CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

May 19, 2025

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Fish and Game Commission Declines to Recommend Changes to Coyote Regulations – For Now
Last Thursday, the Wildlife Resources Committee of the California Fish and Game Commission met in Sacramento to discuss potential “changes to regulations regarding the take of coyotes.” Though Commissioner Erika Zavaleta clarified that no specific regulatory amendments were under consideration and that the hearing was primarily aimed at gathering information from stakeholders, the Committee had earlier this year recommended removing coyotes from Section 472 of California’s Natural Resources regulations, which allows nongame mammals (including coyotes) to be “taken at any time of the year and in any number” (for more detail, see the February 18 edition of California Cattleman Weekly).

On-hand to oppose any change to coyote take regulations were several sheriffs from northern counties, representatives of a bipartisan coalition of California legislators, CCA staff and dozens of farmers and ranchers. After four hours of discussion, the Commissioners made no recommendation to change the current regulations governing take of coyotes. Though the Committee left open the possibility of revisiting the issue in the future, both Commissioners on the Committee spoke of the need to preserve farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to protect their animals and property from coyotes and their desire not to hinder those efforts in any future regulation (CCA will share the Commissioners’ exact sentiments once the meeting video is released).

“It was eye-opening to see the opposition from many. Overall, while I believe it was a good day for livestock producers, I know our battle with predators rages on,” said CCA President Rick Roberti, who was in attendance and spoke at the hearing.

CCA thanks members and supporters who took time away from the ranch to participate in Thursday’s hearing, and CCA will keep members apprised of any future activity pertaining to coyote take regulations.

CDFW Releases Gray Wolf Mapping Tool
The California Department of Fish & Wildlife announced on Thursday that it has released a new Wolf Location Automated Mapping System. The Mapping System provides location data on wolves equipped with GPS collars, of which there are currently 14 in the state. According to CDFW, “The most recently received location of an individual [collared] wolf is shown as a hexagonal cell and, when clicked, provides information about the wolf’s pack, the general area they are in, and the last transmission date.”

Wolf locations shown on the Department’s map are “approximate and not reflective of the exact or current location of any individual wolf or pack,” and data which would reveal wolves’ den sites or rendezvous sites “will not be available during certain times of the year.”

Before using the mapping tool, it is recommended that you fully and carefully read the Department’s Frequently Asked Questions document, which details the features and limitations of the Automated Mapping System.

Governor Newsom Releases ‘May Revise’ of FY 2025-26 State Budget
At a press conference last Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom overviewed his May Revision of the state’s budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which calls for total spending of $321.9 billion. To address a projected $12 billion shortfall, the ‘May Revise’ calls for $5 billion in spending cuts (primarily within the health and human services sector), $5.3 billion in internal borrowing and $1.7 billion in fund transfers and shifts.

Of particular note, the Governor highlighted his intention to work with lawmakers to extend the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program – currently set to expire in 2030 – through 2045. Cap-and-Trade brings in approximately $4.2 billion per year via the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and Newsom has expressed support for redirecting $1.5 billion in GGRF revenue (rising to $1.9 billion in FY 2028-29) to CalFire to address ballooning wildfire response and prevention costs.

The Governor’s revised budget plan retains allocations from 2024’s Climate Bond for food and agriculture programs as initially outlined in January’s Proposed Budget. Food and agriculture expenditures in the May Revise include $38 million for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, $36 million for the Healthy Soils Program, $2 million for the California Farmland Conservancy Program and $12 million for the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program.

The Administration and Legislature will continue to negotiate the Budget for roughly the next month ahead of a June 15 Constitutional deadline for the Legislature to pass a budget bill. CCA will keep members apprised of major budget moves impacting California cattlemen.

Live Cattle Imports from Mexico Suspended Amid New World Screwworm Threat
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the agency had suspended the importation of live cattle across the Mexican border “due to the continued and rapid northward spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico.” USDA previously halted importation of live cattle from Mexico in November after NWS was discovered along the nation’s southern border with Guatemala, but were allowed to resume in early February. The new restrictions on cattle movement were necessitated by an “unacceptable northward advancement of NWS” to within “700 miles away from the U.S. border,” according to USDA. For additional details, see last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

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CCA in the News

California panel to discuss protections for coyotes Western Farm Progress “The CCA opposes the potential rule. Roberti noted that ranchers usually leave coyotes alone as long as they’re not threatening the herd. However, there are times when coyotes get in packs and cause more problems, he said.” To continue reading, click here.

CA proposal to limit the killing of coyotes put on hold amid rancher protests The Sacramento Bee “We have a terrible problem with the gray wolf right now, and that has hyped up the coyote issue, because it’s like one more thing that we have to deal with,” said cattle rancher Rick Roberti, who lives in Plumas County and is the president of the California Cattlemen’s Association. “We need your help.” To continue reading, click here.

Bovine: It’s what’s for dinner – for wolves Western Farm Press “Rick Roberti is one of what appears to be a growing number of ranchers in northeastern California losing cattle to gray wolves.“We always lose a few calves (to predators), but by the time I found them, they were so far gone I couldn’t get anybody to look at them,” said Roberti, a fourth-generation Sierra Valley rancher and president of the California Cattlemen’s Association. “Last August, one was killed about a quarter of a mile from the ranch. It was eaten up. The trapper who confirmed it said sure enough.” To continue reading, click here.

Proposal to limit hunting of coyotes draws ire of California ranchers, farmers The Sacramento Bee “But Wilbur of the Cattlemen’s Association said that ranchers are not indiscriminately killing coyotes in the first place. Rather, he said, ranchers see value in the animals most of the time, because they eat rodents and other pests. But during the calving season, they can turn to livestock, he said.” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

NCBA Secures Initial Tax Relief Wins for Cattle Producers American Ag Network “Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released the following statement in response to the House Ways and Means Committee passing a tax package that provides significant tax relief to family farms and ranches. The bill includes several beneficial provisions including an increase in the exemption amount for the federal estate tax, also known as the Death Tax, a top priority for America’s cattle producers. The tax package must be approved by the House of Representatives as part of the reconciliation process.” To continue reading, click here.