January 6
Consignment Deadline: December 29 North Platte Stockyards | North Platte, NE
January 29
Consignment Deadline: January 21 Tehama District Faigrounds | Red Bluff, CA
February 27
Consignment Deadline: February 20 WVM Headquarters | Cottonwood, CA
3841 North Freeway Blvd., Suite 130 Sacramento, CA 95834
PRESIDENT Rick Roberti, Loyalton
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Mike Williams, Acton
SECOND VICE PRESIDENTS
John Austel, Boulevard
Steve Lambert, Oroville
Anthony Stornetta, Atascadero
TREASURER
Beverly Bigger, Ventura
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Billy Gatlin
VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Kirk Wilbur
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Lisa Brendlen
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Katie Roberti
MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS COORDINATOR
Gracie LeCheminant
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Katherine Dickinson
PUBLICATION SERVICES
OFFICE & CIRCULATION
CCA Office: (916) 444-0845 Fax: (916) 444-2194
MANAGING MAGAZINE EDITOR
Stevie Ipsen | (208) 996-4922 stevie.ipsen@gmail.com
ADVERTISING SALES/FIELD SERVICES
Matt Macfarlane | (916) 803-3113 m3cattlemarketing@gmail.com
BILLING SERVICES
Lisa Brendlen lisa@calcattlemen.org
SERVING CALIFORNIA BEEF PRODUCERS SINCE 1917
Bolded names and businesses in editorial represent only current members of the California Cattlmen’s Association or California CattleWomen, Inc. For questions about membership status, contact the CCA office at (916) 444-0845.
The California Cattleman (Publication #8-3600) is published monthly except May/June is combined by the California Cattlemen’s Association, for $20/year, or as part of the annual membership dues. All material and photos within may not be reproduced without consent of publisher.
Periodical postage paid at Lubbock, Texas, 79402. Publication # 8-3600
National Advertising Group:
The Cattle Connection/The Powell Group, 4162-B Carmichael Ct, Montgomery, AL 36106 (334) 271-6100.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: California Cattleman, 3841 North Freeway Blvd., Suite 130 Sacramento, CA 95834
CCA & CCW Convention | Dec. 3-5
Atlantis Casino Resort | Reno, Nev.
Lassen County Fall Meeting & Christmas Party | Dec. 19 | Susanville
Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale
Jan. 27-31, 2026 | Tehama Distict Fairgrounds
Klamath Bull & Heifer Sale
Feb. 5-8, 2026 | Klamath Falls, Ore.
Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show
Feb. 3-5, 2026 | Nashville, Tenn.
8 10 14 20 26 14 10
CATTLEMEN’S COLUMN
2025 CCA Officer team shares end-of-year views
BUNKHOUSE
RTAP teaching producers to prepare for new water reporting method
DUES DOLLARS AT WORK
Recapping 2025 at the California State Capitol
HERD HEALTH CHECK
Close the door on BRD as winter gets underway
NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
A.I. uses beyond the breeding chute
RANGELAND
A Western Affair in Santa Barbara celebrates 100th easement
USMEF tours optimism in light of recent market concerns
SCREWWORM LAB
USDA announces Mexico lab to combat New World screwworm
As we reach the winter season and the coming of a new year, this photo taken by Dennis Wanbaugh near Inverness, is a good reminder than even in an urbanized state like California, the western way of life can be found everywhere.
Compiled by Managing Editor Stevie Ipsen
The year 2025 will be remembered as anything but ordinary for the members, officers and staff of the California Cattlemen's Association. In this final issue of an exciting year, CCA officers recount their memories of the past 12 months serving CCA.
Making the committment to serve the association comes with a two-to-six year committment, during the course of which volunteer officers travel on their own dime, taking time away from family and businesses to selflessly give back to the way of life that has given generously to them, often for several generations.
During the time as an officer, countless trips to the capitol in Sacramento are made to advocate for a myriad of cattle production issues that may arise. Though CCA is equipped with the well-respected man power of an experienced government affairs team, often times the best advocate is the first-hand input of one of these volunteer leaders. Because of their decades of experience on their own unique operations in diverse areas of the state, CCA officers are ready at a moment's notice to represent CCA in
Q What has been your favorite industry event so far this year?
A I loved seeing the turnout we had at the Steak & Eggs Breakfast because of the number of members that got direct contact with lawmakers. I also really enjoyed our trip to Washington, D.C., in September. Compared to last year when we were facing the election and a lot of unknowns, it felt like we made some real progress, met with the right leaders and had reassurance that they were listening and ready to respond.
Q What CCA issue of concern has consumed the most time for you in 2025?
A More than just wolves, my most time consuming issue has been predators in general. They go together and it's a topic that has been building for a long time. I didn't expect the wolf issue to blow up on my watch but having wolves in my back yard at the point in time where I can help expose the issue and work toward solutions alongside my
the legislative and regulatory realm in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
In addition to traveling to legislative and regulatory functions, CCA staff and officers frequently make rounds to each of CCA's affiliate groups to better understand the perspectives of producers in different areas. For these officers, their life experience makes them enormous assets to the organization but the knowledge they glean from producers around the state teaches them how they can best represent the views of members on hot button topics as well as lesser known problems facing ranchers in any given area.
Though the job of a CCA officer is a lot of work, it would be disingenuous to suggest no fun is ever had. Like all ranchers, officers love their way of life and love learning about it and meeting other cattlemen and women passionate about their way of life. This question and answer column illustrates what the 2025 has been like for individuals on the officer team.
friend and fellow Sierra Valley rancher Paul Roen and our community here who have all worked closely together to shed light on the growing threat of predation in the ranching community.
Q What has been the biggest 2025 win for CCA?
A I don't think of it in terms of any specific win, but the win overall is that it was a quiet year in Sacramento, partly because the state doesn't have money to have a big legislative year but mostly because of the staff we have at CCA. Our staff stops some legislation before it even gets to the headlines. The things people don't see are what really makes CCA a valuable and respected organization.
Q What has been the biggest surprise of 2025?
A I think with prices being as high as they have been, seeing how much our consumers really do value our product has been a very pleasant surprise. They could have turned to other protein sources but they have stuck with our product despite the price point. I think it says a lot for not just how much they like beef but it also shows their trust for the people raising it.
CCA 1st Vice President Mike Williams, Acton
Q What has been your favorite event this year?
AI always enjoy the conventions. It's a great time to catch up with friends from all over the state. There is a lot of information put out, and the trade show is a great place to get caught up with the latest tools and technologies.
Q What has been the biggest win for CCA this year?
A Seeing CDFW take action on the wolf issue has been a big win. While wolves remain a substantial problem, forcing CDFW'srecognition of lethal take as a management tool for problem wolves is a big step. Another big win was the passage of the rendering bill despite opposition from big unions, as well as the BIT exemption bill. This showcases the effectiveness of our staff, the respect they have earned in the Capitol, and the value of the relationships this association has cultivated in Sacramento.
Q What makes you most proud of being a CCA member or officer?
A I am proud of being a CCA member and officer because CCA successfully advocates for ranchers and our industry as a whole which allows us to continue to supply a quality product for all.
Q What ranching issue do you think has been the most challenging for California ranchers in 2025
A I think the most challenging experience for ranchers this year has been the wolf packs that have been decimating herds in northern California. It has been an issue that has been endless for the ranchers but has also consumed the most time for officers and our staff in Sacramento.
