CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY
June 11, 2026
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USDA & Industry Deploy Response Playbook as New World Screwworm Detected in Texas
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that New World screwworm had been detected in a three-week old calf in La Pryor, Texas, about 50 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. New World screwworm larvae burrow into the flesh of living animals, usually at the sites of open wounds; the initial detection in La Pryor was in the “umbilical area” of the affected calf, according to the USDA. The agency made another detection on Friday, in a calf located just 5.6 miles from the initial case. Today USDA announced detection in a calf in La Salle County, Texas and detections in a goat and dog in Gillespie County, Texas and Lea County, New Mexico, respectively.
USDA and industry partners have been preparing for potential New World screwworm detections for well over a year, and response protocols are already in place, as outlined in the Administration’s New World Screwworm Response Playbook. Likewise, over the past year, CCA has worked to coordinate increased USDA support for New World screwworm detection and prevention efforts along the Mexico-California border and will continue advocating for the resources needed to protect California’s livestock industry.
Comprehensive producer resources for preventing and identifying New World screwworm are available here. Additional resources from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, including reporting guidance, is available here.
California and the USDA have a robust plan to minimize the spread of New World screwworm while maintaining the movement of cattle, and there are robust tools and treatments for addressing New World screwworm detections. While producers should be vigilant, there is every reason to be confident in the federal, state and cattle industry response.
Additionally, it should be stressed that New World screwworm is not a food safety concern for beef consumers. As Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins noted, “This is not a disease, it is not a virus, it is simply an insect that lands in a wound and lays eggs that like to eat the flesh around the wound.”
LAST CHANCE: UC Berkeley & UCCE Release Survey Seeking Feedback on Wolf-Livestock Compensation
UC-Berkeley and UC Cooperative Extension are seeking input from livestock producers and interested parties who live in California on the future of wolf-livestock compensation. All survey responses are anonymous, and any data collected will be securely housed at UC and shared only in aggregate form with CDFW and the public. The survey can be accessed at the following link, takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and will close on June 11.
Click here to take the survey.
This survey is part of CDFW’s ongoing review of the current wolf-livestock compensation program and is intended to gather feedback to help improve the pilot program established in 2021. It is separate from the survey distributed by UC in July 2025.
LAST CALL: Sign Up to Attend PLC Virtual Roundtable June 11
The Public Lands Council is hosting a virtual roundtable June 11 from 10:00am-Noon (Pacific time) for a frank discussion with Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service leadership about a wide array of grazing and range program issues.
Advance registration is required. To register, click here (participation is limited to active federal lands permittees). For additional details on PLC’s grazing roundtables, see the April 13 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.
Producers Encouraged to Complete Livestock Veterinary Care Access Survey
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has partnered with California Farm Bureau to gather feedback on veterinary access throughout the state. According to California Farm Bureau, “The information collected may help support future veterinary shortage designations and strengthen participation in the USDA’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program.” Cattle ranchers and other livestock producers are encouraged to take the survey no matter their level of access to veterinary care.
To take the survey, click here. The survey closes June 30.
Upcoming CCA Events
CCA Midyear Meeting
June 24-25, 2026, Reno
CCA’s 2026 Midyear Meeting will be held June 24th and 25th at the Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno, NV. We encourage you to maximize your membership by attending and being an active part of the CCA policy making process. Come discuss issues with fellow producers and hear updates. We are excited to be back at the Reno Rodeo for their Wednesday night performance! CCA’s rooming block is now closed. Register now!
Click here for more details and to view the tentative schedule.
Upcoming Industry Events
June 9, 6:30-8:30pm, Jackson
June 10, 6:30-8:30pm, San Andreas
UC Cooperative Extension Central Sierra is hosting two workshops for ranchers who want to learn more about managing livestock in the presence of predators like gray wolves and mountain lions. Topics will include:
- Gray Wolf Ecology and Behavior, Livestock Conflict, and Lessons from Northen California, presented by Dr. Kaggie Orrick, UC Berkeley
- Economic Impacts of Gray Wolves / Compensation Programs, presented by Dr. Tina Tate, UC Davis
- Mountain Lion Deterrents Research, presented by April Wood, Utah State University
- Livestock Guardian Dogs and Other Livestock Protection Tools, presented by Dan Macon, UCCE
Registration is free, but please RSVP to Dan Macon at dmacon@ucanr.edu or 209-454-8472.
