CDFA Announces 14 Vacancies On Cattle Health Task Force Advisory Board

Dec 29, 2025

CDFA's Animal Health Branch is announcing fourteen vacancies on the Cattle Health Task Force Advisory Board. The Board makes recommendations to the Secretary on matters pertaining to: 

Adoption, modification, and repeal of regulations and procedures

Rate and collection of license fees and penalties

Posting and providing notice for changes in bylaws, general procedures, or orders

All matters pertaining to Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) Division 5, Part 2, Chapter 4, including, but not limited to, the control and management of cattle health diseases, evaluating effectiveness of cattle health programs, necessary fees to provide adequate services, and regulations required to accomplish the purposes of the chapter.

Current vacancies:

Minimum of Three (3) Industry members – The Advisory Board will consider a variety of state livestock industry representatives for this vacancy, including, but not limited to, the following: active cattle producers or are recognized representatives of a livestock trade association.

Minimum of Three (3) academic, university or extension members – The Board will consider academic, university or extension members for this vacancy, who specialize in cattle health diseases.

Minimum of Three (3) licensed veterinarians – The Board will consider licensed veterinarians for this vacancy, who specifically practice veterinary medicine for beef and/or dairy cattle.

Source : ca.gov

Video: Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Laya Alves from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, discusses how animal welfare regulations are evolving globally and their impact on pig production systems. She explains challenges in group housing, pain management, and euthanasia decisions, while highlighting the role of training and management in improving outcomes and economic sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Translating welfare requirements into daily farm routines without compromising economic sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges faced by producers globally today."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laya Alves / laya-kannan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on animal welfare in pig production, including pain management, euthanasia, and economic decision making. Her work integrates welfare science with practical farm management and sustainability. She collaborates globally to develop applied tools for producers.