Although the reintroduction of wolves in 1995 did not have a major effect on ranchers, cattlemen across the state of Wyoming are now experiencing the economic squeeze with the wolf population reaching more than 1,500 animals. Direct and indirect economic impacts of the wolf reintroduction were analyzed in an Animal Science Seminar presented by Jordan Steele, a MS graduate in Agricultural Economics.
Statewide, wolf depredation is second in number only to coyotes, but in northwest and western districts of Wyoming, wolves are the no. 1 cause of cattle loss, according to Steele’s presentation. Ranchers are compensated for livestock lost to wolves.
With a game warden verified depredation, ranchers can expect a 7:1 compensation ratio for their animals. This ratio means that for every depredation incident found and verified, there are an estimated six more that have not been found, and the rancher will be paid for all of them.
The loss of cattle has substantial economic impact but is not the only effect that the wolves have on livestock populations. Along with the direct effects of the livestock depredation, cattle that are being pressured by wolf populations experience stress that creates further economic losses. This stress causes animals to not eat and sleep normally, which can result in lower weaning weights, reduced conception rates and stress-related illnesses.
The rise in illness increases the amount of time spent checking and managing the herd and increases the labor costs. This combination of incidents causes cattlemen to spend more money that they may not make back at the sale barn.
Weaning weight was the most detrimentally affected trait impacted by the wolves, Steele said. Even with low wolf pressure, weaning weight dropped an average of ten pounds per animal and nearly fifty pounds in severe situations. The number of cull animals and doctored animals also rose with the increase of predator stress.
The management of the wolves has now been transferred to the states and the animals have been given dual classification in Wyoming. With a trophy animal and predator status, pressure from the wolves may decrease with time but ranchers still have to deal with the current impacts, both direct and indirect.
