Matt Macfarlane | (916) 803-3113 m3cattlemarketing@gmail.com
BILLING SERVICES
Lisa Brendlen lisa@calcattlemen.org
SERVING CALIFORNIA BEEF PRODUCERS SINCE 1917
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UPCOMING EVENTS
CCA & CCW Convention | Dec. 4-6
Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev.
Lassen County Fall Meeting & Christmas Party | Dec. 14 | Susanville
Shasta County Cattlemen's Meeting
Jan. 1, 2025 | Location to be determined
Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale
Jan. 21-25, 2025 | Tehama Distict Fairgrounds
Klamath Bull & Heifer Sale
Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2025 | Klamath Falls, Ore.
Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show
Feb. 4-6, 2025 | San Antonio, Texas
As the sun sets on an unforgettable 2024, your friends at CCA send warm wishes for the holiday season. we look foward to serving you in the year ahead!
ASSOCIATION PERSPECTIVES
8 12 14 20 22
CATTLEMEN’S COLUMN
It's been a privilege to serve you
BUNKHOUSE
RTAP in Red Bluff: Stop in and say hi!
DUES DOLLARS AT WORK
2024's exciting wins for CCA
FOUNDATION FOCUS
Can-do attitude
VET VIEWS
How well do you know your pour-on?
Contribute a tax-deductible donation to The California Cattlemen’s Foundation to be part of preserving the proud heritage of California’s cattlemen and cattlewomen and ensure that future generations are prepared for the opportunities ahead
calcattlemenfoundation.org/donate
POST-ELECTION BREAKDOWN
What lawmakers CCA will be working with in the year ahead
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
U.S. and British beef cook-off competitions coincide VIRTUAL FENCING
Collar technology may be the right fit for some operations
ON THE COVER
As 2024 comes to a close, CCA shares year-end views from officers, staff and affiliates. This issue's cover photo was taken by Cain Madrigal at Smith Valley Feeders in Smith Valley, Nev.
CATTLEMEN’S COLUMN
THE PLEASURE HAS BEEN MINE
by CCA President Steve Arnold
In mid-summer I was given a book by my longtime friend, Scott Vernon, Paso Robles. It was the seventh annual convention proceedings minutes of CCA held in San Francisco. The booklet is 128 pages of verbatim dialogue of those directors and guests attending that meeting in December 1923. Of interest to me were the directors and the topics of the time. Some of the names I recognized, most I didn’t. Ever heard of Witch Creek, hometown of George Sawday? What about Madrone, home of Howard V Tilton?
The main discussion centered around a marketing plan that involved the association as the middleman to timely market year round cattle deliveries. California produced only 70 to 75 percent of product consumed in the state leaving the surrounding states to supply the rest. The ultimate goal was to spread California deliveries evenly throughout the year. The Association was to be responsible to ensure CCA members communicated with them before marketing their cattle. The feeding industry is the middleman for most of us today. The last page urges all board members to attend the national meeting in Omaha that spring. Yes, Omaha!
Things have changed for certain in 100 years. Some things haven’t. We are still talking today about the best ways to market our cattle just in a different format. There was also plenty of discussion regarding public lands in the 1923 meeting and how to resolve conflicts.
Looking back 60 years, I have some speeches from Carl Twisselman, CCA president in the early 60s, addressing many issues. One of the leading issues of that time? Controlled burning! Seems the struggle for good fire management never ends. The industry evolves, the issues evolve. Never a shortage of things to address.
I can’t go out to pasture without addressing a few things. Number one, how about that election?! I was reading what you were reading, I thought for sure Former President Donald Trump would win, but that was an old fashioned butt kicking. He followed it up with some important cabinet selections that I think will change the direction of our nation. No doubt that I’ve been more than a little worried about the state of things in America for the last five years.
Also, I can’t say enough about the Measure J defeat in Sonoma County. CCA and
individual county associations supported them economically as did many other organizations. The Cattle Council and Justin did a phenomenal job with their educational outreach just as my predecessors designed it to do. The 85-to-15 percent margin may help deter other attempts to destroy agriculture short term in California but no doubt they will be back.
Let me quickly address our office situation and how it is working since COVID and the sale of the H street building. As many of you know, H Street in Sacramento has turned into a homeless village. Asking our staff to be there had some high risk involved. There were two fair sized burn scars on the backside of the building and if it hadn’t been built of bricks would have burned down.
We are entering the last year of our leased
ON PAGE 10
CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATIVES
Jake Parnell 916-662-1298
George Gookin ......................... 209-482-1648
Tod Radelfinger ........................ 775-901-3332
Bowdy Griffen 530-906-5713
Rex Whittle.................................209-996-6994
Mark Fischer .............................. 209-768-6522
Kris Gudel 916-208-7258
Steve Bianchi ............................707-484-3903
12495 E. STOCKTON BLVD., GALT, CA Office 209-745-1515
Fax 209-745-1582
Website/Market Report ......... www.clmgalt.com
Web Broadcast ............ www.lmaauctions.com
Top Consignments from throughout California and Nevada will be Showcased during These Upcoming Special Sales ...
SPECIAL FEEDER SALES
Join Us Ringside at 12 p.m. WED., DECEMBER 4 WED., DECEMBER 18
NO SALES ON DECEMBER 25 AND JANUARY 1 SO OUR CLM FAMILIES CAN CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS JOIN US FOR OUR FIRST SALE OF 2025 WED., JANUARY 8
UPCOMING WESTERN VIDEO MARKET SALES December 3 – Silver Legacy Resort, Reno, NV Catalog: www.wvmcattle.com
January 6 – North Platte Stockyards, North Platte, NE Consignment Deadline: December 26
January 23 – Tehama District Fairgrounds, Red Bluff, CA Consignment Deadline: January 15 February 28 – WVM Headquarters, Cottonwood, CA Consignment Deadline: February 20
office north of highway 80. At this point we are planning to stay right there. For the most part four people are in office daily, Lisa, Kirk, Maureen and Katherine. Katie continues to work primarily from her home in the Sierra Valley but can be found traveling up and down the state. Gracie is in the Red Bluff area working from home. Our Executive Vice President Billy Gatlin is in Templeton but also can be seen at cattlemen's events statewide. We have a great team in place. They are really good
at what they do and I think that is well known among us and our legislators in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., for that matter.
Finally, let me express my sincere appreciation to you, the members, for the confidence lent to me for the past two years as your president. Timing is everything in this world and mine couldn’t have been better. We’ve had two years of good rain, grass, and a really solid market. All of which I have been taking credit for. The election is icing on the cake and I am optimistic about what the future holds for our association and way of life.
STEVE ARNOLD: CCA PRESIDENT 2023-2024
The first time Steve Arnold took the mic as CCA President. Arnold took the reins from Tony Toso, Hornitos. Arnold's presidency was complemented by his wife Debbie, who was often by his side.
Arnold enjoyed bringing the CCA Midyear Meeting back home to the Central Coast in 2023.
Arnold often shared his perspective during policy committee meetings and presided over many longtime CCA traditions.
Steve Arnold spent many hours alongside other CCA members lobbying important issues. He is pictured here with Rick Roberti and Rich Ross. Steve and Debbie Arnold have especially loved sharing their love for the California ranching community with the youngest generation of Arnold ranch kids.
COME SAY HI!
LET'S DISCUSS
HOW WE CAN BETTER HELP YOU NAVIGATE RANCHING ISSUES
by Rancher Technical Assistance Program's Noah Lopez
January is just around the corner, and here at the Rancher Technical Assistance Program (RTAP), that can only mean one thing: it’s time for the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale. For the past three years, RTAP as well as CCA staff have attended the sale to connect with cattle producers and spread the word about the program. Our goal has been to connect with cattle producers and let them know there is free assistance available, offered by the California Cattlemen's Foundation (CCF) and California Cattle Council (CCC), to help them navigate complex regulatory, environmental and business challenges. What better place to do this than this well attended sale event?
The Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale has been held during the last week of January since 1941 and continues to draw participants and visitors from all over the western United States. This long-standing tradition is known for showcasing top-quality bulls, geldings, and stock dogs, and for being an essential gathering point for the ranching community. One of the highlights of the event is the impressive trade show that accompanies the sale. Under the big white
The 2024
and
tents, vendors and organizations present products, services, and information. Often, these tents are the best spots to seek shelter from the rain. This is where RTAP will be, at the California Cattle Council booth. While our attendance in 2021 and 2022 saw lots of productive conversations with ranchers from around the state, in 2023 we stepped it up by joining the Ag Hub at the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale. The Ag Hub is a collaborative effort that brings together four key organizations including the CCC, CCA, California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF) and the University of California Cooperative Extension Service (UCCE). These groups share a common goal: to advance the cattle industry in California. The Ag Hub groups all of these organizations in the same place so that folks can have a one-stop-shop to discuss what’s happening in California ranching. Last
Ag
provided the perfect opportunity for ranchers to see how RTAP and CCA can be of service to them. Join us again in 2025!
Red Bluff Bull
Gelding Sale
Hub
year’s Ag Hub partnership proved beneficial for both the organizations involved and the folks attending the sale.
The 2023 Ag Hub featured a variety of office hours and events throughout the week, which allowed ranchers to engage on policy issues and connect with experts on a variety of important topics. UCCE range specialists were on hand to discuss topics such as range management, virtual fencing, Ag Pass program, wolves and more. Representatives from USDA agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) provided information on funding opportunities available to producers. Additionally, sessions were scheduled to discuss policy issues like the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation and water issues specific to the north state, as well as a roundtable policy discussion featuring leaders from the CCA, CCC, and CFBF.
These office hours and roundtable discussions created an open forum for meaningful
conversations. Personally, I was thrilled to connect with so many ranchers and other industry professionals on so many different topics. The Ag Hub’s collaborative approach, bringing together the trade organizations, research groups, and extension service resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback. The Ag Hub was a perfect place to gather, visit, and discuss.
This year, RTAP is excited to return to the Ag Hub at the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale. Once again in the trade show area, this year’s Ag Hub aims to provide an opportunity for connection and discussion. Whether you are looking for guidance on regulatory requirements, want to discuss policy issues, interested in learning about range management practices, or seeking funding opportunities, the Ag Hub at the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale is the place to be. We hope you’ll join CCA and CCF from Jan. 21-25 at the Ag Hub at the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale Trade Show and share with us ways we can help better serve you.
YOUR DUES DOLLARS AT WORK
CCA'S TOP 10 VICTORIES OF 2024
by CCA Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur
As the New Year approaches, it’s natural to reflect on the closing year and take stock of all that you have accomplished. As your CCA staff prepares to advance an ambitious agenda in 2025, we wanted to take a moment to pause and look back upon the results that California’s cattle producers achieved in 2024 – in the familiar form of a year-end top-ten list.
10. Getting the word out. CCA’s vision is that “Californians value cattle production as an indispensable benefit to our state.” Achieving that vision, particularly in California’s urban centers, requires robust outreach about beef’s benefits and the exemplary environmental stewardship ranchers provide.
In 2024, CCA staff and leadership were front-and-center extolling the virtues of cattle production before varied audiences statewide. In August, CCA President Steve Arnold, Santa Margarita, was selected as one of four agricultural leaders to address the California State Board of Food and Agriculture on the “State of the Industry,” highlighting (among other topics) the carbon sequestration and wildfire fuels reduction benefits of cattle grazing and noting that “grazing is starting to become fashionable again in California.” In late October, CCA Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur shared a similar message with environmentalists and agriculturalists at the California Climate and Agriculture Summit in Davis, joining a panel on “Farmer- and Rancher-Led Wildfire Solutions and Policies.”
Often, though, it is hardest for cattlemen to gain traction with those living in California’s metropolises. Since the reestablishment of wolf populations in California, for instance, CCA staff has routinely heard from members about the need to educate folks in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other population centers regarding wolves’ impacts on livestock herds and the cattle ranchers that tend to them. To that end, in October Wilbur traveled to the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum to join a panel discussion about wolves in California. While
there was some light heckling and at least one attendee referred to Wilbur as the “evil rancher guy,” attendees overwhelmingly expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn about ranchers’ habitat stewardship and the struggles of co-existing with gray wolves.
9. Watering down bad bills. CCA opposes dozens of bills each year which would be disastrous for the state’s livestock sector. While it’s not always possible to kill all these bills, CCA and other agricultural advocates have a long track record of softening the edges on harmful bills to successfully avert legislation’s most devastating impacts.
At least three CCA-opposed bills limped toward the Governor’s desk this year with significant amendments secured by the agricultural community. AB 460 (Bauer-Kahan), a bill which would have fundamentally restructured California’s water rights enforcement framework, was amended to significantly limit the scope of the bill, eliminate provisions which would have diminished due process rights and prevent abuses by radical environmental groups. AB 1963 (Friedman), which would have prohibited use of the pesticide paraquat dichloride, was watered down to merely require the Department of Pesticide Regulation to reevaluate the product by 2029. And AB 2552 (Friedman), which limits the use of certain first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, was amended to remove any direct impacts on private lands.
8 A silver lining at CARB. The California Air Resources Board is a persistent thorn in ranchers’ sides, frequently imposing emissions-reduction regulations that are costly or unworkable as applied to small agricultural fleets. This year, CCA supported AB 2900 (Soria), which was signed into law in September to establish a Small Agricultural Truck Fleet Assistance Program within CARB. While plans for a financial assistance component were unfortunately scrapped due to this year’s Budget deficit, the Program will “provide dedicated technical assistance to owner-
operators or owners of small fleets to support” agricultural compliance with CARB’s regulations.
7. A seat at the table on a signature environmental initiative. In October, California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot re-appointed CCA Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur to the agency’s “30x30 Partnership Coordinating Committee,” which “foster[s] inclusive public communication and statewide coordination” regarding the state’s goal of durably conserving 30% of the state’s land and water by 2030. While the PCC “is not a decisionmaking body for policy or implementation,” the role has elevated ranchers’ voices in the 30x30 discussion. CCA has shared concerns about proposed national monument designations which would impact grazing permits, has helped secure recognition of rangeland conservation easements as “conserved” toward the state’s goal and has promoted recognition within CNRA of livestock grazing’s complementary value for land and habitat conservation.
6. Mr. Arnold goes to Washington (with reinforcements). In early September, Arnold; First Vice President Rick Roberti, Loyalton; and Second Vice President John Austel, Boulevard, headed to Washington, D.C., to lobby in favor of CCA’s federal policy priorities (the officer team was joined by former CCA and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Kevin Kester, Parkfield, and Cattle-PAC Chair Jack Lavers, Glennville, as well as by CCA staff).
The primary focus of the fly-in was a series of meetings with California congressmen on the Hill to highlight CCA’s Farm Bill priorities and the need to extend tax relief provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 benefitting cattle producers. The real benefit of those meetings, though, was deepening the bonds between CCA and select California lawmakers (particularly key Republican representatives who were reelected last month and will soon hold a majority in the House of Representatives during a period of unified Republican control in D.C.). The fly-in also included a reception with Congressman GT Thompson (R-PA-15), Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and the chief negotiator of the next Farm Bill.
