The rhythmic hum of milking machines fills the air as dawn’s first light spills over the rolling hills of Evansville, Wisconsin. At Larson Acres, another day begins much like the thousands before it. Cows move through the barn, some of about 70 team members tend to their care, and generations of knowledge and experience guide each decision. But behind the familiar routines is a story of progress. This multi-generational dairy farm isn’t just preserving tradition: it’s redefining and improving it for the future.
With a steadfast commitment to sustainability, animal welfare, and quality, Larson Acres has earned national recognition, recently receiving the 2024 World Dairy Expo Dairy Producers of the Year award and the National Mastitis Council (NMC) Milk Quality Award. These honors are a testament to the family’s dedication by balancing the past with the future and ensuring that each new sunrise brings not just another day of farming but a step forward in the industry.
“The Larson family has been farming in southern Wisconsin for nearly a century,” says Sandy Larson (‘94), fifth generation family member who serves as General Manager of Larson Acres. “By focusing on three key pillars — quality, pride, and family — our farm is truly a superior example of modern dairy farming.”
This commitment to excellence is exemplified in the farm’s partnership with The Dairyland Initiative at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. The Dairyland Initiative (DI), a science-based outreach program, has been instrumental in helping Larson Acres implement best practices for cow comfort, milk quality, farm sustainability and more. While its roots extend back several more years, the DI was officially founded in 2010. Through research, consultation, and educational resources, DI has provided Larson Acres with the tools to make strategic, science-backed decisions that positively impact and advance their farming operations.
One notable outcome of the Larson Acres and DI collaboration is the implementation of advanced ventilation and heat abatement systems in the farm’s lactating cow and calf barns. With Wisconsin’s summers bringing rising temperatures, ensuring cow comfort is more crucial than ever. The DI has helped guide Larson Acres in installing a Positive Pressure Tube Ventilation (PPTV) system in their calf barns and to enhance comfort and cooling in their adult cow barns, significantly improving airflow, reducing heat stress, and promoting overall animal health.
“Larson Acres is an example of a farm that pushes us to come up with answers to important questions while being open to trying new innovations such as using PPTV,” says Courtney Halbach, Outreach Specialist for DI.
Nigel Cook (Chair, Department of Medical Sciences), project leader of DI, highlights the long-standing collaboration with Larson Acres, calling it a model farm for design and development. Since representatives from the initiative first visited in 2003, the farm has embraced numerous improvements guided by DI research and recommendations. Over the years, these efforts have included bedding management changes, stall enhancements, ventilation upgrades, the construction of one of the first cross-ventilated barns for adult cattle, and state-of-the-art calf facilities. Through this partnership, Larson Acres has not only implemented these advancements but has also welcomed DI to showcase them in on-farm training sessions and tours – for soon to graduate (or enter the workforce) veterinary students as well as industry partners and peers – helping to share best practices with the broader dairy community.
“We all need farms like Larson Acres,” says Cook. “They want to do the best for their cows, and they are not afraid to take a risk and make big changes if a convincing argument can be made for improvement.”
For Mike Larson, Dairy Manager of Larson Acres, dairy farming is more than just a business – it’s a legacy built on generations of dedication. As part of the fourth generation of Larsons to farm in the Evansville area, he takes pride in continuing the family tradition as the family is actively engaging and transitioning leadership to its sixth generation. That deep-rooted commitment made his early connection with the DI feel natural. Mike recalled feeling comfortable from the start, having previously worked with the University of Wisconsin’s Dairy Science Department and School of Veterinary Medicine before the initiative was even established.
“One of the first major building projects where we sought guidance from The Dairyland Initiative was our expansion in 2010,” says Mike Larson. “I worked closely with Dr. Cook on stall designs and other key aspects, and their input was invaluable. The initiative became a crucial part of our team. Just this year, I turned to them again for advice on updating our nursery barn ventilation. Over the summer, they developed a plan for additions and installations, making the process seamless. They’re incredibly easy to work with.”
