Vote Scheduled For Grain Co-Op Merger

More than 700 farmers west of Spokane this weekend will decide whether to merge 65-year-old Washtucna Grain Growers Co. into Ritzville Warehouse Co., one of the state’s largest grain cooperatives.

Strained by smaller harvests in recent years and a trend among farmers to bypass country elevators and take their crops directly to Snake River terminals, Washtucna Grain has been forced to seek a stronger financial partner, president Grant Miller said Friday.

However, Miller said, many in Washtucna, a tiny southeastern Adams County farming community, are concerned about losing a company that’s been part of their lives since 1930.

“There’s a downside, too,” the wheat farmer said. “Socially this is a tough decision, but economically it’s no decision at all.”

The agreement requires two-thirds approval from members of both cooperatives. Votes will be counted Monday.

Ritzville Warehouse, which has operations in three counties, has 650 members; Washtucna, 82.

If the deal is approved, Washtucna Grain would close its two-person office, but keep its four grain elevator sites open during harvest. The company has capacity to store 1.8 million bushels.

The deal would give Washtucna farmers access to Ritzville’s cherished 26-train loading dock. Ritzville would gain Washtucna’s valuable storage near Snake River barges.

During the next seven years, Washtucna members would receive $909,000 in patronage dividends that they have accumulated since 1973.

Washtucna has lost money three of the last five years, Miller said. Annual revenues were approximately $300,000 last year, but the cooperative posted a $26,000 loss.

, DataTimes