Coyotes top annual USDA predator list
Tam Moore
Capital Press Staff Writer
The coyote continues to be the top livestock predator in the West and in the United States, according to a report by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Data on death loss for cattle during 2005 was released last week by the USDA statistical agency. It combines predation loss with disease and birth loss estimates, compiled by state. The agency alternates species each year; a similar death loss report was issued last May for sheep.
Coyote losses for cattle were put at 97,000 head across the country, with most of the victims calves. Total predation losses were 190,000 head. Predation losses were a fraction of total cattle deaths in 2005, when an estimated 3.9 million head died or disappeared from herds. The No. 1 killer of cattle on farm or ranch was respiratory illness, accounting for 1.1 million head worth about $692 million.
Tom McDonnell, a consultant for the American Sheep Industries association, said predation losses from coyotes run about 60 percent of total predation loss. The USDA data for 2004 show far more sheep and lambs – 224,200 head – fall victim to predation than do cattle and calves. In addition, it is estimated that 155,000 goats died of predation in 2004. The report did not estimate goat loss by state.
The sheep industry pegged its predation loss at $18.3 million and reported spending $9.8 million on protective measures not related to trapping and killing coyotes or other predators. The investment in protective measures is concentrated on making secure night pens for ewes and their lambs and in purchasing guard dogs and other guard animals to patrol sheep pasture.
Several states in 2005 reported no predation losses among cattle. They include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Tam Moore is based in Medford, Ore. His e-mail address is [email protected]
Tam Moore
Capital Press Staff Writer
The coyote continues to be the top livestock predator in the West and in the United States, according to a report by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Data on death loss for cattle during 2005 was released last week by the USDA statistical agency. It combines predation loss with disease and birth loss estimates, compiled by state. The agency alternates species each year; a similar death loss report was issued last May for sheep.
Coyote losses for cattle were put at 97,000 head across the country, with most of the victims calves. Total predation losses were 190,000 head. Predation losses were a fraction of total cattle deaths in 2005, when an estimated 3.9 million head died or disappeared from herds. The No. 1 killer of cattle on farm or ranch was respiratory illness, accounting for 1.1 million head worth about $692 million.
Tom McDonnell, a consultant for the American Sheep Industries association, said predation losses from coyotes run about 60 percent of total predation loss. The USDA data for 2004 show far more sheep and lambs – 224,200 head – fall victim to predation than do cattle and calves. In addition, it is estimated that 155,000 goats died of predation in 2004. The report did not estimate goat loss by state.
The sheep industry pegged its predation loss at $18.3 million and reported spending $9.8 million on protective measures not related to trapping and killing coyotes or other predators. The investment in protective measures is concentrated on making secure night pens for ewes and their lambs and in purchasing guard dogs and other guard animals to patrol sheep pasture.
Several states in 2005 reported no predation losses among cattle. They include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Tam Moore is based in Medford, Ore. His e-mail address is [email protected]