CCA 2nd Vice President John Austel, Boulevard
Q What do you think the biggest win for CCA has been this year?
A We have started to see some success on the wolf issue to alliveate the problems they present to producers. But also elevating the importance of wolf management to the general public and public entities has been a win.
Q As you approach the end of your term, what has been your most memorable experience as a CCA officer?
A Being involved in the process of understanding our producer concerns and seeing them turn into polices and or action that protect our industry and it’s future has been inspiring. The other great experience is having the honor to serve and meet our members at the local meetings I attended.
Q At the end of your first year as an officer, what has surprised you the most?
A I wasn't surprised by this, but I have been pleased with how hard the CCA staff and the officer team work building relationships. The Steak & Egg Breakfast in March at the Sutter Club in Sacramento was a huge indicator of how great our outreach programs are doing. It was a standing room only event filled with legislators, their staff, CCA staff,
officers and strong showing of CCA Members.
Q What is something you’d like to see accomplished by CCA in 2026?
A I would like to see more educational opportunities for our members. Whether it be marketing, property protection, breeding improvement or animal health. There is a growing number of small producers that could greatly benefit from this. I would like to get them involved with CCA and help to expand our membership.
Q What has been your favorite industry event so far this year?
A CattlePAC was my highlight of the CCA year. It stood out on many levels, not only because of the camaraderie and the opportunity to see so many producers in attendance, but also due to the strong show of support from our
industry partners.
Q What CCA issue of concern has consumed the most time for you in 2025?
A As always, fire-related issues consume much of my time as we continue pushing back against specialinterest groups and misguided policy. Educating the public, as well as state and federal representatives, about the benefits of grazing will remain a major focal point for me.
by Rancher Technical Assistance Program's Noah Lopez
The morning of Nov. 5th was stormy as I drove Highway 299 east out of Redding. Rain pelted my windshield and my phone kept beeping at me about high wind warnings. I knew that this meant one of two things for our workshop planned in Adin later that day: either the turnout would be good because folks had nothing better to do on a stormy day, or the turnout would be dismal because everyone would be busy dealing with the mess of the storm. After taking in the fall colors on my drive through this incredibly beautiful part of the state, I made it to Adin, hopeful that the first option would come true.
I’m not sure if it was the storm or University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Livestock Advisors Justin Vigil and Josh Davy’s burgers that sealed the deal, but at Noon folks started pouring into the Adin Community Center to hear about something called “CalWATRS.” In reality, it was probably UCCE Livestock Advisor Laura Snell’s extensive outreach to the ranching community. The purpose of the workshop, hosted by the Rancher Technical Assistance Program (RTAP), UCCE and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), was to help ranchers with water rights transition to the SWRCB’s new online platform - CalWATRS.
RTAP’s Jack Rice kicked it off by reviewing why everyone was there. He explained that when water right holders go to do their annual reporting this year, it will be a very different experience than previous years. In June the SWRCB shut down its old reporting website ‘eWRIMS RMS’ to be replaced by a new one‘CalWATRS’. This new online platform is a more
comprehensive system intended to “make reporting water rights easier and more efficient.”
This transition to a modern water accounting system has been in the works since 2021 when the state budget included an allocation to update California’s water rights data system. With these funds, the SWRCB implemented UPWARD, a multiyear project to “modernize the way the state collects and manages its water rights data and information.” The centerpiece of the UPWARD project is CalWATRS, a one-stop-shop website for all things water rights.
As the SWRCB’s Jeff Parks explained in Adin, the switch from the Electronic Water Rights Information Management System (eWRIMS) to CalWATRS isn’t just about making reporting better for the reporter but also about making the data more useful to the State. Originally built in 2006, eWRIMS primarily was intended to be a website for fee collection. Over the years it gradually expanded to handle more and more, from geographic data to annual reporting functions. However, its 20-year-old design and lack of modern data standards meant that not only was eWRIMS difficult to use as a rights holder, but that it also fell short as a tool for data
CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATIVES
Jake Parnell
916-662-1298
Walter Schalla, Manager ........... 719-252-6607
George Gookin 209-482-1648
Rex Whittle...................................... 209-996-6994
Mark Fischer 209-768-6522
Kris Gudel 916-208-7258
Steve Bianchi ................................. 707-484-3903
Jason Dailey 916-439-7761
Bowdy Griffin .................................. 530-906-5713
Brett Friend 510-685-4870
NEVADA REPRESENTATIVE
Tod Radelfinger .............................. 775-901-3332
WEDNESDAY WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Butcher Cows ............................................... 8:30 a.m.
Cow-Calf Pairs/Bred Cows 11:30 a.m.
Feeder Cattle .................................................... 12 p.m.
AUCTION MARKET
12495 E. STOCKTON BLVD., GALT, CA 95632
Office 209-745-1515
Fax ........................................................ 209-745-1582
Website/Market Report www.clmgalt.com Web Broadcast .................. www.lmaauctions.com
analysis and decision-making for the SWRCB. Compounding these issues, many water rights records were never digitized at all and remain stored in paper in file cabinets in Sacramento. CalWATRS is the State’s answer to these issues.
But why did 50 or so cattlemen and cattlewomen show up to a workshop in Adin on a stormy Wednesday? The primary answer is annual reporting. Ranchers will have to interface with CalWATRS when completing their annual reports for their water rights (commonly referred to as SB 88 reporting). All water rights reporters will need to create new CalWATRS accounts and link their water rights to those accounts prior to submitting the reports due Feb. 1, 2026. Previous accounts and passwords from eWRIMS will no longer work.
If you have water rights, you have likely received, or will receive soon, a letter from the SWRCB with instructions on how to create an account and link your water rights. These letters contain a unique PIN number that can be used to migrate your records over. At the workshop in Adin, we helped ranchers do this process right then and there. In doing so we learned a few things.
First, sometimes the water rights holder (owner) isn’t the one who does the reporting. In many cases a family member or consultant had been doing the reporting. CalWATRS can handle this by allowing ‘agents’ to be associated with a water right. These agents can then do the reporting instead of the owner. We also saw that in many cases the water rights ‘owner’ is listed as the ranch or family trust instead of an individual (e.g. Happy Days Ranch, LLC). In these cases, an organization can be set up in CalWATRS with members of the organization (perhaps you and your family members) that are able to login and do the reporting. We also encountered plenty of other scenarios, each with their own circumstances. Long story short, what we saw is that each situation is unique and many will benefit from a little extra technical assistance.
The workshop in Adin was a great opportunity to learn about the new system, and work through the process of getting folks set up. It was also a very good opportunity to understand what this transition will look like in the real world. Based on the Adin workshop, we believe that while the SWRCB has done a good job developing CalWATRS, it is still complex enough that many more ranchers across the State will need assistance and will be grappling with these same questions. With that in mind we hope to hold more workshops. In the meantime, ranchers can reach out to RTAP directly for assistance or with a request to hold a workshop in your area. Although we’re still learning the system and the SWRCB is still making improvements working out bugs on their end, RTAP will do our best to get you squared away. RTAP is funded by the California Cattle Council and provided at no cost to all California ranchers through the California Cattlemen’s Foundation. If you would like help logging into, reporting on or understanding the new CalWATRS system, please reach out to RTAP at rtap@wrstrat.com or (916) 409-6902.
ORGANIZATION CREATED BY RANCHERS FOR RANCHERS.
PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO RANCHES WHOSE VIABILITY IS THREATENED BY CONFIRMED WOLF LOSSES AND PRESENCE.
EDUCATE URBAN AUDIENCES ON THE REALITIES AND CHALLENGES RANCHING FAMILIES FACE, FOSTERING SUPPORT ACROSS RURAL–URBAN DIVIDES.
GIVE PRODUCERS A VOICE AND PLATFORM TO WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND POLICYMAKERS THAT PUTS RANCH FAMILIES’ SURVIVAL FIRST.
by CCA Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur
The California Legislature gaveled to a close on Saturday, Sept.13, one day later than the adjournment contemplated in the joint rules of the Assembly and Senate. The extended deliberations were necessitated by the State Constitution’s ‘72hour rule’ after legislative leaders waited until 10:21 a.m. on September 10 to put into print AB 1207 (Irwin), a measure reauthorizing the state’s ‘Capand-Invest’ Program through 2045. One month later, Governor Newsom had acted on all bills advanced to his desk.
With the second year of the 2025-26 Legislative Session set to begin early next month, the time is ripe to evaluate CCA’s performance in the first year of the Session.
With legislators grappling with a third consecutive budget deficit year, Assembly and Senate appropriations committees proved to be an insurmountable buzzsaw for hundreds of bills with significant price tags this year. That was something of double-edged sword in terms of CCA’s legislative priorities: while CCA and allied organizations were able to kill or delay CCA-opposed bills in appropriations committees, appropriators’ fiscal caution also stymied several of CCA’s efforts to effect positive change for the industry this year.
But while CCA’s broader legislative efforts were something of a mixed bag this year, the Association can unequivocally declare 2025 a successful legislative year as both of CCA’s sponsored bills were signed into law, providing ranchers relief from a burdensome and costly CHP regulation and affording livestock producers additional options for disposing of livestock mortalities. For details on all of CCA’s legislative efforts this past year, read on.
AB
CCA-OPPOSED – WIN
Held in the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee
The Affordable Home Internet Act of 2025 would have mandated that Internet service providers offer broadband Internet at a cost of no more than $15 per month to low-income households. While CCA supports affordable internet services, allowing Internet costs to be set by the Legislature – rather than the market – had the potential for dire unintended consequences. ISPs
cautioned that the financial pressures imposed on providers by AB 353 would have forced them to reduce investments in low-density communities, undermining the viability of broadband access in rural neighborhoods. To avoid unintended harm to farmers and ranchers in less populous regions of the state, CCA opposed the measure.
CCA-SPONSORED – WIN
Signed into law
AB 411 seeks to give ranchers another tool in the toolbox for disposing of routine on-ranch livestock mortalities and butcher waste: composting, a practice already legal in 42 other states. Specifically, the bill authorizes ranchers to manage up to 100 cubic yards of on-ranch compost at a time, equivalent to about 6-10 animals (or about 40 animals per year). CCA was able to overcome stiff opposition from labor and other groups to secure unanimous approval of the bill in both the Assembly and Senate, with Governor Newsom signing the bill into law in October.
While AB 411 will become law on Jan. 1, 2026, ranchers will not be authorized to compost until the California Department of Food & Agriculture develops best management practices governing livestock carcass composting. Fortunately, CDFA has already initiated the effort.
AB 491 (Connolly) – Natural and working lands climate goals
CCA-SUPPORTED
Held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee
In 2024, the California Natural Resources Agency released “California’s Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets.” The roadmap was largely favorable for California’s cattle producers, calling for the state to implement 2.5 million acres of wildfire resilience treatments annually by 2045 via controlled burns, prescribed grazing and other mechanisms, and prioritizing grazing to annually restore 55,000 acres of degraded grasslands. AB 491 would have codified these nature-based climate solution targets in statute, potentially spurring further action by the state to achieve its targets for prescribed fire and expanded grazing. Unfortunately, with an estimated initial cost of $4.4
million and annual costs exceeding $500,000, the bill was the victim of a challenging budget cycle and was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
AB 519 (Berman) – Pet broker sales NEUTRAL (AS AMENDED) – WIN
Signed into law
California has in recent years cracked down on “puppy mills,” or large-scale dog breeders. AB 519 sought to close a loophole in existing law which allowed brokers to continue selling dogs, cats and rabbits bred in commercial-scale, out-ofstate breeding facilities. As originally written, AB 519 would have prohibited the sale or auction of specially-trained stock dogs at livestock auctions and other exhibitions by classifying those entities as prohibited brokers, leading CCA to initially oppose the measure unless amended to exempt farm and ranch dogs (direct sales from a trainer or other “bona fide owner” to a new owner were not implicated by the bill). CCA was able to negotiate amendments in the Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee which limited the bill’s scope to animals under one year of age. This amendment resolved CCA’s concerns with the bill because most stock dog auctions, such as the Red Bluff Livestock Dog Sale, specify that animals up for sale or auction must be at least 12 months of age. As a result, CCA was able to remove opposition from the bill, which was ultimately signed into law by Governor Newsom.
AB 525 (Lackey) – Basic Inspection of Terminals program: agricultural vehicles
CCA-SPONSORED – WIN
Signed into law
The California Highway Patrol’s Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) Program requires certain motor carriers to periodically submit their vehicles, maintenance records and driving records for CHP inspection, with attendant fees paid to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Under legislation passed in 2013, agricultural vehicles were to be subject to the BIT Program beginning in 2016. To spare ranchers unnecessary burden and expense, CCA in 2016 sponsored AB 1960 (Lackey), which exempted agricultural vehicles from the BIT Program through Jan. 1, 2023. CCA-sponsored follow-up legislation in 2022 successfully extended the exemption another three years. Ahead of the exemption’s Jan. 1, 2026 sunset date, CCA again partnered with Asm. Lackey this year to renew the agricultural vehicle exemption. As a result, ranchers will continue to be spared the inconvenience of CHP inspections and the cost of DMV fees through the next five years, and CCA is committed to again extending the exemption ahead of the Jan. 1, 2031 sunset date.
AB 846 (Connolly) – Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities
CCA-SUPPORTED
Held in the Senate Appropriations Committee
This measure would have created a voluntary, streamlined process for local governments to coordinate wildfire preparedness activities –including prescribed grazing – with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to enhance communities’ wildfire resilience while avoiding impacts to threatened and endangered species. AB 846 was the second attempt at streamlining local governments’ coordination of wildfire preparedness activities with CDFW; Governor Newsom vetoed the prior effort, AB 2330 (Holden), last year citing “significant, ongoing costs that should be considered in the annual budget process.”
AB 1156 (Wicks) – Williamson Act contract conversion to solar-use easements
CCA-OPPOSED
Moved to Assembly inactive file; two-year bill
AB 1156 would allow the conversion of Williamson Act contracts to solar-use easements without payment of the existing exit fee for contract cancellations. While the bill’s stated intent is to facilitate solar development on lands no longer viable for agricultural use due to groundwater restrictions, the bill’s language is not so limited. Indeed, AB 1156 would allow conversion of agricultural land to solar use if water deliveries to the land have been “reduced or curtailed” – a threshold which most agricultural lands in the state meet, including some prime farmland. To prevent large-scale conversion of prime farmland and rangeland to solar use, CCA opposes AB 1156. While the measure passed both the Assembly and Senate, it was placed on the inactive file before the Assembly could vote to concur in Senate amendments. The bill remains eligible for consideration as a ‘two-year bill’ in 2026.
