Coca-Cola Expands Corn Contract Farming Model

Oct 16, 2012

Coca-Cola Co., one of the global leaders in the beverage industry announced today that the company plans to expand its contract farming portfolio to include other agriculture commodities such as coffee, tea and dairy products – the company already practices contract farming with corn. Contract farming is when the farmer agrees in a contract to provide an agreed upon quantity of an agriculture product to the supplier.

"In most Coca-Cola products, there's a clear directional shift toward the use of high-fructose corn syrup, which is cheaper than sugar," Michael Ferrari, Director of Global Agricultural Commodity Risk Management at Coca-Cola.

The company plans on replicating their corn contracting farming practices and applying that modal to other agriculture commodities as well. Ferrari said in a company statement that contract farming has been a successful model for the company because it allows the company to monitor product yield and quality.

The company also reported that its net income rose 3% in the third quarter and attributes those sales with selling more sports drinks and tea beverages as well as growth in emerging markets. In this period, Coca-Cola saw their sales volume up by 15% and had a 34% increase for its brand in India. Company shares rose 22 cents now pegged at $38.35 U.S.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.