Midyear meeting in Rancho Murieta

by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti

For the first time since 2019, the CCA & CCW Midyear Meeting was back at the Murieta Inn and Spa in Rancho Murieta at the end of June. Outside of CCA’s Annual Convention held at the end of each year, the Midyear Meeting is one of the best opportunities for members to come together to discuss current cattle industry issues with fellow producers and hear from industry leaders, agencies and affiliate organizations. It is a critical time for members, the voices of the Association, to determine the organization’s direction and influence the future of ranching in California. This year’s Midyear once again met those needs for CCA.

“As always Midyear serves our membership well as it is an excellent opportunity not only to get ‘the family’ together, but to make sure we are hearing from our membership on issues that are important to them, and getting ideas for policy development and how we move our organization forward,” CCA President Tony Toso, Hornitos, said.

California’s wildfire crisis and solutions to mitigate it were heavily discussed throughout the event. On Wednesday, Anthony Stornetta, Division Chief-Operations with Santa Barbara County Fire Department and CCA Fire Subcommittee Chair, gathered the Subcommittee to continue working on those efforts.

Discussions on wildfire continued in the Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee Meeting on Thursday as Len Nielson, staff chief for prescribed fire and environmental protection with Cal Fire provided an update. Specifically, Nielson presented the “Strategic Plan for Beneficial Fire Prescribed Fire planning and process State Certified Burn Boss Liability.” Unsurprisingly, a whole host of questions were asked by members during the presentation. Nielson engaged with attendees and answered the questions throughout his allotted time. Although the policy meeting went longer than scheduled, the discussion could have carried on even further and parts of the presentation weren’t able to be addressed due to time constraints.

To hear about some of the subjects Nielson presented on, listen to season 2, episode 14 of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast. Stornetta co-hosts this episode with CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti as Nielson sits down with the two for an update. In the conversation, hear about the role ranchers and prescribed burn associations have in helping the state reach its goals for prescribed fire, available grants and partnerships for those who want to participate, the 2022 Prescribed Fire Strategic Plan and more.

In addition to wildfire, the 2023 Farm Bill and federal transportation issues being worked on currently in Washington, D.C. were discussed during the Ag Policy, Marketing, Tax and Credit Committee Meeting. Allison Rivera, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Executive Director of Government Affairs, virtually joined the meeting to share on those issues and take questions on both subjects.

Also participating in the Midyear Meeting virtually from Washington, D.C., was Kaitlyn Glover, the executive director of the Public Lands & NCBA’s Natural Resources. Glover spoke in the Federal Lands Committee Meeting on the federal legislative and regulatory issues the Public Lands Council is currently tackling on behalf of cattle ranchers.

CattleFax General Manager Duane Lenz made the trip to Rancho Murieta to provide an outlook on the industry and discuss accessing and using federal reports and other available data to make informed marketing decisions. The presentation from Lenz was the first workshop in a new workshop series on cattle markets made possible through a grant provided to the California Cattlemen’s Foundation by Western Extension Risk Management Education and the USDA National Food Institute of Food and Agriculture. Lenz additionally spoke to CCA’s Leadership Series at the meeting.

Although Lenz has been coming to CCA events to present the CattleFax Outlook for decades, this year’s Midyear was unique, as it marked Lenz’s final event with CCA as he is retiring soon. You can learn more about

Lenz’s 33-year career with CattleFax and the changes he’s seen over the years by listening to the recent episode of Sorting Pen, “Sorting through Duane Lenz’s Career w/ CattleFax.” In the episode, a few issues touched on in the outlook given at Midyear are also discussed. Listen to Sorting Pen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and other streaming platforms.

In the Cattle Health Committee Meeting, multiple presenters from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) attended. One of those was Marissa Silva, DVM, a veterinarian specialist with the CDFA who spoke on California’s Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program.

Outside of policy committee meetings, progress was made in a handful of board meetings held by groups including the CCA Fire Subcommittee, Allied Industry Council, CCA’s Cattle-PAC, the California CattleWomen, the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association, the California Cattlemen’s Foundation and other CCA committees. The hard work accomplished at the annual event was paired with plenty of time for attendees to socialize, reconnect and enjoy the beautiful venue.

