CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY
March 24, 2025
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CDFW Releases Wolf Depredation Investigation Reports
On Thursday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that it had posted 19 reports detailing wolf depredation investigations undertaken by the Department between October 18, 2024 and March 5.
The reports confirm 14 livestock depredations by wolves across the 19 investigations, in addition to one “probable” wolf attack on a sheep in Modoc County and a “possible” kill by the Yowlumni Pack in Tulare County. Four instances of confirmed depredations were perpetrated by Siskiyou County’s Whaleback Pack, and DNA testing linked five depredation events in Modoc County which killed at least six livestock animals to “multiple Whaleback Pack yearlings.” Additionally, the Lassen Pack killed a sick cow in Plumas County in late January, and an “unknown wolf or wolves” killed two heifers and injured another in Shasta County in late February.
By CCA’s count, CDFW confirmed 60 livestock depredations by wolves in 2024 – a number which likely significantly under-counts the true impact of wolves throughout the year.
Trump Admin. Signals Intent to Roll Back California National Monument Designations
As reported in last week’s California Cattleman Weekly, the White House earlier this month suggested that it intends to diminish or rescind national monument designations for the Chuckwalla National Monument in eastern Riverside County and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, which includes portions of the Modoc, Shasta-Trinity and Klamath National Forests. Both monuments were designated during former President Biden’s final week in office. As of press time, the President had not taken action on the previously-proclaimed monuments, but CCA continues to track the issue and will keep members apprised of any developments. For additional information, see last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly.
Trump Signs Continuing Resolution Funding Federal Government Through Sept. 30.
President Donald Trump earlier this month signed a continuing resolution which will keep the federal government funded through Sept. 30. The legislation includes several priorities of the beef cattle industry, including extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, $15 million in funding for USDA to provide electronic identification tags to states at no cost to producers and continuation of the livestock-hauling exemption from federal electronic logging device requirements, among other priorities. For additional information, see last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly.
Upcoming CCA Events
2025 Feeder Meeting
May 21-22, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego, CA
Feeder Meeting will take place May 21 – 22 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. To register and view a tentative schedule, click here. To book your stay at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, click here. Be sure to book your room by April 29, 2025!
Upcoming Industry Events
Ag Legacy Symposium: Preparing the Farm and Ranch for the Next Generation
March 27, 2025, 5:30 pm, UC Cooperative Extension Office, Yuba City, CA
Join the University of California of Cooperative Extension on Thursday, March 27 for an Ag Legacy Symposium at the UC Cooperative Extension Office in Yuba City, Calif. The session will prepare participants farm, ranch, forestry operation, or agri-business, big or small, for the transition to the next generation. The presentations will cover legal aspects, financial topics, political factors, family dynamics, and provide real-life scenarios for you to consider incorporating into your succession plan. This symposium is designed for those who need to kick start their estate plan, those with plans under development or those looking to refine their plan. Early Bird registration is $20 and includes dinner and workshop materials. To view an agenda, learn more about the symposium, and to register, click here. To view the information file, click here.
Public Lands Council Legislative Conference
April 8-9, 2025, Washington, D.C.
The Public Lands Council (PLC) Legislative Conference will take place April 8-9, in Washington, D.C. To view a tentative schedule click here. To register, click here.
Industry News
CA county declares gray wolf emergency Western Livestock Journal “The Modoc County Board of Supervisors in California signed Resolution 2025-13 in mid-March, confirming a local emergency in the county due to concerns over public safety from gray wolf threats.” To continue reading, click here.
Grass-Roots Insight: Study Uncovers Patterns in Cattle Grazing Behavior UC Davis Clear Center “Dr. Kristina Horback, an associate professor in the Department of Animal Science at University of California, Davis, has always been fascinated by the lives, and more specifically the minds of cattle. Growing up in the Bay Area, she would travel past ranches, captivated by the sight of cattle grazing on distant hills, and often wondered how these animals navigated the expansive rangelands.” To continue reading, click here.
A new episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast is out now! Representing California’s 34 Assembly District, Assemblymember Tom Lackey was joined by CCA’s Katie Roberti in his office. In this episode, Lackey shares about issues that are top of mind right now for California legislators. Lackey and Roberti also talk about how Asm. Lackey has partnered with CCA throughout his time in office. Hear about the bill he is helping CCA run this year, and why he believes ranchers are important voices to have in Sacramento. To listen, click here.
