CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

February 18, 2025

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CCA-Sponsored Bills Introduced in State Assembly
CCA this month secured introduction of two bills to benefit California’s cattle producers. On Feb. 4, Asm. Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) introduced CCA-sponsored Assembly Bill 411, which would legalize on-ranch composting of routine livestock mortalities. CCA also secured introduction last Monday of AB 525 (Lackey), which seeks to extend the current exemption for agricultural vehicles from the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) program.

California ranchers have limited options for disposal of livestock carcasses. Rendering may be infeasible or prohibitively expensive given the lack of facilities remaining in the state. Only some counties allow burial of animal carcasses, and burial presents several logistical challenges. While most other states allow ranchers to compost routine livestock mortalities on their own property, California regulations do not. Instead, many ranches dispose of livestock mortalities in bone piles, which risk attracting predators to the ranch – a particularly troublesome outcome as California makes it increasingly challenging for producers to manage wolves, mountain lions, bears and coyotes.

Funded in part by CCA’s Livestock Memorial Research Fund, researchers at CSU Chico and UC Cooperative Extension have in recent years conducted a pilot program demonstrating the safety and feasibility of composting livestock on California ranches. AB 411 seeks to translate that science into sound policy, providing ranchers an additional method to dispose of livestock mortalities.

CHP’s BIT Program requires certain motor carriers to periodically submit their vehicles, maintenance records and driving records to CHP inspection, with attendant fees paid to the Department of Motor Vehicles. There are several compelling reasons to exempt agricultural vehicles from BIT. Farm and ranch trucks also serve as producers’ personal vehicles, and those trucks would typically be exempt from BIT if used exclusively as personal vehicles. Additionally, BIT inspections are time-consuming for family farms and ranches, with even minor violations potentially restricting a farmer or rancher from operating a vehicle critical to their business.

AB 525 is authored by Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), who partnered with CCA
in 2016 to author the agricultural exemption to BIT and again in 2022 to extend that exemption.

CCA thanks Assemblymembers Papan and Lackey for their service to California’s cattle producers. For more information on CCA-sponsored bills, see the March edition of the California Cattleman magazine, and stay tuned to California Cattleman Weekly for regular updates on AB 411 and AB 525.

Fish & Game Commission Delays Action Limiting Coyote Hunting after CCA Engagement
At a Jan. 15 hearing, the Fish and Game Commission’s Wildlife Resources Committee approved a motion recommending “that the Commission approve a future rulemaking to amend Section 472 to remove coyotes, in concert with a future rulemaking to maintain hunting opportunities.” Section 472 currently allows nongame mammals – including coyotes – to “be taken at any time of the year and in any number.”

The exact substance of that “future rulemaking” was not clear, but it appears that at least some Commissioners have a strong desire to impose bag limits on coyotes, significantly curtailing ranchers’ ability to proactively manage coyote populations to safeguard their herds.

Unfortunately, the Wildlife Resources Committee’s Jan. 15 agenda failed to clearly state that the Committee was considering limits on coyote management. As a result, the Committee heard from coyote advocates and hunters, but was deprived of the opportunity to hear from ranchers whose calves are frequently threatened by coyotes throughout the state.

In response, CCA on Jan. 30 issued a letter to the Fish and Game Commission (available here) urging it to re-refer the matter to the Wildlife Resources Committee for further deliberation, ensuring that the Committee could hear the perspectives of cattle ranchers before initiating any regulatory change. At Tuesday’s Fish and Game Commission meeting in Sacramento, the co-chairs of the Wildlife Resources Committee agreed to withdraw the motion from the Commission’s agenda and re-refer the matter back to the Committee for further discussion – citing some of the concerns outlined in CCA’s letter.

The Wildlife Resources Committee next meets on May 15 in Sacramento, where Commissioners will again discuss limits on take of coyotes. CCA will file detailed comments with the Committee prior to that hearing strongly opposing any change to section 472 and will be on-hand at the meeting to defend ranchers’ ability to manage coyote populations. CCA encourages members to appear virtually or in person on May 15 to convey to Commissioners the continued need for allowing coyotes to “be taken at any time of the year and in any number.”

