Sellers, including some farmer cooperatives, chartered vessels for shipping overseas nearly half of the U.S. grain exported in 1978. Chartering (leasing) offers opportunities for substantial increases in net gains, resulting from greater net margins on shipping and deeper penetration into the grain export marketing process, but also involves the risk of substantial losses. Most grain cooperatives do not have the volume, expertise, facilities, capital, and operating flexibility essential for successful chartering. This report recommends a course of action that would increase cooperatives' chartering capabilities and enhance their competitive position in the international grain trade.