Where agriculture, efficiency, and curious cows MOOve together for a sustainable operation

By: Isamaris Aparicio González, NRCS Texas Pathways Intern

The change of generations 

In Hatillo, Puerto Rico, a municipality known as “The Capital of the Dairy Industry”, Carlos Alberto Pérez Pérez, a 3rd generation dairy farmer and agronomist from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, visits his farm every day with the desire to make a difference and the passion to educate and create a more efficient system for traditional dairy farming. His story with farming began with his grandfather, Don Benjamín Pérez, who started a dairy farm in 1974 and raised his family around it. Carlos' father followed the steps of his own, becoming part of the dairy farmer community, and now Carlos is committed to continuing the family legacy.

Carlos witnessed his father's unwavering dedication to dairy farming, to the point of being late to his own wedding to deliver a calf. "Fortunately, the one who waited at the altar was my mother and they have been married for 36 years", said Carlos as he described how farming became a passion for his entire family. Carlos’ farm “Hato Don Benja” is named in honor of his grandfather. It is a place where cows graze on 19 acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Carlos’ Voisin style rotational grazing has led him to produce quality milk he provides for his family’s cheese industry, “El Casero”. To ensure quality, he performs genomic tests on his cows meticulously choosing them based on their performance potential.

"As a dairy farmer, you need to have the language of a cow – during which times of the day they walk outside, when they want to eat/drink, and the one who understands that language is the one who walks the ranch every day." -Carlos Pérez Pérez giving Lola a big hug. (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet)

The passion for efficiency and creativity

With effort and dedication, Carlos has created an agrotourism farm where his main attraction includes educational tours for families. If you visit, you can do everything from cuddling to yoga and painting with the cows, to learning the day-to-day life of a dairy farmer. Carlos Alberto will talk about each of his cows, who he recognizes from a far and gives unique names to. He has Ginger, the tallest of the cows, Lola is the most productive, Ola is the most sociable, and Parcha is the laziest. His cow Alexandra is named after Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Conservationist, Alexandra de León, who led him throughout his Conservation Plan. "Through the agency, I have worked with committed people," Carlos said while happily talking about his great relationship with staff.

NRCS Caribbean Area field staff and interns pose with Carlos Alberto Pérez Pérez. (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet)

Carlos shares the same interest with NRCS, to raise awareness of the importance of our natural resources and conserve them for future generations. Linnette Rosado, Arecibo Field Office District Conservationist, considers Carlos' farm an example for other dairy farmers in the area. “I ask farmers if they have seen Carlo’s farm, when they say yes, I tell them that their farms could reach the same potential if they implement NRCS conservation practices”, said Linnette.

In 2022, he applied for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and received assistance for brush management, fencing, pasture planting, and prescribed grazing. The last two practices have provided Carlos with nutritious food during dry seasons for his dairy cows. Currently, he is implementing a new contract by planting trees with hedgerow practices to promote wildlife and silvopasture to provide shade for the cows.

Reaching sustainability in a dairy farm operation can be challenging, but with passion and determination, Carlos has demonstrated it is possible. His hard work has solidified his legacy, not only for his family, but by serving as an example for other dairy farmers throughout the Caribbean.

Ola, the most sociable cow in Hato Don Benja. (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet)

The top banner photo is Dairy Farmer Carlos Pérez Pérez (Photo by Némesis Ortiz Declet).

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