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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 22Pt. 2Ch. 2.5Art. 2§ 65012 Beef And Cattle Definitions

§ 65012 Beef And Cattle Definitions

Food and Agricultural Code·California
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§ 65012 Beef And Cattle Definitions

Key Takeaways

  • •Beef is the meat from cows, including young cows (veal).
  • •A 'cattle feeder' is someone who raises cows in small spaces to get them ready for sale.
  • •A 'producer' is someone who owns cows and can prove it, but not someone who just helps sell them.
  • •The law defines who does what in the cow and beef business, like handlers, processors, and range producers.

Example

A farmer raises cows on a big grassy field to sell their meat.

This farmer is called a 'range cattle producer' because they raise cows mostly on open land to make beef.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 65012 Beef And Cattle Definitions

(a) “Beef” means the meat of cattle and includes veal. (b) “Cattle” and “beef cattle” are synonymous and mean bovine animals of any breed, regardless of age. (c) “Cattle feeder” means a producer raising cattle in confined spaces for the purposes of finishing cattle for market. (d) “Council” means the California Cattle Council. (e) “Department” means the Department of Food and Agriculture. (f) “Ex officio member” means a nonvoting member of the council. (g) “Handler” means a person engaged in the marketing of beef that the handler has produced, purchased, or acquired from a producer, or is marketed on behalf of a producer, whether as the owner, agent, employee, broker, or otherwise. (h) “Member” means any member of the council. (i) “Other products derived from the California cattle industry” include, but are not limited to, those edible, industrial, and medicinal products produced in whole or in part from beef, dairy, or cattle. (j) “Processor” means a person who harvests cattle or markets products derived from cattle to willing consumers, including beef, dairy products, or other products derived from the California cattle industry. (k) “Producer” is a person who owns or acquires ownership of beef or dairy cattle, and who, upon request, provides proof of ownership of cattle or, for purposes of voting pursuant to this chapter, has owned beef or dairy cattle within the same calendar year as the vote occurs. A person is not a producer if the person’s only share in the proceeds of the sale of cattle or beef is a sales commission, handling fee, or other service fee. (l) “Range cattle producer” means a person who owns and raises cattle primarily on range or pastureland for the purpose of producing beef and other products derived from the California cattle industry. (m) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. (Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 410, Sec. 2. (SB 965) Effective January 1, 2019. Provisions operative or inoperative as prescribed in Sections 65061, 65066, 65068, and 65069. Repealed conditionally pursuant to Section 65066.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

california cattle councilownershipbeefcattle feederdepartment of food and agriculturehandlerproducerprocessor

Related Statutes

  • § 62580.5 Milk Producer Trust Fund Waiver
  • § 45012 Public Member Appointment Process
  • § 46013 Late Fee Penalty Rules
  • § 46020 Organic Product Sales Violations
  • § 5912 Citrus Industry Definitions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 65012.
View Official Source