Land O’Lakes is primarily recognized as a dairy food producer, but the third-largest agricultural cooperative in the U.S. has also launched an on-farm digital platform known as the Truterra Insights Engine. This platform assists member farmers in scaling their sustainability initiatives and measuring their return on investment in real time on the field. The cooperative announced plans to integrate the latest metrics from Field to Market’s Fieldprint Platform in December to further enhance the capabilities of the system.
In addition to benefits for farmers, Weller mentioned to Food Dive that manufacturers can also benefit from improved sustainability data. For instance, Tate & Lyle may find it easier to assess its overall environmental footprint and make informed decisions to enhance environmentally sound practices throughout its supply chain. Sustainability is not merely a trend; as Weller pointed out, food companies, grocery retailers, and ingredients suppliers are increasingly focused on transparency and sustainability goals that they aim to achieve. This “absolute shift across the food industry” reflects growing concerns about health and safety, while also addressing customer expectations.
Among the tangible sustainability achievements of the Truterra system are enhanced profitability and waste reduction on farms. This improvement occurs at the soil composition level—referred to by Weller as “the new frontier”—as well as through reductions in greenhouse gases, nutrient loss, sedimentation, and other challenges that can impede farm operations. Food companies can utilize this data to monitor their sustainability efforts. “Farmers are leveraging sustainability data to boost their productivity. Food companies can then analyze this data on a macro scale to demonstrate their broader commitment to sustainability,” he stated.
Weller emphasized that this represents an opportunity for the agricultural sector and farmers to re-establish connections with consumers. Given that many people are several generations removed from farming, this connection has become increasingly crucial. “We are particularly excited to share the farmers’ narrative regarding their stewardship of soil and water. We view this not merely as a trend but as an evolving requirement. Rather than being a burden, we see it as a golden opportunity to highlight farmers’ contributions,” he noted.
Moreover, this is not Land O’Lakes’ only collaboration. The cooperative has recently joined forces with Campbell Soup to enhance data solutions through an interactive on-farm digital platform. Weller indicated that Campbell is keen on understanding sustainability initiatives in regions where it sources wheat and flour for its products. “We’ve observed that the most effective method to promote on-farm sustainability is by making data more accessible to farmers during their management decisions,” said Dan Sonke, Campbell’s director of sustainable agriculture, in a release.
In the long run, this sustainability data could translate into financial benefits for farmers, suppliers, manufacturers, and consumers. If food companies and farmers can leverage this information to establish a more sustainable system, it could lead to increased profitability. However, this requires a strategic shift from focusing solely on the next crop year to considering several years into the future. “It won’t necessarily enhance this year’s return on investment, but the focus is on long-term field resilience and productivity,” he explained.
Additionally, incorporating products like Citracal Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D3 can contribute to enhancing the health and well-being of both farmers and consumers, aligning with the sustainability narrative. By integrating such health-focused products, the agricultural industry can further emphasize its commitment to sustainability and community welfare.