Adds Jim Trustem (‘92), Larson Acres’ Dairy Herd Manager, “The DI demonstrated the need for moving the baffles in the cross-ventilated barn through wind speed analysis and smoking the barn to show air flow. Their results were conclusive, and we used them and Dr. Cook’s recommendations to ultimately improve ventilation.”
Receiving the honor of being named the 2024 Dairy Producers of the Year is a testament to years of dedication, innovation, and collaboration at Larson Acres. Reflecting on the achievement, Sandy Larson credits a combination of key factors.
“This award is the culmination of working together as a family, developing superior employees, and collaborating with industry leaders such as The Dairyland Initiative,” she says.
“It all starts with the calves and providing an environment where they can thrive. Designing the nursery barns to include PPTV is an excellent example of that, as is the addition of cross-ventilation in some barns.”
Beyond ventilation, DI has played a key role in helping farms like Larson Acres rethink barn design entirely. The initiative was founded with the goal of providing farmers with the best available information to make informed decisions about facility design and improvements for dairy cattle. To support this mission, DI created a free website, giving farmers and their consultants easy access to up-to-date resources, as well as virtual tours showcasing farms that have implemented its recommendations. Additionally, the initiative conducts on-site visits to farms like Larson Acres, offering hands-on troubleshooting and tailored solutions to address specific challenges.
“We even went beyond the website to create workshops that are held twice a year to train people how to design facilities,” says Cook. “The attendees are builders, lenders, farmers, consultants, vets, and nutritionists, and all bring their own perspectives. We have learned as much from these interactions as they have, and it’s been a way to expand our knowledge in a non- threatening manner – we are not competing against the builders, we are inviting them and bringing them on board while also listening to and reacting to their concerns.”
More recently, DI expanded its reach by launching a podcast, with Halbach and Cook releasing new episodes every two weeks to provide up-to-date information in an accessible format. Since June, the podcast has garnered more than 10,000 listens, reflecting the industry’s growing interest in innovative dairy practices. But the DI’s impact goes beyond sharing information – it’s about fostering meaningful collaboration. At Larson Acres, this partnership extends beyond the implementation of new systems, involving close work with consultants and experts who bring specialized knowledge to help the farm continuously improve.
Scott Pertzborn (’83 DVM’87), a veterinarian with Lodi Veterinary Care, and Zach Janssen, of Wisconsin-based Grande Cheese Company (which Larson Acres supplies), have worked closely with Larson Acres to ensure DI recommendations are carried out with precision. Larson Acres works to balance cow comfort with high quality milk production, experts including Pertzborn and Janssen help bridge the gap between research and practical application.
“We rely on two-way communication to come up with practical solutions that are informed by research as well as the people directly involved on the farm,” says Halbach. “It’s imperative that recommendations are made with feedback from caregivers if they are to be successfully implemented. Many of our recommendations have been fueled by our clients’ drive to continuously improve, and Larson Acres is one of those farms that challenges us to come up with what’s best for their cows and the wider dairy industry as a whole.”
The partnership between Larson Acres and The Dairyland Initiative demonstrates how collaboration, innovation, and science can transform dairy farming. Larson Acres’ success in implementing advanced ventilation systems and heat abatement strategies is just one of many ways DI’s research and guidance have made a tangible impact on dairy farms across Wisconsin and around the world (see map), emphasizing the sustainable practices, enhanced cow comfort, and high-quality milk production that is at the heart of the industry’s continued success.
As Larson Acres looks ahead, this deep-rooted commitment to progress remains unwavering.
“Growth in some capacity will be part of our future,” says Sandy Larson. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with and learn from The Dairyland Initiative, whether that includes on-farm consultation, risk assessments, or just being a part of our team of consultants that provides valuable insight and guidance.”
by Simran Khanuja and Maggie Baum