AB 1232 (Ávila Farías) – Proposed regulations: cost of living impact on residents of the state
CCA-SUPPORTED
Held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee
When legislators assembled for an organizational session on Dec. 2, 2024, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) announced that lawmakers’ central focus would be affordability, advising his colleagues “to consider every bill through the lens of Californians who are anxious about affordability.” In that spirit, Asm. Ávila Farías (D-Martinez) authored AB 1232, which sought to require state regulatory agencies to analyze and disclose the cost-of-living impacts of proposed regulations. CCA has consistently urged regulators
...CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
to consider the economic implications of proposed regulations, and thus eagerly supported AB 1232. Unfortunately, amid fears that this sensible policy would cost state agencies “millions of dollars to tens of millions of dollars annually,” appropriators held the measure in the Assembly.
AB 1264 (Gabriel) - Pupil nutrition: restricted school foods and ultraprocessed foods of concern: prohibition
CCA-OPPOSED UNLESS AMENDED
Signed into law
AB 1264 prohibits schools from serving “ultraprocessed foods of concern” and “restricted school foods.” CCA opposed the measure because the ambiguous language it uses to define “ultraprocessed foods” could capture nutritious products such as beef. Now that AB 1264 has been signed into law, CCA will work to ensure that the California Department of Public Health’s implementation of the bill does not restrict healthy beef products from being provided to California students.
AB 1311 (Hart) – California Rangeland, Grazing Land and Grassland Protection Program
CCA-SUPPORTED
Held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee
Sponsored by the California Rangeland Trust, AB 1311 sought to allocate $400 million from the $10 billion Climate Bond approved by voters in 2024 to fund voluntary conservation easements through the California Rangeland, Grazing Land and Grassland Protection Program administered by the Wildlife Conservation Board. Unfortunately, the bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SB 90 (Seyarto) – Funding for mobile rigid storage dip tanks and electrical generators for water reservoirs
CCA-SUPPORTED
Held in the Senate Appropriations Committee
SB 90 sought to make funds from the 2024 climate bond available for a variety of wildfire prevention and response projects, including the pre-positioning of mobile rigid water storage and mobile rigid dip tanks to support firefighting efforts. Because the bill was targeted at improving the state’s wildfire resilience – particularly in rural and remote areas of the state – CCA supported the measure. As was the fate of several bills seeking to earmark Proposition 4 funds, however, SB 90 was held in the Appropriations Committee.
SB 223 (Alvarado-Gil) – The Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act
CCA-SUPPORTED
Held in the Senate Appropriations Committee
After 2024’s Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) took another stab at the bill this year. AB 223 would have directed state agencies to establish
a data platform combining wildfire smoke data and health data to provide “adequate information to understand the negative health impacts on California’s population caused by wildfire smoke” and to evaluate “the effectiveness of investments in forest health and wildfire mitigation on health outcomes in California.” CCA hoped that such a platform would help assess the health benefits of wildfire-prevention strategies like prescribed fire and livestock grazing that prevent or reduce noxious smoke from wildfire. Unfortunately, AB 223 suffered much the same fate as last year’s effort, being held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB 462 (Cortese) – California Farmland Conservancy Program: conservation easements: funding CCA-SUPPORTED IF AMENDED
Held in Senate Appropriations Committee
AB 462 would have annually appropriated $20 million to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Funding Account to fund conservation easements preserving agricultural land. Troublingly, though, the legislation excluded rangelands from the program. CCA joined the American Farmland Trust and California Climate and Agriculture Network in signaling our willingness to support the bill if it were amended to make grazing lands eligible for the program. The bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee before any such amendment could be negotiated, however.
SB 601 (Allen) – Water: waste discharge CCA-OPPOSED
Held in Assembly Appropriations Committee; twoyear bill
In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Sackett v. EPA, significantly limiting the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers’ jurisdiction over wetlands to those which have “a continuous surface connection” with a traditional navigable water.
SB 601 seeks to apply state law protections to all wetlands and other waters which lost federal protections as a result of the Sackett decision. CCA welcomed the Sackett decision because it reduced regulatory and permitting barriers for agricultural producers, and we have opposed SB 601 because it would reimpose those same bureaucratic obstacles at the state level. After narrowly passing out of the Senate, SB 601 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, though it is likely to be taken back up next year as a ‘two-year bill.’
The Legislature reconvenes on Jan. 5, 2026. Legislators’ most pressing priority will be tackling two-year bills still in their chamber of origin ahead of a Jan. 31 deadline, but legislators are also certain to introduce thousands of new measures ahead of a Feb. 20 bill introduction deadline. CCA is already laying the foundations for the Association’s 2026 priorities, and will closely track all legislative developments. As always, expect regular updates in the pages of California Cattleman
With your support, we keep on rounding up wins!
Secured $2 million in renewed State Budget funding to compensate ranchers harmed by gray wolves
Passed legislation to legalize on-ranch composting of routine livestock mortalities
Extended an agricultural vehicle exemption from CHP’s Basic Inspection of Terminals program through legislation signed by the Governor
Quashed efforts before the California Fish & Game Commission to curtail management of coyotes
Continued to advocate for and see an increase in the use of prescribed fire and livestock grazing as a firefuels treatment on state-owned lands
Coordinated increased USDA support for New World Screwworm detection and prevention efforts at the Mexico/California border
California voters approved Proposition 50 in last month’s special election, green-lighting new Congressional maps gerrymandered in favor of California Democrats ahead of the 2026 Midterm Election. The measure passed with roughly 64 percent of voters favoring the proposition and 36 percent opposed.
If upheld, the maps will also apply to Congressional elections in 2028 and 2030, after which time redistricting authority will revert back to the nonpartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission.
The new districts swing the demographic makeups of five Congressional districts currently held by Republicans firmly toward Democrats, giving the party a potential electoral advantage of 48-4 in future elections. The currently-Republican districts targeted by the gerrymander are those of Reps. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), David Valadao (CA-22), Ken Calvert (CA-41) and Darrell Issa (CA-48).
California Democrats wasted no time targeting the newly-favorable districts. On election night, Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06) announced that he was running to represent the 3rd Congressional District currently represented by Congressman Kiley. The following week, former California Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) announced his candidacy for the 1st Congressional District currently held by Representative LaMalfa. Calvert has subsequently decided to run in a different district, facing off against incumbent Republican Rep. Young Kim in the 40th Congressional District.
But Republicans aren’t going down without a fight. The day after the election, state Republicans filed a federal lawsuit challenging Proposition 50, alleging that the measure violates the 14th and 15th amendments of the U.S. Constitution by shaping Congressional districts on the basis of race “to favor Hispanic voters.” The following week, the U.S. Department of Justice moved to join the lawsuit, seeking to support state Republicans’ challenge to the state’s redistricting effort.
On November 18, a three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas voted 2-1 to issue a preliminary injunction striking down Texas’ Congressional redistricting, finding that “Substantial evidence shows that Texas [impermissibly] racially
gerrymandered the 2025 Map.” The State of Texas will certainly appeal the ruling, which appears destined for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Texas decision may be relevant context for Republicans’ challenge to Proposition 50 – particularly given that both lawsuits allege impermissible racial gerrymandering – but invalidation of the Texas redistricting would not automatically undo California’s new maps. While early legislative drafts of Proposition 50 contained ‘trigger’ language which conditioned California’s Democratic gerrymander on Texas and other states gerrymandering their Congressional maps to favor Republicans, that trigger language was ultimately omitted from the version of Proposition 50 put to California voters.
