooperative expands operations into Fort Dodge, Otho, and Roelyn, increasing grain handling capacity and service reach with ability to load unit trains on two railroads.
Clare and Barnum locations join NEW Cooperative, further strengthening its county-wide presence.
1980
The addition of Knierim Cooperative members stretches NEW Cooperative borders into Calhoun County, Iowa.
1981
NEW Cooperative purchases privately owned grain elevators in Lohrville and Rands, makring a shift toward strategic asset acquisition.
1989
Shareholders from the Palmer, Pomeroy, and Knoke cooperatives elect to join the growing network of NEW Cooperative locations.
1992
The addition of farmer-owners in Humboldt increases NEW Cooperative's total grain storage capacity to 28 million bushels at 14 locations.
1995
Through a partnership with Land O’Lakes Feeds, NEW Cooperative launched NEW Cooperative Feed Department™ LLC to strengthen its feed operations.
1998
NEW Cooperative purchases the former Terra Industries agronomy location in Pomeroy, expanding its agronomy footprint.
1999
Expansion
Strategic Growth
2002
NEW Cooperative expands north when co-op members in Bode and LuVerne vote to merge.
2005
Shareholders in two eastern Iowa cooperatives vote to unify with NEW Cooperative, brining Woolstock and Blairsburg farmers into the membership.
2007
Through a membership vote, cooperative members in Glidden, Lanesboro, and Lidderdale establish a southern extension of services, bring NEW Cooperative's total locations to 21.
2012
NEW Cooperative purchases land to begin construction of a new agronomy location in Lanyon, expanding agronomy services in the area.
2014
NEW Cooperative acquires agronomy locations in Coon Rapids (Herbers Seeds) and Cooper and merged with the Farmers Cooperative Company of Dows, adding Dows and Rowan.
2015
Western Iowa Cooperative shareholders voted to join NEW Cooperative, strengthening buying power and technology services for farmers in and around Blencoe, Correctionville, Hornick, Mapleton, Onawa, Pierson, Sloan, Turin, Washta, and Whiting.
Remaining an innovative and efficient provider of today's ag products and services.
NEW Cooperative opened a new pelleting feed mill in Pomeroy and approved plans for a second feed mill in Rowan, which became operational in summer 2018. Berne Cooperative, headquartered in Ute with an elevator in Mapleton, voted to sell its assets and joined NEW Cooperative on August 1. On September 1, NEW Cooperative acquired a 3-million-bushel grain elevator south of Anthon, formerly owned by Platinum Grain LLC, strengthening grain operations in the area.
2017
Manufacturing operations began at the Rowan feed mill in summer 2018.
2018
In fall 2020, NEW Cooperative began construction of a 3-million-bushel grain facility and added a 500,000-ton/year feed mill at the Cooper location, with operations expected in fall 2021. That same year, construction began at the Port of Blencoe—a 38-acre site with direct Interstate 29 access—designed to load and unload up to nine barges at a time and expected to be operational in spring 2021.
2020
Major Development
Present Expansion
2021
On August 1, the merger with MaxYield expanded NEW Cooperative into north central and northwest Iowa, adding 20 facilities.
2022
NEW Cooperative acquired agronomy locations in Ventura, Buffalo Center, and Fertile, and the Cooper feed mill began operations.
2023
On September 1, 2023, United Farmers Cooperative merged with NEW Cooperative, adding 20 locations and expanding NEW’s presence in southern Iowa.
