CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

Feb. 9, 2026

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CDFW Collars Five Gray Wolves; One Wolf Dies in the Effort
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday that it had collared five of the state’s gray wolves between January 12 and January 20 during operations in Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties. One of those wolves was a dispersing male from the Harvey Pack which had already been collared. It was captured in Modoc County and had its GPS collar replaced.

The remaining four wolves include two Harvey Pack females captured in southwestern Shasta County, a Harvey Pack female captured in northwestern Lassen County and an adult male from the Whaleback Pack captured in Lassen County but which returned to Whaleback Pack territory upon release.

The Department reports that a breeding female from the Harvey Pack died after capture during the agency’s helicopter-assisted collaring efforts.

According to the Department’s press release, 13 wolves within the state are now carrying active collars. However, at least six of the state’s wolf packs – the Ashpan, Diamond, Grizzly, Ice Cave, Lassen and Tunnison packs – do not currently have any wolves fitted with active GPS collars. While the Ice Cave Pack had one collared wolf at the end of last year, an update posted to CDFW’s wolf tracking tool on January 23 notes that the wolf’s collar has malfunctioned and last transmitted data on January 2. Additionally, two dispersing wolves from the Harvey Pack have traveled into Nevada and Oregon and their locations are no longer mapped on the agency’s tracking tool.

On Saturday, the L.A. Times reported that one collared wolf – BEY03F, originally of the Beyem Seyo Pack but more recently among the Yowlumni Pack in Tulare County – had traveled to the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County. As of press time, CDFW’s wolf tracking tool showed the wolf in southern Kern County.

CCA policy supports the collaring of multiple wolves in each of the state’s wolf packs. CCA will keep members informed of any developments in wolf capturing, collaring and tracking efforts.

President Trump Signs Executive Order Quintupling Argentine Beef Imports
President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order authorizing a fivefold increase in beef imports from Argentina. Specifically, the order authorizes an additional 80,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings to be imported each year, bringing the total import quota for the South American country to 100,000 metric tons per year.

The executive order argues that expanded imports from Argentina are necessary “to ensure that hard-working Americans can afford to feed themselves and their families,” echoing arguments that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. made at the Cattle Industry Convention last week.

In response to the announcement, CCA partner the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association argued that increased imports won’t meaningfully lower beef prices and that Argentina’s poor track record managing animal disease puts America’s cattle herd and consumers at unnecessary risk. CCA will work with NCBA to advocate for increased inspection protocols for Argentine beef and other safeguards to ensure cattle health and consumer safety.

Separately (but relatedly), the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative reported Thursday the signing of the United States–Argentina Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment, which will provide the U.S. with duty-free access to Argentine markets for up to 80,000 metric tons of American beef throughout the rest of 2026.

Meghan Hertel Appointed Director of CDFW
Governor Gavin Newsom announced late last month that he has appointed Meghan Hertel Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Hertel, who most recently served as Deputy Secretary for Habitat and Biodiversity at the California Natural Resources Agency, takes over leadership at the Department from Charleton “Chuck” Bonham, who announced his departure from the agency in early December after 14 years at its helm. For more information, see last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

Fish & Game Commission Considers CESA Listing for Central Coast and Southern California Mountain Lions
The California Fish and Game Commission meets Thursday to consider whether to list a distinct population segment (DPS) of mountain lions in the Central Coast and Southern California as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act, as recommended in a December status evaluation from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. CCA submitted comments opposing CESA listing for the mountain lion DPS in late January (see Exhibit 8, here) and CCA staff will be on hand Thursday to again advocate against further protections for the animals, which already enjoy protections as a “specially protected mammal species” under 1990’s Proposition 117. For more information, see last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

Former CCA President Kester Discusses Ranching’s Role in Biodiversity Conservation
On January 22, Former CCA President Kevin Kester joined the California Natural Resources Agency for a webinar titled “Show Up and Count for 30×30.” Kester was joined by Jackie Flatt, Conservation Director for the California Rangeland Trust, to discuss the role that rangeland conservation easements play in achieving California’s effort to conserve 30% of the state’s lands by 2030. Kester stressed the conservation value of ranching in California, noting that ranchers “are doing their best to keep the landscapes intact and biodiversity intact because what’s good for our landscapes and habitats is also good for ranching and keeping…our family businesses going on to future generations.” To view a recording of the webinar, click here.

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Industry News

U.S. cattle herd stays at 75-year low, keeping beef prices high Farm Progress “The US cattle herd remained the smallest since 1951 at the start of the year, in the latest signal that consumer beef prices will remain near records.” To continue reading, click here.

Virginia Cattleman Takes Helm as NCBA President National Cattlemen’s Beef Association “Since 1850, Gene Copenhaver’s family has been rooted in the land raising crops and livestock. The Virginia cattleman now takes the helm as the new president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Copenhaver’s new leadership role began at the end of CattleCon 2026, held this week in Nashville, Tennessee.” To continue reading, click here.

Guest Editorial: Uncertainty for Point Reyes ranch workers The Press Democrat “The departure of the 12 ranches has West Marin ranchers worried about the future of dairy and cattle ranching and the area’s economy. Loss of those ranches will reduce business for many of the local companies that have provided them goods and services. There is a mid-April deadline for those that have already been shuttered and those in the process.” To continue reading, click here.