The Republicans’ lawsuit isn’t the only effort to roll back provisions of Proposition 50: the day after Election Day, an initiative constitutional amendment was filed with the Attorney General’s office which seeks to revert the 2028 and 2030 Congressional election maps to those previously developed by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.
“There are reasons why we see more BRD challenges in cold and damp conditions,” said Nathan Meyer, DVM, Ph.D., Boehringer Ingelheim. “It really comes down to stress. When animals are stressed, they’re less able to fight off infections as effectively as they would under more ideal conditions.”
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains the costliest disease impacting U.S. beef cattle. The brisk winter months are the perfect time to reevaluate management practices to improve animal health, comfort and BRD control.
Good animal husbandry is a crucial component of cold stress management.
“Muddy, cold and wet conditions can really draw heat out of an animal,” said Meyer. “Not only does mud make it harder for cattle to stay warm, but it also increases their nutrient needs, because it takes more energy just to move around, eat and drink.”
When cattle are putting a lot of energy toward staying warm, they become more susceptible to disease challenges. Windbreaks, plenty of quality bedding and clean, dry areas can minimize the impact of the damp and cold temperatures.
Maintaining appropriate stocking density can also reduce the risk of disease spread. BRD is a communicable disease, and is easily transmitted from animal to animal. Giving animals the room
they need slows down fast-spreading illness and keeps animals more comfortable.
Providing a balanced diet that meets or exceeds nutritional requirements is critical during extremely cold conditions. Nutritional support keeps animals warm, and also supports their overall health and immune function.
For every degree below an animal’s lower critical temperature (LCT) — the lowest temperature they can comfortably experience — their energy requirements increase by 1 percent. Depending upon body condition score and thickness of winter coat, cattle may have an LCT around 18 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Providing extra feed and ample bedding during a storm or cold snap will set cattle up to better handle the added stress.
Access to sufficient quantities of clean water is one critical nutritional component to keep in mind. “Keep an eye on recharge rates, and break ice when necessary,” emphasized Meyer. He added, “Testing water periodically is also important to ensure there are no high levels of minerals or harmful bacteria.” The importance of monitoring both water quantity and quality cannot be underestimated, as deficiencies in either can compromise cattle health.
Even with the best prevention and husbandry measures in place, BRD can sometimes bypass defenses. When it does, early detection and treatment intervention is essential to minimizing long-term lung damage and production setbacks.
“I’m a fan of the DART acronym when it comes to identifying early signs of sick cattle,” said Meyer. “Depression, low Appetite, abnormal Respiration and high body Temperature are key indicators caretakers should watch for.”
Correctly identifying sick cattle within a group can require a trained and experienced eye. He encourages managers to provide routine training for employees, to help them recognize signs of illness and evaluate whether BRD treatment is needed.
On Nov. 18, Western Video Market, based in Cottonwood, announced it is starting a search for its next Chief Executive Officer. The position is based in Cottonwood, and will oversee strategy, operations, communications, culture and disciplined growth across the organization. The CEO must uphold WVM’s longstanding values of service, integrity, and follow-through while enhancing systems and increasing consistency.
WVM is a trusted leader in livestock video auctions, with a strong reputation among producers and buyers. The next CEO would be responsible for overseeing daily operations, guide system improvements, support field representatives, and maintain key industry relationships. The role would also emphasize financial stability, clear expectations and consistent execution as WVM prepares for the next phase of growth.
The WVM Board of Directors is looking for a leader with credible experience in livestock or agriculture, strong operational knowledge, and a straightforward communication style. The ideal candidate offers clear direction, consistent leadership, and a proven record of building performance and alignment across teams.
More information and application details are available on Western Video Market's LinkedIn Profile.
Founded in 1989, Western Video Market is the largest livestock video auction company in the western United States and provides internet and video marketing services for commercial and purebred cattle and sheep producers. Licensed and bonded, WVM provides central clearing for livestock shipments.
Western Video Market’s mission is to provide its customers and buyers with innovative marketing opportunities coupled with the personal attention that is the company’s hallmark. For more information about WVM, visit them online at: www.wvmcattle.com.
907-2076 anthony@mesaverdetrading.com
by Alyssa Rolen, director of communications, California Rangeland Trust
Under a nearly full harvest moon at Rancho Santa Barbara, 400 guests gathered near Santa Ynez, on Oct. 4 for A Western Affair 2025—an unforgettable evening celebrating California’s working lands and the ranching families who steward them. Set against the historic adobe buildings and rolling hills of this storied ranch, the event reflected the California Rangeland Trust’s enduring mission: to serve the land, people, and wildlife by conserving the Golden State’s working rangelands.
The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction held beneath a grand oak tree, with Lake Cachuma and rolling hills stretching softly into the distance. The setting sun cast a golden glow across the landscape as guests gathered to reconnect and raise a glass to the lands they love. Tables lined with Western specialty items and one-of-a-kind experiences filled the silent auction—handcrafted woodwork, fine art, exclusive getaways, and local wines—offering something for everyone to enjoy. Laughter and conversation carried through the crisp autumn air as friends new and old came together to kick off the night.
Just as the sun began to dip below the hills, guests took their seats for a mouthwatering steak dinner prepared by New West Catering, featuring Brandt Beef and paired with standout local wines from Barrel Burner, Butternut, Rancho Sisquoc, and Smashberry. Co-chairs Elizabeth Poett-Campbell and Austin
Campbell, Richard and Sharon Kline, and hosts Lee and Julia Carr welcomed the soldout crowd and spoke to the deeper purpose of the evening—honoring our shared ranching heritage and carrying forward the values of stewardship, resilience, and connection.
Across California, ranching families feed us, manage our open spaces, and nurture the wildlife and natural resources that sustain life. Their roots run deep, shaping not only the landscapes we cherish but also the communities we call home. On this night at Rancho Santa Barbara, that shared connection to the land and to one another was palpable.
Legacy Council member Lynn Kirst opened the program by recognizing the ranching families who have partnered with the Rangeland Trust to conserve their lands. “We quite literally could not conserve rangeland without your willingness, your vision, and your commitment to protecting these special landscapes,” she shared, drawing warm applause from across the gathering.
Kirst also thanked our many generous sponsors whose dedication made this celebration possible. Sponsors included: Hollencrest Capital Management, The Nature Conservancy, California Outdoor Properties, Farm Credit, Rancho Mission Viejo, Moulton Museum, Thorofare Capital, Nancy and Peter Jackson, North Fork Cattle Company, Westervelt Ecological Services, Farmers and Merchants Trust Company, The Cowpoke
Fall Gathering, Western Skies Advisory, Boot Barn, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Noozhawk, American Jerky Company, and La Paloma Ranch, Gaviota. From the delicious meal to the thoughtful touches throughout the venue, their contributions helped create a night that beautifully honored California’s ranching heritage and future.
Next, Kirst introduced Rangeland Trust CEO Michael Delbar, who reflected on the Trust’s growing reach and impact across California. “Santa Barbara has been a cornerstone of our work,” he noted, highlighting more than 17,000 acres conserved locally and several new projects underway. He also shared how the Rangeland Trust has made meaningful progress on the policy front by strengthening relationships with lawmakers to advance conservation funding and ensure private working lands are recognized for the public benefits they provide.
