2020 Salute to Dairy

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020 CELEBRATING OUR LOCAL DAIRY INDUSTRY | 5
TOSTE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
the bad times.”
A variety of improvements
have translated into
greater production over
the years.
John said that, daily production
of seven to seven
and one-half gallons of
milk per cow was considered
strong. Now, he said,
production runs nine gallons
per day.
Genetics, cow comfort
and nutrition are all key
factors, John shared.
“If you want to maximize
production, especially in
the times that we have
gone through, cow comfort
is a key,” he said. Installing
soakers seven or eight
years ago was a significant
improvement in cow comfort,
John added. The temperature
regulated soakers
run more frequently as
the mercury rises, helping
keep the cows cool.
During extended periods
of hot weather, John
said, daily production
could drop by a gallon of
milk or more without such
measures. As it is, production
suffers somewhat
during hot weather but
keeping cows as comfortable
as possible minimizes
the loss.
Genetics are another
key consideration.
“You want to breed for
production, but still have
positive fat content in
that cow’s milk (to bring
a higher price),” John explained.
John Jr. selects the bulls
used in the dairy’s breeding
program. He said he
considers a variety of factors,
including production,
daughter pregnancy rate
and structure.
“I look for results from
the daughter. If they continue
to do well for us, we
continue to use them. If
not, we like to switch it up
a little,” he stated.
Technology has put a
wealth of information at
the fingertips of dairy producers,
John added, allowing
them to more efficiently
manage each animal.
Twenty years ago, information
for each cow was
recorded on a card. Today,
a computer program contains
information ranging
from production and fat
content to number of lactations
and health for each
animal.
That also allows for
ready comparisons from
one generation of cow to
the next.
“If you are doing things
right, the daughter should
be better than the mother
See TOSTE | PAGE 6
John Toste Jr.
and his father,
John Toste, are
pictured on the
family’s Santa Fe
Grade Road dairy.
FRANK B. MARKS & SON, INC.
Producers of Rock, Sand & Gravel Products
• NEWMAN •
862-2900
Supplying The
Area For Over
100 Years
Dairymen…We Speak Your Language!
Genske,
Mulder & Co.
Certified Public Accountants
Saluting West Side Dairy
2101 L Street, Newman
862-3760
GARTONTRACTOR.COM
Robert O. Burroughs
Diane Kerckhove
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Specializing in the
Ag & Dairy Industry
4803 Sisk Road, Suite 201, Salida CA 95368
(209) 523-3573