How are livestock managers working with Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) and scientists to explore improving the region's rangeland stewardship through work at Cal Poly's Swanton Pacific Ranch?

Join Swanton Pacific Ranch to hear from and discuss varying perspectives about how to improve rangeland management on California's central coast. Sean Baird (Cal Poly) and Paige Pastorino (Pastorino Farms) will discuss their strategies for livestock and rangeland management while touring the ground they manage. Sacha Lozano and Dan Hermstad (both Santa Cruz RCD), and Bailey Smith-Helman (UC Tech. Assistance) will lead a discussion about how to better collaborate on and access financial incentives (or cost-share) programs meant to improve carbon sequestration on ranches and farms. Cal Poly researchers Stewart Wilson, Seeta Sistla, Yamina Pressler, Marc Horney and Grace Damaschino will co-lead a discussion about how  management and soils interact and how we are starting to understand how to improve productivity while sequestering carbon given varying soil types in our region.

Registration is limited: to reserve a spot email Grey Hayes gfhayes@calpoly.edu or call 831-227-7163

Cost: no cost- this is a free workshop (including a free lunch!)

Deadline to register: October 11, 5pm

Click here for the agenda.

This workshop is sponsored by Cal Poly and the California Department of Food and Agriculture in partnership with California Climate Investments- carbon cap and trade funding at work.

Join the Central Coast Rangeland Coalition for our Fall 2023 Workhsop in Santa Cruz County. See details below.

Thursday, October 19, 2023, 8:30 – 4:15

Morning Location: Scotts Valley Community Center
360 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley

and

Afternoon Location: Glenwood Open Space Preserve
Parking at--127 Vine Hill School Rd, Scotts Valley

Cost:  $40

Cattle ranching on the Central Coast supports conservation of rangeland ecosystems including habitat for numerous threatened and endangered species. This workshop will consider two challenges facing ranching and its ability to support conservation (1) declining availability of and changing requirements for liability insurance for grazing lessees and (2) lack of ranch worker housing; and will consider the value of rancher-landowner collaboration.
 
The workshop includes a visit to the Glenwood Preserve where the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County is working with a grazing lessee to conserve habitat for the Ohlone Tiger Beetle and other special-status species, reduce fire fuels, support compatible recreational uses, and meet the operational needs of the rancher.

Click here to register and see below for the meeting agenda.

The University of California Cooperative Extension is looking for a half-time administrative assistant. The position will be based at of our office in Hollister. We're looking for a great candidate to join our small, but dedicated team. Please share this job announcement with anyone who may be interested.

The main focus of the position is to provide administrative services to the University of California Cooperative Extension Office in San Benito County. Services provided include receiving and processing information, planning, scheduling, creating spreadsheets, compiling and manipulating data, creating and compiling reports and handouts, creating correspondence, formatting newsletters, and reports, coordinating workflow, and working with clientele. This position will also handle website and media support, answer general phone lines and emails, and provide general program assistance.

This position is a career appointment that is 50% fixed.

Pay Scale: $27.34/hour to $32.84/hour

This job is open until filled, but the first applicant review date will be two weeks from the posting, which will be 8/28/2023. 

For more information or to apply, please check out this website: https://ucanr.edu/About/Jobs/?jobnum=2609.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

July 2023

On May 18, 2023, Vesicular Stomatitis Virus was detected in a horse premises in San Diego County. Since then, several more counties in the southern half of California have reported positive cases of vesicular stomatitis, mainly in horses. Two cattle premises and a rhino in a wildlife park were also confirmed positive for the virus. A current map of affected counties with quarantined premises can be accessed through the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) at this link. The CDFA also offers a number of informational materials related to Vesicular Stomatitis Virus on this dedicated webpage.

What is Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV)?

Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) is a contagious viral disease that often affects horses, but can also lead to clinical signs in cattle, swine, wild ruminants, small ruminants, and llamas and alpacas, causing painful sores and blisters in their mouths and on their hooves. Though not typically fatal, VS can have significant economic and welfare impacts on affected animals. In rare cases, people can also become infected and develop flu-like symptoms. Understanding VS during the current outbreak is crucial for producers, veterinarians, and anyone involved in the livestock industry.

Transmission and Spread

VSV primarily spreads through direct contact with infected animals. The virus can also be transmitted through contaminated equipment, feed, or water sources. Certain insects, such as, midges, sandflies, and blackflies, can carry and spread the virus from one animal to another. However, there are still some uncertainties about how the virus spreads between animals and between premises.

Clinical Signs

Once animals are infected with VSV, it takes about 2 to 8 days for the first clinical signs to appear. Common symptoms include the formation of painful blisters and sores in the mouth, on the tongue, and around the lips which causes the excessive drooling and reluctance to eat. The virus may also cause similar painful lesions on the hooves and teats. In severe cases, the animals may experience lameness due to hoof lesions further contributing to decreased feed and water intake. Severely affected animals may be dehydrated with metabolic and acid-base derangements (especially ruminants as they produce a large amount of saliva which is critical for buffering the rumen). Animals may lose condition due to the painful lesions.

Impact on Cattle and Livestock Industry

VSV is classified as a "reportable disease," which means it must be reported to the local authorities upon detection. The reason for this classification is the potential for VSV to mimic the signs of other more dangerous diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Once VSV is suspected, a quarantine will be issued so animals may not leave from the premises until cases have resolved. Timely reporting and temporary movement restrictions for affected premises is the best way to reduce the spread of VS. Call your local veterinarian or your CDFA Animal Health Branch if you suspect a case of VS in your livestock. There is no “punishment” for having the disease in your livestock, other than being under temporary quarantine. Affected animals won't be eliminated as is the case for other livestock diseases such as bovine tuberculosis or Newcastle disease in poultry. Ifeveryone stays vigilant and reports cases of VS, spread of the disease will be minimized.

Plan ahead for interstate livestock movements

When shipping cattle or other livestock interstate, there may now be additional restrictions for the certificate of veterinary inspection required by the importing state. Make sure you plan ahead and discuss with your veterinarian when to schedule visits for health certificates for interstate movement. The same may be true when taking animals to a livestock fair.

Prevention and Control

Preventing VSV outbreaks requires a combination of biosecurity measures and vigilant monitoring. Livestock owners should:

1. Implement strict biosecurity protocols to limit contact between healthy and potentially infected animals.
2. Regularly inspect animals for any signs of the disease, such as blisters, sores, or lameness. Wear gloves when examining mouths to avoid exposure to the virus.
3. Isolate and quarantine suspected cases immediately to prevent further spread.
4. Practice proper sanitation and hygiene when handling livestock and equipment. The virus is susceptible to disinfection with various products including diluted bleach, iodine, quaternary ammonium, and phenolic compounds.
5. Minimize exposure to potential insect vectors by using repellents or insecticides. Check the VetPestX website for information on available products to kill or repel the most important vectors.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available for VSV, so biosecurity, hygiene, and vector control are the best ways to prevent the disease.

It's important to note that there is no specific treatment for VSV, and supportive care is the mainstay for affected animals. Veterinarians may recommend pain relief, hydration support, and providing soft and easily consumable feed.