Free Registration Available for Producers to Attend UC Davis Summit
June 16-18, Davis
The CLEAR Center at University of California, Davis is offering complimentary registration for farmers and ranchers to attend the 2026 State of the Science Summit: Reducing Methane from Animal Agriculture, taking place June 16–18 at UC Davis. The event is designed to ensure farmers and ranchers are part of the conversation as new methane-reduction tools, technologies, and policies continue to emerge.
Public Lands Council Virtual Grazing Roundtable
June 11, 10:00am-Noon, Virtual
The Public Lands Council (PLC) invites grazing permittees to participate in a virtual roundtable on June 11 to discuss federal lands grazing issues. The roundtable will bring together permittees and lessees with leadership from the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to increase dialogue and on-the-ground problem solving for grazing issues in fulfillment of the USDA/DOI Grazing Industry Plan released by the Departments last fall.
Please RSVP here in advance for further information ahead of the roundtable.
BLM Proposed Grazing Rule Public Information Session
June 11, 4:00-6:00pm, Virtual
The Bureau of Land Management will host a virtual public information session regarding the agency’s proposed rule revising its grazing regulations. During the session, BLM will brief stakeholders and the public regarding the proposed regulations. To join the virtual meeting, click here (there is no need to register ahead of time).
Virtual Fencing on California Rangelands Webinar Series
June 11, 12:00 – 1:30pm, Virtual
June 18, 12:00 – 1:00pm, Virtual
Join the California Rangeland Trust for a two-part webinar series exploring virtual fencing in California, including real-world applications, system comparisons, and financial considerations. During session 1 (June 11th), you will hear from company reps comparing their virtual fencing systems, followed by a Q&A. Companies include No Fence, Halter, Vence, and Gallagher. Session 2 (June 18th), will provide you with the full financial picture as company representatives cover pricing models, along with an overview from NRCS on funding opportunities and how to apply.
To register for this webinar series, click here.
This year’s summit will feature several panels discussions on topics such as feed additives, genetics, funding opportunities, and emerging research shaping the future of animal agriculture and sustainability. The full agenda can be found here.
Register for free by contacting Joe Proudman at jproudman@ucdavis.edu or (530) 754-1908.
CCA in the News
Mass grizzly bear reintroduction in California moves step closer California Post “‘California is already struggling to take care of the apex predators that we have now, and what’s happened with the wolves has woken people up to the fact that we don’t have enough prey for the predators that we have, and we don’t have the staff for (the department of fish and wildlife) to manage them,’ Rick Roberti, a Sierra Valley rancher and president of the California Cattlemen’s Association, told SF Gate. ‘And wolves are nothing compared to the grizzly.’” To continue reading, click here.
Industry News
CDFA welcomes the appointment of Carney King as Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs CDFA Planting Seeds Blog “Carney King has been appointed the Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. King has been CDFA’s Legislative Manager since 2025, and came to the department after a distinguished career in the US Army and service in several legislative offices.” To continue reading, click here.
California charts smarter path to support farmers and ranchers while maintaining food safety and clean water California Department of Food & Agriculture “The report identifies 18 recommendations to streamline agency coordination, expand technical assistance, modernize data and reporting systems, and enhance regulatory efficiency while supporting food safety and environmental protection goals.” To continue reading, click here.
No grizzlies: Rural California cannot handle another apex predator | Opinion The Sacramento Bee “Rural communities across California are already grappling with relentless challenges, including devastating wildfires, public safety power shut-offs and skyrocketing insurance costs. At a moment when stability should be the priority, an urban lawmaker has proposed adding yet another problem to the list: the puzzling and frankly impractical idea of reintroducing the grizzly bear.” To continue reading, click here.
