January 2023 California Cattleman

CALIFORNIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

1221 H Street Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 444-0845

PRESIDENT Steve Arnold, Santa Margarita

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Rick Roberti, Loyalton

SECOND VICE PRESIDENTS

Sheila Bowen, Glennville Frank Imhof, Pleasanton Mike McCluskey, Red Bluff

TREASURER Beverly Bigger, Ventura

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Billy Gatlin

VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Kirk Wilbur

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & EVENTS

Lisa Brendlen

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Katie Roberti

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Maureen LaGrande

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Katherine Dickinson

PUBLICATION SERVICES

OFFICE & CIRCULATION

CCA Office: (916) 444-0845 Fax: (916) 444-2194

MANAGING MAGAZINE EDITOR

Stevie Ipsen | (208) 996-4922 stevie.ipsen@gmail.com

ADVERTISING SALES/FIELD SERVICES

Matt Macfarlane | (916) 803-3113 m3cattlemarketing@gmail.com

BILLING SERVICES

Lisa Brendlen lisa@calcattlemen.org

SERVING CALIFORNIA BEEF PRODUCERS SINCE 1917

Bolded names and businesses in editorial represent only current members of the California Cattlmen’s Association or California CattleWomen, Inc. For questions about membership status, contact the CCA office at (916) 444-0845.

The California Cattleman (Publication #8-3600) is published monthly except May/June is combined by the California Cattlemen’s Association, 1221 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, for $20/year, or as part of the annual membership dues. All material and photos within may not be reproduced without permission from publisher.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: California Cattleman, 1221 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

UPCOMING EVENTS

Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale

January 24-28 Tehama District Fairgrounds www.redbluffbullsale.com

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show

Feb 1-3 New Orleans, La. www.convention.ncba.org

CBCIA + CAA Tour May 16-18

Central Valley, Calif. Mike Hall, 805-748-4717 | Abbie Nelson, 916-804-4990 https://www.rosterdb.com/externals/cca/eventreg.aspx?eventid=59

https://calcattlemen.org/podcast/

CCA & CCW CONVENTION

Beef producers, educators and promoters come together for 106th meeting

TAKING THE LEAD Arnold takes lead of CCA with goals to inspire the future

PREMIUMS

As we welcome a new year, the California Cattlemen's Association is also excited to introduce it's 51st president. Steve Arnold from the tiny town of Pozo is a lifelong cattleman and businessman who has served in CCA's leadership for the past four years and at his local level in San Luis Obispo County for decades. His official photos for the cover and feature article were taken by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti.

CCA LEADERSHIP TEAM TAKES ON 2023

Since 1917, the California Cattlemen's Association has been led by cattle producers who are dedicated to their lifestyle and to protecting it. Year after year, the leadership team at CCA has worked tirelessly to represent their fellow cattlemen and women. They travel thousands of miles up and down the state to gain perspective from local ranchers and from Sacramento to Washington, D.C., with CCA staff to lobby on behalf of the beef production community.

Together with CCA legislative staff members Billy Gatlin and Kirk Wilbur the officer team will work to formulate a game plan on how to further CCA policy and tackle the top concerns CCA members shared at the annual CCA & CCW Convetion.

With the arrival of a new calendar year, in long-standing tradition, CCA is also ringing in 2023 with a new - but not entirely different - leadership team.

At the 106th CCA & CCW Convention in Reno, Nev., long time feeder council advocate Trevor Freitas of Tipton, exited his two-year term as a second vice president and Sierra Valley rancher Rick Roberti moved up the ladder to become CCA's First Vice President. With two vacancies to fill, CCA is fortunate to see knowledgeable cattlemen Frank Imhof of Pleasanton and Tehama County rancher Mike McCluskey elected to fill the void.

At the annual midyear meeting in June 2022, then first vice present Steve Arnold was elected to become CCA's 51st President, succeeding the term of Tony Toso. Like Toso, Arnold says he has a hard time sitting still and has his own list of plans to put into action.

First on Arnold's agenda is getting CCA's Sacramentobased staff settled into a new headquarters location

following the sale of the H Street building in 2022. With a committed staff and dedicated officer team who is well-versed on issues in their own regions as well as problems and opportunities facing the beef business as a whole, 2023 promises to be productive on many fronts. Should you wish to contact any of the leadership team or CCA staff to share your input on the direction of the beef industry or your association, your outreach is always welcomed.

EDITOR'S NOTE

THE DAYS ARE LONG, BUT IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE WORK REWARDING JOBS OFFER BEST OF ALL WORLDS

by California Cattleman Managing Editor Stevie Ipsen

From the time I was first introduced to the California ranching community in May 2007, the ingenutity and resilience I witness daily never ceases to surprise me. Raised in the agricultural world of the Intermountain West, I was familiar with the overarching issues facing cattlemen and women. But I will admit that list of "challenging" issues looked something like: drought, market fluctuations, vegetarians and fly season. I was fortunate to be raised around conservative, likeminded people, but my brain was about to be enlightened. Not to belittle the ranchers who I was raised around, because their issues today look much like yours. But my young, naive mind was aloof to the grand scale of problems plaguing the agricultural world further west.

When I was first hired by CCA to handle public relations in January 2008, I was a newly-wed who had been working as a newspaper reporter for the Red Bluff Daily News. Besides the meager pay, Tehama County was everything I dreamed of as a young agriculture journalist. It was not the mundate news beat I was previously at in the asphalt jungle of Salt Lake City and the environment I was immersed in was exactly what I craved — rodeo, farming and ranching. The opportunity to shed light on the topics that were important to me was exciting to say the least. And there was no snow to shovel.

When a friend and CCA member made me aware of the job opening at CCA, I jumped at the chance. I had already come to terms with the fact that journalism wasn't a lucrative career so moving over to a non-profit trade association didn't scare me off, even in the face of the nation's biggest housing crash. Doing public relations and social media specifically for ranchers couldn't have been a bigger priviledge and opportunity for me. I loved that initial job with CCA and would probably still be in that capacity today had business models at the association not evolved.

Of the things I have learned about leadership during the past 15 years, it is that keeping an open mind and considersing alternatives to the ways "it's always been done," can reap great rewards. Though I was fully content in my initial communications role at CCA, I am grateful for leadership who

considered a bigger picture to help the organization grow.

The desire of CCA leaders to move into unchartered magazine publishing territory afforded me the chance to expand my skillset and follow in the footsteps of CCA influencers like Col. Jack Parnell, Phil Raynard, Jim Danekas and Kelli Toledo, and even learn personally from some of them firsthand. While it is a livelihood, each of those individuals definitely could have made a more lucrative living doing something else. They chose the beef industry because it mattered to them. Each person who managed this publication on behalf of CCA's membership played an important role in furthing the cause and mission of CCA.

Now 10 years into this specific role, those of us directly involved in production of CCA's official publication felt it was time for another update. As you will see in this issue and throughout 2023, we have not just changed some of the look of the magazine, we have also implemented ways for CCA's digital communications and print materials to better work hand in hand.

They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. A lot of things have changed since I first arrived on H Street in 2008, but a lot has stayed the same. I've met many new staff members over the years but they always come equipped with enthusiastic energy to be part of the betterment of CCA. For me, personally, I am now trying to keep up with three kids of my own, I still much prefer to be behind a camera than in front of it, I still love visiting with CCA members in person, online and on the phone and I am always conjuring up new ways to tell your unique stories and deliver news.

As CCA leadership prepares to write the next chapter at a new address not far from H Street, I continue to feel blessed by the opportunity to learn from CCA's membership and spread your stories of resilience, persistence and passion for a way of life second to none.

YOUR DUES DOLLARS AT WORK

MEMBERSHIP ADOPTS NEW POLICY, NEW AT 106TH ANNUAL MEETING

by CCA Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur

Hundreds of California cattle producers convened in Reno, Nev. from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, 2022 for the 106th Annual California Cattlemen’s Association/ California CattleWomen, Inc. Convention and California & Nevada Cattle Industry Trade Show.

While there was plenty of education, entertainment and networking on tap at this year’s Annual Meeting, membership was also tasked with the responsibility of setting CCA’s policy priorities. To that end, six standing policy committees met on Thursday, Dec. 1 to consider readoption of expiring policy resolutions and to advance new policy to guide CCA’s lobbying efforts in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Amid a third consecutive year of severe drought, it is no surprise that the bulk of the new resolution adopted this year relate to water policy.

Below are the operative provisions of newlyadopted policies and staff directives advanced by CCA’s policy committees and approved by membership at CCA’s Board of Directors meeting. While “whereas” clauses have been omitted for brevity, additional context has been provided for each policy and directive below. To view CCA’s full policy book, visit www.calcattlemen.org/cca-policy.

CATTLE HEALTH & WELL-BEING COMMITTEE

During the Cattle Health & Well Being Committee meeting, producers expressed concern that the State’s existing trichomoniasis control program has been insufficient to reduce or eliminate the prevalence of the disease within California. Rather than pushing the Association to advocate for stricter trichomoniasis controls via legislation or regulation, though, the Committee has instead directed CCA staff to first assess existing regulations and their enforcement to determine whether additional policy may be prudent in the future.

COMMITTEE BUSINESS — STAFF DIRECTIVE —

ASSESMENT OF TRICHOMANIASIS REGULATIONS

BE IT DIRECTED, that California Cattlemen’s Association staff reach out to the California Department of Food and Agriculture to assess the status of current regulations and enforcement of such regarding trichomoniasis testing.

CATTLE MARKETING & INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMITTEE

The Packers and Stockyards Act requires packers and other covered entities to initiate payment via check, wire transfer or other expeditious method by the close of the next business day following a sale. Unfortunately, slowing mail service has increasingly delayed the delivery of payments made via check. To incentivize prompter payment via electronic means, CCA’s Cattle Marketing & International Trade Committee passed the following resolution:

COMMITTEE BUSINESS — RESOLUTION

PROMPT PAYMENT TIMING & ELECTRONIC PAYMENT

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Cattlemen’s Association support amending 7 U.S.C. 228(b) to allow for regulated entities to meet prompt payment requirements by sending a push automated clearing house (ACH) transfer by the close of the second business day or a wire transfer by the close of the third business day following a sale, in addition to the current option of mailing a check by the close of the next business day.

PROPERTY RIGHTS & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Irrigated pastures present low risk to beneficial water uses in California waterways. Nevertheless, irrigated pastures are often covered by the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP), unjustifiably imposing significant costs on producers. Last year, CCA successfully supported a proposal to exempt Goose Lake watershed irrigated pastures from the ILRP. During this year’s Annual Meeting, CCA members explicitly condoned such advocacy efforts by passing the policy below; CCA will soon have occasion to advance this policy, as the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board recently proposed exempting the Upper Feather River watershed from the ILRP.

COMMITTEE BUSINESS — RESOLUTION

IRRIGATED LANDS REGULATORY PROGRAM

BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Cattlemen’s Association work with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to expedite the removal of irrigated pasture from the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program.

Ranchers throughout Northern California have been hard-hit by water rights curtailments issued by the State Water Resources Control Board in response to a third consecutive year of drought conditions. Producers in Siskiyou County’s Scott and Shasta River watersheds have been particularly hard-hit by persistent curtailments of all surface water and groundwater diversions within the watersheds. While CCA generally advocates for curtailment relief on behalf of all cattle producers throughout the state, the Property Rights & Environmental Management Committee advanced, and the Board approved, the following policy aimed at providing relief to Siskiyou County cattle producers.

THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD’S ISSUANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF CURTAILMENT ORDERS FOR THE SHASTA AND SCOTT RIVERS

BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) make it a priority to work with the SWRCB on the following items:

1. Determine how curtailment orders can incorporate the Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) for the Shasta and Scott Groundwater Basins and respect the role of the GSA in light of the fact that the GSA, advisory committees, irrigators, and many other stakeholders dedicated three years to the thoughtful development of the GSPs with the intention of ensuring the availability of groundwater supplies for future generations, the environment, and wildlife species;

2. Develop a rapid response procedure, including the lifting of curtailment orders on currently curtailed water rights, to appropriate excess water over the minimum flow requirement during the non-irrigation season for the

beneficial use of human health and safety, water storage, groundwater recharge, and livestock watering, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if coordination with the SWRCB produces additional opportunities to work on curtailment-related issues, that CCA capitalize upon any such opportunities to provide drought curtailment relief to cattle producers throughout the state.

TAX & CREDIT COMMITTEE

Given that severe drought has resulted in the diminishment or elimination of water deliveries to irrigated pastures and given that owners of irrigated pastures “typically pay a higher per-acre property tax than owners of non-irrigated lands,” the Tax & Credit Committee passed the following policy directing CCA to seek tax relief for such owners of irrigated pasture.

COMMITTEE BUSINESS — RESOLUTION

DECREASED VALUE OF IRRIGATED LAND IMPACTED BY DROUGHT

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Cattlemen’s Association work with county governments, other appropriate agencies, and allied agriculture organizations to seek appropriate property tax relief for these landowners.

CCA thanks those who made the trek out to Reno for the 106th Annual Convention and helped to guide the Association’s policy over the coming year.

Dr. Heather Fritz, DVM, PhD. provides a California Animal Health & Food Safety Lab Update in the Cattle Health & Well-Being Committee Meeting.

Kaitlynn Glover, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council was the Federal Lands speaker for CCA and Nevada Cattlemen’s.

CDFA’s Chad Parker gives the Bureau of Livestock Identification update in the Cattle Marketing & International Trade Committee Meeting.

Committee chair Dr. Tom Talbot, DVM leads the CCA Cattle Health & Well-Being meeting.