With the 2022 Midyear wrapped up, the countdown to the 106th Annual CCA & CCW Convention and Tradeshow begins. Save the dates for Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nev., and plan on coming to be part of the important industry discussions that will take place. Keep an eye out for details on registering to be announced soon at calcattlemen.org/events.

Past CCA President Tom Talbot, DVM, shares some insight during the Cattle Health Committee Meeting.

CCA Treasurer Bev Bigger talks with Mike Williams, another Central Coast beef producer. Industry legend Duane Lenz shares some thoughts on his storied career for an upcoming podcast.

Several speakers from CDFA presented information during the meeting. Lenz gives his final CattleFax market update at a CCA meeting to a eager audience of CCA and CCW members.

Allison Riviera, with NCBA’s Government Affairs Team gave a legislative update from Washington, D.C.

by California Cattlemen’s Association Member June Kester

Hello from Parkfield, California, population 18 and the earthquake capital of the world. I am June Silva Kester. I live on a beautiful ranch and raise cattle, kids and grapes. My husband Kevin and I have our grandchildren living and playing on the ranch. The grandkids represent the 7th generation of our ranching family.

Besides my faith, family and livestock, I have a huge respect and need to give back to all our men and women in the military, veterans or currently enlisted. I thank them every chance I get; if you look military or are in a uniform, I am the lady that comes up and says “God bless you for your service to our country.”

Because I have been so richly blessed by the freedoms in our country, I feel it is my duty to give back to our service men and women and I am asking for your help in that endeavor through a couple of different causes I am passionate about.

This started on a ranch next to ours in Parkfield. It is a faith- based organization that is about saving lives, restoring families and changing legacies. These programs take place all across America, on military bases, at outposts and on rural ranch lodges. Each facility allows these men and women to appreciate the peace of nature and have an “unplugged” experience. Thanks to Cattlemen and Cattlewomen, chefs at these facilities prepare healthy and nutritious meals.

We also started taking in our first responders. It is estimated that 21 veterans and first responders a day take their own lives because they aren’t getting the help they need. Please help us find as many men, women and families as we can, is all I ask from you. Also, Might Oaks Warrior Programs has helped thousands of men, women, families and marriages.

I have witnessed the healing of our men and women riding on the back of a horse on these magnificent ranches. Please help me find them, too, to help get them into one of these lifechanging programs. HONOR FLIGHT

Honor Flightis a national organization and as of May 2022, we will have transported 250,000 deserving Veterans to their memorials in D.C., at no cost to them.

I have had the honor of being the guardian for six World War II and Korean War veterans so far. I can tell you there is no greater feeling than to serve the men and women who have kept our great nation free.

I hope you will join me in showing gratitude and hospitality for the men and women who have sacrificed for our well-being and safety here at home.

I would appreciate anyone who is reading this to help me with these two organizations. Each one is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that gives Veterans and currently enlisted military, a trip of a lifetime, at no cost to them. For some, it is a life changing trip.

Help me find veterans who have not gone to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials that have been built in their honor. We need to find them today, as we are losing 600 veterans a day. There are 130 Honor Flight hubs all over the United States that are waiting to take our fine Veterans. We just need to find them and get them signed up to go. On my first flight as a guardian, there was a 102-year-old veteran, so age is not a factor if they want to go!

We ask that you, your family members, neighbors and friends from church thank our veterans for their service to our country and then ask them if they have been on Honor Flight. I will do the rest. We just need a way to contact them, so I can find the closest hub to where they live. Again, it does not cost them a dime and never will.

I am humbled to be a volunteer for both of these organizations and plan on helping with both until there is no longer a need. Please go to the Honor Flight and Mighty Oaks Warrior programs websites to learn more.

