Advocacy in Action: Wolf program, drones, avian flu, commercial driver's license, sage grouse, dietary guidelines and farm aid

Wolf program

The California Farm Bureau and three other organizations that represent California farmers, ranchers and rural residents joined in a letter to ask for $30 million in the 2026-27 state budget to fund the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wolf Program. 

The funding is essential to ensure that California’s recovering gray wolf population continues to thrive without jeopardizing livestock production, which stewards one-third of the state’s lands and forms the backbone of the state’s rural economies. 

The California Cattlemen’s Association, Office of Kat Taylor and Rural County Representatives of California were the other groups that asked for the funding. Read the letter here.

California Farm Bureau and others have been successful in funding the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program at $5.3 million since 2021. The program is recognized as being one of the national leaders in compensation for livestock loss from predators. There are currently 10 recognized wolf packs in the state and additional areas of wolf activity.

Drones

The Federal Communications Commission announced on Dec. 22 a ban on new foreign-made drones and drone parts from entering the United States. The action stems from two executive orders issued by President Donald Trump related to unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS. 

The FCC’s determination followed a White House-convened review involving an executive branch interagency body with national security expertise. That review concluded that certain foreign-produced  UAS and critical component parts pose “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons.”

The decision does not affect consumers’ ability to continue using drones they already own, nor does it prevent retailers from selling, importing or marketing drone models previously approved through the FCC’s equipment authorization process. However, with foreign-based suppliers making up a significant portion of the UAS market, there are concerns the ban could disrupt agricultural operations that increasingly rely on drones for applications and other uses.

Avian flu

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has lifted the ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows, saying that the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza associated with such exhibitions has sufficiently decreased. 

The ban was first implemented last January due to continued spread of H5N1 bird flu. At that time, more than 700 dairy herds and 60 poultry flocks in the state were affected by the disease. 

CDFA said its decision to lift the ban was “based on a comprehensive review of current H5N1 infection trends, improved understanding of transmission dynamics and enhanced mitigation measures now in place.”

CDFA said it will continue to ensure that biosecurity practices are met. To that end, the department has extended its biosecurity measures through June for organic poultry by asking California producers to continue keeping their birds indoors.

The department has also asked organic certifiers to exempt the outdoor access requirement so that organic poultry can remain certified. 

In recent months, California has detected highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial and backyard poultry flocks, CDFA said. Detections also continue to be found in domestic and wild birds and dairies nationally. 

Commercial driver’s license

There is significant confusion about the current state of commercial driver’s licenses for nondomiciled persons in California and whether commercial driver’s licenses are being canceled. The California Department of Motor Vehicles says the extension given is valid, but the U.S. Department of Transportation argues otherwise. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Sept. 26 issued a preliminary determination of noncompliance letter to DMV relating to the issuance of commercial learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses for people in California whose permanent home is elsewhere. In accordance with the direction provided by the FMCSA, DMV has ceased issuing commercial learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses to people who are not California residents. People whose commercial learner’s permits or commercial driver’s license status has changed will receive a letter and/or email advising one of the following:

• Nondomiciled commercial learner’s permits and pending nondomiciled commercial driver’s license applications will be canceled.

• Nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses issued out of compliance with state law and federal regulations at the time of issuance will be canceled.

• Valid/unexpired nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses issued in compliance with state law and federal regulations at the time of issuance will remain valid until the expiration date.

DMV on Dec. 30 extended the cancellation date for some 17,000 nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses by an additional 60 days while the state continues to work with representatives of the FMCSA to resolve concerns with the commercial driver’s licensing process prior to March 6.

This extension provides additional time for DMV and FMCSA to identify a solution that allows affected drivers to continue working and serving California communities. Impacted drivers will receive letters shortly informing them of the extension.

Sage grouse

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management last month updated the sage-grouse plan for several states, including California. The revised management plans will place a greater emphasis on the important role cattle grazing plays in conservation and wildfire mitigation and tailor individual plans for specific regions as opposed to what many saw previously as a one-size-fits-all approach.

Dietary guidelines

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture last week updated the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030. The guidelines provide recommendations on foods and beverages to support better health and are used to shape several federal nutrition and feeding programs.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the updated guidelines represent a return to basics, urging Americans to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods—including protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and whole grains—while significantly reducing highly processed foods.

The update includes a redesigned food pyramid that places red meat protein, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats near the top, while emphasizing the need to limit highly processed foods, added sugars and artificial additives. 

A fact sheet released alongside the guidelines provides additional detail on the changes, which have drawn significant media attention given their scope. 

Health and nutrition remain a top priority for the Trump administration, which has frequently cited rising healthcare costs—particularly those tied to chronic disease—as a major national challenge.

Farm aid

The U.S. Department of Agriculture last month announced the next phase of the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program , which provides monetary assistance to impacted farmers of certain commodities. 

The new phase includes the per-acre payment rates of commodities that include cotton, rice and wheat. 

The $1 billion reserved for specialty crops and sugar remains under development, the department said, and details on how those funds will be distributed have not yet been finalized. Additional information is available on the USDA Farm Service Agency website.