Back at the Nugget

106th CCA and CCW Annual Convention and Industry Trade Show

by CCA Associate Director of Communications Maureen LaGrande

After three years of being held virtually and at the Peppermill Casino Resort, the California Cattlemen’s Association and California Cattlewomen’s Association’s Convention finally made its way back to the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nev.

The sound of slot machines and laughter filled the air at the 106th CCA & CCW Annual Convention and Industry Tradeshow that took place Nov. 30 –Dec. 2. This year’s convention, held in conjunction with the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA), brought together both California and Nevada ranchers. With close to 600 members from California registered to attend, convention serves as a time for those in the industry to reconnect with one another, participate in policy meetings, attend educational presentations, network in the tradeshow and hear about what the Association is working on.

Getting Down to Business

At Wednesday afternoon’s opening general session CCA President Tony Toso, Hornitos welcomed members and provided an overview of all that the convention and tradeshow would have to offer. To close out the first general session California State Treasurer Fiona Ma welcomed attendees and shared with them her interest in continuing to connect with the ranching community.

Over the course of the week, members heard from a wide array of guest speakers in the general sessions. The opening session speakers included, meteorologist Brian Bledsoe, talking about the weather outlook, and Colorado State University Professor Stephen Koontz, going over the cattle markets. In the following morning’s session attendees heard from Global AgriTrends’ Brett Stuart, who provided a global outlook and update. NCBA’s Colin Woodall spoke at the final general session giving an update on NCBA’s national efforts. Throughout the general sessions, industry updates were also given by CCA, NCA, the California Cattle Council and the California Beef Council.

Following the first general session, the California and Nevada Cattle Industry Trade Show kicked off with the CCA Allied Cheese and Wine Reception

and the Tradeshow Welcome Party, sponsored by Laird Manufacturing. Dancing with music from the Buck Ford Band and conversation among ranchers and exhibitors at booths could be heard throughout the tradeshow while snacking on some delicious wine and cheese.

A few highlights of the tradeshow came from the generosity of many sponsors. The shoeshining station in the tradeshow was sponsored by Merck and Allflex. Elanco sponsored the Blood Mary bar in the tradeshow and Westway Feed Products sponsored the name badge holders.

Amongst catching up with others and walking around the tradeshow a critical part of convention are the meetings for policy committees and fellow meetings held by organizations such as the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association and the California Cattlemen’s Foundation. Freewave Technologies sponsored one of the five policy committee meetings. Those at convention are encouraged to attend these meetings to help drive the direction of CCA policy, better understand what is going on within the different sectors of the industry, as well as have the chance to ask questions of those who have been working diligently to advocate for the Association.

Sponsors also helped with events, as Bayer Environmental Science sponsored the Cattle Fax Breakfast. Friday morning’s CattleFax Breakfast brought a new speaker for the first time in many years. With CattleFax’s Duane Lenz having retired earlier this year, California and Nevada producers welcomed CattleFax Director of Cattle Market Research and Analysis, Patrick Linnell to give the outlook for the first time.

Between general sessions and policy meetings, in addition to having meetings of their own, the California CattleWomen celebrated the muchawaited Cowbelle of the Year Award Luncheon, on the Nugget’s Chalet Terrace, recognizing individuals who have gone above and beyond in promoting beef and their local Cattle Women groups. Michele Payn of Cause Matters Corps, served as the keynote

CCA Second Vice President Rick Roberti welcoming attendees to the opening general session.

Nevada and California cattlemen and women settle in for the first general session of the event.

WSR Insurance sponsored meteorologist Brian Bledsoe to provide a weather outlook for attendees.

Colorado State University's Stephen Koontz, Ph.D., talks on cattle markets in the opening general session.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma wrapped up the opening general session.

CCA President Tony Toso provides a CCA update at Thursday morning’s general session.

CCA Second Vice President Sheila Bowen emcees the third general session.

Brett Stuart with Global AgriTrends shares on reasons to be optimistic in 2023 as he provides a global beef update and outlook..

California Cattle Council Chair Dave Daley shows the work the Council has focused on in 2022.

NCBA CEO Colin Woodall delivers an update on the national efforts NCBA is driving.

Myles and John Flournoy sit front row in Thursday afternoon’s general session.

speaker at the luncheon. CCW’s President Julie Barnett’s term also came to an end at convention, as Jeri Roen was welcomed in as the new CCW President.

Young Members Ready to Learn

This year, the Young Cattlemen’s Club (YCC) had over 100 college students from CSU Chico, CSU Fresno, UC Davis, Feather River College, and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in attendance. They were able to attend educational sessions, network in the tradeshow and have a YCC meeting with all chapters. At the meeting, UC Davis Ph.D. student, Sebastian Mejia Turcios, West Sacramento, served as the guest speaker. Turcios shared with the students his educational experiences, current studies, social media work and his participation with the NCBA Trailblazers, a program geared toward advocates for the industry.

In promotion for the future of the industry, the Cattlemen’s Poster Session sponsored by Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment and the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association, allowed college students and researchers to present their research to convention attendees. With 25 posters entered, this year’s poster session was the largest to date.

Aside from connecting with other YCC members and the industry professionals at convention, young members have an array of opportunities to be involved in the Association. A handful of college students pursuing a degree in an agriculturalrelated field sat down to interview for the 2022 CCA Scholarships. The generosity of donors enabled CCA to award over $59,000 in scholarships.

While the duration of convention occurs within three days, months of preparation goes into the event. CCA staff and officers play a large role in the production of the day-to-day meetings, speakers and trainings, but each year interns help onsite. This year CCA had the addition of eight interns to assist with registration, the tradeshow and awards banquet. Their eagerness to help made a huge impact with day-to-day tasks. Interns included, Taylor Hutchinson, Feather River College, Lauren Ferguson, Feather River College, Sierra Rodriguez, CSU Chico, Alexandria Ramirez, CSU Chico, Hailey Ferguson, CSU Chico, Vanessa Bettencourt, CSU Chico, Audrey Cockrell, CSU Fresno and Lea Thomas, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

CCA Leadership

Thursday night, Toso stood at the podium on his last night as the 50th CCA President, signaling the end of his two-year term at the CCA and CCW Awards Banquet. Throughout his term as president, Toso worked diligently for the Association and its members. When reflecting on his time in office, Toso’s daughter Gianna Adem, Hornitos shared, “My dad is passionate about preserving the ranching

way of life for future generations. He’s always been an incredible advocate for the beef industry and agricultural community. I am immensely proud of him, not only for a job well done as CCA President, but for who my dad is and what he stands for. I’m thankful for all that he has done and look forward to what he will continue to do. Congratulations, Dad, on an incredible two-year term.”

The two-year term of CCA Second Vice President Trevor Frietas, Tulare, also came to an end. At the banquet, 2021-2022 CCA Officers were thanked for their service to the Association and the reins were handed over to the 2023-2024 CCA President Steve Arnold, Santa Margarita. With Arnold as president, Rick Roberti, Loyalton, moved up as CCA First Vice President. Sheila Bowen, Glennville, has one more year in her term as CCA Second Vice President and Bev Bigger, Ventura, will continue as CCA Treasurer.

The CCA Officer team also welcomed two new officers, Frank Imhof, Pleasanton, and Mike McCluskey, Red Bluff, both as incoming CCA Second Vice Presidents.

The awards banquet dinner recognized Allan Renz, Tres Pinos, as the recipient of the Society for Range Management California-Pacific Section’s 2022 Winner of Excellence in Range Management Award.

American Ag Credit’s Karri Jones presented the Top Hand Award which recognizes CCA members who have worked diligently to recruit members to the Association. First place, a custom saddle, went to Paul Tognazzini, Templeton. Second place, a Boot Barn gift card, went to Dave Daley, Oroville. Third place, another Boot Barn gift card, went to Nicole Stevens, Yreka. All of the awards were generously sponsored by Farm Credit.

The most anticipated prize of the night was the drawing for the 2023 Swift Built 18 Foot Gooseneck Stock Trailer winning raffle ticket, generously donated by Farm Credit to benefit the Livestock Memorial Research Fund (LMRF). The lucky winner announced by Karri Jones and LMRF Chair Dean Hunt, McKinleyville, was Beth Macy, Tulelake.

Convention week goes by in a blink of an eye. The conclusion of the CCA Board and Membership Meeting on Friday morning signaled the end to another successful CCA Convention as attendees said their goodbyes and headed for the state line.

Don’t forget to mark down on the calendar Nov. 29 – Dec. 3, for the 107th CCA & CCW Annual Convention and Industry Tradeshow!

Students from Fresno State, Chico State, Feather River College, UC Davis and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo showed up in full force.

The Farm Credit’s crew connected with people in the California and Nevada Cattle Industry Tradeshow on Wednesday and Thursday.

Ventura County’s Bev Bigger, Kim and Bud Sloan share a table near the dance floor.

Kyle Daley dances with daughter Juniper at the Welcome Party, sponsored by Laird Manufacturing.

Cattlewomen Debbie Torres and Flinda France catch up at the Trade Show Welcome Party..

Cindy Tews, Presley Phillips, and Emma Bettencourt take a pause from shopping in the Vintage Cowboy Winery booth for a photo. .

Anisa Velasco, Vivian Medina, Jason Dubowsky and Devin Griffith having a great time in the tradeshow.

RTAP’s Jack Rice and Glenn-Colusa Cattlemen’s Daniel O’Connell.

New Mexico State's Dr. Eric Scholljegerdes spoke at CBCIA’s Producer Education session.

The 6th Annual Poster Session sponsored by the Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment and CBCIA had a record number of 25 posters submitted.

Gianna (Toso) Adem and Alyssa (Toso) Haines celebrate at the CCA President’s reception..

CCA's Billy Gatlin thanks CCA President Tony Toso for his time serving as an officer.

CCA President Tony Toso thanks his 2021-2022 officer team: 2nd VP Rick Roberti, Treasurer Bev Bigger, 2nd VP Sheila Bowen, 2nd VP Trevor Freitas and 1st VP Steve Arnold.

Paul Tognazzini was awarded the 2022 Top Hand of the Year Award.

ALL-AROUND AGRICULTURE FOR CCA'S 51ST PRESIDENT

Growing up in San Luis Obispo County, located about 20 miles east of Santa Margarita in the small town of Pozo, Steve Arnold started riding horses and working with his dad on the ranch at an early age. Full of oaks and woodland grasslands, home to the famous Pozo Saloon and just one mountain range in from the Pacific Ocean, Pozo is still home to Steve today.

While Steve had other jobs before returning to the ranch in Pozo, the Central Coast has always been his home. Similarly, cowboying and running cattle is still what he knows best today. Even at a young age, Steve knew he wanted to be in ranching, but what he didn't know is that he would develop an interest in agricultural leadership over time, that would lead him to become CCA’s 51st President.

STARTING OUT

by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti

Although Steve’s grandfather, Guy, was involved in agriculture and is the reason Steve was able to grow up on the same land his family came to in the early 1900s, Guy was more of a farmer than a cattleman.

“My dad is the one that got us into the cowboy world,” Steve said.

When Steve and his siblings were around six years old,

they were already on horses helping their dad move cows or do whatever was needed. Being the oldest kids of four, Steve and his brother also helped their dad from a young age by riding the horses he was training for others.

"From about the time we were 10-12 years old, we would start those colts with him…,” Steve said. “My brother and I would ride them for the first three or four months, six even, and then my dad would turn them into bridle horses in the next six. From that time on, I really never did anything different."

After high school, Steve spent three years at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he was enrolled in school and worked in the butcher shop. At that time, he also met his wife, Debbie, and they were married in 1975.

"When I first left college without my degree…my dad told me to go get a job with a real company, like the phone company or PG&E. [My dad] said, ‘You’re going to be way ahead of the game,’" Steve said. "But that wasn't what I wanted."

Following their wedding, Steve and Debbie moved out to the La Panza Ranch, over the hill about an hour east of Pozo. He had worked at the ranch during college and was offered the manager position at age 23 when his predecessor moved to a ranch in Nevada.

"It was the best job I ever had," Steve said. "We ran 6,000 head of steers. We didn't have a cattle truck, didn't have a cattle trailer, but I had horses."

After living and working out there for two years, the La Panza Ranch ended up being sold and changing ownership. Steve then went to work at Templeton Livestock Market with the legendary Dick Nock and other partners for a year.

"It's the closest I ever came to getting a divorce for sure because that required a lot of time, and anybody [who reads] this that has a sales yard is going to know exactly what I'm saying," Steve said. "It's a day and night job, and it's seven days a week."

After surviving the year at the auction yard, Steve worked on a ranch in San Simeon over on the coast for two years—but he hated it. There was too much fog, and he couldn't get used to the weather.

TURNING POINT

Steve jokes that working at Templeton Livestock Market almost changed his life because the long hours just about drove him and Debbie to a divorce only a few years into their marriage—thankfully, it didn't. But the next job after the one in San Simeon actually did change it, and for the better.

After leaving the ranch in San Simeon, Steve got an opportunity to work at the Cammate Ranch just south of Shandon for a cattleman named Bob Morrison

“He was the guy that really got me involved in Cattlemen’s and in all the political things that go with all the stuff we do now,” Steve said. “I can’t thank him and his wife enough. They’re the ones that used to take Debbie and me to the annual Cattlemen’s meeting. I got myself on a committee and climbed

to the vice chairmanship. He’s the one guy I owe as much as anything to.”

While working for Morrison, Steve met John Braley, the CCA Executive Vice President, who at the time was in Class 18 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Having experienced the program himself, Braley told Steve he was going to recommend him for it. Braley did just that and had an application for Class 19 of the Ag Leadership program sent to Steve.

