News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick K. Petree Reference: PUD71599-47

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has approved closure and dismantling of the Tipton Farmers Cooperative cotton gin near Tipton, southeast of Altus in Tillman County.

Jay Cowart, general manager, said decreasing cotton acreage has made the gin unnecessary. He said four other gins within a 30-mile radius of the Tipton gin, in Altus, Frederick and Martha, meet the needs of cotton farmers in the area.

Corporation Commission records indicate the 20,000-bale-capacity facility ginned 12,886 bales of cotton in 1995 but only 5,140 bales in 1997. Cowart said the Tipton gin did not operate during the 1998 ginning season. He said the gin stands and other equipment will be sold and the building will be converted to other uses, not yet determined.

Cowart said other farm services provided by the Tipton Farmers Cooperative will continue.

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