CCA’s regular D.C. fly-ins are just the most visible example of the Association’s sway in Washington, D.C., though. CCA staff keeps in
close contact with the state’s senators and Congressional delegation as a trusted voice on a wide array of agricultural and natural resource issues, and CCA members are often called upon as subject matter experts on the Hill. In fact, just last month Sherri Brennan, Sonora, appeared before the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Federal Lands Subcommittee to testify in favor of a bill by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01) which would increase opportunities to use livestock grazing for wildfire risk reduction on national forests.
5. Defeating the enemy at the gates. Think about how many gates are on your ranch properties. Now imagine hiring a contractor to inspect each of those gates every five years, repairing them as necessary to meet safety specifications dictated by the American Society for Testing and Materials. How much do you imagine those inspections and repairs would cost you?
Those burdens and costs would have been imposed by AB 2149 (Connolly), which initially applied to any gate over 50 pounds and either wider than two feet or taller than seven feet. The bill was well-intentioned, aiming to improve the safety of heavy vehicular entry gates which have been known to injure or kill young children, but unfortunately would have applied well beyond the schools and residential areas where those gates are known to endanger kids. Fortunately, AB 2149 was voted down in the Senate Appropriations Committee after opposition from a wide array of agricultural groups, including CCA.
4. Stopping subsidies for “alternative protein.” In February, a group of legislators led by Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) issued a letter to Governor Newsom and legislative leaders requesting “additional state funding for alternative protein research and development at the University of California,” including “$10-20 million [in] one-time funding as part of the FY 2024-25 budget to support existing research at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Davis.” As is often the case with alternative protein advocacy, the funding request willfully misstated the environmental impacts of beef production and relied on unsubstantiated claims to advance alleged climate benefits of “alternative protein.” CCA strongly opposed the provision, and alternative protein received no funding in the 2024-25 Budget.
...CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
In late June, though, there was an additional push by alternative protein advocates to secure $50 million in the Climate Bond (Proposition 4 on last month’s ballot) “to construct a shared, pilotscale facility for alternative protein development which university students and emerging companies can utilize.” As the deadline to get the bond in print neared, CCA was in constant contact with key negotiators to oppose funding for alternative proteins and worked with several agricultural and climate-focused nonprofits to expand our opposition coalition. CCA is proud to report that those efforts paid off, and Proposition 4 included no funding for alternative protein research and development.
3. Keeping the wolves at bay (metaphorically). In 2023, one of CCA’s greatest successes was killing AB 554 (Gabriel), which would have allowed radical animal rights groups to sue ranchers in civil courts alleging animal abuse (the bill’s sponsor, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, argues on its website that routine ranching activities constitute “abuse”).
CCA built on that success in 2024, proactively fending off radical animal rights groups’ legislative efforts to undermine ranching and other animal handling professions. In one instance, a state senator opted to hold a bill creating a new animal mistreatment crime rather than cave to animal rights groups’ demands that “routine animal husbandry practices” not be exempted from the bill’s definition of animal mistreatment.
Most significantly, voters in Sonoma County rejected the extremist agenda of groups like Direct Action Everywhere by rejecting Measure J, which sought to prohibit ‘concentrated animal feeding operations’ within the County. In a strong show of support for the agricultural producers of Sonoma County, the measure was rejected by a 70-point margin, with 85.3% of the electorate voting against the measure and a mere 14.7% in support.
2. Fighting fire with fire. Among CCA’s top priorities this year was passage of SB 1101 (Limón), which streamlines CAL FIRE’s ability to apply prescribed fire on the landscape and improves the agency’s ability to plan for both wildfire and prescribed fire. The bill was sponsored by Pacific Forest Trust, an organization CCA works with as part of the Wildfire Resilience Working Group,
and CCA members aggressively lobbied the bill during the Association’s Lobby Day in March. While CAL FIRE has long had emergency authority to expedite contracting and logistical response for wildfires, the agency’s prescribed fire efforts were subject to bureaucratic red tape that often prevented the agency from taking advantage of favorable burn windows. SB 1101 removes this red tape, streamlining contracting and procurement requirements for CAL FIRE’s prescribed fire efforts. The bill also directs CAL FIRE to work with local, state, federal and tribal agencies to map networks of potential fire boundaries that can be used in planning prescribed fires and to enhance wildfire response. CCA is already working with the Wildfire Resilience Working Group to establish a strategy to enhance the bill’s implementation in 2025.
1. Reviving the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program. In 2021, the Legislature appropriated $3 million for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to compensate ranchers “for the deterrence of wolf presence near livestock, the impacts of wolf presence on livestock, and for verified loss of livestock for participating ranchers.” As that initial funding began to dwindle, CCA membership at the 2023 Annual Convention directed staff to aggressively lobby for renewed funding for the Program – a priority that faced significant headwinds amidst the state’s $46.8 billion budget deficit.
Nevertheless, CCA joined with Defenders of Wildlife and the California Farm Bureau to push for renewed Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program funding, particularly after the initial appropriation ran dry on March 8. While wolf compensation funding was excluded from the initial Budget Act passed by the Legislature on June 13, CCA’s tireless advocacy had won over Budget Committee staffers and key legislators who earmarked $600,000 for the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program in a revised Budget Act signed into law on June 29.
While $600,000 is far less funding than CCA had sought, it will keep the Compensation Program operational for ranchers most impacted by gray wolves. CCA continues to work with Defenders of Wildlife and the California Natural Resources Agency to secure additional federal and private funds to supplement the Program.
Stay tuned! Your CCA staff is hard at work laying the groundwork for another successful year in 2025. As those efforts take shape and the 202526 Legislative Session swings into full gear, we’ll share our “New Year’s Resolutions” with you in a future edition of the California Cattleman
With your support, CCA can keep on winning!
TOGETHER WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE. FIVE RECENT CCA WINS INCLUDE:
#1 Securing renewed funding for the Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program in the FY 2024-25 State Budget despite a dire budget deficit.
#2 Successfully preventing State subsidies from being used to prop up “alternative protein products” in both the FY 2024-25 Budget and Proposition 4 (the Climate Bond).
#3 Defeating AB 2149 (Connolly), legislation that would have imposed significant costs upon ranchers by requiring routine inspections of any gates weighing more than 50 pounds with a width of 4 feet or more or a height of 7 feet or more.
#4 Enshrining the environmental benefits of livestock grazing in state policies such as the California Natural Resources Agency’s 30x30 Initiative, CNRA’s Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy and CARB’s Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality, among others.
#5 Successfully supporting several bills in the 2023-24 Legislative Session that will improve California’s wildfire resilience by streamlining prescribed fires and other fuel management activities, including prescribed grazing.
As dues-paying member of CCA you played a critical role in all of these successes. Renew your membership today and be part of all the wins to come!
GATLIN Executive Vice President
POST-ELECTION ANALYSIS
Q&A WITH CCA LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE JASON BRYANT
from CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti
Q. California’s Legislature saw a huge number of seats turnover in the November election. Can you share what led to this turnover and how significant it is?
A. On Dec. 2, the 2025-26 California Legislature will be sworn-in and we will see approximately 32 new lawmakers assume office (depending on election outcomes) which represents about a fourth of the Legislature. Roughly two-thirds of the legislature will have turned over since 2020. That turnover can be attributed to two major political reforms that were enacted by voters to that were intended to reduce partisanship and moderate the legislature.
Term Limits: California has strict term limits for its state legislature, which require lawmakers to leave office after serving a set number of terms (12 years total for the Assembly and Senate). As a result, each election cycle brings a new wave of candidates who may replace seasoned legislators.
Redistricting: After every decennial census, California undergoes redistricting, which can significantly alter the political landscape. New districts are drawn, often leading to incumbents running in unfamiliar territories, facing off against each other in newly redrawn districts, or choosing to retire or run for other offices that are more attractive to those candidates.
This can result in more competitive races and an increase in turnover as incumbents lose their seats.
Q. How does this volume of turnover impact the strategy of CCA’s Government Affairs team as you look forward to a new twoyear session starting in January?
