CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY
Oct. 12, 2026
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President Trump Attempts to Cool Diesel Prices
As the war in Iran and other factors continue to limit global fuel supplies, diesel prices today averaged $6.27 per gallon nationally with Californians paying $8.38 per gallon on average, according to AAA. Last week, President Donald Trump took steps to try to ease farmers’ and truckers’ pain at the pump.
Last Monday the President issued an executive order waiving off-road requirements for red-dyed diesel and authorizing its use in highway transportation (along with deferred taxes and penalties for highway use). Some experts raised doubts as to whether the move would meaningfully improve diesel prices, though, with the American Trucking Association remarking that the executive order “does not create additional fuel or address the underlying supply crunch that is driving prices higher.”
On Friday, the President moved to increase the diesel supply by lifting sanctions on Russian diesel and announcing a deal with the Kremlin to import 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel in the coming months. Critics have similarly cast doubt about the effectiveness of this move, suggesting that the deal equates to only ten days of U.S. diesel use and is unlikely to have a significant impact on global or domestic fuel prices. Easing sanctions on Russia has also been met with bipartisan backlash.
As California ranchers continue to struggle with the pressure of sky-high diesel prices, CCA will keep members apprised of state and federal efforts to reduce cost pressures.
BLM Solicits Resource Advisory Council Nominations
The Bureau of Land Management has announced that it is seeking nominees to serve on the California Desert District Advisory Council, Central California Resource Advisory Council (RAC) and Northern California District RAC. RACs provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on land use planning and management.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Additional information is available in the BLM’s Federal Register announcement, and RAC applications can be found here. Application materials must be submitted to Julie Hartley in the BLM California State Office by October 26.
Sacramento Valley Conservancy Seeks Grazing Partner for 1,170 Acres
Sacramento Valley Conservancy (SVC) is inviting qualified livestock operators to submit proposals for cattle-grazing leases on approximately 1,170 acres of SVC-managed preserves in Sacramento County. SVC seeks an experienced partner who can use grazing to deliver measurable benefits for habitat, soil health, wildfire resilience, and the regional economy. The deadline to apply is October 15. For more information and to view the RFP, click here.
Upcoming CCA Events
CCA & CCW Convention and California Cattle Industry Tradeshow
Dec. 2 – 4, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Reno, Nevada
Registration is now open! Visit calcattlemen.org/convention2026 to register and make your hotel room reservations. | Interested in being an exhibitor at the California Cattle Industry Tradeshow? See the exhibitor packet. | Click here to see the sponsorships available to support CCA. | Collegiate opportunities are available here.
Upcoming Industry Events
Siskiyou North Fork Meat Summit
Oct. 15 -16, Scott and Shasta Valleys
The North Fork Summit brings together Northern California’s regional meat supply chain – including ranchers, processors, distributors, and buyers – to learn, connect, and explore opportunities that strengthen both individual operations and the region as a whole. Early bird registration ends 9/13. To register and for more information, click here.
Two-Day Grazing Planning Workshop
Oct. 19 – 20, 9:00am-4:00pm, Santa Margarita
Join the Central Coast Soil Hub for a grazing planning workshop where you will learn the tools & planning for profitable, regenerative grazing management. Time will be spent learning to read the landscape and in-field indicators of rangeland health and developing a grazing plan that fits your context and goals. Attendees will walk away with the tools and step-by-step instructions to write their own holistic grazing plan – You will learn each step by doing it yourself! To RSVP, visit the link here.
Central Cost Livestock and Range Symposium
Oct. 23, 8:30am-2:00pm, Salinas
Hosted by UCCE, the Central Coast Livestock and Range Symposium will be held October 23rd in Salinas, CA. To view the schedule, click here. To RSVP, please contact Fadzayi Mashiri at fmashiri@ucanr.edu or by using the link found on the flyer.
Ranching For Generations Succession Planning Intensive
Dec. 8-11, Denver, CO
The Rangeland Trust is facilitating a four-day, family-based workshop designed to help landowning families navigate the complex, personal, legal, and operational challenges of generational transitions. The Ranching For Generations Succession Planning Intensive will be in Denver, CO December 8-11, 2026. The cost of the course ($1,500 per person) will be covered by the Rangeland Trust, so attendees only pay for travel & accommodations. This course is specifically designed for generational ranching families and will include ranchers from California, Texas, and Colorado. It is a chance to connect with landowners throughout these states and really delve into the future planning for the ranch. Click here to view the informational flyer. For more information and to RSVP, please reach out to Robin Hansen at (530) 219-7512, or rhanson@rangelandtrust.org.
CCA in the News
Ranchers look to executive order for wolf relief Agri-Pulse “The state recently increased the amount available to compensate ranchers to $2.5 million, not nearly as much as the $25 million the group had been seeking, but still the most that has ever been provided for compensation, California Cattlemen’s Association’s vice president of government affairs, Kirk Wilbur, said on a recent CCA podcast. ‘It certainly isn’t enough, and we will be fighting for more funding in future years,’ Wilbur said.” To continue reading, click here.
Industry News
Rollins Urges Federal Land Ranchers to Put June Grazing Directive to Work U.S. Department of Agriculture “Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins sent a letter to all livestock ranchers holding grazing permits on U.S. Forest Service allotments, outlining the Department’s June 12, 2026 Grazing Directive and inviting producers to put it to work on their allotments.” To continue reading, click here.
Trump’s beef gamble isn’t paying off POLITICO “President Donald Trump gambled that importing more beef would lower prices enough to mitigate the political hit from angry ranchers. His bet hasn’t paid off. Prices have barely budged, ranchers remain incensed, and vulnerable Republicans in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Texas are fighting to convince rural voters to turn out in November as farmers confront economic headwinds fueled by the president’s policies.” To continue reading, click here.