Delbar took a moment to acknowledge Assemblymember Gregg Hart for his leadership and continued support of rangeland conservation. “Our work at the Capitol has focused on building understanding that private ranchlands stewarded by ranching families are public assets, providing clean water, healthy soils, wildfire resilience, and essential natural resources that all Californians benefit from,” he said. “We’re proud to have champions like Assemblymember Hart who share that vision.”
The program turned reflective as Emeritus Council member Devere Dressler led an “Empty Saddles” tribute, a moving moment recognizing landowner partners, Visionaries’ Circle members, and close friends of the Rangeland Trust community who have passed since our last A Western Affair gathering.
Following the tribute, Emeritus Council member Steve Sinton presented this year’s conservation awards. The 2025 Conservationist of the Year Award was presented to Karen Sweet and her late husband, Darrel Sweet, whose leadership and advocacy have long advanced both ranching and conservation in California. Together, they placed their Alameda County ranch under a conservation easement with the Rangeland Trust, permanently protecting more than 360 acres of working rangeland. Since Darrel’s passing, Karen has carried forward their shared vision with strength and grace, continuing to steward the land and champion the importance of conserving working landscapes.
The 2025 Conservation Impact Award was presented to Sheila Barry, University of California Cooperative Extension Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor in the Bay Area. Through decades of research, education, and outreach, Sheila has bridged the gap between urban communities and working lands,
helping the public understand the ecological and social value of grazing and rangeland stewardship. Her work has brought ranchers, conservationists, and communities together in shared commitment to the land.
As dessert was served and the first stars began to appear, Delbar welcomed to the stage former CEO and founding board member Nita Vail to the stage to share one of the evening’s greatest highlights: the announcement that the California Rangeland Trust has officially conserved its 100th ranch!
In keeping with staff tradition whenever a conservation project crosses the finish line, Vail rang a cowbell loud and proud, its joyful ring echoing through the evening air. “Each family who chooses to conserve is the heartbeat of this mission,” she said.
Delbar added, “These 100 ranches, spanning 30 counties and more than 420,000 acres, represent stories, families, and landscapes that will endure for generations.”
Following the milestone announcement, Legacy Council Chair Jessica Schley took the stage to read from her essay, “Beneath All is Land,” from the book, Roots and Resilience: California Ranchers in Their Own Words. Her heartfelt reflection on the loss of her family’s ranch offered a poignant reminder of the deep connection ranchers share with their land, and why the Rangeland Trust remains so committed to keeping ranchers ranching.
Understanding what’s at stake if we don’t continue to conserve these working rangelands, guests eagerly joined the effort by raising their paddles during the live auction. Taylor Glines, granddaughter of the late Jim Glines, a beloved community leader in Santa Barbara County and faithful supporter of the Rangeland Trust, led the auction in his honor with humor, heart, and the same magnetic charm her grandfather was known for. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and sponsors, the live auction raised an incredible $130,000 to support rangeland conservation across California.
As the program concluded, the celebration carried on under the glow of the moon as the James Kelly Band filled the cool Santa Ynez air with lively country tunes. Boots tapped, couples twirled, and laughter rose above the music. As guests departed beneath the stars, they carried with them the spirit of the evening—a shared commitment to protecting the land, honoring those who came before us, and ensuring that future generations can continue to live, work, and thrive on California’s rangelands.
A Western Affair 2025 was more than a celebration; it was a powerful reminder that when we come together in support of the land that connects us all, we secure a stronger, more resilient future for generations to come.
Event co-chairs Elizabeth Poett-Campbell, Austin Campbell, Richard and Sharon Kline kicked off the event with a heartfelt welcome and words of gratitude for the community that makes rangeland conservation possible.
Sheila Barr, Ph.D., accepted the 2025 Conservation Impact Award for her work advancing rangeland research, education, and outreach.
Guests enjoyed a delicious pasture-to-plate meal, featuring Brandt Beef and paired with standout local wines.
Karen Sweet accepted the 2025 Conservationist of the Year Award on behalf of herself and her late husband, Darrel Sweet, whose shared leadership and lifelong commitment to ranching and conservation have left a lasting legacy across California.
The live auction raised an incredible $130,000 to support rangeland conservation across California, thanks to the generosity and spirit of guests in attendance.
Michael Delbar and Nita Vail celebrated the Rangeland Trust’s 100th conserved ranch with the joyful ringing of a cowbell—a beloved tradition marking each completed conservation project.
by NCBA Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall
In our world today, AI is a daily topic, however, it’s not the AI we as cattle producers are used to. In 2025, AI is all about artificial intelligence rather than artificial insemination, and it is quickly becoming a part of cattle and beef production. As with any new technology, there are pros and cons, but I believe artificial intelligence is here to stay.
One of the most impactful applications of AI in cattle production is in real-time health monitoring and disease prediction. Using sensors and machine learning algorithms, AI systems can track individual animal behavior, movement patterns and feed intake, along with environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. These data points help establish a baseline for each animal’s normal behavior.
When deviations occur — such as reduced feed consumption or abnormal movement — AI can flag potential health issues before they become critical. This early detection allows producers to intervene promptly, reducing any negative impact on animal welfare. For example, AI can detect signs of lameness or respiratory illness days before visible symptoms appear, thus enabling faster treatment.
When it comes to feeding cattle, there are companies that have developed AI-powered bunk management systems that analyze hundreds of data points such as feeding rates, cattle behavior, ration types and weather conditions. This information is used to generate daily feeding recommendations. These systems replicate the expertise of seasoned employees, offering precise
guidance that reduces waste, improves animal health and boosts weight gain. As more data is collected, the algorithms continue to learn and refine their predictions, making feeding protocols increasingly accurate and cost-effective.
It should come as no surprise that AI is also transforming cattle breeding by analyzing genetic data and reproductive cycles to optimize outcomes. This leads to a higher percentage of bred females, healthier calves and improved meat quality. By integrating data from wearable devices and health records, AI can predict the best time for insemination and monitor pregnancy progression.
In addition, AI can help producers identify animals with desirable traits such as disease resistance or superior marbling, thus allowing producers to make informed decisions about which cattle to breed and which to cull. This accelerates genetic improvement and enhances the overall quality of beef produced. Imagine taking the contents of a production sale catalog, add in current cattle market information, then in a few quick seconds have AI tools provide a recommendation on the best cattle to buy along with an analysis of what you should pay to get the return you are looking for.
Beyond the barn, AI is empowering producers with data-driven business insights. By aggregating information from across the operation — feed costs, market prices, weather forecasts and animal performance — AI tools can help producers make smarter financial decisions. For instance, predictive models can forecast future feed needs or estimate the optimal time to sell cattle based on weight gain and market trends. This level of insight enables producers to reduce costs, maximize profits and remain competitive in an increasingly datadriven agricultural landscape. AI analysis of risk management tools and USDA programs such as LRP will speed up your ability to analyze outcomes and determine the best marketing plan for your operation.
Despite its promise, AI adoption in the cattle industry faces hurdles. High upfront costs, limited internet connectivity in rural areas, and the need for technical learning or training can slow implementation. There are also concerns about the confidentiality of your information if you use a public AI tool. AI tools can also “hallucinate” by including fake facts, nonexistent studies or incorrect details. As with most technology, AI isn’t fool proof. However, as technology becomes more accessible, experienced and user-friendly, these barriers are
expected to diminish. In some ways, the majority of us are already behind. Many of you reading this have been utilizing AI for quite some time and are seeing it as a very useful management tool.
