Goat owners involved in wildfire prevention in California are voicing concerns that a newly implemented wage law could drive their businesses under.
Approximately 20% of California’s 500,000 sheep and 125,000 goats are actively engaged in controlled grazing, using their appetite for vegetation to help lower wildfire risks, according to a March report from the California Department of Industrial Relations.
This month, the cost for hiring a goat herder surged dramatically, reaching as high as $240,000 annually, following the expiration of a minimum wage exemption on July 1.
Tim Arrowsmith, owner of Western Glazers, expressed bleak prospects, stating, “We’ll likely sell these goats for slaughter and file for bankruptcy here in California.”
Typically, goat herders are on the job around the clock. They need to stay on-site to monitor their animals and respond to emergencies like disease outbreaks or threats from predators.
Although ranchers have historically enjoyed exemptions from California’s overtime laws, legislation introduced in 2016 mandated that the Department of Industrial Relations establish an alternative minimum wage for such workers. By 2025, the standard monthly wage will reach $2,934, with overtime set at $1,887 or a total of $4,820 per month.
However, this legislation only applies to shepherds, enforcing a staggering minimum wage of $20,000 monthly for goat herders. In response to this change, lawmakers allowed for transitional pay up until July of this year.
Now that this grace period has expired, ranchers are confronted with a potential crisis unless further legislative action is taken promptly.
Brian Allen, co-owner of Green Goat Landscapers, noted, “We’re providing an essential service that’s beneficial for all of California. Goats can access areas that people and machines can’t, significantly reducing wildfire risks.”
The wage increases already imposed by the 2016 law have forced ranchers to make adjustments, such as managing more animals per herder. Attempts to grant goat herders permanent exemptions from agricultural overtime regulations were met with opposition from influential labor groups.
The California Federation of Labor stated, “All agricultural workers are essential, and we must ensure they receive the fair wages they deserve.”
Whether lawmakers will revisit this issue remains uncertain as advocates call for stronger protections for herders. The California Post reached out to state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, who sponsored the bill, but it appears discussions are still in early stages.
The March report also proposed potential remedies, including adjusting monthly salaries and enhancing enforcement measures for worker protections. The idea of using drones for monitoring herds was also mentioned as a forward-thinking solution.
Allen conveyed a sense of unease regarding the future of his business, stating, “We’re not at that point yet, and I hope we don’t reach it. This issue needs to be resolved.”
