often deal directly with customers with unique cultural and religious requirements . Zach Estrada , just 24 , started his herd at age 7 with his grandfather ’ s help . He manages more than 100 head near Mt . Madonna Park while working full time as a firefighter . Zach participates in sustainable logging as well . These additional sources of revenue are not optional . California ranchers work on very thin margins — often there are none .
The drought in western states has been difficult for the cattle business . “ Prices at auction have been flat for years . Meanwhile , diesel , hay , insurance are all way up ”, says Estrada . Relief does appear to be on the way . Early ‘ 23 prices are coming in strong !
MAIN IMAGE : Cal Poly Alum , Jenna Fields represents the 6th generation of ag in her family . ABOVE LEFT : Joey Santos , owner of J & J Cattle and Fraiser Lake Livestock Processing , ABOVE RIGHT : Juli Figone and Erica Bianchi Pirnik . LOWER RIGHT : Cattleman and Firefighter Zach Estrada
Livestock Market in Aromas . While cattle can often be seen chomping on grass , unusable for human consumption , we rarely see the folks who raise them .
Ranchers of south county work tirelessly to care for their herds , many on horseback with the help of intuitive cattle dogs . Jenna Fields , a Sobrato High graduate and recent Cal Poly alumna said , “ I ’ d much rather be on the back of a horse when working cattle . It ' s the safest place to be .” Jenna is the 6th generation of her family to work in ag . Her family has managed cattle above the Coyote Valley for over 100 years and it ’ s her goal to continue that tradition .
Ranchers are not afraid of technology . Long before the tech world invented Artificial Intelligence ( AI ), ranchers were using their own type of AI : artificial insemination has been common for decades . Ranchers also apply modern techniques like electronic identification ear tags that help manage their herds efficiently and safely . They form partnerships with local businesses to supplement a herd ’ s diet . Bellpepper culls from Christopher Ranch , old bread from Beckmann ' s Bakery of Santa Cruz , and spent grain from micro-breweries in downtown Gilroy are some . When Joey Santos , who , with his parents , co-owns Frazier Lake Livestock Processing and J & J Cattle of Gilroy , arrives with bread , his certified Angus cattle notice . “ They come runnin ’,” he says .
Most ranches in south county are cow / calf operations . Many cows are bred in winter and carry for 9 months . At birth , calves weigh about 65 lbs . and feed mainly on grass and their mother ’ s milk through the following spring . At 8 months they are weaned and will have gained more than 500 lbs . Most are sold at auction in May and June . Some will be taken to the high country in the Sierras or the northwest to continue feeding on green grass or trucked to feedlots around the west . Some female calves are kept to replace aging cows and a few male calves will become breeding bulls . Ranchers often buy and sell bulls to prevent in-breeding .
Ranchers take seriously the health of the lands they manage . Brent Kirk , President of Santa Clara County Cattlemen ' s Association and owner of Kirk Cattle says , “ These lands help sustain society so it is our duty , as ranchers , to sustain the land ”
Cattle are constantly moved to prevent overgrazing . Dr . Stuart Weiss , PhD , Stanford University and Chief Scientist of Creekside Center for Earth Observation , led a study that determined cattle grazing does play an important role in grass-land management . “ Ranchers are incredibly perceptive and they provide a real service to conservation ,” he said . Kirk , who is also a full time fire captain , credits grazing for reducing wildfire risks . “ Shorter grass burns slower and less intensely ,” he said . ( continued )
Many ranchers have jobs in addition to their cattle operations . Linda Honech , who is partners in life and in a cattle herd , with Santos , is director of transportation for Gilroy Unified School District . Both are GHS alumni . Fields works as a freelance journalist and photographer . Honech and Santos are highly involved in the livestock processing company with Santos ’ s parents in addition to managing cattle . They
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