Focusing on details

PENNOCK, Minn. — Caring for animals is a top priority at Carlson Dairy LLP. Doing so has led to their receipt of the 2024 National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Program Excellence Award in Animal Care & Antibiotic Stewardship.

“It’s kind of nice to hear that somebody else is seeing that,” said Chad Carlson, a partner at Carlson Dairy. “We appreciate (that) other people have noticed. We are really proud of what we do.”

Carlson Dairy is owned by Carl and his brother, Chad, and their father, Curtney. The Carlsons milk 2,000 cows in an automated rotary parlor and farm around 1,400 acres of owned and rented land.

Chad oversees outside work, including the youngstock, while Carl watches over the cows inside the barn and handles herd health. Chad’s wife, Kindra, manages the business side of the dairy and Curtney helps with fieldwork and anywhere else needed. Twenty-five full- and part-time employees work alongside the family as well.

Nicole Frank, FARM program manager at First District Association, nominated the Carlsons for the award.

“I was very aware of the exemplary care that happens here on the farm to know that they would be a really good choice,” Frank said.

Frank met with the Carlsons a few years ago during their evaluation, which is conducted every three years to maintain certification with the FARM program. Frank also had the opportunity to visit the dairy during tours, which allowed her to develop a relationship with the family.

“The FARM program is the dairy industry’s way to show … customers and consumers that the dairy products they find in their fridge or pantry are safe to consume and the people that care for them are doing the best they can to do that,” Frank said.

Three letters of recommendation are required to nominate a farm for the award. The Carlsons’ recommendations came from their nutritionist, veterinarian and a member at First District Association.

“We are doing everything in our power to make sure we are taking good care of our animals and bringing a good product to the market,” Kindra said.

When Frank goes to a farm to conduct an evaluation there are two parts to each visit — reviewing written procedures and a visual assessment of the dairy. She starts by observing their written protocols and ensuring each employee on the farm has a current record of training and a cow care agreement.

“(First District staff) guide us and provide resources,” Kindra said. “They’re not coming out here as police … looking for problems to try and get us into trouble.”

Frank then looks at the animals on the farm to confirm they are healthy and thriving in their environment.

The Carlsons said they make a point to train their employees and have consistent meetings. Chad holds quarterly calf meetings with all his employees, the nutritionists and calf consultants. There, they review protocols to ensure everyone is on the same page. They also play videos and explain different practices.

“That’s worked really well,” Chad said. “A lot of times the big thing is the why. ‘Why are we doing (this)?’ and ‘Why don’t we do other things?’”

The Carlsons lead by example.

“When they see how we handle the animals, they handle them the same way,” Carl said.

Each employee on the farm must sign a training and cow care agreement yearly. This is to confirm workers know the right protocol and procedures.

“There are a lot of things about the FARM program that have helped us (with) training,” Chad said. “They have resources. Otherwise, we would have to work hard to find (them).”

Part of the FARM program is to put steps in place to prove to consumers that farms are doing and tracking these proper protocols.

“It’s nice because within this program everything is researched and has the backing to say this is why we do it,” Frank said. “It’s in here because it is best for the animals.”

Chad and Carl said they knew from a young age the cows come first.

“Dad taught us that way back when we were kids, the cows are the most important, and you got to take care of the cows,” Chad said. “If you don’t take care of the cows, they won’t take care of you.”

Carlson Dairy’s employees are appreciated by the Carlson family for their help in creating a good product. Chad and Carl strive to show appreciation to their employees during daily tasks.

“Please and thank you go a long way,” Carl said.

On Carlson Dairy, each generation works alongside employees. Chad and Carl’s kids help on the dairy in different capacities, working full time or helping on evenings and weekends.

“It’s a family working with all of our employees,” Kindra said. “Our goal was to raise our kids in a way (that shows) how we expect animals to be treated.”

Carlson Dairy has made changes and improvements from the time when Curtney was milking 17 cows in the old barn to now the partnership milking 2000 cows.

“When we started this partnership and built this barn, I told them you will never get to the production that I have,” Curtney said. “They did. They passed me up. I am pretty proud of them. They have done well.”