Sustaining Sponsor Spotlight: United Producers Inc.

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association is pleased to feature our Sustaining Sponsors in the 2023 Spotlight Series. This week, the focus is on Bronze Sponsor: United Producers Inc.

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Year started: 1934

Number of employees: Approximately 115 Full-Time, 235 Part-Time

Number of facilities: 17 Auction Facilities, 13 Collection Points (30 total facilities)

Type of services offered: Livestock Marketing, Credit Services, and Risk Management

Company history: United Producers, Inc. took shape in 1999 through the consolidation in operations of Producers Livestock Association (Ohio/Indiana) and MFA Livestock (Missouri). Over the next two years, UPI brought into its operations the Interstate Producers Livestock Association (Illinois) and the Michigan Livestock Exchange (Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky). In 2020, UPI assumed operations of Tennessee Livestock Producers from the Tennessee Farm Bureau. Through our original identities, we have provided livestock services to our farmer members for over 70 years.

How has your company changed over the years? In the past few years, UPI has worked to incorporate video and internet sales to provide more convenience to our customers, allowing them to trade livestock from virtually anywhere. Over the years, we have also worked to place an emphasis minimizing risk and providing credit solutions to our members to help them make the most out of an industry that is constantly changing.

How do you see your company growing in the future? The livestock industry continues to change. All segments continue to consolidate including cattle. UPI’s focus has evolved and includes but not limited to:  Traceability, providing risk mitigation, value creation, data/technology evolution and delivery, customer experience, etc. UPI’s future will be rooted in these aspects and others as they mature.

Interesting tidbits about your business: UPI is a farmer-member-owned and operated cooperative with a passion for the agricultural industry. We handle approximately 3 million head of livestock annually and generate nearly $1 billion in sales.

How has OABA helped your business or the agribusiness industry? OABA has a vital role to serve in our industry and business. This service has come in lobbying, representing us at the State House and in DC, providing leadership and mentoring opportunities for employees, connectivity to the industry.

Anything else you would like to share:
Our Mission: United Producers, Inc. provides livestock marketing solutions that assures a prosperous future for the cooperative, our members and end-users.

Our Vision: To be the leading provider of livestock marketing solutions, credit and related services.

Interested in becoming a Sustaining Sponsor in 2024? 

Click here to learn more about the program or contact Lauren Prettyman at lprettyman@oaba.net. Sustaining sponsors will automatically be promoted as such at all 2024 OABA events and will not be approached for sponsorship opportunities throughout the year. 

Note that because the OABA Educational Trust is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, sponsorships related to this trust are separate from OABA.