LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
February 6, 2023
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Participate in a Caltrans Pilot Study and Earn up to $250
From the California Department of Transportation
California is exploring an alternative to the gas tax and is actively recruiting rural stakeholders to provide input on the policy idea and take part in the pilot.
Fuel taxes fund much of California’s transportation system, including the repair of roads and bridges. However, fuel purchases will eventually decline as California transitions to electric and other clean air vehicles in the future. To address this funding concern, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 1077 in 2014 and Senate Bill 339 in 2021 to study a transportation tax based on a per-mile fee, known as a road usage charge.
In 2023, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will conduct further pilot research and aims to recruit participants from two distinct populations: rural and tribal communities. The research pilot, known as the Public/Private Roads Project, will gather essential information for planning how a road charge program could address travel to and from public and private roadways. In addition to recruiting participants for focus groups and attitude survey research, the state is offering incentives of up to $250 for community members to take part in a 7-month pilot launching in March.
Caltrans wants the voices of rural community members and business owners at the table as this policy idea on replacement funding is being explored. The agency wants to understand how the concept fits into your day-to-day and what unique challenges and opportunities it may provide rural communities. Caltrans encourages CCA members to sign up to participate. For more history and information on California Road Charge visit https://caroadcharge.com/ or contact Lauren Prehoda at lauren.prehoda@dot.ca.gov.
SWRCB Extends Curtailment Suspensions Within Scott River Watershed
On Thursday, the State Water Resources Control Board announced that curtailments in the Scott River watershed remain suspended through midnight this Thursday, February 9, so long as flows of 200 cfs are maintained at the Fort Jones gage (if flows dip below 200 cfs, diversion under all water rights listed here must immediately cease).
Otherwise, water rights curtailment suspensions and conditional curtailments remain unchanged from the statuses reported in last week’s Legislative Bulletin.
New Episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast
Each year at the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow there are a few issues that rise to the top of discussions. At this year’s meeting, just held Feb. 1-3, traceability was the topic. On the newest episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast, Past CCA President, Inyo County cattle rancher and veterinarian Dr. Tom Talbot sat down with Katie on the last day of meetings in New Orleans to explain why discussions on traceability are picking up now and what it means for California producers. Later in the episode CCA officers Rick Roberti and Bev Bigger join to ask a few traceability questions of their own. To listen to the episode click here.
Rancher Technical Assistance Program Hosts Flood Assistance Webinar
The Rancher Technical Assistance Program will host a Flood Assistance Webinar for ranchers and producers who may have been impacted by recent storms and is open to anyone regardless of CCA membership status. The webinar is free and will be held on Zoom, Friday, Feb.10, 2023 at 10:00am. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to ask questions live at the end of the webinar.
Navdeep Dhillon, the Farm Program Chief for USDA, Farm Service Agency in California will speak covering relevant programs for those in search of flood assistance.
RTAP is a joint project developed by the California Cattlemen’s Association, California Cattlemen’s Foundation and Western Resource Strategies, LLC and funded by the California Cattle Council. To join the webinar, click here.
USDA APHIS Proposes New Animal Disease Traceability Rule
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) last month published a Proposed Rule regarding the “Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison.” The Proposed Rule would require that eartags “be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized for use as official eartags for interstate movement of cattle and bison.” The Rule would apply to all sexually intact cattle 18 months of age or older, all dairy cattle (as defined) and all cattle of any age used in rodeo or other recreational events. For more information, see the January 23 edition of Legislative Bulletin.
CCA’s national partners at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council have filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers challenging the Biden Administration’s recent revision of regulations defining “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The lawsuit alleges (among other claims) that “The Rule should be held unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act…because the Rule adopts an unworkable definition of WOTUS that conflicts with the [Clean Water Act], the Constitution, and Supreme Court precedent.” For additional details, see the January 23 edition of Legislative Bulletin.
Upcoming CCA Events
2023 Feeder Meeting
May 24-26, San Diego Marriott Marquis, San Diego, CA
The 2023 Feeder Meeting is set to return to the San Diego Marriott Marquis, May 24-26 for the 2023 event. Early bird registration for this year’s meeting is now open! Please take a look at the registration packages closely as they differ from the options available for the 2022 meeting. Early bird registration ends March 6 and prices will increase on March 7. More details on the event will be posted and sent out in the coming weeks. For more information and to register click here.
Upcoming Industry Events
Flood Assistance Webinar
Feb. 10, 2023, Virtual
The Rancher Technical Assistance Program will host a Flood Assistance Webinar for ranchers and producers who may have been impacted by recent storms and is open to anyone regardless of CCA membership status. The webinar is free and will be held on Zoom, Friday, Feb.10, 2023 at 10:00am. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to ask questions live at the end of the webinar.