A. A high volume of turnover in government positions will likely necessitate a shift in CCA's government affairs' strategy, emphasizing early relationship-building, rapid education of new stakeholders, adaptability in legislative priorities and the strategic use of early influence with key members. By preparing for these shifts, CCA’s Government Affairs team can stay ahead of the curve and continue to effectively advocate for their priorities in the upcoming two-year session.
The organization closely monitored several legislative races during this year’s elections particularly those that could have an impact on policies affecting agriculture, ranching, and land management. Since California’s statewide officeholders (i.e. governor, attorney general) were not on the ballot this year as they will be up
in 2026, the organization’s focus was largely on races for the Assembly and Senate. While specific races can vary from year to year, below are a few examples of races that CCA prioritized:
Assemblymember-elect Alexandra Macedo (R-Fresno) is from District 33, which encompasses Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties. CCA supported Macedo in her primary race which helped her emerge in a crowded field. Macedo and her family are in the ranching business and is part of her family’s livestock market, Tulare Sales Yard, which has been family owned since 1939. She has been actively involved in the region, serving on multiple advisory boards and committees relevant to agriculture and regularly visits with classrooms and youth groups to educate them on where their food comes from.
Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord), who won his race for State Senate in an area that encompasses Contra Costa County. CCA has worked with Grayson for many years, enjoys an excellent relationship with him and supported his campaign for State Senate. He was successful in defeating a progressive Democratic candidate who was backed by progressive groups and environmental activist organizations. Grayson is a small business owner and the former mayor of Concord. His priorities are fighting for quality jobs and helping build economic security for working families.
Q. How have you and CCA’s Government Affairs team already started connecting with these incoming legislators?
A. By taking early action, the CCA Government Affairs team works to ensure that incoming legislators understand the importance of the cattle industry to California’s economy,
environment, and communities, and to build strong working relationships with lawmakers from the outset of their terms.
Pre and Post-Election Outreach: The CCA Government Affairs team typically reaches out to incoming legislators to introduce themselves, the association, and its priorities. This is a key time to establish relationships and begin educating lawmakers.
Legislator Visits to Cattle Operations: In some cases, CCA invites legislators to visit cattle operations in their districts to see firsthand how policies affect ranching operations. These visits give lawmakers a better understanding of the day-to-day challenges faced by producers and provide a tangible example of how policy decisions impact local communities.
Targeted Communications: CCA also communicates with incoming legislators through newsletters, emails or other direct forms of communication to highlight key issues and share the association's positions on upcoming legislation.
Q. What’s one more thing California ranching families should know about the makeup of California’s Legislature after this election?
A. Given the California Legislature’s growing focus on climate change policies, CCA anticipates facing more stringent legislative and regulatory pressure impacting land use, water rights and addressing greenhouse gas emissions. The legislature has seen a shift toward more progressive policies, and we must anticipate how changes in the makeup of the Legislature may affect political support for ranching in California. Ensuring the cattle industry interests are protected and advanced it will require stronger advocacy and engagement with our allies in the Legislature and those who are new to the State Capitol.
Q. Anything else you think is notable and want to share?
A. While the focus of this election season was on the race for the White House and the contested congressional races around the country and particularly in California, all eyes will soon shift to the race for governor. Gov. Gavin Newsom will term out in 2026 and there are at least six major candidates who have announced or are expected to announce their candidacy, and that does not include outgoing U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who may consider entering the race as well.
FOUNDATION FOCUS
CHECKING OFF OUR CAN-DO LIST
WE CAN EACH DO A LITTLE TO HELP US ALL ACHIEVE MORE
by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti
As we prepare to say goodbye to 2024 and welcome in a new chapter, I’d like to take the following quote from famous basketball coach John Wooden with me into 2025. — "Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
With that quote in mind, if we were to make a list (and check it twice since, after all, it is December) of every way we could possibly better California’s opens spaces and improve the future of every ranch in the state, there would no doubt be unachievable items on the list. Rather than letting those stop us, if we ignored the out of reach possibilities and only looked at what we can do, could we make a difference for ranchers in California? I believe the California Cattlemen's Foundation's focus on what we can do will continue to make a difference and get us closer each day to checking off items on our can-do list.
As a reminder, the California Cattlemen's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports ranchers through advocacy, education, and research centered on improving and sustaining California's diverse rangelands. Our efforts to fulfill the Foundation's purpose— to preserve the proud heritage of California's cattlemen and cattlewomen and ensure that future generations are prepared for the opportunities—motivate me and excite me for
another year of work. Below are a few examples of what we can and will do in 2025 based on a handful of the Foundation's strategic priorities.
1) We can keep ranchers ahead of the latest regulatory requirements and enable them to navigate complex regulatory, environmental, and business issues through the continued efforts of the Rancher Technical Assistance Program.
2) We can continue educating legislators, regulators, and staff on the vital role of grazing in managing our state's natural resources with office visits, ranch tours and more.
3) We can proactively connect the media with experts in the ranching community to ensure credible information about ranching in California is reported.
4) We can reach Californians with messages on the positive roles of ranchers in managing our state's natural resources through continued storytelling.
5) We can continue to build partnerships and work together to secure new funding and donations.
The California Cattlemen's Foundation's mission is to expand cattle grazing to 40 million acres in California in the next five years.
Adding two million acres to the 38 million acres of rangeland and forest that are currently grazed in California is an ambitious goal. It will take the support of many to do it. One way we can work towards this mission and continue to add more priorities to our can-do list is with the help of financial donations. If you or any individual or business you know are looking for a tax-exempt charitable organization to give to before the end of the year, please consider the California Cattlemen's Foundation.
We just wrapped up participating in Giving Tuesday (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) and are thankful for all who generously gave to our first donation drive. For the remainder of the month, we are now focused on our "Donation December" campaign. It is our hope that the season of giving may inspire you to support our efforts.
Scan the QR code or visit calcattlemenfoundation.org/donate, where you can easily give online or download a donation form to mail to our office anytime. On our website, you can also learn more about the Donation December campaign drive and the strategic priorities you support when you donate to the California Cattlemen's Foundation.
I look forward to working on many can-dos together in 2025 and sincerely hope you will join us on our mission. In the meantime, I wish you a merry Christmas and a joyous remainder of the holiday season.
Contribute a tax-deductible donation to The California Cattlemen’s Foundation to be part of preserving the proud heritage of California’s cattlemen and cattlewomen and ensure that future generations are prepared for the opportunities ahead calcattlemenfoundation.org/donate
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VET VIEWS
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR POUR-ON DEWORMER?
PRODUCT SELECTION HAS AS MUCH INFLUENCE AS APPLICATION AND LABEL ADHERENCE
from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.
Running cattle through the chute and applying a parasiticide doesn’t guarantee effective deworming. There is more to controlling parasites than meets the eye, especially when it comes to selecting a pour-on dewormer.
“A large misconception is that all pour-ons are the same,” said David Shirbroun, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “They’re definitely not, and for a variety of reasons.”
Choosing the right products and using them effectively can make the difference in herd health, animal productivity, parasite resistance and your bottom line.
Choosing the right product
“I always encourage producers to choose a product with proven stability in the field,” stated Shirbroun. “Finding a product with research and data to show the effectiveness is another good characteristic.”
Taking time to research products and see what they have to offer can pay off. Shirbroun says the following characteristics are important to check on pour-on labels:
Ensure the pour-on is proven against a broad spectrum of parasite species and stages. The parasites you want to target need to be listed on the label.
Look for a satisfaction guarantee. Companies that offer a product satisfaction guarantee trust their product and offer that same confidence to customers.
“Veterinarians are always aware of what kind of challenges might be in your region as far as the certain types of parasites there,” said Shirbroun. “Talking with them before a
product purchase can help make sure it’s a good investment. The quality of pour-on products varies.”
