CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY
Feb. 23, 2026
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Fish & Game Commission Lists Central Coast and Southern California Populations of Mountain Lions as Threatened Under CESA
The California Fish and Game Commission voted earlier this month to list a distinct population segment of mountain lions in the Central Coast and Southern California as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act, despite CCA’s strong opposition. Fortunately, CDFW has suggested that listing will not impact ranchers’ ability to obtain depredation take permits for the animals, as required under Proposition 117. Nevertheless, CCA has significant concerns regarding CDFW’s “three strike” policy for issuing take permits in the Central Coast and Southern California, and will continue advocating for significant amendments to state policies regarding take of depredating mountain lions. For more information, see last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly or the March edition of the California Cattleman magazine.
CDFW Collars Five Gray Wolves; One Wolf Dies in the Effort
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that it collared five gray wolves last month during operations in Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties. While this increases the number of collared wolves within the state to 13, at least six of the state’s wolf packs still do not have any wolves fitted with active GPS collars. According to the Department, one gray wolf – a breeding female from the Harvey Pack – died during the agency’s helicopter-assisted capture-and-collar efforts. For additional information, see the February 9 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.
Upcoming CCA Events
45th CCA Steak & Eggs Breakfast + Lobby Day
March 11, 2026, Sacramento
CCA members are invited to the 45th Steak and Eggs Breakfast + Lobby Day in Sacramento on Wednesday, March 11. Check-in starts at 7:30am and breakfast begins at 8am. Over breakfast, enjoy sharing about your ranch while meeting representatives from regulatory and legislative offices in Sacramento. Following the breakfast, attendees will head across the street to the Capitol to continue conversations about ranching in California. To RSVP for the event, email CCA Membership and Events Coordinator Gracie LeCheminant at gracie@calcattlemen.org. RSVPs are required.
CCA Feeder Meeting
May 20-21, 2026, San Diego
Our room block at the Hilton and early bird registration are now open. Click here for more details.
CCA in the News
Ranchers meet in Paso Robles for annual cattlemen’s meeting KSBY 6 California’s Central Coast “KSBY spoke with California Cattlemen’s Association Second Vice President Anthony Stornetta, who said the recent rainfall made this year’s meeting especially exciting. ‘I’ve been in the industry 35 years, and this is probably one of the best years,’ said Stornetta, ‘Prices are high, and we’ve had some really good rain.'” To continue reading, click here.
Industry News
President Trump Signs U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Expanding Access for U.S. Beef National Cattlemen’s Beef Association “Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the announcement that U.S. beef exports will now have duty-free access to Indonesia. Gaining access to the Indonesian market, where U.S. beef has faced significant barriers, has been a priority for NCBA f Save or years. As part of the trade deal, Indonesia will purchase at least 50,000 metric tons of U.S. beef annually and now recognizes USDA authority on food safety and animal health, opening more opportunities for exports.” To continue reading, click here.
Wolves attack livestock in Northern California, ranchers grow concerned Fox26 News “Wolves are becoming a growing concern for ranchers across California. The issue is not new, but has intensified in recent months. For ranchers like Kylee Truax, a seventh-generation rancher in Siskiyou County (just north of Redding), the threat is personal and immediate. ‘I think they are beautiful, but they’re not friendly,’ Truax said.” To continue reading, click here.
From Plumas County to LA — a wolf’s 500-mile yearlong trek to find love The Sacramento Bee “Looking for a mate in Los Angeles could easily put you in the path of a few wolves. Or so the 3-year-old female wolf dubbed BEY-03F may have felt as she made her way to LA County last weekend, part of a yearlong 500-mile journey that started in northern end the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Plumas County.” To continue reading, click here.
