HORNITOS, Calif. — Tony Toso has some sage advice for those starting out in the livestock business: “Always be open to learning.”

“Absorb like a sponge!” he said. “Seek out those who inspire you; learn from them and study agriculture in school. Go to field days; join into webinars; join advocacy groups like the California Cattlemen’s Association and Farm Bureau.”

Toso studied agriculture in school and in 1985 earned an animal science-ag business degree from Fresno State University. His first job out of college was a feed truck driver at Harris Feeding in Coalinga.

The family lives in Hornitos, which is an old Gold Rush town — population 75 — in western Mariposa County.

The cow herd is Angus-Brangus based and has SimAngus bulls. The cattle are grazed on native pastures on private and public lands totaling over 10,000 acres.

Recent rains caused some damage, but they were much more a benefit than they were a problem, he said, adding that California was getting into some serious drought conditions, and those rains really saved ranching operations on a wide swath of the state.

“My wife, Danette, and I are partners with her parents,” Tony said. “Our two daughters, Alyssa and Gianna, and their families are also involved with the operation.”

Danette is also executive director of the Mariposa County Farm Bureau.

“Tony is a past president, served as a member of the board of directors since 2000, as the California Farm Bureau Federation representative for District 9 from 2011 to 2015 and California Farm Bureau Federation’s second vice president from 2015 to 2017,” she said.

He has also been a member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee since 2005 and represents the cattle industry and the Mariposa Merced Cattlemen’s Association.

In addition to raising livestock, Toso is a shareholder in the agricultural appraisal firm of Edwards, Lien & Toso Inc. in Hilmar; the past president of the California Cattlemen’s Association and the president-elect of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and the vice chair of the International Trade Committee with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Among the many challenges facing the beef industry is plant-based meat, he said.

Plant-based meats have not impacted his operation directly but Tony said the industry should take them seriously and always tout the nutritional benefits of beef and the many benefits of raising cattle.

Fake meats are just some of the challenges facing California livestock industry.

“Challenges are really a way of life for cattle producers in this state,” he said. “From regulatory issues, to wildfires, to high land values, to endangered species issues — and don’t forget water.”

“But I have been very blessed and I have had some good opportunities and learned some valuable lessons from some great individuals in the livestock industry.”