Branded vs. generic pour-ons
When it comes to pour-on dewormers, Shirbroun says you get what you pay for. “The companies that made pioneer products invested in studies and data collection in order to prove the efficacy of their particular drug,” he explained. “To this day, there is a lot of data that stands behind those branded products.”
When patents on branded products timed out, generics naturally entered the scene. Although they are said to be bioequivalent, generics do not have to undergo the same efficacy studies as branded, pioneer products during the approval process.
“One of the biggest differences between pioneer products and generics is the larger team standing behind the product,” shared Shirbroun. “Some branded products have many salespeople and professional services veterinarians who are readily available to stand behind their product.”
Get the most out of your pour-on with correct application and label adherence
“Pour-ons need to be applied from the withers clear to the tailhead in a thin line along the midline of the back,” said Shirbroun. Selecting a pour-on with a quality applicator that releases product in a controlled stream will make proper application easier.
Mis-dosing animals can be a challenge producers are unaware of. “Many people think their animals are lighter than they actually are,” shared Shirbroun. “If we can weigh our animals, we know we’re more likely to dose them appropriately.”
Shirbroun added that improper product application and underdosing issues can open the door to parasite resistance. Taking the extra time to ensure a pour-on is spread across the topline and dosed correctly for each animal will lower the risk of resistance and maintain the efficacy of dewormers.
Diagnostics test program efficacy
A fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) is one of the best tools available to check the efficacy of a deworming program, whether the product is oral, pour-on or injectable.
The test involves two manure samples from the same animal, one before treatment and one after. Each product will have a different wait time between treatment application and timing of when the second sample should be taken. FECRT tests should be run by reputable laboratories, and working with your herd veterinarian is a great way to ensure this. They will know the ins and outs of the test, and can provide guidance on where to send the samples for analysis.
“When we compare the first test to the second test, post treatment, we want to have 95 percent efficacy,” said Shirbroun. “If we aren’t meeting that standard, it might be a good time to review protocol, or even look at switching to a different product.”
Reviewing deworming protocols with your veterinarian at least once a year is an essential step in maintaining herd health and productivity.
“If we can deworm cattle appropriately, it is one of the best returns on investment we can offer our animals,” concluded Shirbroun. “Because there are so many pour-on options out there, working with your veterinarian and doing research will help find which product will perform the best for your herd.”
USDA’S AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY CENTER BREAKS GROUND IN DAVIS
Advances in crop production and preservation are poised for new digs as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) broke ground last month for a modernized facility to consolidate labs that are currently located at the University of California, Davis.
The Agricultural Research and Technology Center (ARTC) is a cutting-edge facility that will include customized laboratories, greenhouses and capacity for scientists as part of the ARS’s ongoing efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, water scarcity, emerging pests, and increasing global need in support of a resilient agricultural production system.
The two-story 59,000 square foot building will house four ARS research units: Crops Pathology and Genetics, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health, National Clonal Germplasm Repository - Tree Fruit and Nut Crops and Grapes, and Sustainable Agricultural Water Systems.
Collectively, these units improve the health, sustainability, and profitability of agricultural production and natural resources in California and the Western United States.
“The building will be a nexus for scientists to investigate plant diseases, plant genetic resources, conventional and advanced plant breeding
methods, soil health, invasive species management and myriad other areas driven by long-term agricultural research and climate-informed decision-making strategies,” said Dr. Simon Liu, ARS Administrator.
Collaborations between ARS, USDA’s chief in-house research agency, and UC Davis began in 1956 with the location of the Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit (CPGRU) led by ARS Plant Pathologist, Dr. Austin Goheen, on campus to research grape viruses.
ARS scientists have since fanned across several UC Davis departments, including Plant Pathology, Viticulture and Enology; Entomology and Nematology; Plant Sciences; and Land, Air and Water Resources, which has facilitated many collaborations that have benefited various stakeholders in industries that include almond, walnut, rice, and grapes.
ARS’s presence on campus has since grown to over 30 scientists with supporting staff across the four research units and the Western Human Nutrition Research Center.
Strong collaborative research efforts between university extension specialists, farm advisors, and faculty will continue with the move to the ARTC.
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
AMERICAN & BRITISH BEEF COOKOFF ADVANCES INTERNATIONAL TRADE
from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a Contractor of the Beef Checkoff
In September, NCBA’s office in Washington, D.C., hosted the ultimate protein showdown: an American versus British “Battle of the Beef” cookoff. Hosted in partnership with the British Embassy in Washington, NCBA staff grilled American ribeyes and New York strip steaks, serving them up head-to-head against British ribeyes.
While this was a friendly event, its purpose ran deeper than simply tasting steaks from two countries. For years, NCBA has been pushing for expanded market access in the United Kingdom (U.K.) and this event, which featured top British Embassy officials, British agriculture leaders and U.S. policymakers, served as a forum to share how American beef is raised and why a trade relationship with the U.S. would be beneficial.
NCBA’s focus on the U.K. started after the country withdrew from the European Union, following a 2016 referendum that would come to be called “Brexit.”
“As part of the European Union, British consumers had very limited exposure to U.S. beef and had been fed misinformation about our production practices and the safety of our beef,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus. “When Brexit happened, that created an opportunity for us to engage with the U.K. and hopefully open a new market for American beef with a key ally and trading partner.”
The U.S. and U.K. have always enjoyed a special political relationship, and the U.K.
has qualities that will make it a good trading partner. Like American consumers, the British have an affinity for beef, and it is deeply ingrained in their culture and traditions. While American beef has a distinctly “sweeter” flavor profile, British beef is also well-marbled with a touch of earthiness that varies across the countryside. These differences give consumers a variety of choices that will complement each other in the marketplace. Currently, American beef is mainly limited to a handful of high-end London steakhouses, and American beef is frequently unavailable due to strong demand and a very restrictive trade quota limiting the volume of U.S. beef that can be imported annually. The process of opening a new market takes significant time, and NCBA has spent years meeting with both American and British officials to share information about U.S. beef.
“In many international negotiations, we are educating policymakers who may not understand the science-based production practices of the U.S. cattle industry,” Bacus said. “British officials have been very pleased to hear about how American beef is raised by family farmers and ranchers and that more than 85% of U.S. beef is Beef Quality Assurance certified — a program similar to the British Red Tractor program.”
The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program is particularly important for showing foreign markets U.S. cattle producers raise their cattle the right way. BQA demonstrates a high level of care for cattle, helps avoid livestock illness, and
ensures a high-quality, wholesome product for consumers.
The BQA program shares certain similarities with the British Red Tractor program. By showing the similarities between the BQA and Red Tractor animal care practices, NCBA has been able to build greater trust with our British counterparts as they gain confidence in American cattle producers and U.S. beef.
The “Battle of the Beef” served as the perfect forum for NCBA to reinforce these messages while policymakers gathered around the grill.
“Many of our meetings occur in conference rooms where we are sitting across the table from one another, and it feels like the battle lines have been drawn,” Bacus said. “Conversations around the grill are much more
relaxed, and it gives us an opportunity to go beyond the political talking points and have real conversations about trade issues.”
NCBA prioritizes international trade because opening new markets creates more customers for American cattle producers. This strengthens demand for U.S. beef and increases profitability for U.S. farmers and ranchers. Today, beef exports account for more than $400 of carcass value.
“NCBA is focusing on new ways to increase producer profitability and build opportunities for American cattle producers. We will continue working to open new markets and connect global consumers with high-quality American beef,” Bacus said.
