AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION IN DENMARK. 55 
With this large surplus meat production cattle export is of vital 
importance to Danish farmers, ranking next to butter, bacon, and 
eggs. Cooperative eifort is active in this field to find the best pos- 
sible foreign markets and effect greater economy in marketing the 
surplus cattle. 
THE COOPERATIVE CATTLE EXPORT ASSOCIATIONS. 
The first cooperative cattle export association was organized in 
1898, but the movement has attained its present development within 
the last 12 to 15 years. In 1922 there were 16 cooperative cattle 
export associations with an aggregate membership of about 25,000 
farmers. A survey of the volume of business handled by the different 
associations in recent years indicates that these associations now 
handle annually between one-fourth and one-third of the Danish 
cattle export. 
The majority of these associations are formed on the Jutland 
Peninsula. According to official statistical survey, 37 there is a ten- 
dency for the membership to come from the larger farms. Each 
association functions and operates independently. The associations 
whose cattle are brought to the same market often combine their ex- 
port shipments to foreign buyers. Although the 16 associations oper- 
ate independently, they have formed one national federation, the 
National Federation of Danish Cattle Export Associations {Be 
Samvirkende Banske Andels-Kreatureksport Foreninger) . The pur- 
pose of this federation is to promote the common interests of the 
cattle-export business rather than to do actual trading. 
Form of Organization. 
The form of organization in the different cooperative cattle- 
export associations is similar. They are usually organized in dif- 
ferent sections of the Kingdom and only around the edges 
may their memberships overlap. Membership is open to all 
farmers and there is no fee or initial charge. Each member is by 
contract obligated to the association in two ways. (1) He is pledged 
to deliver all his surplus export cattle to the association for a 
definite period, usually three years. If this pledge is violated, the 
member must pay a fine to the association, usually 10 per cent of sales 
price. (2) Necessary operating capital is raised by bank loan 
against the membership's guaranty. Members are jointly and sev- 
erally liable for any deficit incurred by the association. 
The board of directors comprises seven to nine members, elected by 
the members at the annual general meeting. This board engages the 
manager, who is a highly qualified, expert cattle buyer, and he as- 
sumes complete charge of the association's business. 
MARKETING PRACTICES. 
Each member's registered number with the association is placed on 
the animal when shipped to the market. At the market the manager 
takes complete charge. Each animal is appraised by the manager 
and two other experienced cattlemen elected by the association. The 
37 Statistiske Meddelelser, 4 Riikke, 36 Bind, 4 Hafte. 1911, p. 34. 
