Apr 12, 2004 1:18 PM, from staff and wire reports

Land O'Lakes Inc and Osborne Investments LLC have begun a search to position MoArk LLC for strategic growth.

MoArk, headquartered in Chesterfield MO, is a joint venture owned by Land O'Lakes and Osborne. It produces and markets branded and private-label shell eggs and fresh and frozen egg products in 29 states.

Options for growth include financing at the joint venture level, partnerships, or divestiture. Goldsmith Agio Helms Investment Bankers has been retained to assist the companies in exploring growth options.

Land O'Lakes is a national, farmer-owned food and agricultural cooperative. Osborne consists of the original owners of the companies that founded and developed MoArk.