DNR to Continue Full Cattle Payments for Wolf Attacks
Wisconsin Ag Connection – 04/28/2005
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Board approved a rule on Wednesday that removed a proposed $250 deductible and a $15,000 payment cap for livestock losses due to wolves. The idea was sparked when some of the agency’s officials wanted to come up with ways to help the department save money in its budget.
The news was gladly accepted by many producers and ranchers around the state. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says the board’s action is consistent with the Department’s Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan. The DNR Board also approved eligibility criteria to require producers to have only one calf killed in the same grazing season to receive depredation compensation.
“We’re pleased that the DNR listened to the overwhelming public testimony, especially after a federal ruling in January prohibited the gray wolf from being delisted as an endangered species,” said Jeff Lyon, director of governmental relations with the Farm Bureau. “This helps maintain a positive relationship between livestock producers and the DNR over an emotional and financially sensitive issue that isn’t going to go away.”
Wisconsin lost some of its ability to control the gray wolves that kill or harass livestock when a federal judge in Oregon ruled that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cannot remove the wolf from the endangered species list because recovery is not satisfactory for delisting in many states in the three recovery districts. While the wolf has made recovery in Wisconsin, the recovery has not advanced similarly in other states.
The Farm Bureau also told the DBR Board that it was concerned about the vagueness of cooperative management agreements to make sure that livestock producers can voluntarily work with government agencies on research and management control, and also make sure that information submitted by livestock producers be confidential and not open to public records.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau was also named to the committee which will annually determine payment maximums for livestock losses.