Land O’Lakes, Inc. Announces Investment to Expand High-Value Dairy Protein Production at Tulare, California Facility, Expanding Growth Opportunities for Farmer-Owners

The expansion will position Land O'Lakes to meet rapidly growing global demand for protein-rich nutrition, while also creating new opportunities for its farmer-owners.

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — [July 9, 2026] — Land O’Lakes, Inc. today announced a strategic investment in its Tulare, California, dairy processing facility to expand capabilities into high-value dairy protein production, positioning the cooperative to meet rapidly growing global demand for protein-rich nutrition, while also creating new opportunities for its farmer-owners.

The investment will enable production of ultra-filtered milk; unlocking greater value from member milk, providing growth opportunities for farmer-owners and strengthening Land O’Lakes’ ability to compete in a changing food landscape increasingly centered on protein.

“At a time when protein is reshaping how consumers eat and how the food system operates, this investment positions Land O’Lakes, our Tulare facility and our farmer-owners to lead,” said Heather Anfang, EVP of Land O’Lakes and President of Dairy Foods. “We are continuing to build a more resilient, growth-oriented dairy business while creating new demand for member milk and laying the groundwork for long-term opportunity.”

Meeting the moment

Protein has moved beyond a niche health category to become a defining force in how consumers evaluate food. The moment is driven by rising nutritional awareness and new health trends such as GLP-1 medications that are shifting how and what people eat.

Against this backdrop, demand for dairy protein is accelerating globally and is expected to outpace supply through the remainder of the decade. Land O’Lakes’ expanded Tulare capabilities are designed to help close this gap while reinforcing dairy’s role as a trusted, functional source of high-quality nutrition.

Unlocking value for farmer-owners

As a farmer-owned cooperative, Land O’Lakes is focused on maximizing value for its member owners. This investment creates new demand for member milk and the opportunity to maximize member returns by adding production for higher-value protein applications that support expanded market access and long-term cooperative growth. The investment also recognizes the strength of the Tulare-area dairy community, including about 100 dedicated, innovative farmer-owners and farm families whose operations help make the region one of the most important dairy-producing areas in the country.

The Tulare facility, located in one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic milk sheds, offers existing scale, available capacity and strategic access to global markets, including high-growth regions that rely on imported dairy protein.

Investing in communities and the future of dairy

The Tulare investment reinforces Land O’Lakes’ long-term commitment to the region, supporting local jobs, strengthening the agricultural economy and ensuring the facility remains a critical hub in the cooperative’s dairy network.

“This is about more than a single upgrade. It’s about building the future of dairy,” said Anfang. “We are investing in innovation, in our members, and in meeting the evolving needs of consumers around the world.”