
Land O'Lakes is one of the largest producers of butter and cheese in the United States, supplying from at least 99 dairy factory farms in California. It sells under consumer brand names including Land O'Lakes and supplies milk to other brands including Saputo Cheese.
Land O'Lakes claims all their farms follow the industry's own “National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program,” which requires clean and dry resting areas, protection from heat and cold, and methods of daily exercise, among other things.
Investigations into farms supplying Land O'Lakes by Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) have found routine animal neglect and cruelty. In 2017, an investigation at Zonneveld Dairy, a Land O'Lakes member farm in Fresno County, found baby cows confined alone in filthy 4 feet by 6 feet hutches, with manure piled up inches below. The calves were not provided with any bedding, comfort, enrichment, and were unprotected from temperatures ranging from 19-110 degrees. Investigators found calves struggling to move and suffering from pneumonia, diarrhea, open sores, maggot infestations and infections. It is routine practice in the dairy industry to separate baby cows from their mothers shortly after birth, and at Land O'Lakes facilities, investigators found calves in confinement who were so young their umbilical cords were still attached.
Throughout 2019-2021, additional investigations were done at Land O'Lakes member farms throughout California, finding similar conditions.




You can see the locations of Land O'Lakes's California factory farms in the map below.