CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY
Oct. 26, 2026
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Columbus, N.M. Livestock Port of Entry Reopens
Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture re-opened the Columbus, New Mexico livestock port of entry to cattle imports from Mexico. Columbus is the third livestock port of entry reopened since USDA closed the southern border to live cattle crossings on July 7, 2025 due to the northward progression of New World Screwworm; the agency reopened the Douglas and Santa Teresa ports in August and September, respectively.
USDA has also announced its intention to reopen the livestock port of entry at Nogales, Arizona on November 30 “If conditions continue to support safe trade and all required inspection arrangements and infrastructure are in place.”
According to USDA, “Every animal entering the United States through these ports will undergo a full USDA inspection to ensure it is free of any signs of” New World screwworm.
CDFW Issues Quarterly Wolf Program Updates
On Tuesday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that it had released its quarterly wolf news update (covering July through September) and other periodic reports from the agency’s Wolf Program.
According to CDFW’s population monitoring update, California now has ten known wolf packs, down from 12 reported in the second quarter update. CDFW no longer recognizes Tulare County’s Yowlumni Pack, which has not been detected thus far this year. The Department also no longer deems the Tunnison Pack active, as the adult female has bred with the breeding male of the Harvey Pack and has continued associating with the Harvey Pack. The Department has not had any recent detections of the Tunnison male wolf.
According to CDFW, eight wolf packs have reproduced this year, with the Ashpan, Grizzly, Harvey, Ice Cave, Lassen, Long Valley, Whitehorse and Whaleback packs producing a minimum of 42 total pups in 2026.
Successful collaring efforts in the last 90 days resulted in the Department collaring wolves in the Grizzly, Long Valley and Whaleback packs. The Diamond, Ice Cave, Interstate and Lassen packs still do not have any wolves fitted with active GPS tracking collars.
Finally, the Department has posted an update to its 2026 Wolf-Livestock Depredation Report. According to the report, there were 17 confirmed and seven probable wolf depredations of livestock in the third quarter of the year for a total of 79 confirmed or probable depredations thus far in 2026.
For more information, see the Department’s announcement.
Upcoming CCA Events
CCA & CCW Convention and California Cattle Industry Tradeshow
Dec. 2 – 4, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Reno, Nevada
Don’t forget to register and book your hotel room for the 110th CCA & CCW Annual Convention! CCA’s hotel room block closes on November 9th, and registration prices increase on November 13th. Visit calcattlemen.org/convention2026 to register and make your hotel room reservations.
Upcoming Industry Events
Nov. 4, 11:00am-12:00pm, Zoom
Join the California Rangeland Trust for a discussion on the Williamson Act and Proposition 13 and 19. Explore key topics including contracts and nonrenewals, the Easement Exchange Program, tax and property implications, and long-term planning strategies. Hear insights from industry experts, like county assessors and a fellow rancher, and bring your questions to gain perspectives you can apply to your own property. To register, click here.
Transition to Organic Webinar Series
Nov. 5, 12 & 19, 12:00pm-1:15pm, Virtual
Hosted by CAFF, UC Organic Agriculture Institute (UC OAI), and UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE). Thinking about transitioning your LIVESTOCK operation to organic? Join us for a three-week webinar series designed to help you transition to organic. Presentations will include guidance from experienced organic livestock producers, organic certifiers, UC ANR Farm Advisors, and technical assistance providers. The series will focus on dairy and beef cattle and poultry —covering everything from certification basics and recordkeeping, economic considerations, organic inspection, and more. Spanish interpretation will be available at every session. Learn more and register.
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.
Industry News
Rollins says USDA is ‘full-bore ahead’ on Forest Service reorganization PBS “Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Thursday that the Trump administration remains “full-bore ahead” with a sweeping reorganization of the Forest Service and other agencies after a judge blocked the changes last week.” To continue reading, click here.
First case of New World screwworm in U.S. wildlife confirmed in Texas elk, USDA says CBS News“The first case of New World screwworm in wildlife in the United States has been found in an elk in Texas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.” To continue reading, click here.
USDA Adds Regional Cash Cattle Report to Boost Price Transparency American Ag Network “USDA is adding a new regional cash cattle report that gives producers a clearer look at negotiated cattle prices across five states. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has welcomed the change, and market analysts say it could make the cash market more useful to the futures price action.” To continue reading, click here.
