Livestock production runs deep in the history of Midwest agriculture. As a result, livestock markets and stockyards have also played a key role in the industry. Today, Central Livestock Association, an 85-year-old member-owned livestock marketing cooperative, owns and operates prominent markets throughout the Midwest to serve cattle, horse, swine, sheep and goat producers.

Formed as a commission firm at the South St. Paul, Minn., stockyards in 1921, Central Livestock now offers innovative marketing programs from multiple market locations. Central Livestock owns markets in South St. Paul, Albany, and Zumbrota, Minn., West Fargo, N.D., and serves as one of several commission firms at the Sioux Falls, S.D., market.

For over a half century, Central Livestock's daily radio programs and market reports have kept livestock producers informed. Today, radio, Web sites, advertising, salespeople and fieldmen assist livestock producers in coordinating successful and orderly livestock marketing.

In 1999, with the support of producer members, Central Livestock became the third subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International (CRI). Central Livestock is CRI's full-service livestock marketing subsidiary assisting livestock producers in production and marketing by providing competitive prices, superior services and broader Outlets. Central Livestock and affiliated organizations belong to the livestock producers of today and tomorrow.

Milestones

• 1921 Formation of Central Livestock Association

• 1936 Central Livestock began to radio broadcast market reports

• 1941 Central Livestock order buying program organized

• 1988 Purchased the West Fargo, N.D., market

• 1991 Built and opened the Albany, Minn., market

• 1999 Central Livestock became a subsidiary of CRI

• 1999 Purchased South St. Paul, Minn., market

• 2003 Purchased the Zumbrota, Minn., market