"I looked at [the application], and it was one of those things that it's pretty easy for a guy that just gets on his horse every day and does his thing to throw in the trash," Steve said. "So instead of Class 19, I took a serious ass-chewing from John Braley about throwing the stupid thing away.”

The following year, Steve again received an application, but this time he didn't discard it. He and Debbie worked on the application and got it submitted. Steve later did an interview and was accepted into Class 20 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Ag Leadership).

“I’m going to give all the credit in the world to Bob Morrison, the owner of the Cammate Ranch, because he allowed us to do things that I would have never done, and he allowed me the time to go do the Ag Leadership," Steve said. “It changed my life entirely. That two-year span right there, everything changed.”

While Ag Leadership greatly impacted Steve, he says Nock does deserve some of the credit. Even years after working for him at the Templeton Livestock Market, Nock constantly pushed him to be a leader within the cattle industry.

Involved with San Luis Obispo Farm Bureau for a long time, having joined the board after completing Ag Leadership, Steve knew he couldn’t commit to leadership roles with both Cattlemen’s and Farm Bureau. Eventually, he went off the Farm Bureau board and joined the San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association board with Nock.

“When I got into the leadership portion of San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen, Dick was the guy that was always in the background that would be chipping away… [saying], ‘Stevie, what are you going to do about the membership?’”

Nock, unfortunately, passed away two years ago, but Steve knows he had gained Nock’s approval of his work and successful efforts in growing the number of members in San Luis Obispo County. Even if Nock never directly told him, a thumbs up from him during the membership update at each meeting was enough.

In addition to Morrison and Nock, Alex Madonna was another mentor of Steve’s at a young age. One he was able to spend a great deal of time with before Alex passed.

“There’s a lot of mentors I’ve had that have been really good,” Steve said.

COMING HOME

Following their time at the Cammate Ranch, Steve and Debbie came back to Pozo in the early 1990s. Today they have a cow-calf operation and live on portions of the same land in Pozo that Steve's great-grandfather settled on in 1919. The old original homestead on the south side of the Pozo road is almost exactly as it was a hundred years ago, with the original houses still standing and the same fields being dry land farmed.

Although pieces of the ranch have stayed the same, the land on the north side has seen changes. When Debbie and Steve moved back to Pozo, they started thinking about how to keep the ranch sustainable and successful by diversifying. With good soil and some groundwater, growing vegetables was an idea tossed around at one point. Eventually, they passed on the idea as it turned out that vegetables would be more of an undertaking year-round than Steve and Debbie wanted.

Instead, they were advised to try wine grapes. While Steve admits he knew nothing about the commodity before signing his first contract, a few decades later it led the Arnold family to have a vineyard on the property still and now have the Vintage Cowboy Winery on the ranch too.

“We have two kids, and they are the winery part of our vineyard operation,” Steve said. “Our daughter, Michelle, runs all the books and sales and all the paperwork that goes along with producing alcohol. Our son, Joey, is the winemaker and designated socialite of the group. My only job involving the winery anymore is to make sure that we have grapes. I'm the vineyardist, so to speak."

With the vineyard enduring as a key part of the family business over the last few decades, cows also continue to be an interest for the family with Steve’s son Joey and son-in-law Ryan helping him manage the herd.

“My grandad ran registered Hereford cows,” Steve said. “My father got us into commercial herds, and we bred some Brown Swiss into our system for our milkability. Then we went all black…. But we are moving back in to the Herefords."

When asked how he and Debbie manage the ranch, vineyard and winery, family time with his two kids and all four of his grandkids living in the area, Debbie's role as a supervisor for San Luis Obispo County and everything in between, Steve had a quick answer: “She’s a really hard worker and then there is me.”

As hardworking as Debbie is, in 2020 Steve was honored as the San Luis Obispo Cattleman of the Year. His peers and neighboring cattlemen and women recognized he must have had something to do with the Arnold family’s land remaining in production all these years. Additionally, they must have noticed Steve's success at making a life in ranching, the career he always desired to be in.

LEADING CCA

While serving as CCA First Vice President, one of Steve's main commitments was chairing the CCA building committee over the last two years.

On Oct. 14, 2022, CCA closed escrow on the sale of the 1221 H Street building, home to the Association since 1985 when it was purchased. The decision to sell the CCA building was not taken lightly. From the start, the committee wanted to ensure the best for the future of CCA. Now that the building sale is final, one of Steve's onset priorities as president is to assist in finding the Association’s new home.

"Number one, since we sold the building, I need to help and be sure that staff is happy with the location because no matter how we cut it, I think we're going to be there for three years," Steve said. "And I want to be sure that we uphold the honor of the people that bought the building before us, John Lacey, Myron [Openshaw], Jerry Hemsted, those kinds of folks that were involved 40 years ago.”

Steve's goal for the Association while he is involved is to hang on to money received from the building sale and do a good job reinvesting it in the next CCA-owned building.

Looking ahead at what’s to come in his presidency, Steve confesses he is not one for making goals. He is happy with his officer team, made up of a diverse representation of ranchers from throughout the state. He is also pleased about the officers who just came on board—Frank Imhof, Pleasanton, and Mike McCluskey, Red Bluff.

In addition to having a solid team for the next two years, Steve is okay with it seeming quiet for now. He says he will take it, especially compared to the previous few years where all the crises of the onset of the pandemic and then cattle prices and markets consumed much of the energy and CCA leadership’s attention.

“It just seems quiet, which I know won’t last that long, so I’m not that guy that’s going to go try to stir something up to have something to do,” Steve said. “I just want to make sure we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing and doing it better than we need to be doing it. That’s my goal.”

Another priority Steve has is getting CCA membership and engagement back to where it was before COVID. Given his involvement in the success of the San Luis Obispo Cattlemen's Association's recruitment efforts, there should be plenty of experience Steve can bring to this aspect of leading CCA.

“I think it is important that CCA is a membership-driven association,” Steve said. “And I’m a little worried that it’s required too much of staff—and not that that’s a bad thing—but I would like to see it where the drive is coming out of the committees and other things, make sure we get back to that.”

To get in touch with Steve directly about CCA issues or becoming involved as a member, email him at pozovalley@aol.com or call him direct at (805) 235-7840.

"I just really appreciate that the cattlemen of the state of California will allow me to do this, and I'm happy to give my time and energy to promote the industry that I've been part of my whole life," Steve said. "And thank you."

GETTING TO KNOW STEVE ARNOLD

QWhat do you like to do with your spare time, and what would you like to do if given some extra spare time?

AI'd like to drive the West. I want to go to Cody, Wyo. That's what I would do if I had an opportunity. Debbie and I have opportunities to watch our granddaughters play sports and rodeo. All of them play basketball, a few play soccer and one is big into roping.

QWhat’s your favorite cut of beef?

A I like a ribeye cooked medium rare.

Q Favorite music?

A I’m a Led Zeppelin fan. Anything from Led Zeppelin.

Q If you could meet any person, dead or alive, who would you want to meet?

AI’d say Thomas Jefferson, or maybe Ronald Regan. Otherwise, I will go way, way back and chat with Aristotle or somebody like that. I'd go back there and hang with those guys and just see. You know they are drinking some really crappy wine, philosophizing about something that probably wasn’t that important. I think it would be kind of fascinating to see what they were doing.

Q Do you prefer having ranch dogs around, or areyou more partial to having barn cats?

AI have one marginal Border Collie. I have those two really, quality cattle dogs, Boston Terriers. My barn cat is a house cat because he just does what he wants to. Willie (the house cat) came out of the walls of the Pozo Saloon the last time Willie Nelson was in concert in Pozo.

Q What is something unique about ranching in your part of California?

AThe region of San Luis Obispo County, northern Santa Barbara County and most of Monterey County is unique in that it is home to some of the best cowboys in the world for roping and riding. If you go to a local competition here it is about as competitive as it gets.

CBCIA/CAA

The California Beef Cattle Improvement Association is once again hosting it's highly-sought after ranch tour, this time alongside a great partner, the California Angus Association. With common goals of continual beef and breed improvment, the partnership is a valuable opportunity for the groups' membership as well as for all cattlemen and women looking to improve their operations.

This year the comprehensive three-day tour be held the third week in May and will visit reputable commercial and seedstock ranches in Central California as well admirable farming entities like Blue Diamond Almonds, A.L. Gilbert Feedmill and Hilmar Cheese.

Registration is now open at: www.calcattlemen.org under the events tab. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.

For information about the tour, interested individuals can contact Mike Hall at (805) 748-4717 or Abbie Nelson at (916) 804-4990.

CREATOR TAYLOR SHERIDAN TO SPEAK AT ANNUAL CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION

Taylor Sheridan will speak during the Opening General Session of the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans on Feb. 1. Sheridan will join NCBA President Don Schiefelbein, a Minnesota cattle producer, for a conversation about ranch life.

“My passion for the ranching lifestyle has inspired me to write stories that are rich in history, led by complex characters, and focus on family dynamics,” said Sheridan. “I’m looking forward to joining you at the cattle industry’s largest event.”

Sheridan is an Academy Award®-nominated writer and actor as well as a member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. A Texas native himself, Sheridan excels in the Western horse performance industry as an avid supporter and competitor in reining and cutting. He also owns and operates two Texas ranches including the legendary 6666 or Four Sixes Ranch, a 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award Program regional winner, and Bosque Ranch. Sheridan recently launched Four Sixes® Ranch Brand Beef which retails beef sourced from 6666 and a network of ranches. While the Dutton family continues their personal and business struggles in Season 5 of “Yellowstone,” Sheridan has brought prequels “1883” and “1923” to life. Whether attending for one day or participating in the entire event, a variety of registration options are available at convention.ncba.org.

“YELLOWSTONE”

BUNKHOUSE HERE TO HELP

by Noah Lopez for the Ranchers Technical Assistance Program

As the calendar page flips to a new year, like many of you, I have taken the opportunity to look back and reflec on wins of the past year and focus on how to make the most of 2023. For us at the Rancher Technical Assistance Program (RTAP), we spent some time reflecting on the variety of issues we’ve assisted ranchers all over the state with. Provided by the California Cattlemen’s Foundation and funded by the California Cattle Council, RTAP helps ranchers navigate complex regulatory, environmental and business issues at no direct cost. Ranchers can reach out to the RTAP team and let us go to work on their behalf, functioning as something like a “back office” for producers.

When the program was launched in May of 2021, the team sat down and created a list of expected issues that ranchers might reach out with. We gathered resources that would prove helpful for the questions we anticipated ranchers would call with, such as water rights, stockponds, transportation regulation, and federal assistance programs. Questions about the issues listed above are common, and RTAP has had the opportunity to help many ranchers sort through them, but we have often been surprised by the wide variety of questions. In the last year and a half, ranchers have called with all kinds of interesting and unexpected inquiries. I want to take a moment to highlight a few of the unexpected issues that RTAP has been able to help producers with.

One of my favorite unanticipated questions, which has come up multiple times, was about agritourism. Ranchers have reached out to learn about the regulatory compliance process for incorporating agritourism into their operation. This has looked like everything from farm stays and short-term vacation rentals to ranch tours and full on ranching educational experiences. Questions have arisen regarding things like county permitting, Williamson Act requirements,

liability insurance, tax law, and a whole host of other concerns. RTAP has had the pleasure of helping ranchers explore the possibilities and understand applicable regulation. I especially like researching this topic as it promises to help connect the non-ranching public to ranches and to let people see the work done every day to steward the land and produce a healthy product. In a time where many of us think that food comes from the grocery store, it’s encouraging to see ranchers taking the initiative to help people understand how food is truly produced.

Aside from agritourism, we've helped ranchers grapple with all kinds of unanticipated questions about things like the liability of volunteers riding on the ranch, how the US drought monitor makes it’s determinations, what to do when insurance carriers drop the ranch policy because of fire risk, how to comply with slaughter and sale regulations for direct to consumer marketing, how to deal with county land use permitting for host of issues, and even what to do when the neighbors bull keeps jumping the fence.

Every time we receive a new inquiry from a rancher, I’m amazed at the variety of issues that cattle producers in California face. However, I'm even more amazed by the persistence with which ranchers tackle these issues, demonstrating resilience and perseverance to get the job done. Rest assured, whatever the issue, RTAP is here to help you sort through it. RTAP can be reached by phone at (916) 406-6902, by email at rtap@wrstrat.com, or found online at calcattlemenfoundation.org/rtap.

Why roll the dice?

Don’t gamble on unproven genetics. There are a lot of Angus bulls on the market, but not all are backed by the power of 80 million datapoints and a registration paper. Invest wisely in a registered Angus bull.

Austin Flynn Regional Manager 559-361-9701 aflynn@angus.org

Alex Tolbert Regional Manager 706.338.8733 atolbert@angus.org

Look for the REGISTRATION NUMBER.. Bring the Power of Angus to your herd. Angus.org/PBA.

FORECAST

The U.S. economy still has considerable momentum and is not currently on the verge of recession. However, economists have never been more pessimistic and there are very legitimate reasons for concern. Over the past half century, inflation above 5 percent has never been tamed without incurring a recession. That portends a painful yet necessary chain of events will unfold in 2023, according to a comprehensive year-ahead outlook report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.

“As financial conditions continue to tighten, we expect the U.S. economy will steadily soften through the first half of 2023, ushering in a brief, modest recession,” said Dan Kowalski, vice president of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. “The unemployment rate could rise as high as 5 percent, indirectly leading to a decline in consumer spending. Without this softening in the labor market and the associated slowing of wage gains and spending, it will be difficult to stabilize prices.”

The CoBank 2023 outlook report examines several key factors that will shape agriculture and market sectors that serve rural communities throughout the U.S.

