Jan 1, 2005 12:00 PM

Gold Kist, the third-largest integrated chicken production company in the United States, announced that its members have voted 1,922 to 79 to approve the proposed conversion of Gold Kist from a cooperative association to a for-profit corporation.

More than 86% of Gold Kist's 2,310 members cast ballots, and 96% were in favor of the conversion.

The conversion will take effect with the merger of Gold Kist into a newly formed corporation called Gold Kist Holdings Inc. This conversion is subject to various conditions and is expected to be completed by late September or early October.