Via PR Newswire, it was reported that Land O'Lakes released its 2012 financial results, reporting record sales and net earnings of $14.1 billion and $241 million, respectively.

Not only this, but the company returned $113 million to its members for the fourth consecutive year of returning over $100 million to its members. Additionally, three of the business segments achieved record sales and the Crop Inputs segment had a record earnings in addition to record sales.

The strong results in 2012 continue a trend of exceptional performance. The years of 2007 to 2012 represent the top six years for net sales and earnings in company history. During the same time, the company returned more than a half billion dollars to members.

"This consistent, positive performance is a direct result of the continuing implementation of strategies designed to build our value-added, branded businesses in Dairy Foods, Feed and Crop Inputs," said Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc. "These are strong, growing segments of agribusiness."

A variety of factors influenced the 2012 performance. Among the factors were warmer-than-normal weather, which benefitted the Crop Inputs business, volatile dairy markets, and fluctuations in commodity pricing. Overall, Land O'Lakes' results were positively impacted by the continuing implementation of strategies focused on consolidating and strengthening the company's business platform, reducing costs and driving growth, Policinski said.