LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
April 17, 2023
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USDA Extends ECP Application Deadline for Severe Storm Recovery to October 13
On Friday, the California State Office of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that it has “extended the deadline for accepting Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) applications from California agricultural producers who need assistance to address damages from severe storms” until October 13.
ECP funding may provide up to 75% of the eligible cost of practices necessary to “restore the farmland to pre-disaster conditions,” not to exceed $500,000. Approved practices include debris removal, fence restoration, grading, restoring conservation structures and shaping and leveling. Eligible producers must apply for assistance before beginning repair work.
ECP sign-ups are currently available for producers impacted by severe winter storms in every county except Lake, Lassen, Mono, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
For additional details, see FSA’s announcement, here. To apply, contact your county FSA office (you can find your county office’s contact information here).
Comments Due Wednesday for USDA APHIS Animal Disease Traceability Rule
On January 19, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released 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” and would apply to all sexually intact cattle 18 months of age or older, all dairy cattle (as defined) and all cattle used in rodeo or other recreational events. Public comments on the Proposed Rule are due by 8:59pm Pacific this Wednesday, April 19. Comments can be submitted via Regulations.gov.
For more information, see the January 23 edition of Legislative Bulletin or listen to Season 3 Episode 3 of the Sorting Pen podcast featuring Dr. Tom Talbot.
State, Feds Respond to Winter Storm Disaster
At the request of Governor Gavin Newsom, President Joe Biden earlier this month declared “that a major disaster exists in” Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne counties “and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on February 21, 2023, and continuing.” Additionally, Governor Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency to exist in 47 counties and has issued an executive order to support Tulare Lake Basin flood response. For additional information on state and federal responses to this winter’s devastating storms, see last week’s edition of Legislative Bulletin.
BLM Releases Proposed Rule on “Conservation and Landscape Health”
Earlier this month, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a Proposed Rule, titled “Conservation and Landscape Health,” which makes significant changes to the agency’s authority under the Federal Land Management and Policy Act (FLPMA). Of concern to CCA, the Proposed Rule would clarify that conservation of land is a “use” within the meaning of FLPMA’s multiple-use mandate and would ramp up identification and designation of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern – both of which could have impacts on permitted grazing. The Proposed Rule may also have a benefit for permittees, though, as it would apply land health standards currently only utilized to evaluate grazing permits to all uses of BLM lands. BLM is accepting comments through June 20; for additional details, see the April 3 edition of Legislative Bulletin.
SWRCB Extends Scott River Watershed Curtailment Suspensions Through May 2
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) announced Friday that it has extended suspensions of curtailments within the Scott River watershed through at least May 2 so long as minimum flows of 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) are maintained at the Fort Jones gage. Shasta River watershed curtailments remain suspended through the end of this month so long as minimum flows of 70 cfs are maintained at the Yreka gage. The SWRCB has also suspended its prohibition against “inefficient livestock watering” within the Scott and Shasta River watersheds provided certain conditions are met.
As reported last week, the SWRCB has fully rescinded curtailment orders for the Russian River and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watersheds.
New Episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast
Tune into this week’s episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattlemen’s Podcast. In this episode Katie visits American River College to chat with Audubon California’s Pelayo Alvarez, the Director of the Conservation Ranching Program in Sacramento. This episode is a conversation on what Audubon California’s Conservation Ranching Program is and how Audubon California working with ranchers.To listen to the episode, click here.
CBCIA + CAA Tour
The California Beef Cattle Improvement Association and the California Angus Association Industry Tour is taking place May 16-18. Participants will visit the Central Valley and have the opportunity to tour an array of livestock operations, local agricultural businesses and hear from industry leaders. Limited space is available and spots are on a first come first serve basis. To view the agenda and register for the tour click here.
