“The Cattle Council remains committed to addressing and responding to critical issues at the forefront of the industry.”
There is not one issue currently that draws more emotion from ranchers currently than wolves. The population of wolves and wolf packs continues to grow across California, with wolves present in rural areas up and down the state. Ranchers owning or operating land in and around the presence of wolves have experienced direct loss from depredation, a decline in herd health and body conditions, decreased weight gain, an increase in abortions, or a decrease in the rate of conception, to name a few.
Wolves remain listed as endangered under both the federal Endangered Species Act and the California Endangered Species Act, leaving ranchers, local governments, and law enforcement with a handful of non-lethal options to manage wolf/livestock interactions.
Many of the impacts sustained by ranchers are well known to those in the industry, but were also recently solidified by research conducted by the University of California, Davis. Drs. Tina Saitone and Ken Tate led a multi-year study analyzing and recording wolves’ actual impacts on cattle through motion-activated field cameras, GPS collars, wolf scat analysis, and the collection of cattle hair samples to measure cortisol and stress.
This project was funded by the California Cattle Council, USDA Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Program, and the Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment.
According to the researchers, the study found:
- One wolf can cause between $69,000 and $162,000 in direct and indirect losses due to decreased conception rates and weight gain.
- Total indirect losses so far from three packs in Northeastern California have resulted in $1.4 million to $3.4 million to ranchers.
- 72% of wolf scat samples collected contained cattle DNA.
- Cortisol levels in hair samples collected from cattle demonstrated a significant increase in stress.
Further details on the study and its findings can be found by visiting the Cattle Council website at calcattlecouncil.org/recentworks/research/.
Undoubtedly, this issue continues to raise emotions and significant frustration from those impacted the most. As government and industry stakeholders continue to debate and refine a pathway forward, the Cattle Council will continue to highlight the challenges faced by ranchers through peer-reviewed and published academic research. The Cattle Council remains committed to addressing and responding to critical issues at the forefront of the industry.
RECENT INVESTMENTS
New CalResilient Campaign Video Launches
The latest installment of our CalResilient campaign launched earlier this month. The video features Elizabeth Poett, a seventh-generation cattle rancher, and highlights her efforts to preserve the ecosystem in Santa Barbara County.
https://youtu.be/R9IxF1xlCbk?si=O33DprHtGtWVtoxD
More campaign updates and advertisements are in next quarter’s newsletter.
CC Foundation Regulatory Update: Advancing Rancher Priorities Across Key Initiatives
The California Cattlemen’s Foundation (CCF) remains deeply engaged in a range of critical initiatives designed to support and protect California’s cattle producers. From safeguarding grazing lands and advancing food safety to reducing methane emissions and responding to animal health threats, CCF is working to ensure that ranchers’ voices are heard at every level of government. This important work is made possible through the financial support of the California Cattle Council.
Delta Grazing Forum & Ranch Tour Coming Soon
To address the ongoing loss of grazing lands in the Delta region, CCF is working with Western Resource Strategies, the Delta Protection Commission, and UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE). Together, we are planning a Delta Grazing Forum and ranch tour to engage agency officials and stakeholders in meaningful dialogue about protecting and expanding grazing opportunities. This effort is essential to preserving working lands and ensuring future generations of ranchers can thrive.
Enhancing Food Safety via the CAN Initiative
CCF continues its partnership with the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) through the California Agricultural Neighbors (CAN) initiative—a collaborative effort to improve food safety by strengthening coordination among cattle producers, produce growers, researchers, and regulators. While work in the Salinas Valley continues, CCF has played a vital role in protecting cattle producers in the Imperial Valley from being adversely affected by future E. coli regulations. These efforts are grounded in education and research. We are confident this initiative will continue to foster a safe and productive environment where farmers and ranchers can work side by side to deliver safe, nutritious food.
H5N1 Response & Industry Readiness
As H5N1 avian influenza remains a concern, CCF has partnered with CDFA to ensure a measured, science-based response that protects herd health while minimizing unnecessary disruption. CCF played a key role in preventing overreaching quarantine measures and preserving the ability to move cattle in- and out-of-state. CCF also helped shape CDFA’s H5N1 response policy and continues to advocate for developing a federal vaccine. Moving forward, we will work to ensure any potential vaccine program maintains consumer confidence and avoids trade barriers. This issue will require continued vigilance and collaboration to safeguard herd health and protect the sustainability of family ranches.
Looking Ahead
Throughout 2025, CCF will remain a strong advocate for cattle producers, working alongside CDFA and other partners to address challenges and seize new opportunities. Your investment in the California Cattle Council makes this work possible. Together, we are protecting the ranching way of life with the help of resources we did not have access to before, without the Cattle Council.
Keep involved with what the Council is doing! Follow @CattleCouncil on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay engaged and visit our website to learn about other investments the Council has made: calcattlecouncil.org