Beef Osso Bucco
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
ingredients
2 to 3 pounds beef Shank Cross Cuts, cut 1 to 1-1/2 inches thick 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided 1 cup finely chopped onions 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot 1/2 cup finely chopped celery 1
directions
1. Lightly coat beef Shank Cross Cuts with flour. Heat 1-1/2 teaspoons oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Brown half of beef shanks on all sides; remove from stockpot. Repeat with remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons oil and shanks. Pour off drippings. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
2. Add onion, carrot and celery to stockpot; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add wine; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until browned bits attached to stockpot are dissolved. Cook an additional 5 to 8 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes.
3. Return beef to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 2 to 3 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
4. Meanwhile, prepare Gremolata. Place parsley, orange peel and garlic in food processor or blender container. Cover; process until finely chopped, stopping and scraping side of container as needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
5. Remove cross cuts. Cut beef from bones; set aside. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Bring cooking liquid to a boil and cook 5
3.5 HOURS SERVES 6
1 can (14 -1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes Salt and pepper Gremolata: 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 2 cloves garlic
to 10 minutes or until reduced to 2 cups. Season with salt, as desired. Return beef to cooking liquid. Serve with creamy polenta; garnish with Gremolata.
HOW THE DEATH TAX ALMOST KILLED MY RANCH
by NCBA President Mark Eisele
My path in the cattle industry looks different from many. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a rancher. My family had a ranch in Wyoming, but there was limited opportunity to take on that operation and I knew that if I truly wanted this life, I would need to build a ranch of my own.
As a teenager, I baled hay and worked on local ranches, and eventually I became a hired hand at the historic King Ranch in Cheyenne, Wyo.. The King Ranch in Cheyenne was established in 1911 as a sheep operation but transitioned to cattle in the 1960s. I loved the ranch, I loved working with the cattle, and I could think of no better way to make a living than by being a rancher.
As an employee, I grew close with the owners Ann and Jerry King. The Kings had no heir to pass the ranch on to, and I think they appreciated how excited I was to make a living in the cattle business. Eventually, I became a partner in the King Ranch with the ultimate goal of owning the ranch outright.
But my dream of ranching in Wyoming with my family was almost shattered by one thing — the Death Tax. Just seven days into 2011, Mrs. King passed away. Once the funeral arrangements were finished, I heard from lawyers that if I wanted to keep the ranch going, I had to cut a check to the federal government to pay the Death Tax. The Death Tax, also known as the federal estate tax, is the government taxing your possessions that pass on to another person. It’s a cold, cruel tax that hits at a moment of immense family tragedy.
At the time, we were operating under what I describe as a siege mentality. The King Ranch had survived so many challenges. We survived even as the “cattle free by ‘93” campaign raged across the
West to end livestock grazing on public lands by the year 1993. We survived wildfires, harsh winters, drought and everything else nature threw at us. We worked through numerous threats from the Endangered Species Act. I did not want the ranch to close up under my watch in order to pay a tax bill or because of other government regulations. I knew I needed to be proactive. So, in the early ‘90s, I started contacting experts in a variety of areas to make sure the ranch was in as good of a position as possible.
After Mrs. Kings’ passing, because I was a non-blood heir, the Death Tax burden I was facing was potentially 50 percent. Think about that for a moment and imagine a tax bill for half of the value of your farm or ranch. That should be terrifying, and it certainly was for me. Thankfully, because of the estate planning work I did 10 years prior with tax professionals, accountants and even former IRS agents, I was able to find ways to reduce my tax burden. Their work cost us more than $30,000 at the time and that bill cut deep into our bottom line, but it was so much cheaper than paying more than half of the ranch. When all was said and done, the Death Tax we ended up paying was around 15 percent.
As I travel the country, I hear similar stories from other cattle producers about how their farming and ranching dreams were almost cut short by tax bills from the IRS. My personal experience with the Death Tax is exactly why I am so fired up to fight against tax increases in every form. I am proud of the ranching legacy I built with my family, and I never want to see another producer forced to sell off cattle, turn their land over to developers, or exit the cattle industry for good because of a tax bill.
NCBA is fighting to defend our farming and ranching legacy. The current Death Tax exemptions sunset at the end of 2025, but a solution is needed sooner rather than later. I often ask, “How many times does a family have to pay for a farm or ranch before they actually own it.” That’s why we’ll keep the fight going on our end so you can keep doing what you love: running your farm or ranch, caring for your family, and producing a high-quality protein that consumers demand.
CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVETION PROVIDES EDUCATION SECOND TO NONE
For more than 30 years Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, has provided cattle producers with valuable information to help improve their herds and businesses. This premier educational experience will be held in conjunction with CattleCon 2025, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas.
“Producer feedback drives the agenda for Cattlemen’s College, and we elevate our educational content every year,” said Michaela Clowser, senior director of producer education with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Our goal is to give producers the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and provide them with the latest advancements.”
The Cattlemen’s College luncheon on Tuesday, Feb. 4, will feature four leading voices in the cattle industry providing fast-paced talks on nutrition, genetics, grazing and beef in a healthy sustainable diet. Each presenter will look back in time and share a little history, update the narrative on where the industry is today and provide a glimpse into the future for beef.
vaccination programs, ag lending and crop protection.
Cattle producers attending Cattlemen’s College are eligible for the Rancher Resilience Grant, which provides reimbursement for registration and up to three nights of hotel. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancherresilience-grant.
Register today by selecting the Education Package, which offers the best value and combines admission to CattleCon and Cattlemen’s College. To learn more, visit https://convention.ncba.org/.
There will be two days of classroom sessions and one day of live animal handling demos. Industry experts will tackle innovative topics including business management, emerging trends, grazing, sustainability, nutrition, herd health, genetics and reproduction. Sessions will also be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch when they return home.
In addition to Cattlemen’s College, there are learning opportunities available on the NCBA Trade Show floor. Cattle Chats features 20-minute beef industry educational sessions. Attendees can also stop in the Learning Lounge to enjoy informal, face-to-face talks in an intimate setting. Speakers will tackle topics such as reproductive technologies,
From there, proposed resolutions are voted on. After proposed policies pass through national meetings, a ballot is sent to every NCBA member where they have the choice to vote for or against all proposed policies. Once approved, passed resolutions become official NCBA policy for the next 5 years.
NCBA MEMBER BENEFITS:
• New Members receive a FREE 1L Bottle of Cydectin Pour-On from Elanco
• Members receive BIG discounts at:
» AmeriWind Fans
» Big Bend Trailers
» Cabela’s & Bass
Pro Shops
» Caterpillar Equipment
» Cowboy Cauldron
• Communication
» Dell Technologies
» Ferrellgas
» John Deere
» Montana Silversmiths
» New Holland
» Roper & Tin Haul Apparel
» Monthly subscription to National Cattlemen Newspaper and Magazine
» Weekly Beef Bulletin email newsletter
NCBA POLICY WINS:
• Secured a Supreme Court victory to curb Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation.
• Sued the Environmental Protection Agency to block further WOTUS regulation.
• Led the call to halt beef imports from Brazil and Paraguay for animal health concerns.
• Secured reauthorization of animal health legislation to keep cattle medicines and treatments available to cattle producers.
• Defended farmers and ranchers from burdensome environmental regulations.
• Led the charge with a coalition of more than 60 agriculture and resource groups in combatting the BLM’s harmful Conservation and Landscape Health Rule
• Secured an MOU agreement with both BLM and Forest Service that requires the agencies to honor data collected by ranchers through voluntary range monitoring.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is fighting for American Cattle Producer’s rights in Washington, D.C. with policies created by cattlemen, for cattlemen. NCBA’s policy begins and ends with individual members. As a grassroots driven organization, individual producers set the course for NCBA’s advocacy work in Washington, D.C. by submitting policy resolutions on the local and state level. NCBA’s 44 state affiliate associations present their desired proposed policies at NCBA national committee meetings.
