State Wolf-Livestock Compensation Workshop Update
Published Friday, May 8, 2026
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has completed its fifth workshop on the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program, continuing discussions on implementation of the program. The latest workshop focused on the program’s “pay for presence” component and how it may be administered. Previous workshops addressed improvements to the program’s direct loss and deterrence funding components.
The University of California, Berkeley, in partnership with California Farm Bureau and other stakeholders, will conduct a survey of livestock producers who have experienced losses and participated in the program. Members of the public will also have an opportunity to provide feedback. Additional information on the survey and upcoming outreach meetings is expected in the coming weeks. CDFW plans to hold in-person meetings in affected regions later this spring or early summer.
The workshops are occurring alongside broader developments in wolf management. CDFW recently announced additional nonlethal hazing tools for law enforcement, including pepper balls and rubber bullets, to help deter wolf attacks—an approach long supported by California Farm Bureau following the state’s transition to Phase 2 of the Wolf Recovery Plan. The department also announced the identification of additional wolf packs in California, bringing the statewide total to 12. California Farm Bureau is working collaboratively with CDFW on other issues beyond predators, including threatened and endangered species such as pollinators.
Staff contacts: Steven Fenaroli, sfenaroli@cfbf.com; Abby Carlson, acarlson@cfbf.com.
.svg.png?cacheid=0.9616018850896426)
