The Dairy Farmer Breaking Every Rule
In an agriculture world obsessed with automation, efficiency metrics, and shiny new equipment, Tristan Swartz is unapologetically going the opposite direction — and building a massive following by doing it.
Tristan is a sixth-generation Wisconsin dairy producer and the creator behind Doing It Wrong Dairy, a brand that challenges nearly every modern assumption about how farms should operate. From relying on 30+ year-old equipment to practicing old-school animal care and rejecting the idea that newer automatically means better, Tristan has built a farm — and a platform — on authenticity.
And the internet has taken notice.
In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, Tristan shares his unconventional journey back to dairy, the principles that guide his operation today, and why showing farming as it actually is resonates far more than a polished highlight reel.
A Childhood Rooted in Livestock — and an Industry Exit
Tristan grew up immersed in agriculture, starting farm work at just four years old on a multi-species livestock operation. Farming wasn’t a career choice — it was simply life.
But in the 1990s, his family made the difficult decision to exit the dairy industry, a move shaped by economic pressures that many dairy families still recognize today. While the cows left, the passion never did.
That early exposure shaped Tristan’s understanding of livestock, responsibility, and what real animal care looks like — lessons that would resurface years later in unexpected ways.
Leaving Home at 17 — and Learning Farming the Hard Way
At just 17 years old, Tristan left home to work on a custom wheat harvest crew, quickly proving himself capable enough to become a crew leader by 18. The experience forced him to grow up fast — managing equipment, people, and long days in unpredictable conditions.
More importantly, it gave him perspective.
He learned that farming doesn’t have one “right” way — only what works, what lasts, and what aligns with your values.
Building a Dairy Farm on His Own Terms
When Tristan returned to Wisconsin, he didn’t chase scale, tech upgrades, or industry approval. Instead, he built a dairy operation rooted in independence, observation, and care.
His approach includes:
Running 30+ year-old equipment by choice, not necessity
Rejecting constant upgrades in favor of systems he understands and can fix
Questioning efficiency metrics that prioritize output over animal well-being
For Tristan, success isn’t about squeezing every pound of milk possible — it’s about doing right by the animals and staying true to himself.
Leaving Calves with Their Mothers — and Why It Matters
One of Tristan’s most talked-about practices is leaving calves with their mothers, a decision that sparks intense debate online.
He explains how this approach:
Impacts calf behavior and social development
Influences herd dynamics and stress levels
Challenges conventional dairy separation norms
Rather than following tradition blindly, Tristan asks a simple question: Why do we do things the way we do — and who does it actually benefit?
Alternative Breeds, Retirement Pastures, and Saying “No” to the Culling List
Tristan also experiments with alternative dairy breeds, including Gyr cows, stepping far outside mainstream U.S. dairy genetics. His curiosity extends to every corner of the operation — including how cows exit production.
One of the most emotional moments of the episode comes when Tristan discusses his “retirement pasture” — a place for cows he refuses to sell simply because production drops.
To him, animals aren’t disposable assets.
They’re living beings that deserve dignity.
Why “Doing It Wrong” Is Actually Working
Tristan’s honest, sometimes controversial content has fueled the rapid growth of Doing It Wrong Dairy across social platforms, drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers who crave authenticity.
He doesn’t claim to have all the answers.
He doesn’t pretend his way is perfect.
And he never asks permission to farm differently.
That’s exactly why people listen.
In a world full of filters, Tristan proves that truth travels faster than polish — and that farming stories matter most when they’re real.
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 Farm4Profit Podcast — Featuring Tristan Swartz (Doing It Wrong Dairy)
👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/farm4profit-podcast/id1470546918
