P2o—Uncarttr Fanning, Saturday, June 16,1984 The Compton family consists of, from Cheryl holding niece Rebecca and Bill. BY BETH NESBIT CLARKSBURG - Situated among the winding country roads of southern Indiana county is the Compton family’s Ja-Jo Farm. Even though the Comptons have been active m the Holstein breed for several years, their hard work and persistence is just beginning to really pay off. After years of hard work and determination Jim and Bill Compton are beginning to see material proof of their efforts. The first material proof this father and son team noticed was in increase in milk production. During the past eight years the Comptons had maintained a herd average hovering around 16,000 pounds with 634 pounds of fat, while milking 50 head of registered Holsteins. Due to the current pinch in the dairy economy, many farmers must expand their operations in order to survive. Jim and Bill are no different than other dairymen when discussing this current problem. But, instead of expanding their dairy operation numerically, they decided to push the efficiency of their existing Holsteins to the maximum. After analyzing their herd, Jim and Bill began eliminating problems one by one. Mastitis, dreaded by all dairy farmers, was the first problem to be tackled. In order for Jim and Bill to clear up their mastitis problem, they began to improve udder care techniques. Each cow’s udder was to be dryed with a paper towel after she was washed and teats dipped after she was milked. The next improvement was a new pipeline along with new milking units which included automatic takeoffs. Even though new equipment and techniques were being used, a staph infection was stil evident. After a closer investigation, they were able to trace this infection to a top animal which had been purchased. Much to the Comptons dismay this animal had to be removed from their herd. New equipment, improved milking methods, and clearing up staph infections when they occur has helped increase the Compton’s rolling herd average. The Ja-Jo Farm’s most recent D.H.I.A. report, stands at 18,305 pounds of milk, and 718 pounds of fat with 614 pounds of protein. Besides concentrating on in creased milk production, Bill is concerned with unproving the quality of the herd by select breeding. Ja-Jo Orbiting Terry (Ex-90) is a result of Bill’s concern Father & son pay attention to detail lary Inn, ,«v - ‘ ‘'y , „*’ 'Vf ~ 1 , tt. fe^.*»fr f f.. J ~ rr «» '^«Mf* <- \ * ri * ** •9 ** for quality breeding. Terry also days is 20,754 pounds of milk, and delegate has helped Bill keep up has quite an impressive milk 833 pounds of fat. with the top Holstein bulls. Being a record, her lactation to date for 279 Being a Coba/Select Sire former 4-H’er and a current 4-H Wrfpf* 1,. , , , , ’ * * ■■ ■'£'*?■