Boothe, Robert L 1985-11-25

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Robert L. Boothe discusses the history of the Producer’s Grain Corporation of the Texas Panhandle.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Robert L. Boothe

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: November 25, 1985

Location: Midland, Texas

Interviewer: Richard Mason

Length: 1 hour, 50 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Employment with Producers Grain Corporation(PGC), PGC, Function within cooperative framework, Operating capitol, Expansion, Increase in grain sorghum production, 1950s and 60s, Irrigation, early to mid-1950s, Marketing development, Bill Nelson, Relationship between Grain Sorghum Producers' Association (GSPA), Texas Wheat Producers' Association (TWPA) and PGC, PGC encouragement of member participation, Competitive pricing, Tailgate dividends, Handling of commodities, Differences in grain sorghum and wheat, Moisture content, Co-mingling, Marketing, Wheat, Quality testing, Grain sorghum, Development of Japanese market, 1960s, ZenKoren

Tape 1, Side 2: ZenKoren (continued), Farmers Export Cooperation(FEC), Negotiations, Long-term agreement, Significance, Training program, Japanese market share, Further development of international market, Contribution to PGC success, Tannin content, Differences in cooperative and independent grain marketing, Taxes, Public relations, Grain Producers' News, PGC's role in cooperative movement in the Panhandle, Services provided for new cooperatives, Grain Producers' News (again), Establishment, 1948, Early reputation, pre-1965, Reputation, post-1965, Jerry Sinise, Development of content

Tape 2, Side 1: Increase in circulation, Goals of magazine, Cattle feeding industry, Initial involvement of PGC, late 1960s, Financing, Opening of feed lots, Effect on PGC, Conflicting, Management philosophies, Collapse of cattle market, 1973-74, Demise of PGC, Contribution of cattle feeding business, Russian grain exports, Cattle feeding (again), Futures market, Hedging versus speculation

Tape 2, Side 2: PGC business percentages, 1960s-70s, Effect of irrigated hybrid sorghum market, Legacy of PGC, Value as a marketing tool, Healthy regional grain cooperatives, Effect of diversification, PGC problems, Cattle feeding (again), Feed mills, PGC involvement in philosophical cooperative movement, Underdevelopment of international cooperation, Modernization, Freight car ownership, Inability to deal with losses, Cattle feeding, Producers' International, International grain merchandising, Competition

Range Dates: 1965-1985

Bulk Dates: 1965-1975


Access Information

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