A MESSAGE FROM
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“…the Cattle Council offers new strength to the industry by giving it the opportunity to go on the offensive.”
We are well into 2024, and it seems that California is having a busy year. Rain continues to fall as we enter another year that is on pace to surpass averages.
The Council is hard at work funding projects that will target current industry and producer priorities. We are coming off a strong year in 2023, where the Council spent a large percentage of our annual budget to launch an aggressive public affairs campaign on the environmental and economic benefits created by California’s cattle industry. (https://calcattlecouncil.org/calresilient-2023/) All three industry segments were equally highlighted – from ranchers to dairy farmers to cattle feeders. This campaign marked a new milestone for California’s cattle industry, particularly the beef industry, which saw TV, online, digital, and radio advertisements up and down the state stressing the importance of cattle grazing to reduce wildfire intensity, promote wildlife habitat, and much more. In addition, TV, radio, and digital advertisements also highlighted the significant investments the dairy industry has already made to reduce methane emissions. There are no shortage of issues to react to at any given time in California, however the Cattle Council offers new strength to the industry by giving it the opportunity to go on the offensive.
The Council is now entering its fifth year. I will have much to talk about what we will be doing in 2024 in the future, but I want to take a brief moment to reflect on the significant progress we have made since 2019. We emerged from the pandemic firing on all cylinders and tackled a myriad of issues with effective and meaningful campaigns. Don’t forget the Rancher’s Technical Assistance Program and the other successful projects the Council has funded through our industry partners to maximize your dollar investment and reduce overhead and administrative costs.
As for 2024, we began the year by conducting targeted public opinion focus groups in Sonoma and Marin Counties. The dairy and cattle industry is expected to be challenged in Sonoma County, specifically this year, regarding their ability to operate as normal. Although the Council cannot engage in supporting or opposing ballot initiatives or legislation, we can conduct research and broad public education campaigns.
Our work for 2024 is just kicking off, and there will be much more to discuss and provide updates on over the next few months. Please stay tuned and never hesitate to visit our website to see the specific products of our work firsthand. We appreciate your ongoing support of the Cattle Council and wish you a healthy and productive 2024.
CATCH UP ON STORIES FROM
CALIFORNIA CATTLE COUNTRY
Season three of Stories from California Cattle Country kicked off 2024, highlighting ranchers in California who have been impacted by wildfire.
https://calcattlecouncil.org/season-3-of-stories-from-california-cattle-country/
In episode one, we speak with Dave Daley about his experience with fire and how wildland management is holding up. Dave shares his feelings on the outlook for the future.
In episode two, we meet California rancher and Deputy Fire Chief for the Santa Barbara Fire Department, Anthony Stornetta, and speak about increasing fire behavior and what can be done to mitigate it.
In episode three, we meet Mike Furlong and talk about his ranching operation in Bodega Bay, his family’s experience with fires in the area, and what can be done to mitigate them.
Episode four takes us up to Sonoma County, where we speak with Dr. Stephanie Larson, County Director and Livestock Range Management Advisor and Director of the University of California Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County, about fires in the county, rangeland management, and how cattle can help.
To listen and learn about each episode, visit the homepage of the California Cattle Council website at https://calcattlecouncil.org Get a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast by following our Instagram page @CalCattleCountry. This podcast is produced by the California Cattlemen’s Foundation with support from the California Cattle Council.
In the month of March, the Rancher Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) can assist you with the CDFW’s take permit process. For more information about RTAP, visit calcattlemenfoundation.org/rtap
RTAP is a free regulatory assistance program for all cattle ranchers. The program is provided by the California Cattlemen’s Foundation and funded by the California 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