Thomas Foulke

Wolf (Canis lupus) Predation Impacts on Livestock Production: Direct Effects, Indirect Effects, and Implications for Compensation Ratios

Abstract Growing wolf (Canis lupus L.) populations in the US Rocky Mountain Region have increased conflicts between livestock production and wolf conservation. Given that the costs of large carnivore conservation are disproportionately borne by local livestock producers, the United States uses compensation for wolf damage to reduce conflicts and mediate negative attitudes toward the predators. Current compensation programs, however, only consider the direct effects of wolf predation. Indirect effects, such as wolf effects on weaning weights, and conception rates, may also reduce profitability. By not including indirect wolf effects, compensation programs may systematically undercompensate ranchers. We use a stochastic budget model of a representative cow–calf ranch in northwest Wyoming to estimate the economic impact of both direct (death loss and injured calves) and indirect effects (decreased weaning weights, decreased conception rates, and increased cattle sickness) of wolf predation. Our results suggest that short-run (i.e., year-to-year) financial impacts of wolf indirect effects may be as large as or larger than the direct effects. Including indirect effects implies that the compensation ratio (i.e., number of calves compensated per confirmed depredation) necessary to fully offset the financial impacts of wolves would need to be two to three times larger than current 7:1 compensation ratio used in Wyoming.

Ranch-Level Economic Impacts of Predation in a Range Livestock System

Predation can impose signifi cant costs on agricultural producers in range livestock systems. Livestock producers in the western United States have experienced predation on their herds since domestic livestock were introduced into the region. Early efforts to control predators were often initiated by individual ranchers or small local groups. The fi rst federal involvement in wildlife damage control in the United States occurred in 1885. By 1915, Congress was appropriating funds for federal predator control operations directed at wolves and coyotes. In 1931, Congress passed the Animal Damage Control Act authorizing the control of injurious animals. This act is still in effect today. Today, USDA’s Wildlife Services, state and local agencies, and livestock producers work cooperatively to manage predators. Despite predator control efforts, Western livestock producers still experience signifi cant predations losses. Wyoming’s agricultural sector lost 4,000 cattle and calves