On the Knuuttila family farm, sustainability isn’t something extra, it’s an integral part of everyday life. The farm has been in the Knuuttila family for several generations, and since 2017, the operations have been run by three brothers – Tomi, Arto and Juho. A long history also brings a sense of responsibility. The brothers take care of both the animals and the farm to ensure that the operations will also have a sustainable foundation for future generations.

“Attention to detail and a long-term perspective are central to everything we do," Tomi Knuuttila, who runs the farm, explains.

Animal health informs our daily work

Animal welfare is the cornerstone of the farm’s operations. Our daily work revolves around caring for the animals, which involves constantly monitoring their well-being. Our skilled workers quickly notice if something is wrong.

“Because the animals are observed in their groups every day, it’s possible to see if they are doing well just by looking at their behaviour – things like the position of their ears and the condition of their fur," Tomi says.

Animal welfare is also considered in specific practices. For example, a constant supply of high-quality silage, clean drinking water, dry and clean pens, and good air quality are a given. The farm also cooperates closely with the vet and Atria’s primary production. All treatments, as well as any deviations, are recorded in the systems.

Complete traceability builds trust

Sustainable production also means transparency. All animals are identifiable and registered in the cattle register, where each bovine has its own EU identifier. The entire life cycle of the animal – from birth to transfers, feeding and possible medication – is carefully documented. The information is also available to other parties in the production chain, such as industry. The use of antibiotics and other drugs is fully traceable and strictly controlled, which supports consumers’ confidence in domestically produced meat.

“We can tell exactly where an animal comes from, and how it has been cared for throughout its life. This is an important issue for consumers,” Tomi emphasises.

Family farms are the foundation of Finnish food production

Family farms play a key role in food production in Finland. Their long-term commitment, sense of responsibility and local expertise are reflected in the quality and safety of production. A healthy animal produces high-quality meat, and the Finnish production chain is known from start to finish.

“When consumers choose a Finnish product, they can be confident that its production is regulated and ethical. That's the promise we make as producers,” Tomi concludes.