CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

Dec. 22, 2025

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NRCS Announces “Batching Deadline” of Jan. 15 for Conservation Programs
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a national “batching deadline” of January 15, 2026 as a “first funding round” for its key programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

While NRCS program sign-ups will be accepted on a continuous basis with likely future funding selections, this initial deadline is meant to ensure that current applications are funded in a timely manner. Producers are encouraged to reach out to their local NRCS offices to submit applications or to learn more.

Ranchers can also reach out to the Rancher Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) for help understanding NRCS programs and for assistance contacting NRCS offices. RTAP can be reached at rtap@wrstrat.com or at (916) 409-6902.

CCA Top 2025 Wins
The continued support of California’s ranching community is essential to CCA’s success. Working together, we made a meaningful impact in 2025 by securing several major victories on behalf of our members and the industry, including the following top wins.

• Secured $2 million in renewed State Budget funding to compensate ranchers harmed by gray wolves
• Passed legislation to legalize on-ranch composting of routine livestock mortalities
• Extended an agricultural vehicle exemption from CHP’s Basic Inspection of Terminals program through legislation signed by the Governor
• Quashed efforts before the California Fish & Game Commission to curtail management of coyotes
• Continued to advocate for and see an increase in the use of prescribed fire and livestock grazing as a fire-fuels treatment on state-owned lands
• Coordinated increased USDA support for New World Screwworm detection and prevention efforts at the Mexico/California border

While these accomplishments are significant, our work is far from finished. CCA remains committed to strong advocacy in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. With your continued support and resilience, we will remain focused on delivering even more wins for California ranchers through 2026.

CDFW Director Chuck Bonham to Step Down
The Nature Conservancy has announced its selection of Charlton “Chuck” Bonham as the Executive Director of the group’s California chapter effective January 26, 2026. Bonham currently acts as the Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a role he will vacate prior to talking the helm at TNC California. For more information, see the December 8 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

Upcoming Industry Events

CCA in the News

California Cattlemen Honor Mike Byrne from Modoc with 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Sierra Daily News “California Cattlemen’s Association announced Modoc County cattleman Mike Byrne with the 2025 CCA Lifetime Achievement Award at our annual convention. If you know Mike, you know his deep passion for ranching and his decades of dedication to advocating for the West.” To continue reading, click here.

House passes wolf delisting bill Tri-State Livestock News “Sierra County, California rancher and County Supervisor (aka: Commissioner) Paul Roen has lost at least 50 head of cattle in the last year to wolves. Those losses combined with other depredations brings the total to more than 90 head in Sierra Valley in the last year. Other wolf packs are killing cattle in other parts of the state. Roen said the number of Sierra Valley cattle killed is probably significantly higher than that, but the state doesn’t consider a loss to be a ‘wolf kill’ unless bite marks or hemorrhaging is evident, and in many cases there is nothing left but a couple of broken bones and a spot of blood. While Roen has yet to be compensated for any losses, he said the state has just recently accepted his request. TSLN spoke with Roen and the president of the California Cattlemen’s Association, Rick Roberti on Friday, Dec. 19, while the two men traveled to meet with their state fish and wildlife department.” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

JBS Closing California Plant American Ag Network “The world’s largest meat company announced the closure late last week. JBS is closing down its Swift Beef Company facility in Riverside, California, on February 2, which will eliminate 374 jobs. This particular plant doesn’t actually slaughter cattle but instead processes beef for sale in grocers’ meat cases, which means the facility isn’t shutting down due to low cattle supplies driving up the costs of paying for cattle ready for slaughter.” To continue reading, click here.

The Nature Conservancy opens Point Reyes grazing contracts Western Livestock Journal “The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced in early December that the nonprofit is opening short-term contract applications for targeted cattle grazing at California’s Point Reyes National Seashore.” To continue reading, click here.

Beef cattle and dairy producers wary as flesh-eating parasite comes closer to U.S. UCANR Blog “Members of the California agriculture community are just as worried as their counterparts in Texas, where an outbreak could cost livestock producers $732 million per year and cause up to $1.8 billion in losses for the Texas economy, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.” To continue reading, click here.