VIRTUAL FENCING
TECH CAN SAVE RANCHERS TIME AND BENEFIT ANIMALS AND LAND, BECOMING MORE VIABLE
from the University of California College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
After the Caldor Fire destroyed seven miles of fencing on their cattle ranch in 2021, Leisel Finley and her family needed to replace the fence.
Finley, a sixth-generation rancher at Mount Echo Ranch in Amador County, said reconstruction costs were bid at $300,000 and would take at least a year to build, leaving the family without summer pasture and a herd of hungry cows to feed. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service mandates that grazing be withheld for two years in postfire landscapes. This put the family in a difficult position.
While watching a recording of a California Cattlemen's Association meeting, Finley learned about a pilot program for virtual fencing. Desperate to find an alternative solution, she registered to try the livestock containment technology, which uses GPS enabled collars to monitor each animal's location in near real time.
Livestock producers can draw a perimeter on a map of their pasture using a laptop or smartphone application and send those instructions to the collar. The collar then uses audio and tactile cues to contain the animal in the area.
Eager to discover the short- and long-term benefits of virtual fencing, Finley turned to Scott
Oneto, farm advisor, and Brian Allen, assistant specialist, from the University of California Cooperative Extension office in the Central Sierra. Since partnering with Oneto and Allen, Finley said she has come to understand and uncover more of the technology's potential.
The team has consistently observed the technology's value in integrating with and enhancing traditional livestock production systems across California. Though still in its early stages of development, the location tracking and containment system appears to provide time- and cost-savings that make it a gamechanger for ranchers.
Ability to monitor location of animals in real time
Virtual fencing really stands out in its ability to monitor each animal's location in real time. During roundups, ranchers can use their smartphones to see their own location relative to their herd. The system can also send alerts if an animal crosses the virtual boundary or if a collar remains stationary for an extended period, potentially indicating that the animal is sick or that the collar has fallen off.
Rounding up cattle on large, forested grazing allotments can be challenging, as the process generally requires a group of people
and many return trips to find every animal. Prior to virtual fencing, Finley and her father could gather about 85 percent to 90 percent of the herd in a week. Since using virtual fencing, Finley said one of their most recent roundups lasted three days, and they located every single cow.
Something that every livestock producer dreads is the notorious call from a neighbor or California Highway Patrol alerting them that one of their cows is out in the middle of the road. It always seems to happen at midnight or while they are out with friends or family. This scenario changes with virtual fencing.
Containment based on animal behavior
The containment system that virtual fencing is built on is based on animal behavior. When the animal crosses an invisible boundary, the collar emits an audio warning, prompting most animals to instinctively turn back into the desired area. If the animal doesn't respond, the collar delivers a mild electric pulse as a secondary deterrent.
Field trials by Oneto and Allen demonstrated the system's success. Recently, the team trained a herd of 37 cattle of mixed ages that had no previous exposure to virtual fencing. During the initial six-day training period, the cattle responded to the audio warning alone about 75 percent of the time when they approached a virtual fence boundary, with the remaining 25 percent of cases requiring an electric pulse.
After about three weeks, the herd was responding to audio cues alone about 95 percent of the time. The field trials also showed that the collars contain the livestock within the desired areas 90 percent to 99 percent of the time when the entire herd wears virtual fence collars and their basic needs for safety, connection to the rest of the herd, water, forage, shade, etc. are met.
Opportunities for improvement
While the technology is effective in its current capacity, there are notable areas where it can improve. One limitation to the system is the current reliance on cellular networks to operate. If an animal wanders into an area outside of coverage, the collar will continue to operate based on the last instructions but won't receive updates or report locations. This is especially a concern in many areas of California with poor cell reception, including the steep forested rangelands where many livestock producers have summer grazing allotments. Another limitation is that some companies
require a solar-powered base station with radio and cellular antennas to be placed on the pasture. These facilitate the transfer of animal locations and updates to the virtual fences. A base station going offline would create the same conditions as a drop in cell signal until the base station is repaired. Some companies are currently developing collars that bypass the need for these base stations.
The other major concern for ranchers is the cost for a virtual fencing system. The average rancher can expect to pay an estimated $20,000 to $30,000 in upfront costs. The cost to set up a base station alone is $5,000 to $10,000. However, this cost is highly dependent on several factors, including the manufacturer, the number of livestock to be collared, if the livestock are large or small ruminants, and the number of GPS base stations to cover the range.
According to Allen and Finley, the high cost of virtual fencing can be offset by the unique animal and land management benefits it can provide. “While physical perimeter fencing remains essential, VF is rapidly emerging as an innovative tool to control livestock with ease, precision, and flexibility in ways that were not previously feasible with traditional fencing,” Allen said.
Finley described the technology as a “gamechanger” for her family.
Virtual fencing helps control invasive grasses, installing fuel breaks
While virtual fencing is designed to contain livestock without physical fencing, it is not intended to outright replace secure perimeter fencing. Instead, it operates best as a highly dynamic and adaptable cross-fence, allowing for
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Different brands of collars are availabe in the marketplace.
more intentional grazing on the landscape to meet livestock production and natural resource conservation objectives within a secure physical perimeter.
With grant funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the UCCE team continues to work with Finley and other livestock producers to test these applications on California's diverse rangelands.
Within the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges foothills, these trials include using virtual fencing on cattle for targeted grazing of invasive grasses to support the recovery of native forage and installing fuel breaks within the wildlandurban interface to remove vegetation where the edge of a pasture meets urban housing.
Using virtual fencing, 25 cattle were successfully concentrated on a field of Medusahead (Elymus caputmedusae), an invasive annual grass. The herd respected the virtual fencing boundary 99 percent of the time despite nearby preferable forage. Grazing reduced medusahead seed heads from 2,072 per square meter in the ungrazed control area to just 68 per square meter in the grazed section.
In a different trial, 37 cattle with virtual fencing collars were contained within 120-feet-wide fuel breaks along the boundary of an annual rangeland and residential area. Cattle stayed within the boundaries 99 percent of the time, leading to an 81 percent reduction in fine fuel biomass and lowering wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface.
Within rangelands on conifer forests, these UCCE trials concentrate cattle on brush to reduce the flammable plants and vegetation that
competes with desirable timber species. It also can prevent livestock from entering sites that are sensitive to livestock presence.
Upcoming grazing trials will focus on how virtual fencing works with goats and sheep. In addition to Oneto and Allen, UCCE's contribution to virtual fencing research is in large part due to Leslie Roche, UCCE specialist and associate professor at UC Davis, Dan Macon and Jeff Stackhouse, UCCE livestock and natural resources advisors, Kristina Horback, associate professor at UC Davis and Lone Star Ranch in Humboldt County.
To learn more about the trials led by the UCCE team, visit: https://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/Virtual_Fencing/
GPS locations of virtua fencing collared cattle during a three-week fuel break trial demonstrates how well cattle respect the technology after proper training.
A virtual fence successfully contained cattle in a three-acre area to graze medusahead despite the presense of more desireable forage nearby.
UC ANR RELEASES STRATEGIC VISION
Aiming to help tackle some of California's most pressing challenges, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has released its Strategic Vision 2040. The document serves as a blueprint to guide UC ANR's work, structure and resource allocation over the next 15 years to make a positive impact in communities across California.
As a long-trusted source for practical tools and information, UC ANR is the critical link between UC research and the everyday challenges affecting Californians' lives and livelihoods.
“UC ANR is uniquely positioned to cultivate, co-create and share science-based solutions on a wide range of issues in California, across the U.S. and around the globe,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “The Strategic Vision 2040 reaffirms our commitment to serve as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation in achieving a brighter future for all.”
The document is the result of a 15-month process in which thousands of comments and feedback from hundreds of UC ANR employees and community members – including program participants, government agency staff, elected officials, nonprofit groups, California Tribes, industry partners, farmers and producers – were distilled and synthesized.
