CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN WEEKLY

July 20, 2026

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UC Davis Studies Confirm Wolf Impacts on Cattle; CDFW Authorizes More Aggressive Hazing by Local Law Enforcement
Earlier this month, U.C. Davis announced the publication of two studies examining the impact of California’s growing wolf population upon cattle herds in the state. The first study found that cattle DNA was present in 86% of the wolf scats collected in 2022 and 55% of the scats collected in 2023 and estimated that cattle accounted for 50% to 60% of wolf diet biomass during that period. The second study found that cattle exposed to wolf presence had elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which “has been linked to reduced fertility” and disrupted ovulation in cattle. For additional details, see last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly.

Separately, The Sacramento Bee reported last week that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has executed agreements with sheriffs offices in Sierra, Lassen and Modoc counties authorizing the use of more-aggressive hazing techniques – including “paintballs, pepper balls, bean bags, rubber bullets and sustained pursuit” – to deter wolves. According to the Bee’s reporting, CDFW is developing a plan that would authorize “ranchers and other trained civilians to haze the wolves” using “paintballs and sustained pursuit.” For additional details, see the Bee’s reporting.

FSA Finalizes Improvements to Disaster Assistance Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this month that its Farm Service Agency “is making significant improvements to its disaster assistance and commodity loan programs” as required by the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Under the new rules, the Livestock Indemnity Program will now compensate producers for 100% of the market value of livestock lost from predation by federally-listed threatened and endangered animals, such as wolves. The program will also begin compensating ranchers for the loss of unborn livestock if the mother was gestating at the time of her death. Rules governing the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) have also been amended, lowering the eligibility threshold for producers to access financial assistance due to drought. For additional details, see USDA’s announcement or last week’s edition of California Cattleman Weekly. To find your local USDA Service Center, click here.

Four Groups Receive CDFW Grants to Administer Wolf-Livestock Compensation Funding
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this month that it has awarded Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program grants “to four organizations to support efforts to reduce wolf-livestock conflict.” The grants were awarded from what remains of the $2 million appropriated to the Department for Wolf-Livestock Compensation in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 State Budget. The grants include $1.1 million allocated to the California Farm Bureau to administer direct-loss compensation (though eligibility for compensation will continue to be determined by CDFW) and grants to Resource Conservation Districts and other entities for research, educational outreach and to assist ranchers in deploying approved hazing techniques. For more information see the July 6 edition of California Cattleman Weekly or CDFW’s press release.

2026 California Cattlemen’s Association Scholarships are Open Now! 
In 2025, CCA awarded over $51,000 in scholarships to students studying agriculture. Applications must be typed and returned in full to the California Cattlemen’s Association office by Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 11:59pm via email to Gracie at gracie@calcattemen.org. For more information about CCA’s offered scholarships and to access the scholarship application, click here.

Upcoming Industry Events

CCA in the News

Kevin Kester Discusses Beef Markets, Land Use and California Policy in Part 2 AgNet West Radio Network “The discussion then shifted to California’s proposed changes to the Williamson Act, which would allow some agricultural land enrolled in the state’s farmland preservation program to be converted to solar development while maintaining certain tax benefits. Kester said organizations including the California Cattlemen’s Association and California Farm Bureau oppose the proposal, arguing that productive farmland should remain dedicated to food production.” To continue reading (and to listen to Kester’s interview), click here.

Agriculturalist, CattleWomen, Cattlemen of the year named, honored at Mid-State Fair A-Town Daily News “[Agriculturalist of the Year John Lacey] has served on numerous local, state, and national boards, including the Lone Pine School Board, Southern Inyo Hospital Board, California Beef Council, and Five Countries Beef Group. He also served as president of the California Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattlemen’s Association before becoming president of the merged National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.” To continue reading, click here.

Industry News

New Resource Helps Farming and Ranching Families Transition to Next Generation Morning Ag Clips “Succession planning is one of the most important conversations farming and ranching families need to have, but those dialogues are often hard to navigate or never even get started. While it is a difficult subject to bring up, the time to plan is now. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is launching a new resource to help start the discussion. The online learning module guides families through the steps of transition and helps them create a succession plan unique to their operation.” To continue reading, click here.

Ranchers Encouraged by Grizzly Bear Management Returning to States The Public Lands Council “Yesterday, the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released a revised 4(d) rule for grizzly bear management that would return management authority to states. The Public Lands Council (PLC) previously urged the Trump administration to reject the Biden-era proposal finalized in early 2025 and are encouraged to see a renewed focus on ensuring the Endangered Species Act (ESA) works as intended—supporting species’ recovery, recognizing conservation successes, and working collaboratively with state partners.” To continue reading, click here.

Positive outlook for cattle business as summer business meeting concludes BEEF Magazine “With optimism for the cattle business remaining strong, nearly 700 cattle producers from across the country gathered in Aurora, Colorado, this week for the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting. This event helps shape the future of the industry through grassroots policy development and discussions that will guide research, education and promotion efforts.” To continue reading, click here.