CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY
June 1, 2026
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SWRCB Conditionally Suspends Scott River Watershed Curtailments
Last week, California Cattleman Weekly reported that the State Water Resources Control Board had reinstated “curtailments for all surface water rights in the Scott River watershed,” conditionally suspending those curtailments shortly thereafter for only the most senior water rights holders identified as “Group 8” in the Board’s announcement.
Last week, the Board announced that it has conditionally suspended all curtailments of surface water rights. Importantly, conditions differ depending on the priority of diverters’ water rights and are based on flow measurements as measured at the Fort Jone gage with reference to the June minimum flow target of 125 cubic feet per second.
Given the variety and specificity of the conditions imposed by the SWRCB, diverters are encouraged to review the Board’s announcement to determine whether diversion is permitted (and under what circumstances). Ranchers in the Scott River watershed are encouraged to sign up for direct email alerts from the SWRCB by selecting “Scott-Shasta Drought and Flow Efforts” under “Water Rights” within the SWRCB’s email subscription list and clicking “submit.”
Governor Newsom Releases “May Revise” of Proposed Budget
Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom detailed the “May Revise” of his proposed 20267/27 State Budget, which proposes total spending of roughly $350 billion over the next fiscal year. Regarding CCA’s priority budget requests, the May Revise does propose funding for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s “Coexisting with Wildlife initiative” (a paltry $1 million) but does not propose additional funding for CDFW’s Wolf Program. CCA’s support for Wolf Program funding has generated substantial bipartisan, bicameral support in the Legislature, and CCA will continue aggressively lobby for Program funding ahead of a June 15 Constitutional deadline to pass a budget bill. For additional information, see the May 18 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.
CDFW Releases 2025 Annual Wolf Report
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has released its 2025 Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report. According to the report, California had a minimum population of 55 wolves at the end of 2025, a 10% increase over the prior year’s minimum count of 50. CDFW reports that there were only three breeding pairs at year’s end, as the Beyem Seyo Pack had been lethally removed and the Lassen and Yowlumni packs had “small or unsuccessful litters.” While the year-end number of breeding pairs fell one short of the benchmark for Phase 2 of wolf management under the Conservation Plan, CDFW notes that “most other population metrics…point to continuing recovery. As a result, Phase 2 will continue through 2026.” For additional information, see CDFW’s report or the May 18 edition of California Cattleman Weekly.
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.
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. 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
Profitability Essentials Workshop for Ranchers
June 3-4, San Luis Obispo
The Resource Conservation Districts in SLO and the grazing program on the army base at Camp San Luis Obispo are teaming up with Noble Research Institute to offer a two-day “Profitability Essentials” workshop for ranchers. This course teaches producers to understand enterprises, calculate the gross margin of those enterprises and identify overheads- all while creating an accurate picture of profit and loss. For more information, see the course flyer here. Click here to register for this course.
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.
Public Lands Council Virtual Grazing Roundtable
June 11, 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.
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.
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.
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
Ranchers Push for More Wolf Management Funding in California Budget AgNet West “The California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) has been actively advocating for increased wolf management funding, citing rising livestock losses and mounting pressure on ranching operations in areas where wolves have become more active. Ranchers have argued that additional resources are needed for monitoring, response efforts, nonlethal deterrence programs, and compensation related to wolf depredation incidents.” To continue reading, click here.
California may strengthen wolf deterrence measures Agri-Pulse “The CDFW has also committed to in-person meetings in wolf territory to further solicit feedback, said Kirk Wilbur, the California Cattlemen’s Association’s vice president of governmental affairs. ‘My hope is that there’s robust participation from ranchers,’ both those who’ve used the program and those who may need to, Wilbur said in an email.” To continue reading, click here.
Industry News
Flesh-eating screwworm found within 31 miles of US border, says USDA Reuters “ A devastating parasitic fly that eats warm-blooded animals alive and could cause millions of dollars in economic damage to the U.S. economy has been found in a young sheep in Mexico within 31 miles (50 km) of the U.S. border, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Friday. The detection heightens the risk for America’s beef industry and cattle producers, who have feared for more than a year that the pest would cross into the U.S. and infect livestock after spreading northward in Mexico.” To continue reading, click here.
Amid Opposition, California Regulators Approve Major Changes To Cap-And-Trade Program KQED “In a controversial move, state regulators on Friday approved major changes to California’s cap-and-invest program at a lengthy board meeting that transpired over the course of two days. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to create a $4 billion fund for big polluters to invest in decarbonization projects. Climate, affordable housing and transit advocates, however, worry the move might mean significantly less money for their programs. Gov. Gavin Newsom lauded the effort, saying it advances affordability while keeping the state on track to meet its climate targets.” To continue reading, click here.
