CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY
May 11, 2026
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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.
CDFW Shares Wolf Program Updates, Identifies Three New Packs
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently released several reports about the state’s gray wolf population. The agency’s Quarterly Wolf News report reveals that the state currently has 12 known wolf packs, including three which have been recently recognized based on six months of consistent presence in their respective regions. The Department has also posted an update to its 2026 Wolf-Livestock Depredation Report which details five confirmed wolf depredations of livestock and five probable depredations since losses were last reported through February 20. In total, there were 26 confirmed or probable depredations in the first three months of the year. For more information, see the April 27 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.
Permittees Encouraged to Attend PLC Grazing Roundtable May 20 in Susanville
The Public Lands Council invites grazing permittees to a roundtable on May 20 in Susanville to discuss federal lands grazing issues. Interested permittees can RSVP for the event here. The address of the meeting and additional details will be shared with respondents ahead of the roundtable. Southern California permittees are welcome to join the May 12 roundtable in Queen Creek, Arizona (RSVP here for that event). Permittees unable to attend either roundtable will have an opportunity to participate in a virtual roundtable at a later date, though in-person participation is heavily encouraged. For additional details, see the April 13 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.
Upcoming CCA Events
May 20-21, 2026, San Diego
Today is the last day to register for CCA’s 2026 Feeder Meeting. Registration prices will increase onsite. Click here for more details.
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. Click here to book your room now. 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! Register now!
Click here for more details and to view the tentative schedule.
Upcoming Industry Events
Public Lands Council Arizona Grazing Roundtable
May 12, 1:00-4:00pm, Queen Creek, Ariz.
The Public Lands Council (PLC) invites grazing permittees in southern California, Arizona and western New Mexico to a roundtable on May 12 in Queen Creek, Ariz. 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 the location and further information ahead of the roundtable.
Public Lands Council California Grazing Roundtable
May 20, 1:00-4:00pm, Susanville
The Public Lands Council (PLC) invites grazing permittees in Oregon, California and Nevada to a roundtable on May 20 in Susanville 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 the location and further information ahead of the roundtable.
Livestock-Predator Workshops
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.
CCA in the News
Could California’s vanished grizzly bear return? A state bill sets the stage for reintroduction San Francisco Chronicle “Some communities are already fed up with the return of gray wolves to California, blaming the state for letting wolf packs prey on cattle and harm ranching livelihoods. They don’t want another predator added to the mix. ‘It’s really easy to get support for this (reintroduction) from people who are not affected by it,’ said Rick Roberti, president of the California Cattlemen’s Association. But ‘the wolf situation woke people up to the fact that we’re just not ready.’” To continue reading, click here.
Industry News
Bird flu may spread through air on California dairy farms, study finds Bloomberg “Researchers sampling 14 infected farms found the H5N1 virus in the air during milking, in cows’ breath and in farm wastewater, pointing to multiple possible routes of transmission beyond contact with contaminated milk. The findings, published Tuesday in PLOS Biology, add to concerns that the outbreak in U.S. cattle could expose farm workers and other animals. H5N1 is spreading globally in birds and spilling into mammals including cattle, elephant seals and sea lions. Human cases remain uncommon and are largely tied to close contact with infected poultry and other farm animals. Scientists worry ongoing spread in mammals could help the virus evolve toward more efficient human transmission.” To read more, click here.
Solar ranch aims to prove grazing cattle under the panels is a farmland win-win Los Angeles Times “A Tennessee solar farm is testing whether cattle can graze beneath solar panels, combining clean energy generation with much-needed income for struggling ranchers.” To read the full article, click here.
