Bucks Unlimited honored as Minnesota Milk Producer of the Year

GOODHUE, Minn. — Gaining perspective off the farm was something Dave and Ann Buck instilled in their six children. Today, that approach has led two of their sons back home to Bucks Unlimited, contributing to the farm being recognized as the 2025 Minnesota Milk Producer of the Year by the Minnesota Milk Producers Association.

The honor is presented yearly to exceptional dairy farmers who are leaders in agriculture and their community, demonstrating a commitment to the Minnesota dairy industry. The award was presented to the Bucks during the MMPA annual meeting and dairy dinner banquet Feb. 24 in St. Paul.

“There are a lot of great dairymen in the state and in MMPA, so it was a great honor to receive it,” Ann said.

Dave agreed.

“This award means a lot,” Dave said. “We’re truly honored and humbled to accept this award.”

The couple purchased the farm in 1991, though they had farmed with Dave’s family for years prior. What began as a 70-cow dairy has expanded to 1,400 cows, along with a manure management custom business and a feeder cattle operation. Over time, much of the farm’s management has transitioned to their sons, D.J. and Chris.

“The award is a testament to what my mom and dad have done in the last 40 years in the dairy industry,” Chris said. “They’ve been so involved and a voice for dairy and animal agriculture.”

Chris said continuing what his parents started is important to both him and his brother. One of the biggest lessons they have learned from their parents is the importance of continual learning and improvement.

“There are so many great farms around the state that do so many good things to promote dairy,” D.J. said. “Our parents have put in the time over the years.”

Dave served 12 years on the MMPA board, four years as president. He said he valued the opportunity to learn from fellow dairy farmers. That same focus on innovation, constant learning and improvement is evident in how the farm operates today.

“We’re always trying to stay on top of keeping things running and always looking for new opportunities to improve cow comfort,” Ann said.

That commitment to progress is evident in the farm’s latest project: a new barn designed to house additional cows, planned for completion by June 1.

Alongside the dairy, each son has also developed and manages the other two businesses, adding diversity to the operation.

“Dad always said if you’re coming home, you got to bring something to the table,” D.J. said. “I’m not necessarily a cow guy. Growing up, all I wanted to do was drive a tractor. So I got to turn that into a business, which was pretty neat, and that was my ticket home.”

D.J. now manages the farm’s manure pumping and custom work through Buck Custom Services. Before returning to the farm, he worked in radio advertising.

“I got a call about a custom guy going out of business, and I went over to sell him radio advertising, and he said, ‘Why don’t you do this?’’’

Chris followed a similar path back to the farm. While teaching about 30 minutes away, he gradually became more involved as the feedlot expanded. What started as raising bull calves during the summer and selling them in the fall evolved into a year-round beef enterprise.

“I was getting married and I decided to keep the feeders for the spring to help pay for the wedding,” Chris said. “Then we just kept going with it after that.”

The farm’s business consultant, Tom Anderson, guides the diversified operations.

“We have a 3-headed operation where we have dairy, our feedlot, and our custom business,” Chris said. “It seems like at least every year, at least one or two of the businesses do very well. So it kind of helps keep the other ones going.”

For Dave and Ann, having the next generation return to the farm is especially meaningful. They recognize that the future of the operation will continue to evolve under their sons’ leadership.

“This new barn has been a big transition, a lot of planning, a lot of decision making,” Ann said. “Our parlor was 50 years old, and there were a lot of breakdowns. It was a big collaborative decision that needed to be made about going forward, but we’re thankful we have a next generation.”

That next generation extends even further. The Buck family now includes 25 grandchildren who love to visit the farm.

“It’s great to see my boys come and help on the farm along with the younger cousins,” Chris said. “I’ll ride the tractors with them. It’s that whole family working together way of life.”

Both Chris and D.J. also give credit to the 16 full-time farm employees, many of whom have been with the operation for 10-20 years.

“It’s just a lot of fun to see everyone grow as a family and as a business, our employees included, and getting to see their families grow and be on the farm as well,” D.J. said.