CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

Oct. 6, 2025

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Federal Government Shutdown Enters Second Week
The federal government officially entered a shutdown beginning last Wednesday, October 1 after federal legislators failed to agree on a short-term continuing resolution to fund government operations. Today was the sixth full day of the shutdown, and with the House of Representatives not set to reconvene this week, federal operations are likely to remain shuttered at least for the remainder of the week.

The government shutdown impacts numerous federal agencies upon which cattle producers rely.

Fortunately, many crucial activities of the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service will not be interrupted by the shutdown. For instance, APHIS’ emergency response measures for New World Screwworm and highly pathogenic avian influenza will continue despite the shutdown. Additionally, Wildlife Services may continue to operate under contracts which are funded through cooperative agreements with states, counties and other cooperators.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency will cease accepting and processing farm loans and will cease advancing funds on approved loans during the shutdown. Likewise, the Natural Resources Conservation Service will cease processing ranchers’ contract payments and will cease work on “ongoing collaborative projects with key soil and conservation partners.”

The U.S. Forest Service has furloughed approximately 12,000 of its roughly 32,000 employees. While the Forest Service will continue preparing for and responding to wildfires, it will reduce its levels of prescribed fire and other fuels treatments. The Bureau of Land Management has furloughed 4,000 of its 9,200 staff. Approximately 3,300 fire management staff at BLM will remain active until reserve funds are depleted, at which time the force will be reduced to roughly 1,000 staff focused on “necessary preparedness and suppression activities for purposes of protecting life and property.”

USDA’s detailed plans for the government shutdown can be found here, and the Department of Interior’s shutdown response is available here. For additional questions about the federal government shutdown, please contact the CCA office.

College Students: Apply by Oct. 10 to Intern with CCA
We’re looking for energetic, motivated students to join us as interns at our 109th Convention happening Dec. 3-5 in Reno! This is your chance to dive into the action by helping with registration, guiding attendees, running the merchandise table, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at everything that makes the CCA Convention run smoothly. As an intern, you’ll also connect with industry leaders, attend select meetings and sessions, and explore the tradeshow, all while receiving complimentary registration and lodging. Think you’ve got what it takes? Send your resume and cover letter telling us why you’d love to be a convention intern to katier@calcattlemen.org by THIS Friday, Oct. 10 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Past interns are welcome to reapply!

California Rangeland Trust Documentary Screenings in October
Attend an upcoming screening of the California Rangeland Trust’s You Just Can’t See Them From the Road film as this powerful and honest documentary is making its way to communities throughout the state. A screening is set to take place Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the Angels Theatre in Angels Camp. Another screening is happening Wednesday, Oct. 22 at District 56 in Elk Grove. To get tickets and learn more about the film, click here.

CCA Delegation Wraps Lobbying Trip to Washington, D.C.
A delegation of CCA leadership was in Washington, D.C. last month lobbying federal regulators and legislators to advance California cattle producers’ policy priorities. Regulatory highlights included meeting with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regarding New World screwworm and sitting down with US Fish & Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik to discuss gray wolf issues. On Capitol Hill, former CCA and NCBA president Kevin Kester spoke at the weekly House Republicans Leadership Stakeout and CCA representatives met with members of California’s Congressional delegation to directly press the Association’s legislative priorities (as well as district-specific issues). For more information, see the September 22 edition of California Cattleman Weekly or the October edition of the California Cattleman magazine.

Participate in the Beef Checkoff’s Producer Survey
You’re invited to take a survey from the Beef Checkoff to share what types of news and information you’d like to see regarding where your Checkoff dollars are going to drive beef demand here and abroad. For more about this survey, see the September 22 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

Upcoming CCA Events

Upcoming Industry Events

CCA in the News

Have Your Say: Beef Checkoff Survey Open for Producers California Ag Today “According to the California Cattlemen’s Association, participating in the survey helps ensure that information coming from the California Beef Council, as well as national programs, meets the needs of stakeholders on the ground. The feedback also gives the Cattlemen’s Beef Board better insight into producers’ opinions and understanding of Checkoff initiatives across the country.” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

FDA grants emergency approval for cattle drug to fight screwworm outbreak Rural Radio “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has conditionally approved a new use of Dectomax to help cattle producers fight New World screwworm (NWS), a parasitic pest threatening livestock near the U.S.–Mexico border.” To continue reading, click here.

Mexico sees 32% jump in screwworm cases in September as cases move north Reuters “Mexico recorded 6,703 cases of animals infested with New World screwworm between August 17 and September 13, compared to 5,086 confirmed cases during the previous period.” To continue reading, click here.