Land O'Lakes, Inc.（蓝德雷）is one of the largest farmer- and retailer-owned cooperatives in the United States, headquartered in Arden Hills, Minnesota. Founded in 1921, the company has grown into a $16 billion agribusiness and food enterprise with operations spanning dairy foods, animal nutrition, crop inputs, and sustainability services. As a vertically integrated cooperative, Land O'Lakes connects farm to fork, empowering its members and partners through innovation, supply chain strength, and environmental leadership.
Company Background
Established by a group of Minnesota dairy farmers seeking better market access and product branding, Land O'Lakes has since evolved into a multi-division cooperative with a national and international footprint. The company is structured into four main business units: Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United (crop inputs and technology), and Truterra (sustainability).
As of 2023, Land O'Lakes, Inc. is owned by nearly 1,300 direct producer-members, over 700 member-cooperatives, and thousands of retail outlets and independent producers across the U.S.
Core Business
Land O'Lakes operates across four core verticals:
- Dairy Foods: Production and distribution of branded butter, cheese, cream, and dairy powders.
- Animal Nutrition (Purina): Science-backed feed for livestock, companion animals, and performance animals.
- Crop Inputs (WinField United): Seed, crop protection products, agronomic tools, and precision agriculture technologies.
- Sustainability (Truterra): Data-driven sustainability solutions for U.S. farmers, retailers, and CPG partners.
These integrated segments allow Land O'Lakes to drive value across the entire agricultural supply chain, from production to processing to retail.
Product & Service Offerings
1. Dairy Foods:
- Butter: Salted, unsalted, whipped, spreadable, and foodservice formats
- Cheese: Shredded, sliced, and processed cheese for retail and industrial use
- Cream and Milk Powders: Used in baking, food processing, and exports
- Private Label Manufacturing: For grocery and foodservice clients
2. Animal Nutrition (Purina):
- Complete and supplemental feed for:
- Dairy and beef cattle
- Swine
- Poultry
- Horses
- Companion animals (dogs, cats, rabbits)
- Veterinary support and feed analysis tools
3. Crop Inputs (WinField United):
- Proprietary seed genetics
- Crop protection chemicals
- Adjuvants and fertilizers
- Advanced agronomic modeling and decision support tools (e.g., R7® Tool)
4. Sustainability (Truterra):
- Carbon credit programs
- On-farm conservation practices
- Supply chain sustainability consulting
- Digital sustainability platforms for farmers and corporations
Specialization and Core USP
Land O'Lakes differentiates itself through:
- Farmer and Retailer Ownership: Ensuring long-term alignment with producers and rural communities
- Integrated Value Chain: In-house R&D, manufacturing, distribution, and advisory services
- Innovation Infrastructure: Proprietary tools such as WinField United’s Answer Plot® and Truterra™ sustainability data platforms
- Brand Recognition: Iconic dairy products trusted by consumers and foodservice professionals across the U.S.
Financials and Market Presence
- Revenue: $16 billion (2022)
- Employees: Approx. 9,000
- Members: ~1,300 farmer-owners and 700+ cooperatives
- Facilities: 80+ manufacturing and distribution locations
- Global Reach: Active in North America, Latin America, and select international markets for dairy exports and agricultural inputs
Shipment Data
- Exports: Nonfat dry milk, whey powder, and other dairy ingredients shipped to Asia, MENA, and Latin America
- Volume: Exports account for more than 10% of dairy division output
- Top Markets: Mexico, Philippines, China, Egypt, and Indonesia
- WinField crop inputs and Truterra advisory platforms have been extended into pilot programs in Canada and South America
Target Market
Land O'Lakes serves a diverse range of customers:
- Retail Consumers: Through national grocery chains and private labels
- Foodservice Operators: Restaurants, bakeries, and institutional kitchens
- Farmers and Ranchers: Livestock and crop producers
- Ag Retailers: Supplying WinField inputs and services
- Corporate Food Brands: Seeking sustainable sourcing solutions via Truterra
Capabilities
- Dairy Manufacturing: World-class facilities for butter, cheese, cream, and powdered dairy
- Feed Mills and Formulation Labs: Nutrition R&D and precision feed for all species
- Ag Retail Network: Over 1,000 retail locations through member co-ops and dealers
- Digital Agriculture: Tools for weather, yield forecasting, and nutrient optimization
- Sustainability Analytics: Real-time data platforms measuring GHG emissions, soil health, and water quality
Certifications & Compliance
- SQF/BRC Certified dairy processing facilities
- FDA & USDA Compliant
- FAMI-QS and GMP+ certification for animal feed
- USDA BioPreferred and Certified Carbon Offset Programs
- Third-party-verified sustainability metrics via Truterra Insights Engine
Major Achievements
- Ranked #219 on the Fortune 500 list (2023)
- First national butter brand in the U.S., established in 1921
- Truterra recognized by USDA as a leading platform for climate-smart farming
- Over $1 billion returned to members in cash-back dividends over the last decade
- Land O’Lakes Venture37 supports food security and agricultural development in 40+ countries
- Leader in digital ag, managing data from over 27 million acres through WinField United and Truterra
Land O'Lakes, Inc. continues to shape the future of food and agriculture by leveraging cooperative strength, scientific expertise, and a steadfast commitment to feeding human progress.
