CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

April 14, 2025

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CDFW Announces Transition to Phase 2 of Wolf Management Plan
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that “California is now in ‘Phase 2’ of wolf management” after the agency confirmed the presence of at least four breeding pairs in the state for two successive years. Under Phase 2, the Department intends to initiate a status review of the species and explore permitting more aggressive ‘less-than-lethal’ hazing measures. CDFW also plans to release an online tool soon to provide location information for GPS-collared wolves. For additional details, see last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

SWRCB Releases Tracking Tool to Monitor SB 88 Compliance
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) recently updated its Water Rights Measurement Data Tracker. The tracker displays compliance with the Annual Water Diversion and Use Reporting requirements (historically referred to as “SB 88 regulations”) for water year 2024. Individuals can search their water rights by water right ID or by owner name to check for compliance deficiencies.

As previously reported in California Cattleman Weekly, the SWRCB will assess late fees on water right holders who still have not filed their annual Water Use Reports for the 2023-24 reporting year, which were due on Feb. 1. Late fees will be applied automatically and calculated as a percentage of a right holders’ base water right fee, as detailed here.

Ranchers are encouraged to reach out to the Rancher Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) to search the tracker for them and to assist with any questions or deficiencies. RTAP can be reached by phone at (916) 406-6902, by email at [email protected], or found online at calcattlemenfoundation.org/rtap.

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, two board members from the Livestock Marketing Association join Katie to share why they, LMA and their members are working hard to help create opportunities for their customers, ranchers and farmers, through their producer profitability initiative. Back on the show is LMA’s Western Director Jake Parnell—who is also a California cattle producer and owner of Cattlemen’s Livestock Market in Galt. Joe Goggins, vice president of LMA and owner of Public Auction Yards in Billings, Montana, is also a featured guest on this episode. To listen, click here.

Stewarding Your Story: Advocacy 101 webinar!
Join the California Beef Council and California Cattlemen’s Foundation, for a free webinar on Wednesday, May 28 at 6:00pm PST. This webinar is designed to equip everyday beef producers with the tools and confidence to advocate for the beef industry. Whether you’re new to advocacy or just looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll gain valuable insights on:

• Understanding consumer concerns
• Knowing where to start with your story
• Covering essentials of effective advocacy

Meet Our Speaker: Chandler Mulvaney
A fourth-generation cattle producer and NCBA’s Director of Grassroots Advocacy, Chandler brings years of experience in agricultural communication, extension work, and advocacy training. He’s passionate about helping producers share their stories effectively and with confidence. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your advocacy skills and connect with fellow beef producers! To register for the webinar, click here.

This free webinar is hosted by the California Beef Council and the California Cattlemen’s Foundation with support from the California Cattle Council. 

Check Your Mailboxes – Guide future University Research and Extension
This survey is a senior project for undergraduate Animal Science student, Claire Saydah, that is under the supervision of Dr. Rachael Lyons.

Feedback from ranchers is essential for universities to develop future research projects, educational workshops and classroom curriculum for the next generation. California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) members will be receiving in their mailboxes a survey to understand how ranchers make herd health and management decisions. This project is made possible from the support of the California Cattlemen’s Association and the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association.

“The information gathered from the beef producer survey will help the scientists, veterinarians, and educators across California understand the most important herd health problems cattle producers in the state are faced with. The survey will identify targets for producer education based on current needs and will help those who are engaged in producer education to better serve the ranching community;” states Dr. Gaby Maier, project team member with the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis.
This research team includes:

• Dr. Rachael Lyons, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
• Dr. Zach McFarlane, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
• Tracy Schohr, University of California Cooperative Extension
• Dr. Bret Mcnabb, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis
• Dr. Gaby Maier, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis
• Dr. Kasey DeAtley, California State University, Chico

The survey results will be anonymous and will only be reported as summaries. The research team will share their analysis (but not your individual response) in a future edition of the California Cattleman Magazine and with cooperative extension advisors to guide future research and local extension seminars.
“Several years ago, we received an excellent response from CCA members regarding bull management, and this time, we’ve broadened our focus to include overall herd health,” says Zach McFarlane, project team member. “We understand that ranchers often receive numerous surveys, but we hope that, with the support of our diverse project team—who has translated past survey results into policy briefs, educational resources, and new research—you’ll take the time to complete this survey.”

If you have questions regarding this study or would like to be informed of the results when the study is completed, please contact Dr. Rachael Lyons at [email protected] or 805-756-2470.

To complete the survey, click here.

Upcoming CCA Events

Upcoming Industry Events

CCA in the News

CDFW enters next phase of wolf conservation plan Western Livestock Journal “Kirk Wilbur, vice president of government affairs for California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), told WLJ they are pleased the agency is honoring the blueprint in the 2016 conservation plan and transitioning into Phase 2.” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

Republican U.S. Senators Reintroduce Legislation to Delist Gray Wolf as Endangered Species Sierra Sun Times “U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), along with two of his Republican colleagues, reintroduced legislation to return management of gray wolf populations to the states and delist the gray wolf as endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.” To continue reading, click here.

BLM California partners to secure America’s Border Bureau of Land Management “The BLM in California oversees an impressive 71 miles of public lands along the international border with Mexico, accounting for half of the southern border that stretches from the Pacific Ocean through California. This expansive area encompasses approximately 3.3 million acres of public lands that extend 100 miles north from the border, showcasing natural gems like the Otay Mountain and Jacumba Mountain wilderness areas, as well as the famous off-highway vehicle sand park, the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.” To continue reading, click here.