[HASTINGS, NE July 30, 2026] — The Cooperative Producers, Inc. (CPI) Board of Directors has approved the allocation of $7,350,000 in patronage refunds to member-owners as a result of its fiscal 2026 financial performance. The patronage refunds are paid out as 50% cash and 50% qualified deferred equity.
The $7,350,000 in patronage refunds will be paid out to member-owners at:
- Grain (corn & other) 3.50¢/bushel
- Grain (soybeans) 8.00¢/bushel
- Grain (corn & other Direct Ship) 1.00¢/bushel
- Grain (soybeans Direct Ship) 6.00¢/bushel
- Grain Services 3.00%
- Fertilizer 0.75%
- Chemical & Seed 0.75%
- Gasoline & Diesel 1.00%
- Propane 1.00%
During fiscal year 2026, CPI returned a total of $5,714,976 in cash back to its member-owners from patronage and deferred equity retirements. These payments to our member-owners are only possible with local profits derived from the business we do with our customers. Fiscal 2026’s local savings of $14.5 million and total savings of $27.2 million continue CPI’s success and have allowed CPI to maintain and construct facilities to serve our customers.
"Agriculture doesn't stand still, and neither do we. CPI moved substantially more grain than ever before, putting our expanded storage and handling capacity to work. Those bushels demonstrated the value of making the right investments before they're needed. The $43 million CPI has invested in facility improvements and equipment is about serving our member-owners today and making sure CPI is ready for tomorrow," said Gary Brandt, CEO of Cooperative Producers, Inc. "While the costs of fertilizers, chemicals, and fuels were a challenge for both our customers and CPI, we had the products available when and where they were needed. Our employees did an outstanding job handling the increased grain volume and while keeping service levels high. We're pleased to return earnings to our member-owners and hope this patronage payment helps offset the financial pressure many producers continue to face.”
Patronage payments are calculated based upon the amount of business done by our members during the fiscal year, which began July 1, 2025 and ended June 30, 2026.