Global Economy: No Escaping This Slowdown

After two years defined by a strong economic rebound from the pandemic, the global economy will sputter in 2023. A persistent energy crisis in Europe, China’s messy exit from zero-COVID and higher interest rates globally will reduce world economic growth to a crawl. Europe, likely already in recession, will muddle through the winter with sufficient energy supplies. China, much less impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will continue to struggle with the impacts of COVID. Greater Asia will be negatively impacted by sliding global demand for goods. Emerging markets will keep the global economy growing in 2023 as advanced economies collectively will be stagnant and could even shrink.

U.S. Economy: Some Pain is Necessary

The labor market remains very tight, consumers are still spending aggressively, and corporate profit margins have hit record levels despite high inflation. If a recession is coming, it will take several months for these factors to reverse course, delaying any potential recession until at least Q2 2023. Even then, it is unclear how readily businesses would lay off workers after experiencing such extreme staffing challenges over the past two years. The structural loss of more than 2 million workers since 2020 is contributing to higher inflation for both goods and services. However, the void that their exit has left could also cushion the economy from the worst of a downturn in 2023.

Monetary Policy: More Tough Decisions Ahead

The Federal Reserve’s job will not get any easier in 2023. In nine months, the Fed has raised its federal funds rate from zero to more than 4 percent. Now, as some economists argue that inflation is falling and the Fed has done enough, Chair Powell and the Federal Open Market Committee will make even tougher decisions about when to halt rate increases. The trickiest aspect of the Fed’s inflation fight is that there is no playbook or rule of thumb to tell the Fed when to pause rate hikes. The Fed’s preferred inflation measure, the personal consumption expenditures index, has fallen from its peak of 7 percent to 6 percent. That’s still much too high for the Fed’s comfort and Chair Powell has said that there is greater risk in stopping too early than raising rates for too long.

U.S. Government: Unique Midterm Results Muddy Farm Bill’s Path

The 118th Congress will convene in January marking the official beginning of the Farm Bill reauthorization effort. With a Sept. 30 sunset for the current Farm Bill, Congress will have just nine months to complete the enormous task of passing the next bill. As the reauthorization gets underway, a number of themes are anticipated; however, they differ significantly by party. Some interest groups are lined up to address consolidation in farming and agribusiness. Other groups will push policies to direct more resources to small and beginning producers. Ultimately, the Senate will have the upper hand in this debate and the policies that arise in the bill will impact agriculture for the next decade to come.

U.S. Agricultural Economy: Farm Margins Will Tighten

Despite the global pandemic and a steady barrage of disruptive challenges, the U.S. agricultural economy has fared quite well for the last three years. However, in 2023 producers and related industries will begin to show financial strains. A relentless series of adversities including skyrocketing production costs, steeply higher interest rates and weakening demand will increasingly pressure farm income and margins. The ongoing drought and increasing political tensions with China — the U.S.’s largest agricultural export market — present additional downside risk. China has made it clear that it would like to minimize its dependence on imports of U.S. agricultural products, adopting a “buy only if we have to” attitude.

Grain, Farm Supply & Biofuels: Momentum Builds for Biofuels

Grain elevators and merchandisers face a mixed picture for the year ahead. The good news for U.S. farmers

are beyond excited to be having

51st Annual

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Please join us in Caldwell, ID and see for yourself what the /S “bull business brand” is all about. We are a family built on consistent and reliable values that have lasted for over three generations on this operation. When you do business with us, you join our family. Since 1946, we’ve been striving to build a cowherd that produces with consistency and reliability. We know that in these demanding times it is going to be those key points that continue to drive demand for our customers’ cattle. The pressures on the national cowherd have been overwhelming and with economic pressure, we need these cattle to perform, reproduce, and grade consistently. That’s what we are all about. You can trust that when you do business with us, you will receive that consistency and reliability. Not just from our cattle, but from us as well. You can rest assure that we will deliver

is that global grain and oilseed supplies are exceedingly tight. Ukrainian grain production and exports are still below average, providing underlying support for grain prices. Ag retailers begin 2023 on strong financial footing but face several challenges. Labor shortages and rising wages will negatively impact margins. Wholesale fertilizer costs will rise during the first half of 2023 as cooperatives absorb higher barge and rail costs and compete with export markets for limited supply. The outlook for biofuels is very strong, supported by positive policy and demand tailwinds from 2022. Ethanol will benefit from greater usage of E15 and growing demand for corn oil.

Animal Protein: Production to Moderate Despite a Tailwind of Enthusiasm

Most U.S. animal protein industry segments have posted phenomenal financial performance over the past three years. However, this era of broad profitability will likely come to an end in 2023. The high costs of feed, labor and construction support the prevailing cautionary attitude toward expanding animal production. Add in climate uncertainties, ESG pressures, and increasing energy costs, and it’s likely that 2023 will be a year when major market participants pause, reflect and consolidate. On the demand side, consumers are reeling from rapidly declining real wages, a trend that’s likely to continue well into 2023.

Specialty Crops: Drought, Labor Shortages, Strong U.S. Dollar

Among Headwinds

Specialty crop growers and processors face a multitude of headwinds in 2023. Costs of water, labor, fertilizer and other inputs are rising while a strong U.S. dollar and weakening global economy drag on the U.S.’s ability to sell products abroad. California in particular faces worsening conditions with the highest diesel prices and farm wages in

the U.S. amidst a worsening drought. The drought has lifted the price of water to record highs as La Niña conditions persist into a third straight year. Tight labor availability will require growers to lean harder on H-2A workers or adopt more automation in the field. Despite the headwinds, growers and processors will benefit from falling costs of shipping containers and fewer delays at ocean ports.

Rural Electricity: Time to Look Beyond Yesterday’s Energy Crisis Playbook

The global oil shocks of the 1970s had a profound and wide-ranging impact on energy use, and today’s energy crisis foreshadows a similar response. The collective response to the 1970s crisis led to innovative policy measures, paving the way for greater energy security. These measures largely included dramatic conservation and fuel diversity but also funded moonshot projects for renewable development. Surging energy prices, caused in large part by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are yielding similar levels of policy intervention today. And the initial seed investments made a half-century earlier are opening doors to greater opportunities for market substitution.

Rural Communications: Crosscurrents Set the Stage for the Rural Communications Market

The rural communications market is heading into 2023 with numerous crosscurrents. The increasing importance of broadband helps insulate the industry against economic weaknesses. However, new headwinds are emerging from a weakening economy, tightening capital markets and aggressive network build activity across a wide range of market actors. The biggest risk to network builds in 2023 will be the tight labor market and ongoing supply chain issues. This is of particular concern for smaller broadband operators who are competing against the larger national telecommunications companies for resources.

Charolais

THE CASE FOR A ROAD USAGE CHARGE

CALIFORNIASTUDIES

By California Department of Transportation Road Charge Program Director Lauren Prehoda

California has an upcoming challenge. Taxes on the purchase of gasoline and diesel currently fund the majority of the state’s road and bridge repairs. However, as many Californians are switching to more fuel-efficient or electric vehicles, they buy less gasoline and diesel and pay less or no gas tax. This not only means less funding for roads, it also means people who own older or less fuel-efficient vehicles are paying more in taxes than others. In California, this means that, on average, rural drivers pay more than their urban counterparts to use the road.

Fuel tax revenue will continually decline as California transitions to electric and other clean air vehicles in the future. To address this funding concern, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 1077 (DeSaulnier) in 2014 and Senate Bill 339 (Wiener) in 2021 to study a transportation tax based on a permile fee, known as a road usage charge. The state is exploring this new mechanism to both stabilize

California’s transportation funding and create a fairer system where everyone pays the same to use the road. Since 2016, California has completed two road usage charge pilot programs and has conducted a series of studies to further examine the policy idea.

In 2023, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will conduct further pilot research and aims to recruit participants from two distinct populations: rural and tribal communities. It is critically important to have the voices of these communities at the table as the state shapes this potential policy. The research pilot, known as the Public/Private Roads Project, will gather essential information for planning how a road usage charge program could address travel to and from public and private roadways. The project will demonstrate the ability of current GPS technology to differentiate when a car is driving on a public versus a private road, while protecting the user’s privacy. Currently, when a driver is on a private road, they are still paying the gas tax even though no public money goes to the maintenance of that road.

In addition to recruiting participants for focus groups and attitude survey research, the state is offering incentives of up to $250 for community members to take part in a 7-month pilot launching in March 2023. To be eligible for the incentive, rural community members will need to have mileage reported electronically through a device or app, drive around as usual during the pilot timeframe and participate in two surveys. Technology and user experience are the focus of the pilot study and no participant will pay for the simulated road charges.

California needs a fairer, more transparent and more sustainable way to fund our roads. Caltrans wants the voices of rural community members, ranchers, tribes and business owners at the table as this policy idea on replacement funding is being explored. The department wants to understand how the concept fits into your day-to-day and what unique challenges and opportunities it may provide rural and tribal communities. Caltrans encourages CCA members to sign up to participate so that you can experience it firsthand and tell us what you think. For more history and information on California Road Charge, to get in touch with the project team or to sign up for the pilot, visit caroadcharge.com/engage/contact-us/

NUMBERSATAGLANCE...

• Electric car sales reached a record high in 2021, despite supply chain bottlenecks and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Compared with 2020, sales nearly doubled to 6.6 million in 2021 (a sales share of nearly 9%), bringing the total number of electric cars on the road to 16.5 million

• It is estimated that 13% of new cars sold in U.S. 2022 were electric, roughly half of those — 500,000 — electric vehicles were in California.

Data is according to the Institute of Economic Affairs www.iea.org

BEEF ADVOCACY PROGRAM SEEKS NEW APPLICANTS

The Beef Checkoff-funded Trailblazers program is seeking applications for its next class of beef advocates. Trailblazers, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, takes advocacy to the next level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths.

“Trailblazers develops the next generation of beef advocates through a highly engaging and interactive program,” said Chandler Mulvaney, director of grassroots advocacy & spokesperson development at NCBA. “Our goal is to empower the beef community to share their stories, which ultimately helps safeguard the work of cattle farmers and ranchers across the country.”

Trailblazers is looking for new spokespeople to participate in a year-long hands-on program designed to train, equip and empower beef advocates. Selected candidates receive training to become expert communicators, excel in media interviews and understand how to build confidence in beef related practices when talking to consumers.

Selected participants will be notified mid-January. Applicants must be 21 years of age, have completed their Masters of Beef Advocacy certification, and provide at least two references with their online application. To apply, visit the website and for more information, contact Chandler Mulvaney at cmulvaney@beef.org.

One of three full sibs from a tremendous flush. The only full sister was our record selling female in our fall sale at $195,000. Both of the brothers are definite herd bull prospects and will be in our 2023 Denver Pen of 3. They combine the show ring look with performance and additional pigment. 1311 seems to never miss and has produced 1.2 million in progeny sales thus far. 2135 has great EPD and Index values being in the top 10% in

One of three full sibs from a tremendous flush. The only full sister was our record selling female in our fall sale at $195,000. Both of the brothers are definite herd bull prospects and will be in our 2023 Denver Pen of Three. They combine the show ring look with performance and additional pigment. 1311 seems to never miss and has produced 1.2 million in progeny sales thus far. 2105 has great EPD and Index values being in the top 3% for 10 traits.

Guy, Sherry and Katie Colyer, 208.845.2313 Kyle, 208.250.3924 • Guy cell: 208.599.0340 guy@hereford.com • Fax: 208.845.2314 www.hereford.com

One of three full brothers by Real Deal and the popular D83 donor dam. They all have a super set of balanced EPD’s and have excellent pigment. Two full sisters were a highlight in our fall sale averaging $13,250. This bull was named calf champion in Reno and will be shown in Oklahoma City and Denver.

DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER MARKETING ONE SIZE MAY NOT FIT ALL

by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti

Selling beef directly to consumers isn't a new idea. For years, The California Cattleman magazine has featured ranches across the state who have taken on the practice. At the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020, the milliondollar question, one asked in a previous issue of this magazine, was: Will consumer demands change the way beef is purchased moving forward, and will the interest in buying directly from producers hold? Since the onset of the pandemic, conversations about selling straight to consumers have only continued.

In the fall of 2022, the Siskiyou County Cattlemen’s Annual Fall Tour Meeting focused on direct-to-consumer marketing by highlighting and visiting three family operations in Scott Valley that sell meat directly to consumers. Crown H Cattle Co., Jenner Family Beef and StarWalker Organic Farms were the three locations visited in the educational event that gave attendees a look at varying business models, operations and more on direct-toconsumer sales, all within the same valley. Although there are trends in the trials each of these operations face, the roadblocks are also uniquely different and that no two businesses selling beef directly to consumers are likely to be the same.

In this final part of our series on Siskiyou County, we are sharing some of the insights we learned from our sitdown interview and walk on the ranch with Crown H Cattle Co.’s Regina Hanna. Check out more photo highlights from all three of the operations on page 46 to learn a little bit more about each of the stops from the Siskiyou County Cattlemen’s Annual Fall Tour.

Since the 1940s, the Hanna family has been ranching in Scott Valley as Hanna Brothers Ranch, producing hay and Angus cattle. Married to Judd Hanna, one of the brothers, Regina Hanna didn’t move to Siskiyou County in 1999 expecting to start her own beef business. It wasn't until years later that Regina began developing an interest in Belted Galloway cattle after first seeing them on an East Coast visit.

In 2018, Regina got Sammi, her first Belted Galloway cow, and started what has now grown into Crown H Cattle Co. Today, it is a business that

raises Belted Galloway cattle and sells "Beltie” beef directly to consumers through online sales and occasional pop-up markets.

