LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
April 24, 2023
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State Water Project & Central Valley Project to Deliver 100% of Requested Supplies
On Thursday, the California Department of Water Resources announced that it “now expects to deliver 100 percent of requested water supplies” under the State Water Project (SWP) this year. The same day, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that all Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors north and south of the Delta would receive “100% of their contract supply.”
The full deliveries represent a rapid turnaround for the water projects. In February, both SWP and CVP forecasted mere 35% deliveries. In late March, in the immediate wake of the atmospheric rivers, the SWP projected deliveries of 75% of requested water and the CVP 80%. The last time the SWP and CVP delivered 100% of requested supplies was 2006 and 2017, respectively.
The announcements come as California’s reservoir storage sits at 105% of its historic average after several atmospheric rivers hit the state earlier this year. As the state’s historic snowpack begins to melt, reservoir levels are expected to remain high. In addition to the contracted SWP and CVP allocations, the State has allowed local water agencies to divert excess ‘flood flows’ resulting from the storms.
USDA Extends ECP Application Deadline for Severe Storm Recovery to Oct. 13
The California State Office of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has 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 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, or read last week’s edition of Legislative Bulletin. To apply, contact your county FSA office.
American Angus Foundation Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship Application due May 1
The American Angus Foundation Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship is open. The scholarship is for youth who use Angus sires or dams in their commercial operations. To apply, youth or their guardians must use Angus genetics in their breeding operations. To apply and learn more about the scholarship, click here. Applications are due Monday, May 1, 2023 and are to be emailed to scholarships@angus.org.
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
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.
NCBA Producer Education Cutting Through the Carbon Clutter Webinar
April 27, 2023, Virtual, 7:00pm Central
NCBA Producer Education will host a webinar on April 27 at 7:00pm Central on “Cutting Through the Carbon Clutter”. To register for the webinar, 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 Files Comments on USDA Traceability Rule National Cattlemen’s Beef Association “Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) filed comments on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed rule “Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison” to emphasize the importance of electronic animal identification to protect the cattle industry from the threat of a foreign animal disease. USDA’s proposed rule would apply to cattle 18-months or older only when moving interstate.” To continue reading, click here.
Water cuts could save the Colorado River. Farmers are in the crosshairs. SFGATE “Alex Jack has spared little expense in the quest to grow vegetables in the desert with less water. It has cost him $2.5 million over the years to be on the cutting edge of efficiency, installing underground irrigation under alfalfa and lettuce beds, building aerated reservoirs and a network of pipes and pumps to recycle runoff.” To continue reading, click here.
Quinn-Davidson to Lead UC ANR Fire Network Morning AgClips “Lenya Quinn-Davidson has been named director of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Fire Network, effective April 1. UC ANR’s statewide Fire Network will build connections and capacity among UC ANR scientists, practitioners, land management and regulatory agencies, policymakers and communities to work toward fire resilience in California.” 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.
