Land O'Lakes Cooperative Membership

Quick Snapshot

Land O'Lakes is a farmer-owned cooperative founded in 1921, known for its iconic butter and cheese products while also providing agricultural services through its Purina and WinField United divisions.

Who It's For: Dairy farmers seeking a well-established cooperative with strong consumer brands and diversified agricultural services.

What It Does Best: Markets high-quality dairy products under trusted brand names while providing member farmers with stable markets and competitive returns.

Why It Matters: Cooperative ownership in a diversified agricultural company provides stability and value capture across multiple business lines.

Overview

Land O'Lakes is a farmer-owned cooperative with over 100 years of history, founded in 1921 as Minnesota Cooperative Creameries Association. Today, it represents over 1,000 dairy farmer-owners and is one of America's most recognized dairy brands.

The cooperative is known for its iconic Land O'Lakes butter, which has been a staple in American kitchens for generations. The company also produces a wide range of cheese products, from everyday staples to specialty varieties.

What sets Land O'Lakes apart is its diversified business model. Beyond dairy, the cooperative operates Purina Animal Nutrition (one of the largest animal feed companies) and WinField United (crop inputs and agronomic services). This diversification provides stability and growth opportunities.

For dairy farmers, Land O'Lakes membership means being part of a financially strong, well-managed cooperative that has successfully built consumer brand equity and captures value throughout the food system.

Ideal Users

Farm Types: Conventional dairy, Grazing operations, Small to medium family farms

Herd Size: All sizes, with strong tradition among family farms

Key Roles: Dairy farm owners, Farm families, Multi-generation operations

Geographic Focus: Strong presence in Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa)

Key Features

Iconic Consumer Brands

Farmer ownership of Land O'Lakes butter and cheese brands

Stable Milk Markets

Reliable milk pickup and competitive pricing for member farms

Cooperative Dividends

Members share in cooperative profits through patronage dividends

Quality Focus

Premium positioning emphasizes quality milk from member farms

Diversified Business

Purina and WinField divisions provide additional value and stability

Advanced Capabilities

Purina Feed Access

Member connections to Purina Animal Nutrition products and expertise

Sustainability Leadership

Strong commitment to sustainable dairy practices

Innovation Investment

R&D investments in new products and market opportunities

Farmer-Owner Governance

Democratic governance with farmer representation on board

Integrations & Partnerships

Works With: Milk testing labs, Quality assurance programs, Purina nutrition services

Data Flow: Milk quality and component data supports quality premiums; cooperative information shared with members

Industry Standards: FDA Grade A, PMO, FARM Program

Competitive Advantages

Over 100 years of cooperative heritage and stability

One of America's most recognized butter brands

Diversified business model beyond dairy

Strong financial position and member equity

Commitment to farmer-owner governance

Getting Started

Timeline: Membership application through local contacts; timing varies by region and milk supply needs

Infrastructure: Standard bulk tank and Grade A facilities required

Migration: Coordination with Land O'Lakes field representatives

Tips for Success:

Connect with other Land O'Lakes members in your area

Understand the cooperative's governance structure

Explore Purina nutrition resources for your herd

Participate in member meetings and cooperative events

Training & Support

Training: Member education events, cooperative meetings

Support Channels: Field representatives, member services

Community: Farmer-owner network, annual meeting

Pricing

Model: Component-Based Pricing with Cooperative Benefits

How Land O'Lakes Member Pricing Works

Land O'Lakes pays members based on market-driven component values with quality premiums and cooperative benefits.

Component Pricing

| Component | Pricing Basis |

|-----------|---------------|

| Butterfat | Market-based $/lb pricing |

| Protein | Market-based $/lb pricing |

| Other Solids | Market-based $/lb pricing |

Quality Factors

| Factor | Impact |

|--------|--------|

| SCC Premium | Low somatic cell count earns premium |

| Bacteria Count | Low bacteria counts = premium pay |

| Component Levels | Higher butterfat/protein increases value |

Standard Deductions

| Deduction | Description |

|-----------|-------------|

| Hauling | Milk transportation from farm to plant |

| Checkoff Assessment | $0.15/cwt for national dairy promotion |

| Equity Retention | Portion retained to build member ownership |

Cooperative Benefits

| Benefit | Description |

|---------|-------------|

| Patronage Dividends | Annual cash and equity dividends based on performance |

| Equity Accumulation | Build ownership stake over years of membership |

| Brand Ownership | Share in value of iconic Land O'Lakes butter brand |

| Purina Access | Member connections to Purina Animal Nutrition resources |

Why This Matters

As a farmer-owner of Land O'Lakes, you share in the value created by one of America's most recognized dairy brands. Your equity grows over time and can be redeemed at retirement.

Contact: landolakes.com | Contact your regional member relations representative

Evaluation Questions

Is Land O'Lakes accepting new members in my area?

How does the equity and dividend program work?

What quality standards and premiums apply?

How can I access Purina resources as a member?

What is the cooperative's governance structure?

Recommended Reading

[Our Company](https://www.landolakes.com/our-company/) (Land O'Lakes): Overview of Land O'Lakes cooperative

[Our Farmers](https://www.landolakes.com/our-farmers/) (Land O'Lakes): Meet Land O'Lakes farmer-owners