Share
Founded in 1921, Land O'Lakes is one of America's largest agricultural cooperatives, widely known for its dairy products but also deeply involved in providing crop inputs, animal feed, and sustainability initiatives to farmers across the United States.
Since Teddy Bekele took on the role of Chief Technology Officer in 2018, the cooperative has focused on a major digital transformation-bringing big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and predictive analytics to the forefront of agricultural practices.
Bekele's strategy blends high-tech innovation with a commitment to the farmers Land O'Lakes serves, balancing advanced solutions with practical tools that enhance productivity across the cooperative's business units. This includes WinField United (crop inputs), Purina (animal feed), Truterra (sustainability initiatives), and dairy operations. By developing real-time, data-driven insights, Bekele's team aims to empower both Land O'Lakes' internal operations and its agricultural partners in the field.
One key innovation under Bekele's leadership is the AI-powered crop protection guide from WinField United, which uses machine learning to analyze pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide data. This tool provides farmers with tailored, real-time recommendations, helping to save time, reduce waste, and increase yields. Bekele emphasizes that AI's real value lies in delivering practical, targeted solutions for specific agricultural challenges, from crop management to livestock care.