CDFW Collars 12 Gray Wolves, Provides Statewide Wolf Updates
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on Friday issued a press release reporting that the agency recently collared a dozen gray wolves in northern California, meaning “There are now more satellite-collared wolves in California than ever before.”  According to CDFW, there are now five collated wolves in Sierra County’s Beyem Seyo Pack, five in Lassen County’s Harvey Pack and two new collared wolves in Siskiyou County’s Whaleback Pack.

According to CDFW’s most recent quarterly wolf update, there was already one collared wolf in the Whaleback Pack and three collared wolves in the Yowlumni Pack of Tulare County. Assuming those collars are still active, the state currently has a total of 16 collared wolves.

The press release also provides an update on the number of active wolf packs in California, reporting that “CDFW is currently aware of seven wolf packs in California.” While the department had previously reported nine active wolf packs, the Beckwourth Pack has not been detected since October of 2023 and is no longer considered active, and CDFW states that two packs – the Beyem Seyo and Antelope packs – recently merged.

Finally, CDFW reports that the California Wolf Project – a collaboration between CDFW and UC Berkeley’s Rausser College of Natural Resources announced in October – has issued its 2024 Annual Report. Of particular interest to cattle producers, the Project has collected 394 scat samples from five wolf packs to “understand the summer diets of wolves,” and expects to have the results of genetic testing available in mid Spring or early Summer. The report also details the California Wolf Project’s other efforts to research wolf impacts on livestock and California’s native ungulate populations.

CDFW anticipates releasing its “first annual report on the status of gray wolves in California” in April.

New Episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast
A new episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast is out now! In this week’s episode, three experts join CCA’s Katie Roberti to talk about biosecurity. Dr. Gaby Maier and Dr. Lais Costa from UC Davis and University of California Ag and Natural Resources, share their expertise. Dr. Julia Herman from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association shares her national perspectives on the importance of biosecurity. Text us your comments, feedback and episode ideas! To listen, click here.

CARB Releases 2024-25 Agricultural Vehicle, Equipment, and Infrastructure Survey
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is encouraging producers to take the 2024-25 agricultural vehicle, equipment and infrastructure survey, which allows CARB and other state agencies to “accurately depict agricultural vehicles and equipment across the state in air quality, energy, and infrastructure planning efforts and inform the distribution of incentive funding.” The survey is open through Friday and can be found here.

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CCA in the News

Plumas County Supervisors Discuss Wolves and Property Taxes The Mountain Messenger “At its February 11th meeting, the Plumas County Board of Supervisors and members of the public heard a presentation by Rick Roberti, Sierra Valley rancher and President of the California Cattlemen’s Association, about threats to livestock and wildlife from the county’s growing wolf population. Mr Roberti stated that some ranchers are losing $20,000 to $50,000 per year from depredation. Wolves are also reducing populations of mule deer and other natural prey, he said, and that, in turn, makes them more likely to attack cattle.” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

California homeowners will have to fund half of high-risk insurer’s $1 billion ‘bailout’ CalMatters “After saying it would run out of funds by March, California’s last-resort fire insurance provider will impose a special charge of $1 billion on insurance companies — which will in turn pass the costs along to homeowners — the first such move in more than three decades.” To continue reading, click here.

Senate Confirms Brooke Rollins as Agriculture Secretary The New York Times “The Senate confirmed Brooke L. Rollins on Thursday to lead the Agriculture Department, putting her in charge of an agency responsible for promoting and regulating the nation’s food supply. The final vote was 72 to 28, including 19 Democrats in support. Throughout the confirmation process, Ms. Rollins garnered noticeably more bipartisan support than some of President Trump’s other cabinet picks, with the Senate agriculture committee voting unanimously to advance her nomination.” To continue reading, click here.

Forest Service fires 3,400 people after ‘deferred resignation’ deadline passes Politico “The U.S. Forest Service will fire roughly 3,400 federal employees across every level of the agency beginning Thursday, according to two people familiar with the plans. The move targets employees who are still within their probationary period, which means it’s easier for them to be let go.” To continue reading, click here.