I encourage all of you to explore artificial intelligence and see if it might work as a tool in the management of your operation. One way to “test drive” AI is to see it in person, so make plans to attend CattleCon in Nashville to see the latest AI-driven tools and discover how they could make your life a little easier.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s a practical tool that’s already reshaping cattle and beef production in the U.S. By enhancing herd health, optimizing feeding, improving breeding and supporting marketing decisions, AI will be key to meeting the challenges of tomorrow while focusing on producer profitability and delivering high-quality beef to our consumers.
If you made it this far, you need to know that I used AI to write most of this article. It wasn’t fool proof, and it required significant edits and fact checking, but I was impressed with what it came up with. I also need to explore AI more. See you at the AI booths during the NCBA Trade Show at CattleCon.
from the U.S. Meat Export Federation
Although the U.S. red meat industry faces significant obstacles in the international marketplace, demand remains robust in many key destinations where customers crave the quality and consistency of U.S. pork, beef and lamb. This was the prevailing message delivered by U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference, which opened Nov. 12 in Indianapolis.
Halstrom noted that pork exports are modestly below last year’s record pace, but the gap stems mostly from a period early this year when China’s retaliatory tariffs escalated and the U.S. industry faced uncertainty about plant eligibility. Although export data is only available through July due to the government shutdown, pork shipments are on record pace to leading market Mexico, as well as to Central America and Colombia.
Beef exports have been hit harder by barriers in China, where U.S. beef not only faces retaliatory tariffs, but also unwarranted plant delistings and China’s failure to renew registrations for the vast majority of U.S. beef plants and cold storage facilities. Halstrom emphasized that fully reopening the world’s largest beef import market to U.S. beef will require several actions on China’s part, and the lockout could extend into next year.
“This is obviously a political card that’s being held by the China side,” Halstrom said. “One thing I’m very confident in is that [the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative] is well aware of our position, well aware of what’s involved, and
very well-informed. I think they’ll get it worked out eventually, I just can't tell you when – no one can.”
USMEF Chair Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from southwestern Nebraska, welcomes USMEF members to Indianapolis
While ongoing negotiations with several trading partners may lead to new opportunities for U.S. red meat, especially in Southeast Asia, Halstrom stressed that protecting and defending existing free trade agreements is an urgent priority. He noted that over the past decade, red meat exports to FTA partner countries have expanded by more than 30%, and exports to these destinations now account for 76 percent of total shipments.
Invoking the Paul Harvey quote, “In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these,” Halstrom reminded USMEF members that the industry has endured tremendous trade setbacks in the past – citing examples such as widespread market closures due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and plunging consumer confidence and buying power in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
“Remember that we overcame all those obstacles,” Halstrom said. “I believe, with the knowledge in this room, and with continued cooperation and collaboration, we can overcome anything.”
Following Halstrom’s remarks, keynote speaker Jan Lambregts, head of RaboResearch Global Economics & Markets, offered a broad overview of the global economic situation and
how it has been impacted by various economic policies embraced by the United States, China, the European Union and Russia.
Lambregts delivered insights into recent geopolitical developments and international trade policy through the perspective of a highstakes poker game. In examining “who holds the cards,” his presentation discussed the macro strategies of the world’s economic and political powers, with a particular emphasis on the complexities of the U.S.-China trade relationship.
“I'm not quite sure if you will like this news, but I don't think there will be a comprehensive deal coming soon between China and the United States,” Lambregts said.
“What the U.S. is demanding is access to Chinese markets. What China will never give is access to the Chinese market because that's not how they've been winning in trade during the past 30-40 years.”
Lambregts says that while the U.S. is currently working to isolate China, both countries are playing for time. China has been cut off from high-end semiconductors, which he called “the lifeline of the 21st century,” and needs time to develop its own semiconductor sector. Similarly, the U.S. needs time to build its rare earths capacity, including development of extraction and processing capabilities.
“In the meantime, the U.S. is basically sending all its allies the same message: What was previously free defense now must be paid for, because we (the U.S.) need to be compensated. And by the way, if you want to trade with China, there are conditions now,” said Lambregts.
Lambregts also addressed U.S. financial support for Argentina, which critics argue could harm U.S. exports, particularly of soybeans and other agricultural products.
“It was a mismanaged move, I would say,” Lambregts explained. “The Trump administration considers (Argentine President Javier) Milei a U.S. ally, and he wanted Milei to do well in the elections. But this deal had a little bit of a hasty feel to it, and now you see unintended consequences.”
The USMEF Strategic Planning Conference continued with an in-depth look at the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which maintained duty-free access for U.S. red meat in Mexico and Canada, helping to bolster demand in both markets.
USMEF also presented its Michael J. Mansfield Award to Ted McKinney, former USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Dermot Hayes, Ph.D., who
recently retired as an Iowa State University professor and continues to serve as a consulting economist for the pork industry, received the USMEF Distinguished Service Award.
On Nov. 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the next milestone in the fight against New World screwworm (NWS) – the opening of a sterile fly dispersal facility in Tampico, Mexico. The Tampico facility will allow USDA to disperse sterile flies aerially across northeastern Mexico, including in Nuevo Leon.
“The opening of the Tampico sterile fly dispersal facility is another incredibly important tool in our arsenal to stop the spread of screwworm. The facility will ensure flexibility and responsiveness in northern Mexico, giving us a greater ability to drop sterile flies and continue to push the pest south,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Stopping the spread of screwworm is a top priority for the entire Trump Administration. Last week I had a productive meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and my counterpart Secretary Julio Berdegue on the joint response to screwworm. We are boosting our efforts and completing a joint review of our screwworm operations in Mexico to ensure our protocols are being followed. As we enter the winter months, we continue to prioritize the response in Mexico and the rest of our five-pronged plan to protect U.S. livestock and the livelihoods of American farmers and ranchers.”
There are two methods of dispersing sterile insects – aerial dispersal and ground release chambers. Aerial operations are preferred because they allow for dispersal at a steady rate through a large area and also because sterile insects may be dispersed in areas that are unreachable from the ground. Ground release chambers are used when there’s a need to quickly deploy sterile insects outside of the dispersal facility range.
USDA continues to disperse 100 million sterile flies per week in Mexico, but until now, aerial operations have been limited to southern Mexico, necessitating the use of ground release chambers in more northern areas of the country. Mass production and targeted dispersal of sterile flies remain critical components of our effective response.
those cases is still active and there have been no additional detections of NWS flies in traps or cases in animals in Nuevo Leon. USDA continues to disperse sterile insects in Nuevo Leon, and will now transition from ground release chambers to aerial dispersal in those areas.
USDA produces sterile flies for dispersal at the COPEG facility in Panama. USDA is also investing $21 million to support Mexico’s renovation of an existing fruit fly facility in Metapa—which will double NWS production capacity once complete. With ongoing support from APHIS technical experts, Mexico anticipates this sterile fly production to begin as soon as summer 2026.
To expand domestic response capacity, USDA has also begun construction on a sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, TX that is projected to begin operating in early 2026. APHIS is also expediting design and construction of a sterile fly production facility in Southern Texas, with a targeted maximum capacity of 300 million sterile flies per week.
USDA continues to work with Mexico’s agriculture authority, SENASICA, to implement the collaborative NWS Action Plan and guide trapping, surveillance, and movement protocols to help stop the northward spread of NWS.
