Urban sprawl big problem for California cattleman

Joe Fereira grew up ranching in the open grasslands of California’s Alameda County but today he is alarmed by encroaching urban development. “Yes, I am concerned,” he said. “The property to the west of us was recently built on. This took away some grazing acreage from our operation." Previously, he added, a large development was built at the base of the property, which changed the ranch's easement and greatly decreased the open land in the area. "The property that we graze is bordered by urban development," he said. "This has created issues in the past with people from different backgrounds that do not understand aspects of ranching and running cattle.” Fereira said the cattle industry has changed over the last five years. “The public perception of the livestock industry can really affect the industry as a whole, which can be argued either way whether it is better or worse than five years ago,” he said. “In recent years I have witnessed first hand the older generation of ranchers and farmers starting to phase out. This is where we as an industry need to educate and push the younger generation to carry on ranching to maintain the industry." With the median age of farmers and ranchers around 58 years old, the oncoming years are going to be a transitional stage where the younger generation will play a big part in the health of the livestock industry, he said...MORE