tomatoes of certain size or color to other markets. The diverted tomatoes would be of the lower

qualities would go to the processor or be used as animal feed. It provides many of the functions

of a trade association, in representing the interests of the Sinaloa farmers in Federal policy

making deliberations, promoting the produce of Sinaloa growers, providing information to

growers about weather, markets, and technology, and providing a variety of technical services.

 A number of cooperatives help member growers with exporting. These cooperatives

arrange transportation and negotiate with intermediaries in the United States. In the process,

they provide market access to growers that wouldn't have it otherwise and countervailing power

in dealings that would have a tremendous imbalance in market power otherwise. This can

involve contracting the production of melons and other items, as well as just arranging the post-

harvest transactions.

 Cooperative marketing activities for perishables are found in livestock to some extent

with cooperative meat packing and milk processing facilities. For example, UGA Tabasco is

a cooperative that operates a meat packing plant and a milk processing plant. This modem

slaughter facility has a capacity of 2,000 head per day and serves some 1,300 farmer members.

It takes deliveries of lots of all sizes, including pickup trucks with a few head and some cattle

are even brought by water. This facility is considered to be unique in Mexico although

cooperatives are involved in these activities on a smaller scale elsewhere.