No Cost Assistance
You can receive assistance from the the California Cattlemen Foundation's Rancher Technical Assistance program at no cost thanks to the California Cattle Council's support.
RTAP provides free regulatory assistance for all cattle ranchers in California
(916) 409-6902 | rtap@wrstrat.com
Recognizing that many cattle producers could benefit from additional regulatory expertise and professional support, in the Spring of 2021 the California Cattle Council awarded a grant to the California Cattlemen’s Foundation to develop a technical assistance program. RTAP’s goal is to help ranchers stay ahead of the latest regulatory requirements by providing technical assistance to ranchers, enabling them to understand and navigate complex regulatory, environmental and business issues.
Take a minute to look over the questions and answers below to learn how you may be able to use RTAP to help you navigate regulatory compliance issues at no cost.
CURRENT RTAP RESOURCES
Free Guide Book
A Rancher’s Guide to California Livestock Transportation Regulations
There are extensive California and federal rules and regulations governing the use of vehicles. This guide provides an overview of the requirements for the legal operation of pickups and trailers commonly used in California’s beef cattle industry.
Free Factsheet
Factsheet: Wildfire Assistance Programs Available to California Ranchers
An overview of the USDA programs providing wildfire assistance. It’s important to note that several of the disaster assistance programs have initial notification deadlines that must be met in order to be eligible for funding.
Free Factsheet
Factsheet: Flood Assistance Programs Available to California Ranchers
An overview of the USDA programs providing flood assistance. Please note that several of the disaster assistance programs have initial notification deadlines that must be met in order to be eligible for funding.
-LM, San Luis Obispo County
“I reached out to the RTAP team, Jack and Noah, with questions I had regarding water permitting and regulations. I was impressed with their knowledge, courtesy, and responsiveness, which helped me truly understand the complex regulations in a manner for me to move forward. I strongly recommend RTAP to anyone needing assistance in dealing with regulatory agencies as they are experts and can dive in quickly to get the answers and help needed.”
-MS, Siskiyou County
"The RTAP team did an excellent job of explaining stockpond registrations and their regulations. They helped clarify how the State Water Board defines a stockpond."
PRODUCER TESTIMONIALS FROM ACROSS THE STATE
RANCHER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FAQs
What is the technical assistance program?
RTAP is a joint project developed by the California Cattlemen’s Foundation and Western Resource Strategies, LLC and funded by the California Cattle Council. RTAP’s goal is to help ranchers stay ahead of the latest regulatory requirements by providing technical assistance to ranchers, enabling them to understand and navigate complex regulatory, environmental and business issues.
The technical assistance RTAP provides is limited to understanding and navigating regulatory requirements. The team will provide general guidance on what is required and where you can find the resources you need to fulfill your regulatory obligations. RTAP cannot provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should engage your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before making any decisions.
Who is eligible for assistance?
RTAP is available to all California ranchers at no cost. Any cattle producer struggling to deal with a regulatory or technical issue can reach out to RTAP and the team will work to help you understand what is required and how to fulfill those requirements. As RTAP assists cattle producers in grappling with regulatory requirements, it will provide valuable insights regarding the real-world challenges of California’s complex regulations; CCA can use this information as we work in Sacramento to reduce these regulatory burdens on ranchers.
What types of issues can the RTAP team help cattle producers with through this program?
RTAP’s initial focus is helping cattle producers navigate regulatory requirements related to their operations. This can include water, land use, wildlife, transportation and other issues. For example, a cattle producer may call with questions about stockpond registrations, prescribed fire regulations or vehicle code requirements. When the RTAP team does not know the answer immediately, they will research the issue and respond as quickly as possible.
The RTAP team will also work to help you with non-regulatory questions where they can. This might include issues like the tax provisions related to drought-related livestock sales, conservation programs and disaster relief. Recognizing that cattle producers in California are always facing new challenges, RTAP will work to help you understand and adapt to new issues.
If I call in for assistance on an issue who will be helping me?
When you contact RTAP you will be connecting with Jack Rice and Noah Lopez of Western Resource Strategies, LLC. Jack and Noah work with the team at CCA to provide the best technical assistance possible to cattle producers.
Do you have examples of issues RTAP may be able to assist with?
Drought and wildfire assistance programs
State and federal vehicular/transportation regulations
Water diversion measurement and reporting
Property taxation and other tax issues
SWRCB water rights applications
Access to public lands and grazing opportunities
Rangeland monitoring
Air quality regulations and permitting
Depredation and take permit compliance
Rangeland water quality regulations and planning
Various state and federal permitting issues
How can producers contact RTAP for assistance?
Livestock producers can reach out by calling (916) 409-6902 or emailing rtap@wrstrat.com.
What is the technical assistance program?
RTAP is a joint project developed by the California Cattlemen’s Foundation and Western Resource Strategies, LLC and funded by the California Cattle Council. RTAP’s goal is to help ranchers stay ahead of the latest regulatory requirements by providing technical assistance to ranchers, enabling them to understand and navigate complex regulatory, environmental and business issues.
The technical assistance RTAP provides is limited to understanding and navigating regulatory requirements. The team will provide general guidance on what is required and where you can find the resources you need to fulfill your regulatory obligations. RTAP cannot provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should engage your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before making any decisions.
Who is eligible for assistance?
RTAP is available to all California ranchers at no cost. Any cattle producer struggling to deal with a regulatory or technical issue can reach out to RTAP and the team will work to help you understand what is required and how to fulfill those requirements. As RTAP assists cattle producers in grappling with regulatory requirements, it will provide valuable insights regarding the real-world challenges of California’s complex regulations; CCA can use this information as we work in Sacramento to reduce these regulatory burdens on ranchers.
What types of issues can the RTAP team help cattle producers with through this program?
RTAP’s initial focus is helping cattle producers navigate regulatory requirements related to their operations. This can include water, land use, wildlife, transportation and other issues. For example, a cattle producer may call with questions about stockpond registrations, prescribed fire regulations or vehicle code requirements. When the RTAP team does not know the answer immediately, they will research the issue and respond as quickly as possible.
The RTAP team will also work to help you with non-regulatory questions where they can. This might include issues like the tax provisions related to drought-related livestock sales, conservation programs and disaster relief. Recognizing that cattle producers in California are always facing new challenges, RTAP will work to help you understand and adapt to new issues.
If I call in for assistance on an issue who will be helping me?
When you contact RTAP you will be connecting with Jack Rice and Noah Lopez of Western Resource Strategies, LLC. Jack and Noah work with the team at CCA to provide the best technical assistance possible to cattle producers.
Do you have examples of issues RTAP may be able to assist with?
Drought and wildfire assistance programs
State and federal vehicular/transportation regulations
Water diversion measurement and reporting
Property taxation and other tax issues
SWRCB water rights applications
Access to public lands and grazing opportunities
Rangeland monitoring
Air quality regulations and permitting
Depredation and take permit compliance
Rangeland water quality regulations and planning
Various state and federal permitting issues
How can producers contact RTAP for assistance?
Livestock producers can reach out by calling (916) 409-6902 or emailing rtap@wrstrat.com.
HEAR IT FOR YOURSELF
Jack Rice and Noah Lopez of Western Resource Strategies, LLC. were featured on an episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast to talk about how they are now providing regulatory expertise and professional support to all California cattle producers through the Rancher Technical Assistance