CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

Sept. 22, 2025

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CCA Delegation Wraps Lobbying Trip to Washington, D.C.
A delegation of CCA leadership was in Washington, D.C. last week lobbying federal regulators and legislators to advance California cattle producers’ policy priorities. CCA officers, staff and members met on Monday with officials from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to lobby the association’s conservation, disaster recovery and trade priorities. CCA’s delegation also met with US Fish & Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik about gray wolves and with leadership of the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service to discuss wildfire resilience, grazing permit administration and other priorities.

On Tuesday, CCA’s delegation turned its attention to Capitol Hill. Former CCA and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Kevin Kester spoke at the weekly House Republicans Leadership Stakeout about the benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s tax and conservation provisions for cattle producers while CCA First Vice President Mike Williams and past CCA president Tony Toso flanked the podium. Later in the day, CCA members met with several members of California’s Congressional delegation to directly press the Association’s legislative priorities (as well as district-specific issues). For a complete recap of CCA’s Washington, D.C. “Fly-in,” read the October edition of the California Cattleman magazine.

Participate in the Beef Checkoff’s Producer Survey
You’re invited to take a survey from the Beef Checkoff to share what types of news and information you’d like to see regarding where your Checkoff dollars are going to drive beef demand here and abroad. This will ensure the information shared from the California Beef Council and nationally is timely, relevant, and valuable to you as Checkoff stakeholders. In addition, this will help the Cattlemen’s Beef Board have a better understanding of opinions and knowledge regarding the local and national Checkoff programs. By completing this brief survey, you will be entered to win one of 50 insulated Klean Kanteen drink containers from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Click here to take the survey.

Apply for a CCA Scholarship by next Wednesday, Oct. 1!
The California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is proud to support the next generation of industry leaders through both scholarships and Convention internships.

In 2024, CCA awarded over $51,000 in scholarships to students studying agriculture. The application period for CCA’s 2025 scholarships is now open through Wednesday, Oct. 1. Any young, regular, or feeder member is eligible to apply, and recipients may reapply in future years. Scholarship amounts and quantities vary annually. To learn more and download the application, click here. Completed applications must be typed and submitted in full to the CCA office by Oct. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PST via email to Katie Roberti at katier@calcattlemen.org.

Additionally, the application period is open for 2025 CCA Convention Internships, available to any young, regular, or feeder member. Interns assist CCA staff with registration, directing attendees, managing the merchandise table and more, while also gaining valuable opportunities to network with industry leaders and attend select meetings, sessions, and the tradeshow with a complimentary registration. To apply, send a resume and cover letter explaining why you would like to serve as a convention intern to katier@calcattlemen.org by Friday, Oct. 10 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Past interns are eligible to reapply.

California Legislature Adjourns for the Year 
The California Legislature gaveled to a close on Saturday, September 13. CCA scored a late legislative victory when CCA-opposed AB 1156 (Wicks), which would have facilitated conversion of Williamson Act contracts to solar use easements, was moved to the Senate’s “inactive file” on the last day of Session. In other good news, the Legislature unanimously approved CCA-sponsored AB 411 (Papan), which would legalize on-ranch composting for routine livestock mortalities; the bill currently awaits action by Governor Gavin Newsom. The Governor has until October 12 to sign or veto all bills advanced to his desk. For more details on CCA’s end-of-Session priorities, see last week’s California Cattleman Weekly. CCA will keep members apprised of further developments on the Association’s legislative priorities, including a full end-of-year legislative rundown in the November or December edition of the California Cattleman magazine.

BLM Proposes Recission of Biden-Era Public Lands Rule 
The Bureau of Land Management earlier this month published a proposed rule to rescind its “Conservation and Landscape Health Rule,” also known as the Public Lands Rule. Of particular concern to CCA, the Biden-era regulation established conservation as a “use” of BLM-managed lands under the agency’s multiple-use mandate, allowing entities to lease BLM ground for “restoration or land enhancement” or for mitigation (likely at to the detriment of existing multiple uses, such as livestock grazing). The proposal is now subject to a 60-day comment period, which will close on November 10. CCA will again partner with our industry allies to protect multiple use of BLM lands – this time by supporting the proposed regulatory change. For more information, see last week’s California Cattleman Weekly.

Plan now for CCA & CCW Annual Convention 
Attendee registration is officially open for the 2025 California Cattlemen’s Association and California CattleWomen’s Convention & California Cattle Industry Tradeshow, happening Dec. 3–5 at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nev. Join us for meetings, networking, and entertainment. Full registrations include access to general sessions, the tradeshow, and meals at the Welcome Party, Thursday breakfast, and Thursday lunch. Tickets for special events such as the CCW Awards Breakfast, Cowbelle of the Year Lunch, and CCA/CCW Awards Banquet are available separately. Rates start at $100 for Young Cattlemen’s Committee members and $300 for CCA/CCW members. Secure your spot soon as prices will increase after Nov. 13. To register, click here.

Upcoming CCA Events

Upcoming Industry Events

CCA in the News

Wolf attacks on California cattle more than double despite state ‘strike team’ Sacramento Bee “As the sun sets, Katie Roberti, director of communications for the California Cattlemen’s Association, uses binoculars after jumping into the bed of Sierra County Supervisor Paul Roen’s pickup truck to help monitor wolves and cattle on his brother’s ranch in Plumas County on Friday, Sept. 12. Roen said that when a wolf kills a calf, its mother is emotionally traumatized. ‘They stand there and whine a lot, they bawl a lot, they cry a lot,’ he said.” 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.]

Opportunities Knock: CCA Scholarships and Internships Open for 2025 California Ag Today “Thinking about school or a foot in the door with California’s beef community? The California Cattlemen’s Association has two chances worth jumping on.” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

Mexico Confirms Case of New World Screwworm in Nuevo Leon United States Department of Agriculture “[On Sunday], Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) confirmed a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Sabinas Hidalgo, located in the state of Nuevo León, less than 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. This is now the northernmost detection of NWS during this outbreak, and the one most threatening to the American cattle and livestock industry. Sabinas Hidalgo is located near the major highway from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, to Laredo, Texas, which is one of the most heavily trafficked commercial thoroughfares in the world.” To continue reading, click here.

CDFA Working to Protect California from New World Screwworm CDFA Planting Seeds Blog “While there is no evidence to suggest that the fly that produces screwworm larvae has made it to the U.S., the northward spread of NWS through Central America and deep into Mexico over the past year, and the potential threat it poses to California’s animal agriculture, has mobilized CDFA to take proactive measures.” To continue reading, click here.