Navdeep Dhillon, the Farm Program Chief for USDA, Farm Service Agency in California will speak covering relevant programs for those in search of flood assistance.
RTAP is a joint project developed by the California Cattlemen’s Association, California Cattlemen’s Foundation and Western Resource Strategies, LLC and funded by the California Cattle Council. To join the webinar, click here.
2023 Society for Range Management Annual Meeting
Feb. 12 – Feb. 16, Boise, ID, In Person and Virtual
The Society for Range Management’s Annual Meeting will be held Feb. 12-16 in Boise, ID. The conference will consist of technical tours, sessions and meetings. The meeting will be offered both in-person and virtually. For further information and to register for the meeting click here.
2023 California Rangeland Conservation Coalition Summit
Feb. 24, 2023, Stockton, CA, In Person
The University of California Ag and Natural Resources, the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition and the Range Management Advisory Board have collaborated to host the 2023 California Rangeland Conservation Coalition Summit on Feb. 24 in Stockton, CA. This years joint conference titled,“Rangeland and Fire” will provide an array of presentations from ranchers, researchers, CalFire and rangeland agencies. For further information and to register for the event click here.
Ag Legacy Symposium
Feb. 25, 2023, Chico, CA, In Person
The University of California Cooperative Extension Plumas-Sierra is hosting an Ag Legacy Symposium on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at the Chico State University Farm. The event will prepare your farm or ranch or agri-business, big or small, for the transition to the next generation. The sessions will cover legal aspects, financial topics, political factors, family dynamics, and provide real life scenarios for you to consider incorporating into your succession plan. Early bird registration is $30 and includes morning refreshments, lunch and workshop materials. To register, click here.
If your business is interested in joining as a sponsor or trade show vendor, please contact Dr. Kasey DeAtley at kdeatley@csuchico.edu or 530-828-4318. For general event questions please contact Tracy Schohr at tkschohr@ucdavis.edu or 916-716-2643.
UCCE Offers AB 589 Water Measurement and Reporting Course
March 2, Davis
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) will offer a water measurement and reporting course, as authorized by CCA-sponsored AB 589 (2017) and SB 880 (2022), on Thursday, March 2 in Davis. There will be a limited number of trainings offered in 2023, so early registration is encouraged. Registration is $30; for further details and to register for the training, click here or contact Larry Forero.
UC Davis Bovine Artificial Insemination Clinic
March 27-29, 2023, Davis, CA, In Person
The UC Davis Young Cattlemen’s Association will host a Bovine Artificial Insemination Clinic March 27-29, 2023 at the UC Davis Feedlot and Beef Barn. Veterinarians from the UC Davis School of Medicine will teach the clinic. The cost for non YCA members is $425 and $375 for YCA Members. For more information and to register contact Davisyoungcattlemens@gmail.com.
Industry News
NCBA Announces 2023 Policy Priorities NCBA “The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) executive committee approved the organization’s policy priorities at the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, with a focus on advancing animal disease preparedness, protecting voluntary conservation programs, and defending producers from regulatory overreach.” To continue reading, click here.
USDA launches pilot Cattle Contracts Library FarmProgress “USDA launched its pilot Cattle Contract Library webpage as directed by the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act. It will allow users to search terms and information contained in active contracts used for the purchase of fed cattle. To continue reading, click here.
Epic California snowpack is now the deepest it’s been in decades Los Angeles Times “Drought-weary California is entering February with deeper snowpack than it has seen in four decades, reflecting a healthy boost in the state’s supply of water but also spurring concerns about dryness, flooding and other potential hazards in the months ahead.” To continue reading, click here.
After the atmospheric rivers, a changing outlook Wildfire Today “To interpret a wildland fire outlook can be a bit like posting a scenic photo to Instagram. You share the images and phases that capture the moment, with hopes that these will intrigue us into deeper connections to the months ahead.” To continue reading, click here.
Each year at the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow there are a few issues that rise to the top of discussions. At this year’s meeting, just held Feb. 1-3, traceability was the topic. On the newest episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast, Past CCA President, Inyo County cattle rancher and veterinarian Dr. Tom Talbot sat down with Katie on the last day of meetings in New Orleans to explain why discussions on traceability are picking up now and what it means for California producers. Later in the episode CCA officers Rick Roberti and Bev Bigger join to ask a few traceability questions of their own. To listen to the episode click here.