Learning about the genetics of Belted Galloway cattle, a heritage breed, and growing this kind of beef is something that Regina says has been fun. The cattle are slower to develop but take less time to finish. Additionally, a hanging carcass weight for a Beltie is only about 650 pounds.

Another aspect of Crown H Cattle Co. that

Regina enjoys is that her kids get the opportunity to help with all the work and learn the business from beginning to end. Living on the Hanna Brothers Ranch, Regina says her kids get to be involved with the operation, but time doesn’t always allow for them to be part of and see all segments of it. Now that the work involved with Crown H Cattle Co. takes place around their school schedules and Regina's job at Scott Valley Junior High as a counselor, the kids are a part of it all, and she gets to be as well.

While Regina, Judd, and their two kids do most of the work with the cattle and grow some of their own hay to sell and feed, having the Hanna Brothers Ranch and the rest of the Hanna family around to help has been essential to making her business work.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Hanna Brothers as my foundation,” Regina said. “I’m very grateful because this business is very much ground up.”

Lessons Learned

Something Regina is honest about when it comes to selling meat on your own is that there are many little things to figure out. Crown H Cattle Co. first started by only selling shares of beef, not requiring them to work with USDA. Once Regina got the opportunity to do more with USDA, she realized it was a whole new ballgame, as many rules and requirements go with selling beef cuts and products. However, now that she is through the process with USDA and on to marketing products compared to selling shares, she says it's easier to sell more beef. While selling beef shares was a good way to figure out the logistics of processing, selling and shipping, she says that model was limiting in ways. Only some people have ample freezer space or a need for the amount of beef that comes in a quarter or half share of beef.

Outside of meeting all the USDA requirements, Regina says even getting a website up and running took more work than she imagined. Along with that, it has also surprised her to find out how much office work it takes to make the business run.

"I have never sat so much for work. As a [high school] principal, I was running all over the place... But to really be diligent and to knock it

out, like with your website, with your e-commerce site, figuring out how much the cost of the shipping is…it's hours in a chair, on a computer."

While there is always something new to try and figure out, Regina enjoys the element of getting to problem solve. She also shares that sometimes it is possible to work together with other ranchers in the valley who share similar needs. Splitting supply orders and coordinating dry ice pickups are ways she has collaborated in the past with others who have direct-to-consumer operations.

Fun facts about Crown H Cattle Co.

Fun Fact #1: As explained on their website, the Crown H Cattle Co. name comes from the Hanna Bro Brand and Regina’s name. Regina means “reigning queen” and a bench H is the Hanna family’s ranch brand.

Fun Fact #2: Regina says Mary Heffernan, who also ranches in Scott Valley as Five Marys Farm, has been fun to work with and that she helped her learn the ropes of getting the business started. Regina says whenever people ask, "How did you get this far in a relatively short amount of time?" She answers that she bought Mary's book that shows how to do it step-by-step. For example, in one of the workbooks, Mary shares her favorite shipping liners. "Where else would I have found out what liners to use? Hanna joked.

“It helped me waste less time and money,” Regina said. “I mean don’t get me wrong I’ve made a ton of mistakes, especially with shipping and buying different products…but she has done a nice job with her outlines in her books of this is what you want to sell.”

the Baker Angus Advantage

Our age-advantaged bulls are available in volume! These bulls out of top sires can increase consistency and marketability in your calf crops.

As the second-largest registered Angus cowherd in Oregon calving out 600-plus females a year, you get the Advantage of only the cream-of-the-crop! The top 50% of our bulls have extremely large contemporary groups to increase predictability consistency and quality for our customers from a cowherd that has been around for nearly 40 years.

Ruthless culling for feet and legs, plus structure gives you the Advantage when it comes to bull selection. Our bulls are extremely athletic. They run in big pastures over the summer after weaning. They are developed in extremely large lots that require them to travel up and down hills over rocky, hard ground every day between a high-roughage feed source & water to ensure soundness & longevity. Our intense A.I. program utilizes the most current and sought-after genetics in the Angus breed, with herdsires infused and utilized that rival the most popular A.I. sires in the breed for genetic value and potency. Volume and repeat buyer discounts are available and delivery is free. Bulls are backed by a Zoetis HD50K DNA evaluation, ultrasounded with complete performance and fertility evaluation and industry best guarantee.

SISKIYOU COUNTY OFF-THE-RANCH MARKETING

To get a glimpse into what the Siskiyou County Cattlemen’s Annual Fall Tour covered and learn about each tour stop, CCA staff visited each operation with University of California Cooperative Extension Siskiyou County Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor Grace Woodmansee, who organized the event. From our visits, it tour attendees could see what makes each of these businesses unique, the differences in the operations and the similarities in what it has taken to get each of them to where they are today with selling products to consumers.

CROWN H CATTLE CO.

In a world where consumers are concerned where their food was raised, Crown H Cattle Co., like others, capitalizes on the pristine beauty found on their ranch. Their personal cattle brand on their boxed beef gives their product a personal touch.

JENNER FAMILY BEEF

STARWALKER ORGANIC FARMS

Through social media and innovative online marketing, Starwalke Organic Farrm has been able to capitalize on the "cute and furry" Scottish Highlander trend but are passionate about showing why there is also an uptick in consumers seeking beef from this once novel breed. This Fort Jones-based family business sells organic, grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork.

From the day-in and day-out of the cattle operation to the packaging of products, the Jenner Family is involved in every step of their directto-consumer business. Products like this beef tallow candle illustrate for consumers that nothing goes to waste at Jenner Family Beef.

Cowhand versus Cow Dog

Extra Cowboys

by Managing Editor Stevie Ipsen

Next to a reliable horse, a good cow dog is arguably the most essential companion a cattle owner or ranch hand can have, especially when it comes to the vast terrain found out here in the far west. While a second cowhand might be preferable to some, folks who have experienced ranch life with a brave and loyal cow dog know they can be more helpful, more agile, more tough, more affectionate and cheaper to feed than another cowboy horseback.

Just like the horse a rancher rides and the cattle he or she markets, genetic merit is paramount to the potential a cow dog might possess. Labradors hunt birds, terriers chase rodents and the working cow dogs come in a variety of breeds that are very specific to their task at hand. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Australian Kelpies, McNabs and Heelers –and composite crosses of these breeds – are among some of the more common breeds of cow dogs. These are the breeds you are most likely to find at the place known for exhibiting and marketing the best cow dogs in the U.S. – the Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale.

For longtime Red Bluff dog consignors Kirk and Paige Winebarger of Prineville, Ore., Border Collies are their breed of choice because of temperament and reliability.

“I think all of the cow dog breeds have a lot of merit in different areas but some can be more aggressive

— both with livestock and humans. Some are great at one task but maybe not as good at another. For us, we love the all-around ability of Border Collies, " Paige Winebarger explained, "They are smart as can be. But they are also aggressive when necessary and never back down from a challenge. Border Collies are loyal, almost to a fault,"

Just like horses bred for a specific discipline, Winebarger says that each trainer is able to hone in on specifics genetics and breed for a dog that is tailored to their own training methods.

"Kirk and I feel like we have finally found the perfect cross for us. A cross that trains easy and meets the needs we have here on our own working ranch. We can't keep them all so selling them at a place like Red Bluff where you know there will buyers is a great opportunity."

Though the working dogs available in Red Bluff are among some of the best in the country, it’s not just where buyers go to find the best working stock dogs. It’s also where owners and trainers take their best dogs to measure their own skill and ability as trainers and handlers. Red Bluff is synonymous with excellence for folks across the west who are even vaguely familiar with the ranching industry. There you can find one of the biggest bull sales and a highly reputable gelding exhibition and sale. But Red Bluff has also become easily one of the most respected

seem obsolete when you have the right canine companion

working cattle dog events and sales anywhere.

Longtime cow dog trainer, horsewoman and Red Bluff exhibitor Robyn Brown of Broken Circle Cattle Dogs in Indian Valley, Idaho, says Red Bluff has always been one of her favorites places to see how her dogs stack up to the rest. She and her husband Rocky Brown train dogs for themselves and outsides clients and Robyn has traveled the world teaching others her craft.

“When in their element, doing what they have been bred and trained to do, these ranch dogs are amazing to watch as they round up the herd or get a few strays back where they belong,” says Brown. "Though a dog of top caliber might have a high price tag, it can often replace another horse and another cowboy, which in the long run could very well be a better deal financially.”

The dogs sold in Red Bluff each come with a different sized motor, different commands and can be different ages with broad ranges of experience. The expectations set by the Red Bluff Dog Sale Committee is that the dogs should be capable of performing tasks similar to what they would find in an average cattle operation. Their mantra is that a good stock dog is one that can accomplish whatever job it is required to do efficiently and effectively. From running down a fast pen of calves and turning them back to getting cattle through a gate, into a corral and onto a stock trailer, the dogs entered in this best in the west event are expected to do it all and compete inside and outside.

“Sometimes the competition doesn’t go as well

as it would have at home due to a variety of factors

— weather, crowd size, cattle draw or what have you,” explains Winebarger, who has entered or attended the event dozens of times. “In the end, the broad range of expectations and the challenge of finishing the weeklong competition strong can really show you what you are made of as a trainer and how versatile your dog is."

Winebarger says if she had any advice for buyers looking for a dog in this year's outstanding line up it would be to ask questions of the buyers before bidding and be ready to put in the work to become the kind of handler a specific dog needs.

"We love these animals and we want to see them go on to succeed at their new homes. Consignors are usually more than willing to help buyers know what to expect of their new partner. But the buyers need to do all they can to set that dog up for success after they get them home."

The three-pronged bull, horse and dog event, coupled by a large trade show and western art exhibit is an attraction any western enthusiast can appreciate. According to event manager B.J. Macfarlane, this year’s trade show is expected to be among the biggest in the 83-year event's history, so if you haven’t yet been to the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale, there is no better time to start a new family tradition.

The event runs from Jan. 24-28 and is held at the Tehama District Fairgrounds in Red Bluff. For a complete schedule of events visit www.redbluffbullsale.com or turn to page 50.

Tuesday, January 24

9 a.m. Sifting & Grading of all Range Ready Calving-Ease and Range Ready Bulls, Don Smith Pavilion

Wednesday, January 25

9 a.m. Sifting & Grading of all Halter Calving-Ease and Halter Bulls, Don Smith Pavilion 12 p.m. Trade Showopens - closes at 7 p.m. 1 p.m. Working Stock Dogs - All dogs work outside 5:30 p.m. Buyer & Consignor Dinner, presented by Hayden Outdoors, Tyler Jelly Building $20/person 7-10 p.m. Casino Night in Tyler Jelly Building

Thursday, January 26

9 a.m. Geldings shown at halter, in age order, youngest to oldest. Pauline Davis Pavilion Geldings dry, trail and cattle Work 9 a.m. Trade Show opens - closes at 7 p.m. 11 a.m. Western Video Market Internet Feeder/Female Sale, presented by Boehringer Ingelheim, Don Smith Pavilion

12 p.m. Geldings - Work Under Saddle, Dry, Trail and Cattle Works, Pauline Davis Pavilion 3 p.m. Geldings - Calf Branding, presented by Skinner Livestock Transportation, Pauline Davis Pavilion 5-6:15 p.m. "Stockmanship for the Cowboy" Curt Pate Clinic, sponsored by Purina, Pauline Davis Pavilion 6:30 p.m. Geldings - Conformation Horse Selected

Followed by working cows dogs, presented by Merck, Pauline Davis Pavilion

Friday, January 27

8 a.m. Geldings - Cutting, Snaffle Bit/Hackamore, Stock Horse and Team Roping contests followed by selection of the Craig Owens Ideal Ranch Horse, Pauline Davis Pavilion 9 a.m. Trade Show opens. Closes at 9 p.m.

1 p.m. Final working of stock dogs outside, presented by Merck

3:30 p.m. Sale of stock dogs, presented by Loyall, Don Smith Pavilion

5:30 p.m. Doors open for Gelding Sale, Pauline Davis Pavilion

5:30 p.m. Vic Woolery’s Famous Tri-Tip BBQ before & during the gelding sale. $10/person. Pauline Davis Pavilion

6 p.m. Youth Activities Fund Raffle, Pauline Davis Pavilion

7 p.m. Sale of Quarter Horses and Paint Geldings, presented by Rolling Hills Casino. Pauline Davis Pavilion

Saturday, January 28

9 a.m. Trade Show opens - Closes at 7 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Sale of all bulls, presented by Zoetis, Don Smith Pavilion

7 p.m. Red Bluff Bucking Battle, Party & Dance immediately following.

Pre-Sale General Admission: $30/person, $35 at the door;

Arena Floor Seating Pre-Sale $40/person, $45 at the door;

V.I.P. Premier Seating, Reception, Appetizers: Pre-Sale $80, $85 at the door. for more information, visit www.redbluffbullsale.com

RED BLUFF CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM

2023 Gelding & Stock Dog Consignors

Geldings

CONSIGNOR(S)..........................................