Informed by those insights, UC ANR refreshed its mission and vision statements and also identified seven distinct California challenges as priority areas in which UC ANR can make a significant impact:
Core Areas of Research and Programming
• Agriculture and Food Systems
• Natural Ecosystems and Working Landscapes
• Thriving People and Communities
• Overarching Issues
Climate Change
• Innovation
• Regulations, Policy and Compliance
• Systemic Inequities
The Strategic Vision 2040 will provide direction for UC Cooperative Extension researchers and educators who bring their know-how and partnership ethic to all 58 California counties.
In the coming months, a UC ANR committee will develop a five-year Strategic Framework that will translate the Vision into action. Specific goals and objectives will guide UC ANR in its mission to cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems and economic prosperity.
IN MEMORY
DAVID ROSSI
David Craig Rossi took his last ride on the family ranch in San Ardo, on the evening of Nov. 2.
He was born on Nov. 13, 1952 in Salinas. He grew up at the Sweetwater Station just south of King City on the old highway 101 that is now Cattlemen Road. He was raised by his Swiss-Italian grandparents, Angelo and Lydia Castelli and great uncle Ben Castelli. Growing up, he learned their native dialect first and then English when he attended St. John's Catholic School in King City. He idolized his great uncle Ben and spent many a day at Sweetwater, down at the Salinas River with him hearing all the stories from traveling around the world from Switzerland, WWI, and their adventures having a hog ranch and dairies. David went on to graduate from Palma High School in Salinas in 1970 then graduated with an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Hartnell College. He planned to be a sheriff but a hiring freeze went into place for a couple of years and he ended up getting a job at the Monterey County Public Works Road Department in San Ardo while he waited. It was March 1974 and a young redhead, Kathryn Freeman, had just started there as the clerk in January. In Kathy, he found the love of his life and it was from then on, as if his life had really started just then. On Feb. 27, 1976 they eloped in a very epic trip to Carson City, Nev., in the middle of winter. They were married at a little church outside in the cold and wind by a hitching post. The officiant asked if they were cheap or just country, agreeing that it was the latter.
David and Kathy made their first home on the Tom and Emily Freeman Ranch in San Ardo, then later moved next door to the ranch that would be their forever home. In between, they welcomed their daughter, Dusty Jo Rossi and made their life as a family of three. On the ranch, David enjoyed hunting, guns, cattle and large equipment. He was always working on a dozer, grader or backhoe and smelled of diesel and gear oil most of the time. He had a hunting guide operation for 25 years and met numerous guests that became wonderful friends for those decades. Many of his hunters returned so often over the years that he saw their children grow up.
In 2012, after 38 years at the Road Department, David retired as a Road District Superintendent. After retirement, he focused on working on the ranch, guiding and spending time with his family. In 2013, his son-in-law and daughter, Chris and Dusty Johnson, welcomed the next love of his life, grandson, Tommie
Johnson. He happily changed diapers, babysat and did things for Tommie that none of us would've ever thought we'd witness. He loved so much to spend time with Tommie and teach him all the things he knew and was looking forward to Tommie getting his hunting license next year. It was on one last hunt in the old yellow Jeep that we'd spent so many years as a family deer hunting in, singing, "Amarillo by Morning," with friends and using to check cattle that all of our lives would change.
David is preceded in death by his grandparents, Angelo and Lydia Castelli, great uncle Ben Castelli, in-laws Tom and Emily Freeman, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Frank and Joanne Errea and best friend and guitar buddy, Jack Decker.
David is survived by his wife whom he cherished, Kathy, his daughter, Dusty and her husband, Chris Johnson and his grandson, Tommie Johnson as well as his dedicated dachshund, Ollie and horse, Doc. His best partners, Bernie and Myrna Rivera, Paula Sue and Kadey Decker, his early morning call about the day and farming, Carl and Helen Camany and friends that should've been family, Kathy Eade, Hannah and Kenny Eade, Karen Eade, James Eade Family, and Daniel and Peggy Torres, as well as nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Special thanks and gratitude to the First Responders of CAL FIRE Bradley, CAL FIRE King City with Battalion Chief Ryan Avila, helicopter crew, medics, CHP and Sheriff's office that showed professionalism, kindness and resilience in the search and recovery of David in steep, dark and cold conditions. Thank you to David Moore.
Thanks and appreciation to Kamal Masud for being with him on his final hunt, it would be hard to find a more sincere person to spend one's final moments with. Kamal's quick and calm actions that evening allowed first responders and the family to save valuable time and narrow the search area. Great appreciation to Cal Fire for allowing his family to transport him off the mountain as a family one last time.
No services will be held per David's wishes, the family asks that everyone take a few extra moments to appreciate each other during the holidays. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help the future graduates of Tommie's school through the Marjorie Vicente Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship gives funds to graduates of Bradley Elementary School that attend college or trade schools in the future. Marjorie Vicente Memorial Scholarship, P O Box 1, Bradley, CA 93426 or Venmo @Meth-Vicente or to an organization of your choosing.
In the heart of California's cattle country, a legend hung up her spurs for the last time. Marina Monica Dunn was the epitome of a true cowgirl who rode off into the eternal sunset, leaving behind a legacy as vast as the land she loved.
For 45 years, Nina's cattle ranching journey spanned from the northern reaches to the southern expanses of California. Eventually, she set down roots in Tulare County, where she became a Tulare County CattleWomen's Association member. Her life was a testament to the cowgirl wayhard work, honesty and an unwavering dedication to her animals, the land and the people she loved.
With a smile that could outshine the sun and an unforgettable hug that felt like coming home, Nina made everyone feel like family. Her friends knew her as fiercely loyal, always ready to stand by their side through thick and thin. As a mother, she was a force of nature, sacrificing everything to ensure her children, grandchildren, and animals had the best life possible.
Nina was renowned as a gifted horse trainer and an accomplished barrel racer. Her passion for rodeo was kindled in high school and ran bright for over four decades. She proudly held membership in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association/Womens Professional Rodeo Association and many other barrel racing associations. Nina's vibrant, strong personality and shared love for horses fostered a vast network of lifelong friendships within the horse community.
MARINA DUNN Specializing
relationship with God. Her brother Bruce, sisterin-law Sandy, and extended family including her nephew Karl and his family, niece Courtney, sister Lisa, Monica's boyfriend Eric, daughter-in-law Danielle and her husband were integral parts of her life.
In the end, Nina's life was a rich landscape painted with mountains of love, adventure, and unwavering faith. She leaves behind not just a family but a community touched by her generous spirit and indomitable will. As we bid farewell to this remarkable cowgirl, we can almost hear the distant sound of hoofbeats as Nina and AJ ride together once more in Heaven's green pastures.
Those wishing to honor Nina's memory are encouraged to contribute to her church: New Life Church 1300 Jewetta Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93312.
To share your family news, obituaries, weddings and birth announcements, please contact the CCA office at (916) 444-0845 or e-mail: magazine@calcattlemen.org.
Among these cherished connections was Leo Cozzitorto, her companion in cattle ranching for 45 years, along with multiple dear friends she spent countless hours riding horseback with, running barrels, and exploring together.
Outside of the ranch, for 13 years, she wore a different uniform, working as a phlebotomist. In hospital corridors, she brought the same warmth and care, touching the lives of countless patients with her gentle manner and reassuring smile. Nina's world revolved around her family. Her eyes would light up at the mention of her grandchildren Austyn, Rowdy, and Marina Rose. She cherished her children, Emily and Monica, and held AJ's memory close to her heart.
Nina cherished her annual family trips to Seal Beach, a tradition that began in 2003 and filled her life with joy and laughter. She connected deeply to her faith, contributing to her church and finding strength in her
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