According to Randon Wilson, co-op attorney, the inventory was completed last weekend, and documentation on the $48 million purchase should be finalized in early August.

This is a giant task, Wilson said Tuesday evening from his Salt Lake City office. But there is no question the sale will be completed.

There have been two previous closing date extensions, March 31 and June 30, prior to the July 31 date.

The sugarbeet growers cooperative was established in July 2000 to explore the purchase. The initial cost was set at $78 million in October 2000, however, a lack of subscribed acres required a renegotiation of the price in June 2001.

Tate & Lyle North America Sugars, the parent company of Western Sugar, had announced in early 2000 that the company was for sale. Included in the sale are six factories located in Billings, Mont., Lovell, Wyo., Greeley and Fort Morgan, Colo., and Bayard and Scottsbluff. The purchase will include all of Westerns assets. Rick Dorn, a Montana farmer, is president of the cooperative, and Kevin Hall, a Bridgeport farmer is vice president. Robert Busch, Mitchell area farmer and president of the Nebraska Sugarbeet Growers Association, is a member of the board of directors. RMSGC represents producers in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming.

Wilson said an official announcement may be available today.