COUNCIL COMMUNICATOR
THE DIFFERENCE YOUR DOLLAR MAKES
CATTLE COUNCIL INVESTING IN ISSUES THAT MATTER TO ALL CALIFORNIA CATTLE PRODUCERS by California Cattle Council Executive Director Justin Oldfield
The California Cattle Council (Council) has a diverse mission that includes public affairs, advocacy, education and research and regulatory compliance. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the public affairs work the Council has done on critical issues important to you, so I wanted to take the opportunity to briefly highlight some of the work the Council has done in the area of research. The strategic plan adopted by the Council’s board of directors in 2020 highlighted research as a key issue area for funding. This is supported directly by language in the Council law that authorizes the Council to engage in research related activities that benefit California cattle producers. Additionally, our strategic plan outlined the need to engage in research that can further bolster our public affairs, education and advocacy efforts. Research related to cattle production, animal health and husbandry practices, etc. are definitely within the jurisdiction of the Council, however the strategic plan directs the Council to invest our limited funds on research that will advance the collective public affairs and advocacy efforts of the Council and our industry partners. Shortly following the formation of the Council in 2019, the Council contracted with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) to quantify the total amount of fine fuels removed from cattle across the state on an annual basis. Grazing is a proven tool to reduce the severity of wildfires and improve the ecological health of the landscape. This research didn’t duplicate something we already know however it did quantify the real impact ranchers have on reducing fuel loads. Quantifying the total amount of fine fuels removed annually allowed UC researchers to also calculate the direct air quality benefits that are associated with grazing and healthy rangeland management. Secondary work funded by the Council demonstrated that cattle, including when taking into account methane emissions from belching, are a net sink of greenhouse gas emissions due to grazing’s benefit in slowing and reducing the severity of wildfires. The Council also funded research that is currently under peer review to assess the risk of feeding livestock in confinement near produce farms. Public attention on
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this issue was significantly heightened following an E. Coli outbreak in romaine lettuce that occurred in Arizona several years ago. Although the nearby feedlot was never implicated directly, the lack of research regarding the movement of fecal pathogens through dust caused many to question the safety of feeding cattle near farms that grow ready to eat crops. The Council stepped up to fill this void by funding research that would interject science into a complex and emotional debate. The project is under peer review but early data suggests that the movement of harmful pathogens from feedlots and dairies via dust is minimal. The Council also recognizes the need to effectively engage in the ongoing public debate regarding livestock production and climate change. There is certainly a significant amount of misinformation that is made available in the public realm and we rely on researchers and unbiased experts to help part those muddy waters. As such, the Council has invested significant financial resources to support the UC Davis CLEAR Center and Frank Mitloehner, Ph.D. Many of you are familiar with his work, and if you are not, I would highly suggest you take the opportunity to learn more about the excellent work that is being done by the CLEAR Center. Mitloehner is leading the way to properly distinguish the important difference between methane emitted from cattle and methane emitted from fossil fuels. In addition, Mitloehner recognizes the need for our country to maintain a vibrant, robust and strong agricultural industry in light of the ongoing desire by public officials to seek reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The UC Davis CLEAR Center is solutions oriented and seeks to bridge the gap among scientists across the world regarding U.S. livestock production and climate change. These are just a handful of examples of research projects the Council has invested in that you can be proud of. If you have any questions regarding these projects or other research related efforts we are pursuing, please never hesitate to reach out. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or online at calcattlecouncil.org.