Upcoming CCA Events
CCA Steak and Eggs Legislative and Regulatory Breakfast + Lobby Day
May 16, 2023, Sacramento, CA, The Sutter Club
Join the California Cattlemen’s Association and other CCA members at the 42nd Steak and Eggs Legislative and Regulatory Breakfast + Lobby Day. Plan to be in Sacramento on Tuesday, May 16. Breakfast starts at 8am! Over breakfast, enjoy sharing about your ranch while meeting representatives from regulatory and legislative offices in Sacramento. Following the breakfast, attendees will head across the street to the state Capitol to continue conversations about ranching in California.
There is no cost to attend but RSVPS are required. To RSVP click here.
Feeder Meeting
May 24 – 26, San Diego, CA, Marriott Marquis
Registration for the California Cattlemen’s Association Feeder Council and Arizona Cattle Feeders Association Meeting is now open. To Register click here.
The California Cattlemen’s Association room block at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina is now open! To make your reservation, click here or call (877) 622-3056 and mention “CCA Annual Feeder Meeting 2023.”
Midyear Meeting
June 21-22, Paso Robles, CA, Paso Robles Inn
Save the date for the 2023 Midyear Meeting, headed back to the Paso Robles Inn. Look back for further information in the coming weeks.
Upcoming Industry Events
Financial Resiliency for the Family Ranch Workshop
April 18, Stockton, CA and April 19, Bakersfield, CA, 10:00am – 3:00pm
The Western Extension Risk Management Education, The Art of Range Podcast, USDA and Washington State University Extension are hosting Financial Resiliency for the Family Ranch Workshop taking place in Stockton and Bakersfield, CA. The workshop will cover financial risks in ranching, the importance of managerial accounting and much more. Attendance is limited. To view the flyer and for registration instructions, click here.
Public Lands Council Legislative Conference
April 24-25, 2023, Washington, D.C.
The Public Lands Council 2023 Legislative Conference will be help in person after two years online. Hear from Congressional members, policy experts, scientists, and other industry professionals. For additional information and to register click here.
CBCIA + CAA Tour
May 16-18, 2023, Turlock, CA
The California Beef Cattle Improvement Association and the California Angus Association Industry Tour is taking place May 16-18. Participants will visit the Central Valley and have the opportunity to tour an array of livestock operations, local agricultural businesses and hear from industry leaders. Limited space is available and spots are on a first come first serve basis. To view the agenda and register for the tour click here.
Industry News
NCBA Highlights Federal Injunction Stopping WOTUS Rule in 24 States National Cattlemen’s Beef Association “This injunction was granted thanks to a lawsuit filed by 24 state attorneys general seeking to overturn the WOTUS rule. In total, NCBA and its litigation partners have secured preliminary injunctions in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. NCBA’s motion for a nationwide injunction is still pending in the North Dakota court.” To continue reading, click here.
San Joaquin Valley farmers dig in for the next battle: an epic Sierra snowmelt Los Angeles Times “The challenge going forward, Barcellos said, is managing the water for the remainder of the year. If orchards now engulfed in floodwaters aren’t drained, root rot will pose a risk to thousands of trees. The hay that feeds area cattle is also in danger.” To continue reading, click here.
Moving cows out of harm’s way due to flood risks – CDFA working with dairy farmers, ranchers and government partners to help relocate cows and keep milk flowing CDFA Planting Seeds Blog “According to local livestock haulers, thousands of cows have been relocated in [Tulare and Kings] counties, with a number of them lactating dairy cows moved mostly to neighboring dairy farms as local producers are working together tirelessly to weather the crisis. Local environmental officials, in partnership with CDFA, have issued permits facilitating safe milk production at the new locations.” To continue reading, click here.
A New episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast is out now. Tune in as Katie visits American River College to chat with Audubon California’s Pelayo Alvarez, the Director of the Conservation Ranching Program in Sacramento. This episode is a conversation on what Audubon California’s Conservation Ranching Program is and how Audubon California working with ranchers.To listen to the episode, click here.