Although Mexico continues to confirm new cases of NWS, the overwhelming majority of these remain in the far southern part of the country, with no significant northward expansion over the past several months. Should that change, the Tampico facility will allow USDA to immediately tackle any cases that occur elsewhere in Mexico.
The two northernmost detections (approximately 70 and 170 miles from the U.S. border, respectively) occurred in Nuevo León, on September 20 and October 5, in young cattle transported from Chiapas, Mexico. Neither of
Austin Snedden, Maricopa, officially took the helm of the American Hereford Association board of directors Oct. 25 in Kansas City, Missouri, during the 2025 World Hereford Conference and AHA annual meeting.
Snedden will serve a one-year term leading the 12-member board, which governs and provides strategic direction for the AHA. The association has more than 7,500 adult and junior members from across the United States.
Snedden is a full-time fifth-generation rancher in central California, where his family has been raising cattle in the same county for more than 150 years. Snedden Ranch was founded in 1867 by Anna and Samuel Snedden and has been passed down through the generations. It continues a family business with family members of all ages working in every aspect of the operation.
Snedden grew up on the ranch in southwest Kern County. He graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 2005 with a degree in business administration. Austin and his wife, Sarah, met in college and married in 2004. They have four children: Ryah, Rainey, Sonora, and Ezra. Austin and Sarah partner with his parents, Richard and Susie, to operate Snedden Ranch.
Snedden Ranch consists of 350 to 400 commercial cows, 120 Hereford cows and 40 Red Angus cows. The Snedden family raises bulls for their commercial herd and their annual production sale, held on the second Saturday of October each year. In addition to the cow herd and hosting a production sale, Snedden Ranch markets a select group of commercial replacement females annually. Their steer calves are merchandised at weaning or yearling age and sold off the ranch through auctions and video markets.
Snedden Ranch has raised primarily Hereford cattle for more than 100 years and registered its first cattle with the AHA more than 50 years ago in 1972. The ranch received Gold Total Performance Records (TPR) Breeder status from the AHA in 2022 and was also honored as 50-year Golden Breeder that year. Austin and Sarah served as advisers for the California/Nevada Junior Hereford Association in 2017 and 2018.
Austin has been involved with the Kern County Cattlemen’s Association for many years and served as president from 2014 to 2015. He was appointed to serve on the Trump Administration’s Rural and Agriculture Advisory Committee. Austin served as a delegate for the California Republican Party from 2021 to 2022 and is a contributing columnist to the Valley Ag Voice, a regional agricultural publication.
Additionally, Austin was recognized as the Kern County Cattleman of the Year in 2020, and Snedden Ranch was recognized in 2013 as California’s 18th Senatorial District’s Small Business of the Year.
Pictured is the 2025-26 American Hereford Association board of directors. Pictured are, from left, (back row) Jim Coley, Lafayette, Tenn.; Joe Ellis, Chrisman, Ill.; Austin Snedden, Maricopa, Calif.; Joe Dan Ledbetter, Wheeler, Texas; Danny Fawcett, Ree Heights, S.D.; and Scott Sullivan, Grannis, Ark.; (front row) Grant McKay, Marysville, Kan.; Bryan Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C.; Cindy Pribil, Hennessey, Okla.; Jim Williams, Kearney, Neb.; Jerry Delaney, Lake Benton, Minn.; and Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president.
CIRCLE RANCH AND BRUIN RANCH
Beef Solutions Bull Sale
Sept. 25, Ione
Col. Rick Machado
60 Angus bulls
97 SimAngus bulls
$16,338
$12,848*
12 SimAngus pairs ...........................................
8 Bred SimAngus heifers ...........................
8 Open SimAngus heifers
*Corrected from November 2025 issue
BIRCH CREEK CATTLE CO
Annual Production Sale
Oct. 24, Ruby Valley, Nev.
Col. Rick Machado
$4,983
$4,388
$4,988
EGAN & MCCLURE
65 Angus bulls $8,325
24 Females ............................................................ $3,529
MEMORY RANCH INAUGURAL ANGUS & RED ANGUS BULL SALE
Nov. 6, Wells, Nev.
Col. Eric Drees
MONTANA RANCH ANGUS BULL SALE
Nov. 8, Big Fork, Mont.
Managed by David Mullins
Col. Roger Jacobs
85 Angus bulls ...................................................
RIVERBEND RANCH FALL BULL SALE
Nov. 12, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Managed by Cotton & Associates
Col. Rick Machado and Col. Trent Stewart
179 Angus bulls ............................................... $10,606
HOFFMAN RANCH & STELLFLUG CATTLE CO. FALL BULL SALE
Nov. 13, Thedford, Neb.
Col. Rick Machado
45 Hereford bulls ..............................................
Rylie Ann Egan and Conner McClure were married at the Egan Ranch in Janesville on Aug. 30 surrounded by family and friends. The bride is the daughter of Joe and Dawn Egan. The groom is the son of Michelle Williams of Grass Valley. The couple has made their first home in Grass Valley.
GEORGE KINGDON
George Brian Kingdon was eagerly welcomed by parents Travis and Vanessa Kington, Taylorsville on Oct. 10. He joins brother Gus and is the grandson of Brian and Heather Kingdon and Bill and Dana Power, Modesto.
On Oct. 28, Etta Joe Adem was welcomed to the world by her big brother Brim and parents
August, September and October 2025 California Cattleman advertisers are represented in this sale report. 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
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Awards. Established in 1991, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) annually recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers across the country.
“Since its inception 35 years ago, this prestigious program has recognized 235 cattle operations for their stewardship efforts,” said NCBA President Buck Wehrbein. “We look forward to finding the next deserving stewards and sharing their stories.”
Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual or business raising or feeding cattle. While individuals and families may not nominate themselves, they should be involved in the preparation of the application. Past nominees are encouraged to resubmit applications; however, previous winners may not reapply.
Along with a typed application, one nomination letter and three letters of recommendation highlighting the nominee’s leadership in conservation are required. The application deadline is Feb. 16, 2026. Nominees do not have to be members of NCBA but should support the objectives of their state and national organization.
Award winners are selected by a committee of representatives from universities, producer and conservation organizations as well as federal and state agencies. For guidance, the judges consider the management of water, wildlife, vegetation, air, and soil along with leadership abilities and the sustainability of the business. Regional winners will be recognized at the cattle industry’s Summer Business Meeting in Denver, Colo., in July 2026, and the national
winner will be announced during CattleCon 2027 in February 2027.
ESAP is an initiative of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and is made possible with generous support from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Corteva Agriscience, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information and to download the nomination packet, visit www.environmentalstewardship.org.
John Teixeira: (805) 448-3859
Allan Teixeira: (805) 310-3353 Tom Hill: (541) 990-5479
www.teixeiracattleco.com | cattle@thousandhillsranch.com
BALD MOUNTAIN BRANGUS, SONORA (209) 768-1712
RUNNING STAR RANCH, LINCOLN (916) 257-5517
SUNSET RANCH, OROVILLE (530) 990-2580
(805)
Source for Brangus and Ultrablack Genetics in the West!
THE DOIRON FAMILY
Daniel & Pamela Doiron 805-245-0434 Cell doiron@spanishranch.net www.spanishranch.net
357± acres near Salmon, Idaho with irrigated pasture, barns, corrals, and adjacent to BLM. $1,990,000
