Land O'Lakes Dairy
By Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Last reviewed: December 2025
Complete guide to Land O'Lakes dairy cooperative with $16.8B revenue. Learn about membership, butter and dairy products, and producer programs.
Land O'Lakes, Inc. is a member-owned cooperative headquartered in Arden Hills, Minnesota, with approximately $16.8 billion in annual revenue. The cooperative is perhaps best known for its iconic Land O'Lakes butter brand, but operations span dairy foods, animal nutrition (Purina), and crop inputs (WinField United).
The dairy division markets milk for approximately 1,193 member-owners providing 13 billion pounds of milk annually. Land O'Lakes manufactures butter, cheese, and dairy ingredients at company-owned facilities. The Land O'Lakes butter brand commands premium positioning in retail markets.
Beyond dairy, the cooperative's diversified structure provides members access to additional services. Purina animal nutrition (while separately operated) offers dairy feed options. WinField United provides crop input solutions. This integrated approach serves members' whole-farm needs.
Cooperative governance ensures member control. Dairy producer members elect representatives to direct cooperative strategy. Annual meetings and regional gatherings provide forums for member engagement. The cooperative returns earnings to members through patronage dividends.
Land O'Lakes has been a Fortune 500 company, demonstrating the scale and stability of the cooperative. CEO Beth Ford has led the organization since 2018, emphasizing sustainability, member returns, and strategic growth.
Membership is regionally focused, primarily in the Upper Midwest. Prospective members should contact Land O'Lakes member services for information on joining.
Key Features
- Milk Marketing: Member milk collection and marketing. Manufacturing destination. Competitive pricing.
- Butter Manufacturing: Iconic Land O'Lakes butter brand. Premium market positioning. Brand value returns to members.
- Cheese & Ingredients: Cheese manufacturing. Dairy ingredients. Diversified product mix.
- Cooperative Ownership: Member-owned Fortune 500 company. Democratic governance. Patronage dividends.
- Integrated Services: Purina animal nutrition. WinField crop inputs. Whole-farm solutions.
- Sustainability Focus: Environmental commitments. Sustainable agriculture. Consumer trust.
Advanced Features
- Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN: Sustainability platform. Environmental stewardship. Climate-smart practices.
- Purina Animal Nutrition: Dairy feed options through cooperative relationship. Nutrition expertise.
- WinField United: Crop input solutions. Seed, crop protection. Agronomic services.
- Member Programs: Financial services. Risk management. Business support.
- Young Member Programs: Next-generation engagement. Leadership development.
- Research & Innovation: Product development. Agricultural research. Innovation pipeline.
Ideal For
Farm Types: Dairy farms in Land O'Lakes member regions, Producers seeking integrated services
Competitive Advantages
What sets Land O'Lakes Dairy apart from alternatives:
- $16.8 billion revenue—Fortune 500
- Iconic Land O'Lakes butter brand
- Integrated dairy, feed, crop services
- Strong member governance
- Patronage dividend returns
- Sustainability leadership
- Upper Midwest dairy focus
- Manufacturing strength
- Long cooperative history (1921)
- Female CEO leadership
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for Land O'Lakes Dairy:
Federal Order pricing plus quality premiums. Patronage typically $0.15-0.35/cwt annually.
Pricing Model: Cooperative milk marketing with patronage
Prices verified Q1 2024. Member-owned cooperative.
Pros & Considerations
- National dairy cooperative strength
- Diversified business portfolio
- Brand recognition
- Member programs
- Stable market outlet
- Large organization dynamics
- Market-driven returns
- Cooperative structure
- Regional availability
Implementation & Setup
How to implement Land O'Lakes Dairy on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Membership process varies. Contact member services for regional availability and timeline.
Training & Support
Training and support options available for Land O'Lakes Dairy:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating Land O'Lakes Dairy:
- Am I in a Land O'Lakes member region?
- Would integrated services benefit my operation?
- Do I value cooperative ownership?
- How does Land O'Lakes pricing compare?
- Would brand strength benefit my milk value?