LIBERINI, GINA

CITY, STATE

LOVELOCK, NV

COTTONWOOD, CA BUCKINGHAM, TOM & CARMEN

BRUNEAU, ID VAN BELLE, JIMMY

BEERS, KIMBER

POWELL BUTTE, OR HAWS, SHAMUS ERDA, UT NICHOLES, BRADY WOODLAKE, CA OWENS, MAHLON RED BLUFF, CA GAMBLE, RANDY & CELIA PRINEVILLE, OR DEAN, MIKE & DYLAN PRINEVILLE, OR RED BANK FARMS, LLC

RED BLUFF, CA VAN LEUVEN, ANDREA........................................... FALLON, NV WADDELL, KADIN

ST. ANTHONY, ID MOORE, WES

CA GALLAGHER, RYAN

BONANZA, OR ELLIOTT, ROBERT

HARTINGTON, NE FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE

QUINCY, CA GARKINKEL, KACEY.......................................... PLYMOUTH, CA COLE CATTLE CO

BONANZA, OR FRANKLIN, SHELLY PAICINES, CA BANDUCCI, ROBERT & EDIE UMPQUA, OR JONES, RICK & JULIE STEVINSON, CA HAMMACK, MISSY CHILOQUIN, OR SWENSEN, CLINT

COTTONWOOD, CA MCNANEY, DILLON

LIVERMORE, CA MARSH, SUZANNE

TRACY, CA JOHNSON, TRAVIS

OAKDALE, CA BIGELOW, RUSSELL & JESSICA

CLEMENTS, CA MESSIER, CAMERON

HERALD, CA COYOTE HOLLOW RANCH

WATERFORD, CA BETTENCOURT, MIKE

MODESTO, CA WOODS, TIM & ROXANNE

COTTONWOOD, CA MINTON, MASEY

WITTER SPRINGS, CA TCR RANCH/HULSEY, TYLER TEHACHAPI, CA MARBACH, MIKALAH CLARKSTON, WA NORTHERN CROSS L/L WOODLAKE, CA BOURDET RANCH CHILOQUIN, OR MILLER, CHASE & MARY.................................... LAKEVIEW, OR RALPH, MIKE & PAM

PAISLEY, OR JANTZ, CALEB.............................................................. VALE, OR FORD, ZANE.............................................................. BUENO, WA WRIGHT, JUSTIN............................................ SANTA MARIA, CA

Two-year-old geldings

RALPH, MIKE & PAM

GRANTS PASS, OR MORRILL, MOLLY

FERNDALE, CA MERKLEY, LIBBY................................................... CORNING, CA WRIGHT, JUSTIN............................................ SANTA MARIA, CA DARGER, CHRIS

UKIAH, CA BOURDET RANCH

CHILOQUIN, OR LOE, CODY

SCIO, CA SCHOCK, JASMINE

FALLS, OR

FALLS, OR KNOCH, ROBEE..................................... FALL RIVER MILLS, CA DAVIS, PEGGY

Stock Dogs

ROBIN BROWN

INDIAN VALLEY, ID JAIME GONZALEZ

FALLS, OR KIRK WINEBARGER

PRINEVILLE, OR PAIGE WINEBARGER

PRINEVILLE, OR SHERI JO PROSE

WILLIAMS, OR MANDI POST

WALLOWA, OR RYGGIN ZOLLMAN

WALLOWA. OR JEFF CLAUSEN

MELBA, ID BRYCE SVEDIN

BAKER CITY, OR KENT CHAMPNEYS

KIMBERLY, ID DAVID BLEDSOE

CHALLIS, ID TIM WOODS

COTTONWOOD, CA KATIE STARR

PAULINA, OR GINA LIBERINI

LOVELOCK, NV DUANE HAYES

NEW PLYMOUTH, ID EMMALY FAUST................................................ PRINEVILLE, OR MERIDITH BURROUGHS

BONANZA, OR BRADEN LLOYD

OAKLEY, ID JIM ZOLLMAN

LOSTINE, OR

©CRYSTAL AMEN PHOTOGRAPHY

2023 Bull Consignors

AnguS

CONSIGNOR

CITY, STATE

Baker Angus Vale, OR

Bar KD Ranch Culver, OR

Cardey Ranches

Check X Ranch

Chico State Beef Unit

Cooper Cattle Co.

Turlock, CA

Powell Butte, OR

Chico, CA

Oakdale, CA

Feather River College.................. Quincy, CA

Ford Cattle Co.

Live Oak, CA

Gudel Cattle Co............................. Wilton, CA

HAVE Angus

Wilton, CA

High Desert Cattle Co........ Powell Butte, OR

Hogan Ranch

Jackson Mtn. Angus

K Bar D

King Farms Cattle, LLC.

BRangus

Louies Cattle Service ....................Burns, OR

Charolais

Bianchi Ranches............................ Gilroy, CA

Broken Box Ranch .................... Williams, CA

Cardey Ranches Turlock, CA

Rafter DN Charolais........... Powell Butte, OR

Reis Livestock

OR

Rhodess Ranch Charolais .......... Rainier, WA Rocking Hill Ranch Galt, CA Romans Ranches .........................Harper, OR

Red Angus

6R Ranch Powell Butte, OR

Bianchi Ranches Gilroy, CA

Kool Breeze Red Angus Adin, CA Owings Cattle..................... Powell Butte, OR

Shorthorn

Cardey Cattle Turlock, CA

SimAngus

Baker Angus

Vale, OR

Gerber, CA

Winnemucca, NV

Redmond, OR

Malin, OR

Nannini Hay & Livestock............ Maupin, OR

Oak Ridge Angus

Calistoga, CA

Owings Cattle..................... Powell Butte, OR

Rafter E Angus, LLC.

Sammis Ranch

SBL Cattle

Shandar Angus Ranch

Ronan, MT

Dorris, CA

Jacksonville, OR

Payson, UT

Spencer Cattle CompanyRancho Murieta, CA

Split Creek Ranch

Los Molinos, CA

Sunbright Angus...................... Red Bluff, CA

The Bull Mart

The England Ranch

TJ Stroing Cattle

TwinPine Angus

Westwind Ranch Angus

Hereford

Genoa Livestock, LLC. ............... Minden, NV Gudel Cattle CO. Wilton, CA Harper, OR+A54:B61

Broken M Livestock

Check X Ranch

Cole Cattle Co.

Live Oak, CA

Powell Butte, OR

Bonanza, OR

Gilliland Land Livestock Davis, CA

Burns, OR

Powell Butte, OR

Red Bluff, CA

Adin, CA

Oroville, CA

Canyon City, OR Kudlac Herefords Grants Pass, OR Morrell Ranches......................... Willows, CA Murphy Herefords Farmington, CA Sonoma Mtn. Herefords

Limousin

Santa Rosa, CA

Hinton Ranch Simmentals Montague, CA

Little Shasta Ranch Montague, CA

Shandar Angus Ranch Payson, UT

Split Creek Ranch

Haugen Cattle Co................ Los Molinos, CA

Maine Anjou

Los Molinos, CA

T and S Livestock.............................. Gerber, CA

TJ Stroing Cattle........................... Red Bluff, CA

White Angus Ranch, LLC.

Joel Yepez

Zanolini Cattle Co.

Balancer

Cardey Ranches

Louie's Cattle Service

Medical Lake, WA

Gold Hill, OR Wulff Bros. Livestock

Vallejo, CA

Healdsburg, CA

Brocco Show Cattle................... Sonoma, CA Broken M Livestock Live Oak, CA

Polled Hereford

CA

OR

High Desert Cattle Co.

Canyon City, OR Sonoma Mt. Herefords

Santa Rosa, CA Weimer Cattle Co.

Susanville, CA

NOTICE:

EFFECTIVE JAN. 1, 2023, BRAND INSPECTION WILL NOT BE REQUIRED FOR MOVEMENT OF CATTLE OUT OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

The Bureau of Livestock Identification held a public hearing at the San Luis Obispo County cattleman’s meeting on April 12, 2022, where cattle producers voted to amend the California Code of Regulations Section 850 to eliminate San Luis Obispo County from a Modified Point of Origin Inspection Area.

The California Food and Agricultural Code requires that two-thirds of the vote by producers in attendance at the April 12 meeting are needed to repeal the Regulation. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of repealing the Modified Point of Origin inspection area.

Promise of the Future

Collegiate scholarship finalists were interviewed with a panel of CCA affiliate representatives during the 106th CCA & CCW Convention in Reno in early December. After a preliminary application judging, the finalists interviewed for their share of almost $60,000 to fund their educational aspirations. All applicants come from California with unique beef industry interests and experience.

The groups represented on the scholarship panel include: Allflex, USA; the Ken Carr and Al Burtis Memorial Scholarship (CCA Allied Industry Council); the CCA Feeder Council; the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association (CBCIA), representing the Hank Stone Memorial Scholarship; the Livestock Memorial Research Fund (LMRF); a representative for the Tom Grimmius Memorial Scholarship, in memory of legendary cattle feeder Tom Grimmius

and the Tom and Terri Bengard Memorial Scholarship, which was started by Vintage Angus Ranch in 2021.

To qualify for a scholarship, students must be members of CCA’s Young Cattlemen’s Committee and have either graduated from a California high school or be currently attending a California college or university, majoring in a beef industry-related field. This year, not only were the candidate’s applications impressive, but the group also represented both in-state and out-of-state students ranging from the community college level to veterinary and graduate school students.

Recipients of the 2021-2022 CCA scholarships are pictured here. To learn more about how to apply for a CCA scholarship, call the CCA office at (916) 444-0845.

University of California, Davis Master's of Animal Biology

$5,000

Livestock Memorial Research Fund

University of Oklahoma Law Student

$5,000

Livestock Memorial Research Fund

Orlando Ochoa

Michigan State University Veterinary Student

$2,000

Tom Grimmius Memorial

Sharissa Anderson

Macy Perry

Sebastian

Colby Perry

Madison Kindberg

Conor

Serena

Katie Coe

California State University, Chico Agriculture Science and Education

Ziani Paiz Oregon State University Rangelandl Science

Livestock Memorial Research Fund

Alexis Avila

University of California, Davis Animal Science and Management

Tom & terri bengard memorial

Hank Stone Memorial

Kevin Jess

Cornell University Agricultural Science

Logan Pomi University of Idaho Animal and Veterinary Science

Emma Macon University of Idaho Rangeland Conservation

Industry Council/ Al Burtis Memorial

Jacquelien Taylor

California State University, Frenso

Stella Boller Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Gloria Becerra-Cortes

University of California, Davis Animal Biology

Livestock Memorial Research Fund

Ken Carr &Al Burtis Memorial

Brieze Martins Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

WITH 2022 IN REARVIEW, NCBA HAS HIGH HOPES FOR EVEN BETTER YEAR AHEAD

by National Cattlemen's Beef Association President Don Schiefelbein

As I reflect on 2022 and look ahead to the year before us, I can sum up our work in two words: trials and triumphs.

As we started the year, I know many of you were concerned about the situation in the cattle markets. I am pleased to report that NCBA has worked with the White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to secure $1 billion in funds to boost processing capacity. This money will go to supporting small- to mid-sized processors to add competition to the marketplace and return leverage to producers.

We also saw the Biden administration unveil yet another proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) definition. I know many of us remember the years of uncertainty following the Obama administration’s 2015 WOTUS rule, and the latest rule is only a continuation of everything wrong with the 2015 rule. Within a few short weeks of the rule being unveiled, NCBA led a grassroots campaign to flood the EPA offices with letters and emails in opposition to the rule. You — NCBA members — led the charge to tell the EPA to stay off our farms and ranches, and I am so pleased to see you lending your voice to this cause. Your involvement is a triumph in my book!

This past year, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) attempted to regulate greenhouse gas emissions for the first time in the agency’s 88-year history. The SEC is a Wall Street regulator, not an agency that knows anything about the cattle industry. Their proposed rule would only make our lives more difficult and, once again, you stepped up to tell the SEC how detrimental this rule would be to our industry.

In the fall, we made agriculture front and center at the U.S. Supreme Court. Our nation’s Supreme Court justices — the highest judges in the country — read NCBA’s amicus briefs arguing for a limited WOTUS definition that protected common farm and ranch water features from EPA regulation.

NCBA also supported our

partners at the National Pork Producer’s Council to fight back against California’s Proposition 12, which bans the sale of pork in California that was raised in gestation crates. NCBA recognized the threat posed by these politically motivated rules on our production practices, and we fought back in court.

NCBA also notched a win in federal court when a judge in the 9th circuit granted us intervenor status in a case challenging the delisting of the gray wolf. As wolf attacks on our livestock have increased, we know the gray wolf is a recovered species, and the Trump administration was correct to remove it from the Endangered Species List. As an intervenor, NCBA will be defending the interests of cattle producers as this case moves through the legal process. This year, NCBA also led a coalition effort to appeal the Northern District of California’s vacatur of the Trump Administration’s ESA rules.

In November, the President of the United States signed a National Security Memorandum recognizing that food security is national security.

This confirms what you and I have known all along — farmers and ranchers are essential to our success as a country. However, this memorandum takes an important step by bringing defense, law enforcement, intelligence and national security officials into the conversation with industry to develop ways to protect our food system from the multitude of threats that exist in the world. As foreign animal diseases spread through other countries, cybersecurity attacks hit processors and retailers, and worker shortages lead to delays, finding ways to protect our industry from these threats has never been a higher priority.

These are just a few of the many triumphs we have achieved together. As a member of NCBA, you are the foundation of our success. Yet for all the triumphs, our industry faced its fair share of trials.

High input costs made feed, fuel and fertilizer more expensive. Attacks against our industry from anti-agriculture activists have only increased. A few months ago, the City of Los Angeles signed on to a plant-based treaty, and Google unveiled a new search feature that would steer consumers away from beef, painting beef as bad for the

environment. Almost every day, reporters accuse us of “greenwashing” our industry.

In light of these challenges, NCBA has gone on the offensive. We have shared the science that proves the cattle industry is sustainable. We have told foreign governments that the U.S. has the most efficient cattle industry in the world, and we employ the best conservation and animal welfare practices. We have gone to a variety of climate meetings, conferences, and gatherings where you would not expect to see agriculture represented, all to protect our industry.

If you’re reading this column, you are already active in defending our way of life, but for every one producer standing with us there are 26 who have yet to join us. We need to stand united. That is why it is critical to reach out to your fellow producer. Please share the updates of what NCBA is doing. Bring them a copy of National Cattlemen so they can learn firsthand about our work. I guarantee we agree on far more issues than we disagree on.

