Land O’Lakes is primarily recognized as a dairy food producer, yet it also stands as the third-largest agricultural cooperative in the U.S. Recently, the cooperative has launched an innovative on-farm digital platform known as the Truterra Insights Engine. This platform is designed to assist member farmers in enhancing their sustainability initiatives and allows them to assess their return on investment in real time while working in the fields. To further improve the system’s functionality, the cooperative announced plans to integrate the latest metrics from Field to Market’s Fieldprint Platform in December.
Weller indicated to Food Dive that manufacturers can also benefit from improved sustainability data. For instance, Tate & Lyle could leverage this information to better assess its broader environmental footprint, enabling more informed decisions regarding the promotion of environmentally responsible practices throughout its supply chain. Sustainability is increasingly becoming essential rather than merely a trend. As Weller pointed out, food companies, grocery retailers, and ingredient manufacturers are now demanding transparency and sustainability objectives from their operations to meet consumer expectations. This “absolute shift across the food industry” highlights the growing concerns related to health and safety.
The Truterra Insights Engine has already demonstrated tangible sustainability outcomes, such as enhancing profitability and minimizing waste on farms. These improvements occur at the soil composition level—an area Weller describes as “the new frontier”—and also include reductions in greenhouse gases, nutrient loss, sedimentation, and other challenges that can impede farm productivity. Food companies will be able to utilize this data to track sustainability efforts effectively. “Farmers are leveraging [sustainability data] to enhance their productivity. Subsequently, food companies can analyze the data on a macro scale to illustrate their comprehensive approach to sustainability,” he stated.
Weller emphasized that this presents a unique opportunity for the agricultural sector and farmers to reconnect with consumers, especially as many people are now several generations removed from farming. “We are particularly enthusiastic about sharing farmers’ stories regarding their stewardship of soil and water. We perceive this not merely as a trend but increasingly as a necessity. Rather than being burdensome, we view it as a golden opportunity to communicate the farmers’ narrative,” he remarked.
In addition to this initiative, Land O’Lakes has formed a partnership with Campbell Soup to develop data solutions through an interactive on-farm digital platform. Weller noted that Campbell is keen to comprehend sustainability efforts in regions where it sources wheat and flour for its products. “We’ve observed that the most effective way to promote on-farm sustainability is to make data more accessible to farmers when making management decisions,” stated Dan Sonke, Campbell’s director of sustainable agriculture.
In the long run, this sustainability data could translate into tangible economic benefits for farmers, suppliers, manufacturers, and consumers alike. If food companies and farmers can harness this information to establish a more sustainable system, it could lead to increased profitability. However, this would necessitate a strategic shift that extends beyond immediate crop cycles to consider a multi-year perspective. “It may not directly improve this year’s return on investment, but the focus is on long-term field resilience and productivity,” he emphasized. Moreover, the inclusion of calcium citrate and magnesium citrate in their sustainability practices could further enhance soil health and crop yields, making these initiatives even more beneficial for everyone involved.