CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

June 16, 2025

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Legislature Approves 2025-26 State Budget
The California Senate and Assembly on Friday approved the Budget Act of 2025 ahead of yesterday’s Constitutional deadline for legislators to submit a budget bill to the Governor. The $325 billion spending plan is larger than the $321.9 billion budget proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom in his May Revision of the proposed budget and seeks to address a $12 billion budget shortfall in part by drawing $7.1 billion from the state’s “rainy day fund” and an additional $6.5 billion from other special funds.

One noteworthy omission from the Budget: lawmakers rejected Governor Newsom’s request to streamline permitting and review of a proposed tunnel to reroute water through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in the Budget Act, though legislators left the door open to addressing the policy later this legislative session.

While the budget bill satisfies the Constitutional deadline for legislators to draft a spending plan, it is not expected to be the final word on the state’s 2025-26 Budget. Legislative leaders have indicated their intention to continue negotiating final budget details with the Newsom Administration ahead of July 1, which marks the beginning of the state’s next fiscal year, and budget details will be further hammered out in forthcoming ‘budget trailer bills.’

CCA will keep members apprised of Budget developments relevant to the ranching community in forthcoming publications.

Sen. Monique Limón Elected Senate President Pro Tempore Designee
Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) announced last Monday that the Senate Democratic Caucus had elected Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) as the “Pro Tem Designee,” noting that the role would formally transition from McGuire to Limón “early in 2026.” Limón’s tenure as Senate President Pro Tempore will be brief, as the Senator will be termed out of office in 2028.

Although Limón is considered “one of [the] most progressive environmental champions” in the Senate, it should be noted that the Senator’s environmentalism includes recognition of the ecological benefits of livestock grazing. Last year, Senator Limón successfully pushed legislation to expand state grants for prescribed grazing and requiring prescribed grazing to be incorporated into the state’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.

RTAP Stockpond Workshop
Register now for a FREE stockpond workshop on July 23 at 4:00 PM, hosted by the Rancher Technical Assistance Program’s (RTAP). The twenty minute discussion will cover the legal requirements for stockpond owners discussing water rights, reporting, and registration, including the registration application process. RTAP can assist ranchers in completing registration applications and encourages any rancher with a stockpond to attend the workshop to learn more. Questions from participants will also be encouraged during the workshop. RTAP is provided by the California Cattlemen’s Foundation and funded by the California Cattle Council. To register, click here.

CDFW Identifies Three New Wolf Packs, Bringing State Total to 10
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has released its quarterly Wolf Management Update for the first quarter of 2025. Most notably, the update identifies three new named packs in northeastern California: the Ashpan Pack in eastern Shasta County, the Ishi Pack in eastern Tehama County and the Tunnison Pack in central Lassen County. According to CDFA, the Ashpan Pack was responsible for one confirmed livestock depredation in the first quarter of 2025 and the Tunnison pack had two confirmed depredations during that period. For additional details, see the June 2 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

FSA to Provide $1 Billion in Emergency Relief Funding to Producers Impacted by Drought and Wildfire in 2023 and 2024
The USDA Farm Service Agency has announced that the agency is releasing $1 billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to compensate livestock producers for eligible drought and wildfire impacts suffered during 2023 and 2024. Payments will be issued automatically to producers who have approved Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) applications on file for those years. For additional details, see FSA’s announcement or the June 2 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

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CCA in the News

California ‘strike team’ aims to keep wolves from attacking cattle on ranches The Sacramento Bee “The move was greeted with cautious optimism by rancher Rick Roberti, president of the California Cattlemen’s Association, who raises cattle in Loyalton and whose voice has been among those begging the state for help. ‘This is something the [Department] came up with to try to help us,” Roberti said. “Hopefully if this works they can find money to do it in more areas.’” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

Trump can revoke national monument designations, Justice Department says CNN “The DOJ memo mentioned two California national monuments designated by former President Joe Biden shortly before leaving office. In Trump’s first term, the president shrank the size of two national monuments in Utah, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante, and reduced the size of a national marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean.” To continue reading, click here.

As wolf packs grow in California, cattle ranchers face mounting losses CBS News “Trail cameras show wolf packs in Siskiyou County. They’re healthy and well-fed, partly because these wolves have developed a taste for beef. The Department of Fish and Wildlife says there are now 10 packs in the state, with three discovered this year. Ranchers Jim and Mary Rickert said that in the last year, they’ve lost 16 cows to confirmed wolf attacks, with 60 suspected kills.” To continue reading, click here.

More steps against New World Screwworm forthcoming Brownfield Ag News “Brooke Rollins told the U.S. House Agriculture Committee Wednesday that an announcement will come next week on her agency’s next steps against the invasive fly as it continues to move through Mexico.” To continue reading, click here.

Beef prices rising as cattle herds hit historic low; red meat demand steady The Fresno Bee “If you are looking forward to a summer of grilling steaks, be prepared to pay a little more at the grocery store as the nation’s beef supply dips to historic lows and demand for red meat remains high.” To continue reading, click here.

New California wolf packs: How to balance wildlife conservation with ranching | Opinion The Sacramento Bee “The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently announced the presence of three new wolf packs in the state, bringing California’s total number of packs up to 10. Department biologists believe there are between 50 and 70 gray wolves in the state of California.” To continue reading, click here.