Jeanette Lombardo is the executive director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition based in Waco, Texas.

One major result of the pandemic has been to bring more people into parks and public lands for hiking, biking and other recreational activities. In areas like California’s East Bay Regional Parks where about 65% of the land is grazed by livestock – visitors might see goats, sheep and, most likely, cattle. Those encounters with animals (or their manure) represent a prime opportunity for members of the public to learn about agriculture and the ecological benefits of rangelands.

Almost all breeds in the U.S. today are of British and European descent, but many ranchers in Southern areas prefer cattle with some Zebu influence. In recent years, African types with less Zebu genetic influence and more Bos taurus have been introduced.

Over the course of the past month, and likely for the next several years, California dairy farmers are having to make drastic adjustments to their operations.

PDO tour participants observed rotary parlours and robots in response to labour shortages in California.