CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY
August 11, 2025
To read the full version each week, please subscribe below.
CDFW Issues Quarterly Wolf Update
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Friday announced that it has released its Quarterly Wolf News Update for the second quarter of 2025, spanning April through June.
Most significantly, the Department has provided an update on wolf reproduction in the Spring months. According to CDFW, the Beyem Seyo Pack in the Sierra Valley produced at least six pups this year. The Harvey Pack, whose home range is southern Lassen and eastern Shasta counties, produced a litter of at least seven pups, and Siskiyou County's Whaleback Pack produced at least nine pups.
As of its September 2024 quarterly update, the Department has ceased reporting total wolf populations in the state, instead limiting its reports to "updates to reproduction and mortality." Assuming no unreported wolf mortalities since that time, CCA analysis of subsequent Departmental updates produces an estimate of 98-100 known wolves currently within the state (CDFW simply acknowledges "at least 50" and upwards of 70 wolves and media reports frequently cite the Department as confirming "50-70 wolves").
According to CDFW's announcement, the Department has also updated its map detailing approximate areas of known wolf activity and its narrative document detailing "California's Known Wolves – Past and Present."
The Department has not posted any new livestock depredation investigation reports since June 5, but the recent update does provide total depredations by individual packs during the quarter. For instance, the update notes that the Beyem Seyo Pack had "14 confirmed and two probable depredation events" between April 1 and June 30 (currently only 9 confirmed and one probable depredation for the pack are posted to CDFW's web page).
Governor Newsom Signs CCA-Sponsored AB 525
Governor Gavin Newsom announced last month that he had signed CCA-sponsored AB 525 (Lackey), which extends by five years the current agricultural vehicle exemption from the California Highway Patrol's Basic Inspection of Terminals Program (BIT). The BIT Program requires certain motor carriers to periodically submit their vehicles, maintenance records and driving records for CHP inspection, with attendant fees paid to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Fortunately, since 2016 CCA has managed to exempt livestock producers from the BIT Program via legislation authored by Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale). The current exemption will remain effective through January 1, 2031; CCA is committed to seeking further extension ahead of that date. For further details, see the July 28 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.
RMAC Seeks Input to Guide Development of Local-Regional Grazing Guidance
The Range Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) of the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is seeking stakeholder expertise and input as it develops a "Local-Regional Grazing Guidance" as required by 2024's Senate Bill 675 (Limón).
According to RMAC Vice Chair Dr. Stephanie Larson, "Your feedback and experience are critical to the development of [an] informed, feasible, and effective Local-Regional Grazing Guidance," and RMAC welcomes ranchers' "thoughts on opportunities, constraints, and needs to support the increased pace and scale of fuels management via prescribed grazing."
The survey can be accessed here and will be available until next Monday, August 18. RMAC intends to utilize feedback from the survey to inform a draft Local-Regional Grazing Guidance to be released by September 11.
Represent California on the Cattlemen's Beef Board
Interested in helping shape the beef checkoff? Now is your chance to get involved! The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking nominees for the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board. Nominees will be considered to represent the Southwest Unit (California and Nevada) for a three-year term that will start in February. The Board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 and is made up of 101 members representing 34 separate states, four units of geographically grouped states and one importer unit.
Any beef producer who owns cattle may be nominated by a USDA certified producer organization (including CCA) and submit a completed application. USDA will select appointees from the nominated producers. To learn more about the Cattlemen's Beef Board and being nominated, click here. Those interested in being nominated please contact Katie Roberti by August 22 at katier@calcattlemen.org.
Apply for a CCA Scholarship
In 2024, CCA awarded over $51,000 in scholarships to students studying agriculture. The application period for CCA's 2025 scholarships is open now through October 1. Any young, regular, or feeder member are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Scholarship amounts and quantities vary year to year and recipients of the CCA scholarship program can re-apply the following year. To learn more and to download the application, click here. Applications must be typed and returned in full to the CCA office by Wednesday, October 1, at 11:59pm PST via email to Katie Roberti at katier@calcattlemen.org.
Upcoming Industry Events
Sierra Valley ranchers face growing threat from protected gray wolves KCRA "'This is unprecedented,' said Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen. 'I don't think anybody's seen the losses that we've seen here anywhere in the nation.'" To continue reading, click here.
SLO County supervisors declare local emergency as Gifford Fire grows San Luis Obispo Tribune "The fire, California's largest of the year, had burned 119,070 acres and was 33% contained as of Monday morning, the Los Padres National Forest said in a news release. The emergency declaration came as the county issued new evacuation orders for areas around Pozo Road, Santa Margarita Lake, Parkhill Road and River Road, west of the Los Padres National Forest." To continue reading, click here.
The Central Valley Tradition of Cattle Ranching Faces an Uncertain Future Comstock's Magazine "Stan Van Vleck achieved a lifelong dream when he acquired the family ranch in 2008 — only to be hit with the realization that the business might not survive. The Great Recession, a downturn in the global economy that year, made business tough. Even more troubling to Van Vleck was his sense that ranching alone would never be a successful venture." To continue reading, click here.
Judge orders feds to reconsider Endangered Species Act protections for wolves The Spokesman Review "In a 105-page ruling on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy sided with environmental groups who challenged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2024 denial of their petition seeking protections for wolves in the Northern Rockies, which includes populations in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Utah, Oregon and Washington." To continue reading, click here.
CCA in the News
Return of wolves sparks fear, strains law enforcement in rural California The Sacramento Bee "Rick Roberti, a rancher and president of the California Cattlemen's Association, said he and his neighbors are conservationists and stewards of both their livestock and the animals that share the range with them." To continue reading, click here. [Editor's Note: This story was also published in and featured on the cover of yesterday's printed edition of the Sacramento Bee. Click here to see the cover.]
Industry News
Rising beef prices challenge California vendors, shift consumer habits KCRA "The supply issue stems from a shrinking cattle herd, as rancher Pat Kirby explained. 'In the last two years, we're at the lowest level on cow production in 60 or 70 years, so if you look at the number of cattle that gets produced from females and you look at the demand that exists, that alone tells you the price is going to rally,' Kirby said." To continue reading, click here.
The Latest Weapons Against Wolves: AC/DC and Scarlett Johansson The Wall Street Journal "The wolf population has swelled since they were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park in 1995. Attacks on cattle and sheep have soared, with ranchers often unable to harm the predators because of their endangered status. Riding to the rescue are drone cowhands, whose quadcopters have thermal cameras that can reveal any wolf lurking in the darkness and bathe it in a spotlight. A loudspeaker broadcasts alarming sounds like fireworks, gunshots and people arguing. One recording is of the fight between Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in the movie 'Marriage Story.'" To continue reading, click here.
Gifford Fire burns over 65,000 acres in California ABC News "The Gifford Fire, which began on Friday afternoon, is situated within the Los Padres National Forest in Solvang, California, impacting those within Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, officials said. As of Monday, the fire has engulfed 65,062 acres and is only 3% contained, according to Cal Fire." To continue reading, click here.
California Cattle Council Executive Director Justin Oldfield joins the podcast to discuss what the Council has focused on so far in 2025 and what's on the horizon for the last half of this year. On this episode, learn about the commercials, billboards, and digital content the Council is advertising now and the strategic plan behind it all. Plus, hear more about some of the research the Council has funded. Click here to listen or stream it wherever you listen to podcasts.