This year, NCBA has gone toe-to-toe with multinational companies, federal regulators, Congress and deep-pocketed animal rights groups. We punch above our weight, but we need you to have our backs.

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD PROGRAM

Applications are being accepted until March 10, 2023, for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award. Established in 1991, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program annually recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers across the nation.

“Cattle producers, as individuals and as an industry, are actively working to protect and improve the environment, because they know environmental stewardship and good business go hand-in-hand,” said NCBA President Don Schiefelbein. “A common trait among all ESAP winners is the desire to leave the land in better condition for future generations and inspire the next generation of land stewards.”

Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual or business raising or feeding cattle. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, although nominees may be involved in the preparation of the application. Past nominees are encouraged to resubmit applications; however, previous winners may not reapply.

Along with a typed application, one nomination letter and three letters of recommendation highlighting the nominee’s leadership in

2023

conservation are required. Nominees do not have to be members of NCBA but should support the objectives of their state and national organization.

Award winners are selected by a committee of representatives from universities, conservation organizations as well as federal and state agencies. For guidance, the judges consider the management of water, wildlife, vegetation, air, and soil along with leadership abilities and the sustainability of the business.

Seven regional winners will be recognized at the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention in Orlando, Fla., in February 2024, and the national winner will be announced at the Celebration of America’s Land Stewards Event in Washington, D.C., in spring 2024. Travel and registration are provided by ESAP for winners.

The Environmental Stewardship Award Program is an initiative of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and is funded by Corteva Agriscience, McDonald’s and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture along with a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information and to download the nomination packet, visit www.environmentalstewardship.org.

CHECKING IN ON YOUR CHECKOFF

THE POWER OF INFLUENCE

from the Beef Checkoff Program

Beef’s versatility, taste and nutritional profile make for a great story to tell, however, to reach consumers in an ever-changing digital world, outside influencers are needed to share information. NCBA, a contractor of the Beef Checkoff, continues to work with food, culinary and agricultural influencers to engage with consumers across the country about beef’s positive message.

But what exactly is an influencer and how do they promote beef? An influencer is anyone with significant influence on an audience. They affect change on buying behavior or way of thinking based on their status, position or fanbase. According to Digital Marketing Institute, half of consumers are heavily influenced by reviews and recommendations from family, friends and influencers. Additionally, a large majority of consumers trust the opinions that they see on social media.

Working with influencers allows NCBA to amplify marketing messages and interact with consumer audiences through credible third parties. NCBA partners with chefs, recipe creators and members of the beef industry to tell the beef story in a knowledgeable and authentic manner in their own voice but armed with relevant information.

The Food, Culinary and Agricultural Influencer program worked with 34 influencers in 2022 to create 227 posts sharing beef recipes, meals and stories from the ranch. The program reached more than 17 million consumers, with 950,000 engagements including likes, comments, clicks and shares. In addition to the social component, four inperson events provided opportunities for influencers to engage directly with producers and armed them

with accurate information about beef to share with their networks.

Throughout the year, beef education is shared with the influencer network, including trending market research, beef cuts and preparation methods, and how beef is raised and grown. Instilling the good qualities and benefits of beef in these content creators results in additional promotion of beef beyond the paid partnership. The twelve food and culinary members of the Beef Expert Network shared more than 300 beef-centric posts that were not paid content. This content reached approximately 600,000 consumers with approximately 40,000 engagements.

Short-form (Instagram) and long-form (YouTube) videos continue to be popular content for influencers to share. Social media platforms often prioritize video content, extending the opportunity for organic reach. Additionally, beef industry/ ranching content continues to perform particularly well with paid amplification. Consumers want to see ranching information directly from the ranch as a complement to more formal industry channels.

Influencer engagement will continue to be an important part of the marketing mix in the future. To connect with this content, follow Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

VET VIEWS

KEY MEDICAL ANTIBIOTICS IN VETERINARY MEDICINE

BECOME “PRESCRIPTION ONLY” IN 2023

In June 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) will implement their Guidance for Industry (GFI) #263 which instructs animal drug companies to voluntarily change labels so that antibiotics, which are medically important for human medicine and currently available over-the-counter for animals, will require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian for legal use.

GFI #263 builds upon FDA’s previous GFI #213, which brought 96 percent of all medically important antibiotic drugs used in water and feed for animals under veterinary oversight and limited their use to treatment, control, and prevention of specific diseases. GFI #263 addresses the remaining 4 percent of the medically important antimicrobial drugs not covered by GFI #213 and includes other dosage forms such as injectable and topical products.

Antibiotics are a powerful tool for both animal and human health. They can be used to prevent and treat infections caused by bacteria. However, when antibiotics are not used properly and responsibly, bacteria can become resistant or unresponsive. Antibiotics can continue to be effective for prevention, control, and treatment of disease through good stewardship and responsible use. GFI #263 is consistent with FDA, CVM’s five-year action plan for supporting antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings, as published in 2018.

What do these changes mean for cattle producers in the United States? After June 2023, producers will need a valid veterinarian-clientpatient relationship (VCPR) to obtain medically important antibiotics. All medically important antibiotics previously available over-the-counter will require a prescription from a veterinarian licensed in the state where the cattle reside.

Producers should identify a veterinarian as a partner in supporting

the health of their cattle. By having a veterinarian who is familiar with you and your cattle, the veterinarian can be prepared to provide appropriate care in case of an illness or infection. Before illness occurs, set protocols for common conditions with your veterinarian so that you have access to the antibiotics needed to take swift action on your own and recognize when you need to involve your veterinarian. Illness and infections are never convenient. The best time to talk to your veterinarian is before animals are sick. Planning with your veterinarian ensures you can care for your cattle herd in a timely manner and when it matters most.

from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association

PUTTING PREMIUMS IN PRODUCERS' POCKETS

by Certified Angus Beef's Morgan Boecker

Through genetics and progressive management, the opportunity exists for cattlemen to earn premiums on cattle sold.

Those premiums translate to more high-quality product available to the consumer through retail or restaurant avenues. When they choose the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, it boosts demand.

“Folks want the best beef, and they seek it out,” said Paul Dykstra, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) director of supply management and analysis. “As a result, the premium structure of the beef industry has developed around the brand and the attributes that it represents.”

During Angus University at the 2022 Angus Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, CAB shared ways producers focused on raising high-quality beef can be more connected with the brand.

The first of its kind, CAB got its start in 1978. Since its inception, 101 other USDA-certified beef brands developed, and as of now, 80 of those also have Angus in the name.

While the competition is growing, the brand’s team of 150 diligently works to differentiate CAB from the rest of the pack. Consumers can feel confident purchasing the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, a high-quality product that is the result of Angus farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to quality.

As demand grows, producers receive these market signals in the form of premiums throughout the supply chain. Capturing those takes genetic, marketing and management strategies.

Marketing for a Premium

“The best way for cattlemen to engage with the brand is to help increase supply,” said Kara Lee, CAB director of producer engagement.

Accessible premiums motivate that. Nearly 85 percent of North American packing plants are licensed to certify carcasses into the Certified Angus Beef ® brand.

The first and most simple piece of CAB qualification is that cattle be predominantly black-hided, defined as having no white behind the shoulder, above the flanks or breaking the midline (excluding the tail). According to USDA data, more than 70 percent of fed cattle are Angusinfluenced and meet these criteria, Dykstra said.

Then, those eligible carcasses must meet all 10 of the

brand’s specifications: (1) modest or higher marbling, (2) 10- to 16-square-inch ribeye area, (3) 1,100-lb. or less hot carcass weight, (4) 1 inch or less fat thickness, (5) medium or fine marbling texture, (6) 30 months of age or younger, (7) superior muscling, (8) no neck hump exceeding 2 inches, (9) practically free of capillary rupture, and (10) no dark cutters.

In 2021, CAB premiums reached $182 million, or roughly $500,000 paid daily by licensed packers to owners of cattle qualifying for the brand. That incentive is the market communicating strong demand for the leading brand of premium beef.

“CAB premiums are happening all through the supply chain, even if it doesn’t always get its own line item on a receipt,” Dykstra added.

Farmers and ranchers have a history of success in hitting a market target with a financial reward. While retaining ownership through the feedyard is the most direct way to earn CAB premiums, there are more ways to capture some of that.

Cattle should be marketed in a way that communicates the potential value they hold under the hide. For seedstock breeders, it's by making sure customers know this potential and the value of the genetics they’re buying, Dykstra said.

“When those commercial feeder calves are weaned in the fall, a phone call to a feedyard or cattle buyer is a basic but great place to start. If they’ve got the genetics backing them up, that’s greater marketability for the seller,” he said.

The Right Genetic Base

The more cattlemen produce for the brand, the more beef CAB-licensed partners can sell. Last year that total came to 1.234 billion pounds, the second-highest sales year on record. The brand’s goal is to sell more than two billion pounds annually.

“We first have to put two billion pounds of the Certified Angus Beef ® brand in a box, and we don’t do that today,” Lee said. The recent average acceptance rate into the brand is 35 percent, but it needs to be closer to 50 percent to reach that goal.

“The number one reason carcasses are not successful in earning the brand most often comes down to marbling,” Dykstra said. “That's why we talk about it a lot.”

Marbling is a lifetime event and highly heritable, so it’s an easy place for Angus breeders to start. The correlations are relatively weak between marbling and many other traits that are important to cow-calf producers, like performance and maternal function, Lee said. Those weak correlations allow for simultaneous progress across multiple traits in a cow herd.

For Angus breeders who put an emphasis on carcass genetics, an easy tool to identify animals with greater potential for those traits is the Targeting the Brand™ logo. Any registered Angus animal that meets a minimum expected progeny difference (EPD) for marbling of +0.65 and Value Grid Index ($G) of +55 can be marketed alongside the Targeting the Brand logo.

Cattlemen need a balanced cow herd, ensuring cows and bulls are also phenotypically correct. Targeting the Brand is simply a marketing tool – a threshold – to quickly identify those bulls and females with the genetic potential to produce more CAB qualifiers. But it also gives them latitude to look for other economically important traits needed in their commercial programs, Lee said.

After marbling, a ribeye too large, heavy hot carcass weight or excessive backfat are the next most common areas where cattle miss certification for the brand.

“We're not going to capitalize on mating decisions at the consumer level for a few more years,” she said. “So we have to live with those decisions for a long time, whether they're good or bad.”

With genetics only part of the equation, responsibility

falls on cattlemen and women to manage cattle and resources for optimal performance.

Progressive Management

As the leading data collectors in the cattle business, Angus breeders can take it a step further by validating and documenting their management practices.

An easy and effective way to communicate how cattle are cared for at the ranch is through Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification or an equivalent program. “But we really need you to tell us that you’re certified,” she said.

“Not because we think farmers and ranchers are doing things wrong and we're trying to fix their ways. We're trying to help producers get more credit for the things already being done,” Lee said.

That’s why CAB launched a rancher-facing campaign called “Cut the Bull.” The campaign highlights BQA certification as a tool for truth for farmers and ranchers to verify the good work they do every day raising cattle. If interested, cattlemen and women can share their BQA or equivalent certificate at CutTheBull.info.

Little details go a long way in differentiating the brand from other programs. It helps consumers feel good about their beef and keeps them reaching for the Certified Angus Beef ® brand on grocery store shelves.

“The new dollars in our business come from the consumer,” Dykstra said. “We get to share consumer dollars back through the beef supply chain based on what we’ve achieved at CAB by each player capitalizing on a margin opportunity. Otherwise, they wouldn’t do it.”

BEEF AT HOME AND ABROAD

BEEF EXPORTS SET RECORD PACE AGAIN IN 2022

from the U.S. Meat Export Federation

Demand for U.S. beef in China/Hong Kong remained resilient in the third quarter of 2022, increasing significantly from a year ago despite China’s COVID-related travel restrictions and periodic lockdowns in several major metropolitan areas. China/ Hong Kong was the leading destination for U.S. beef in October at 26,170 mt, up 21 percent from a year ago, while value climbed 19 percent to $240.8 million. January-October exports to the region increased 23 percent to 243,198 mt, while value was up 32 percent to $2.23 billion. China/Hong Kong is now the second highest value destination for U.S. beef, trailing only South Korea. It is the third largest volume market behind Japan and Korea, but trails Korea by less than 1,000 mt.

Despite a very weak month for the Korean won, October beef export volume to Korea still increased 10% from a year ago to 24,183 mt. But export value definitely reflected the exchange rate pinch, declining 6 percent to $199.4 million. Through October, exports to Korea were 4 percent above last year’s record pace at 244,052 mt, while value was 20 percent higher at $2.32 billion – just short of the full-year record ($2.38 billion) reached in 2021. While the won has strengthened to some degree since October, the economic situation in Korea remains fragile. Over the past two weeks, Korean businesses have dealt with a nationwide trucker strike that has slowed cargo movement and created significant supply chain disruptions.

October beef exports followed a similar pattern in Japan, where the yen was also in a deep slump versus the U.S. dollar. Shipments to Japan totaled 23,600 mt, up slightly from a year ago, but export value sank 18 percent to $163.4 million. Beef variety meat exports (mainly tongues and skirts), which had declined sharply in August and September, rebounded to 4,492 mt (up 12 percent) but remained lower than a year ago in value ($40.9 million, down 12 percent). Despite a significant decline in 2022 export volume (46,141 mt through October, down 13 percent), Japan is still the leading value destination for U.S. beef variety meat exports at $462 million – an increase of 19 percent over last year’s record pace. Through October, beef and beef variety meat exports to Japan totaled 260,318 mt, down 4 percent from a year ago, while export value increased 5 percent to just over $2 billion.