With your help, we can provide the assistance needed for the Veterans and first responders who have and do defend our freedoms. PLEASE CONTACT: JUNE KESTER, 805-434-7616 OR

SERVINGALLHEROES@GMAIL.COM

On June 27, the Supreme Court of the United States denied R-CALF’s lawsuit against 13 state beef councils and the Beef Checkoff. This ruling effectively ends yet another R-CALF attack on the Beef Checkoff and L CROSS RANCH | COLORADO prevents the activist attorneys at Public Justice, from further diverting Checkoff and beef Trophy-caliber ranch of 67,366+/- contiguous acres in the western mountains of the San Luis Valley in Del Norte, Colorado. Offering industry resources. outstanding agricultural production, bordering public lands, ownership

“For too long we have and control of large volumes of senior priority streamflow water rights, allowed R-CALF and their access to excellent hunting and fishing together with significant ranch attorneys to divide our industry and draw attention away from and building improvements. $45M the important job of beef promotion and research. The Supreme Court’s rejection of John Braly R-CALF’s petition confirms the jlbraly@ranchland.com Beef Checkoff, and its overseers, www.RanchLand.com 303-330-3858 are adhering to the letter and spirit of the laws that protect and guide producer investments in the program,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. NCBA intervened in the your western Source for top Hereford genetics lawsuit in its early days to help WE’RE BACK IN NEVADA FULL TIME defend state beef councils ...and our bulls are ready to go to work for you! from R-CALF and their activist Call us about this year’s outstanding private treaty offering! attorneys, who falsely attacked state beef councils and the cattlemen and women who Our herd bull selection traits are focused on carcass traits and tenderness backed by ultrasound and Neogen DNA testing! volunteer their time to support DEMAND IS HIGH FORBLACK BALDIE STEERS & FEMALES, TAKE the industry as Checkoff leaders. ADVANTAGE OF HIGH QUALITY GENETICS TODAY! Multiple court decisions rejected these allegations and reaffirmed the work and direction of the Beef Checkoff and those who guide it.

“R-CALF has repeatedly attacked the Beef Checkoff, engaging lawyers who are closely MHW 1504 ADVANCE 770 aligned with extremist animal Reg # 43822740 rights groups like PETA and Sons now available! Owned witih CX Ranch, Pomeroy , WA others, in an attempt to further their efforts,” said Woodall. “It’s time that our industry stands up to R-CALF and insists that they end these attacks on the Beef Checkoff and the volunteer cattle CE BW WW YW M&G REA $CHB 2.2 3.8 47 80 50 0.17 123 mrnaK Herefords West Loren, terrie, Hunter & tanner Mrnak Minden, Nevada producers who direct it.” lorenmrnak@aol.com | www.mrnakherefordswest.com | 775.848.0160

The American Angus Association® welcomes Austin Flynn of Porterville, as the regional manager for Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. Flynn joins the Association with several years of experience in cattle management and production practices.

“I admire the Angus breed’s reputation as an industry leader and continuous push to help commercial cattleman improve their product by adding value to their calves.” Flynn said. “I look forward to traveling throughout the region to meet the members, learn about their diverse operations and help provide Association services.”

Flynn began his role in region 11 on June 13 and will soon hit the road attending Angus events. In the regional manager position, Flynn will work with breeders to promote Angus cattle, improve management practices, inform cattlemen and women about Association programs and services and help locate Angus seedstock. He can also advise producers on marketing opportunities available through the Association, including advertising in the Angus Journal, Angus Beef Bulletin and other avenues.

“We are thrilled to add Austin to the regional manager team,” said David Gazda, Association director of field services. “His experience in the beef industry will allow him to be a great asset to the members and commercial cattlemen in his region.”

Flynn comes to the Association from EZ Angus Ranch, where he served as the assistant manager, overseeing the cow/calf herd, breeding details and preparing the cattle and video marketing tools for sales. Prior to his position at EZ, he worked for both Basin Angus Ranch and Perry Show Cattle, where he gained relevant skills in seedstock production and customer relations.

Flynn studied at the University of California, Santa Barbara before transferring to Oklahoma State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in animal science.

Contact Flynn at aflynn@angus.org or (559) 361-9701.