CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

Oct. 20, 2025

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USDA Releases New World Screwworm Response Playbook
The United States Department of Agriculture announced Friday that it has released a “response playbook” which will guide the agency’s activities in the event of a New World Screwworm (NWS) detection within the United States. According to USDA’s press release, “The activities outlined in the playbook will allow a flexible, science-based approach and data-driven decisions to allow responders to plan, act, and adapt across all phases of an outbreak.” USDA on Friday also released Standardized Animal Health Certificate Guidance to ensure national continuity of business in the event of a NWS detection. The document outlines movement requirements which would be imposed upon farm-raised domestic animals within an NWS “Infested Zone.”

USDA has suggested that both documents are “living, dynamic document[s],” and the agency is accepting feedback to inform their response playbook. CCA staff is carefully reviewing the documents and will share insights with USDA.

As reported in last week’s California Cattleman Weekly, CCA recently worked with Representative David Valadao (R-CA22)’s office to secure a bipartisan Congressional request letter seeking “enhanced surveillance at the California-Mexico border to help secure our country against the threat of New World screwworm.”

CCA-Sponsored AB 411 Signed Into Law
Governor Gavin Newsom announced earlier this month that he had signed into law CCA-Sponsored AB 411 (Papan), which legalizes on-ranch composting of routine livestock mortalities and butcher waste (though ranchers may not initiate compost operations until after CDFA approves best management practices). The legislation provides ranchers a disposal option that is proven to reduce predator interactions – though, importantly, the bill does not require ranchers to cease bone piling or to begin composting. Despite opposition to the bill, CCA’s Government Affairs team and a broad coalition of supporters ensured that the bill never received a “no” vote throughout this year’s legislative process. CCA thanks Assemblymember Diane Papan for authoring this important bill. For more information on AB 411, see the November edition of the California Cattleman magazine.

Apply for a National Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship by Nov. 7
The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is now accepting applications for the 2026 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to college students pursuing careers in the beef industry.

The program, sponsored by CME Group since 1989, supports students who are committed to advancing the future of food production. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors and full-time undergraduates studying education, communication, production, research, or other beef industry–related fields. Applicants must submit a one-page career goals letter, a 750-word essay describing an issue in the beef industry with proposed solutions, and two letters of recommendation. Either the applicant or a family member must be a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

The application deadline is November 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Scholarship winners will be announced during CattleCon 2026 in Nashville. Visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org to apply.

CDFA Accepting Comments on Climate Resilience Strategy for Agriculture
The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced earlier this month that it is accepting public comment on its Climate Resilience Strategy for California Agriculture (a free account signup is necessary to view the strategy document). According to CDFA’s news release, the Strategy “outlines a comprehensive vision to help California farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and agricultural communities prepare for and adapt to current and future climate impacts.” CCA is reviewing the Strategy and will provide feedback to CDFW prior to the November 7 deadline.

CDFA will host two workshops for farmers and ranchers to learn more about the Climate Resilience Strategy and to share feedback. To register for the webinar being held this Wednesday at 6:30pm, click here (to register for the October 28, 9:00am webinar, click here).

RMAC Accepting Comments on Local-Regional Grazing Guidance
The Range Management Advisory Committee of the California Board of Forestry & Fire Protection has released a draft Local-Regional Grazing Guidance mandated by SB 675 (Limón, 2024) and is accepting comments in response to the draft through November 7. For more information, visit the RMAC webpage.

Federal Government Shutdown Enters Fourth Week
The federal government shut down on Wednesday, October 1 after federal legislators failed to agree on a short-term continuing resolution to fund government operations. Today was the 20^th full day of the shutdown, and with the House of Representatives not set to reconvene this week, federal operations are likely to remain shuttered at least for the remainder of the week. For details of how the government shutdown impacts federal agencies upon which cattle producers rely, see the October 6 edition of California Cattleman Weekly. For greater details, ranchers can view USDA’s “Lapse of Funding Plan” and the Department of Interior’s “Operations in the Absence of Appropriations” plan.

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CCA in the News

As wolves roam California, livestock losses remain low, yet ranchers’ fears grow Mongabay “But that’s also meant concerns are growing among ranchers in tandem with the canid’s increasing numbers. ‘The return of the wolves has caused a number of concerns [for] cattle producers,’ said Kirk Wilbur, vice president of government affairs at the California Cattlemen’s Association, an industry group. ‘The most obvious one is the threat of increased direct losses of livestock to gray wolves.’” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

Rethinking sustainability: The untold benefits of cattle ranching in the American West The Washington Post “When people think of cattle ranching, they often picture rolling grasslands and lush fields, yet there are many impactful and sustainable cattle operations that thrive in the arid, rugged terrain of the western U.S. This region proves that cattle ranching can be a powerful tool for environmental stewardship, biodiversity and climate resilience for a variety of landscapes.” To continue reading, click here.

Argentinian Beef Import Plan Harms U.S. Cattle Producers National Cattlemen’s Beef Association “Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) responded to comments from President Donald J. Trump that suggested importing Argentinian beef as a solution to lower beef prices. NCBA’s family farmers and ranchers are concerned that rewarding Argentina with this expanded access to the U.S. market harms American cattlemen and women, while also interfering with the free market.” To continue reading, click here.