Other results for U.S. beef exports include:

• Oct. 2022 was another strong month for beef exports to the ASEAN, where shipments to the Philippines and Cambodia have already set annual records and exports to

Singapore and Thailand are on a record pace. For January through October, exports to the region increased 18 percent from a year ago to 55,845 mt, while value soared 61 percent to $400 million. October exports to the Philippines reached 3,251 mt, more than five times last year’s low volume, while value quadrupled to $20.2 million. For the first 10 months of the year, exports to the Philippines increased 79 percent to 21,879 mt, while value climbed 132 percent to $147.3 million. U.S. beef faces significant tariff disadvantages in the region, making this growth even more impressive.

• Led by a rebound in Japan and growth in Mexico, Egypt, China, the ASEAN, Korea and Canada, October exports of beef variety meats totaled 25,118 mt, up 12 percent from a year ago, while export value increased 8 percent to $105 million. Through October, variety meat exports were slightly above last year in volume (250,521 mt, up 1 percent) while soaring 22 percent in value to $1.05 billion.

• Surging demand in the foodservice and hospitality sectors has driven beef exports higher to the Middle East, where January-October shipments reached 56,259 mt, up 10 percent from a year ago, while export value jumped 52 percent to $256.7 million. In Egypt, the leading destination for U.S. beef livers, a strong October pushed JanuaryOctober exports slightly above last year at 40,155 mt, while value soared 38 percent to $78.6 million. For beef muscle cuts, export growth was driven by sharply higher shipments to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

• Beef exports to Canada reached 9,332 mt in October, up 20 percent from a year ago, while export value increased 12 percent to $67.4 million. Through October, exports to Canada were 3 percent above last year’s pace at 87,501 mt, while value increased 14 percent to $706.4 million.

• While beef exports to Taiwan remain on a record pace in 2022, October shipments declined year-over-year for the second consecutive month – falling 12 percent to 4,373 mt, while value was down 22 percent to $46.1 million. But through the first 10 months of the year, exports to Taiwan were still up 8 percent to 56,152 mt, valued at $651.6 million (up 22%).

• October beef export value equated to $424.82 per head of fed slaughter, down 3 percent from a year ago, but the January-October average was still up 17 percent to $459.50. Exports accounted for 15.3 percent of total October beef production and 13.1 percent for muscle cuts only, up from 14.3 percent and 12.4 percent, respectively, in October 2021. The January-October ratios were a record high at 15.4 percent and 13.2 percent. These were up from 15 percent and 12.8 percent, respectively, a year ago.

IN MEMORY

Darrell Louis Twisselman passed away at the age of 90 on Oct. 23, 2022 in Bakersfield, surrounded by family, including his wife of 69 years, Nola C. Twisselman

Darrell was born to Dorothy and Carl Twisselman on Sept. 4, 1932 in Paso Robles. He grew up in rural eastern San Luis Obispo County on his family's cattle and sheep ranch in Choice Valley, later moving to the Temblor Range in McKittrick, California and attending McKittrick Elementary School and Taft Union High School.

Darrell was a character, a jovial and endlessly curious man with a fervor for life and fascination with people. He often credited his mother Dorothy for instilling in him those qualities along with his hunger to learn. This eventually led him to attend the University of California, Berkeley where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Business, a stepping stone for many ventures ahead.

He met his wife Nola Cooper, a farmer's daughter, at a Carrisa Plains Farm Bureau dance. The two were married on March 28, 1953 during his senior year of college. Together they raised eight kids, Rowland, Martin, Timothy, Cindy, Joel, Nolan, Andrew and Teresa.

After moving to the Carrisa Plains and working for his father-in-law for one year, Darrell realized that his heart was in cattle ranching, not the farming business. He continued his family's legacy by running commercial cattle on the Temblor Range. His fascination for breeding cattle led him to raising and supplying bucking bulls for stock contractors for over 25 years, even earning himself a top-selling bucking bull at the National Finals Rodeo.

Darrell was recognized as the 1990 San Luis Obispo County Cattleman of the Year, but he regularly stated that he was not in the cattle business, but rather in the land business. Aside from raising livestock, he was a longtime prospector, mining gypsum, clay, and gravel in rural San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties for over 30 years. He was the driving force behind the development of one of the largest solar farms in the world in 2011, the Topaz Solar Farm on his ranch in Carrisa Plains, California.

An avid conservationist, he took great pride in making the most of his resources and being a good steward of the land, developing water sources and rangeland habitat to not only support cattle, but wildlife as well. He worked closely with the Fish and Wildlife's Public Lands Management to bring pronghorn antelope back to the region along with the tule elk relocation project.

His family and friends would agree that Darrell was the kind of person who was always up for a challenge. One of his staple quotes was, "There are no perfect solutions, only intelligent choices." He was a gambler

in both the casino and in life, always betting on himself and his lucky number black 29 on the roulette wheel. Some joke that he may have been one of the luckiest men alive. He even won a Ford pick-up truck at the Cow Palace that his family recalls him driving around the ranch and gathering cattle until the tailgate fell off, far more than once.

To say that Darrell never met a stranger is an understatement. He was generous, unapologetically outspoken, and loved a good audience and a fresh ear. An avid reader, he regularly stayed up to speed on current events and issues from all sides of the political spectrum. Whether he agreed with you or not, he took pleasure in playing devil's advocate and encouraging people to think outside the box.

While his resume of accomplishments are far and wide, without a doubt his greatest pride and joy was his family. His "happy place" was seeing his family working together, gathering cattle horseback on the ranch or in a branding pen. Whether it was rodeo events across the country, local high school and collegiate sports or 4-H & FFA livestock shows at the California Mid-State Fair, you could always find Darrell proudly watching from the stands in his felt cowboy hat adorned with his signature gold TC cattle brand pin.

He felt strongly about giving his kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and future generations deep family roots with which they could grow from, whether that growth kept them on the ranch or took them far and wide. He lived vicariously through the lives of his family, imparting wisdom where he could and finding joy in hearing about their latest adventures in business and in life.

Darrell often told his family, "You'll get your reward in heaven." They like to think he's found a new audience among the angels and is enjoying an abundance of rewards for a life well-lived and a family well-loved up in the clouds.

Darrell is survived by his siblings Marlis Balogh, Carl F. Twisselman, and Marjorie Miller, his children Rowland (Cathie) Twisselman, Martin (Denise) Twisselman, Timothy (Karen) Twisselman, Cindy (Mark) Switzer, Joel (Debra) Twisselman, Nolan (Stacey) Twisselman, Andrew (Lorie) Twisselman, Teresa (Richard) Brander, 21 loving grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Darrell was preceded in death by his siblings Kathryn Anne and Kenneth Twisselman and parents Dorothy and Carl Twisselman.

The mountains on the ranch were Darrell's church. In the 1960s, when his kids were young, he built the family pond near his home which has grown and expanded over the years. It has become a beloved gathering place for family and friends over the years, welcoming visitors from far and wide. Please join the family for a celebration of life on March 25, 2023 at Twisselman Pond. More details to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Darrell Twisselman to the Atascadero Greyhound Foundation.

DARRELL TWISSELMAN

JACK TATUM

Jack Rockford Tatum, aged 91, lifelong resident of Bishop, passed peacefully at home on Oct. 29, 2022.

Jack was born April 15, 193,1 to LL Slim and Hazel Schober Tatum. Jack spent much of his childhood immersed in the family businesses, Frontier Pack Station and Pine Cone Dairy in the June Lake area.

After the pack station sold, the Tatum family began acquiring cattle ranch leases, where Jack’s profound love of cattle and horses blossomed. Jack graduated from Bishop Union High School in 1949. Jack was a natural athlete and excelled in sports as a Bishop Bronco. Following graduation, he was recruited by the Pittsburg Pirates as a left-handed pitcher. He played baseball from 1950-1952. His professional baseball career was cut short when he was drafted into the United States Marines in 1952. Jack was stationed in El Toro. It was there that Jack began courting Pat Reeves Dorrah, who he had met in Bishop earlier and now worked at the nearby air base. After proposing with a ring buried in a ring box full of horse droppings, Jack and Pat were wed on June 7, 1954.

Following their marriage, the couple moved home to Bishop, CA to join the family cattle and horse ranch. Once home, Jack and Pat were blessed with three children: Terry, Todd and Tani.

Jack was a true horseman with an affinity for breeding, calf roping, and the cutting arena. Jack’s career in the horse breeding industry began in 1946 when his family purchased a direct descendant of Wimpy P-1, the first registered quarter horse. Jack and the ST Ranch were recently given a prestigious award for 75 plus years breeding American Quarter Horses. Their horses have been instrumental for many local ranches and cowboys across the west for generations.

Jack also had a keen eye for business and acquired several parcels of farm land in Iowa. He and Pat enjoyed annual cross-country adventures to their Iowa farms for years.

Jack is survived by his children, Terry (Jerry) Laird, Todd Tatum and Tani Tatum, all of Bishop, and grandchildren Travis and Justin Laird. Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Slim and Hazel and daughter-in-law, Lorraine “Lori” Tatum.

Graveside services for Jack Tatum were held Nov. 10, 2022. Donations in Jack’s memory can be mailed to Bishop Union High School FFA at 301 N. Fowler St., Bishop, CA 93514.

FINLEY JEAN HANSON

There’s a new addition to our family! Finley Jean Hanson was born on Dec. 5, 2022 to Brad and Robin Hanson of Susanville. She joins big sister Harper This tiny bundle of joy came three weeks early weighing 5 pounds, 3 ounces and was 18 inches long. Her grandparents are Jack and Darcy Hanson, Susanville and Ernie and Kitty Schlosser, Zamora.

NAME(S): RANCH/BUSINESS NAME: ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP: E-MAIL ADDRESS: PRIMARY PHONE:

Step 1: CCA Membership

P M

A M

F

Cattle Numbers Dues

2500 & Over $1,765 1600-2499 $1,275 1000-1599 $970 800-999 $725 500-799 $615 300-499 $460 100-299 $325 0-99 $240

Calves under 6 months of age are not counted.

Stockers pay at ½ the total number of stockers owned each year or minimum dues, whichever is greater.

F C

N -V M

Statewide Allied/Feeder Associate $220 (includes Feeder Council Associate, Allied Industry membership and second membership. Second membership does not include Allied Industry voting rights.)

Statewide Stewards of the Land $150 (Available to non-producers that own land on which cattle could or are run.)

CCA Supporting Member $100 (Available to non-producers who support the industry.)

Y C M

N -V M

Young Cattlemen’s Committee $ 25

Must own fewer than 100 head of cattle.

Must be 25 years of age or younger or a full-time student

Applicant’s Birth Date:_______________ - ORif over 25 years of age

Applicant’s expected date of Graduation:

Amador-El

Fresno-Kings $20.00

Glenn-Colusa $20.00

Merced-Mariposa $30.00 San Luis Obispo $30.00 Tulare County $5.00

High Desert $25.00 Modoc County $25.00 Santa Barbara $25.00 Tuolumne County $10.00

ADVERTISING INDEX

Lambert Ranch 2, 78

Amador Angus Ranch 76

American Angus Association 29

American Hereford Association 78

Animal Health International 79

Baker Angus Ranch 45

Bar Ale Feeds 80

Bar KD Ranch 2, 53, 76

Bar R Angus 76

Bovine Elite LLC 80

Broken Box Ranch 49, 79

Buchanan Angus Ranch 27, 76

Byrd Cattle Company 76

Chico State College of Ag 79

Colyer Hereford & Angus 41

Conlin Supply Co., Inc. 38

Cowman's Kind 43

CX Ranch Herefords 38

Dal Porto Livestock 76

Dixie Valley Angus 83, 76

Dutch Flat 38

EZ Angus Ranch 8, 9, 76

Freitas Rangeland Improvements 26

Fresno State Ag Foundation 79

Genoa Livestock 78

Great Basin Bull Sale 61

Gudel Cattle Company 55

Harrell Hereford Ranch 39, 78

HAVE Angus 54, 77

Hertlein Cattle Company 40

Hoffman Ranch 33

Hogan Ranch 77

Hone Ranch 77

Hufford's Herefords 78

JMM Genetics 80

Kessler Angus 77

Klamath Falls Bull Sale 11

Knipe Land Company 80

Little Shasta Ranch 54 M3 Marketing 80

McPhee Red Angus 78

Morrell Ranch 56, 78

Noahs Angus Ranch 77

O'Connell Ranch 77

P.W. Gillibrand Cattle Co. 78

Pacific Trace Minerals 80

Price Cattle Company 63

Red Bluff Bull Sale 50, 51, 52

Red River Farms 77

Riverbend Ranches 68

Rollin Rock Genetic Partners 57

Romans Ranches 67

Sammis Ranch 77

Scales Northwest 40

Schohr Herefords 79

Shasta Farm Supply & Equipment 56

Shaw Cattle Company 31

Sierra Ranches 79

Sonoma Mountain Herefords 79

Spanish Ranch 79

Spring Cove Ranch 73

Stepaside Farm 70, 77

Tehama Angus Ranch 77

Teixeria Cattle Co. 13, 78

Trinity Farms 47

Tumbleweed Ranches 78

V-A-L Charolais 34, 35

Vintage Angus Ranch 78, 84

Ward Ranches 71

Watkins Fence Company 80

Werning Cattle Company 20, 21

West Coast Brangus Breeders 79

West Wind Angus 56

Western Poly Pipe 75

Western Video Market 3

Winnemucca Ranch Hand Weekend 65

World Ag Expo 32

Wraith, Scarlett, Randoph Insurance 5