Vulture Attacks Eat Away Income for Livestock Producers

Feb 15, 2021

By Judy Mae Bingman

Vultures can be costly to livestock producers, but as federally-protected migratory birds, their control is complicated. Estimates place the annual loss to livestock producers at $300,000 to $500,000.

USDA reports from 2015 indicate that 24,600 calf deaths and another 2,170 cow deaths were due to vultures. The Farm Journal reported in 2019 that vulture attacks are escalating in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

To help producers understand the regulations and options available to protect livestock, the Illinois Farm Bureau, University of Illinois Extension, and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services Program are offering a free informational webinar from 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 23. Register at bit.ly/3rkjWyN.

“There are certain things that can be done, including clearing dead trees and tree limbs, ensuring any carcasses are properly buried or removed, and using ‘bird bombs’ or loud noises to keep them from gathering," says Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau associate director of commodities and livestock programs "Still, because they’re a protected species, we want to make sure farmers know exactly what can and can’t be done.”

If you will need an accommodation in order to participate, please email Tbunting@ilfb.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

Source : illinois.edu

Video: Food Inflation and Pork Demand - Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Professor and Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, discusses how food inflation is reshaping Canadian protein demand. He explains why pork remains competitively priced, consumer behavior, and why transparency, AI-assisted shopping, and protein demand will matter in the years ahead. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The potential of pork is there. We just need to see the product assume that role and take it away because all the elements are there."

Meet the guest: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in Dalhousie University's Faculty of Management and Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab. His research focuses on food distribution, food policy, food safety, food security, and traceability. Dr. Charlebois has written four books and more than 500 peer-reviewed and scientific articles. He holds a BComm from the Royal Military College, an MBA from UQAM, and a DBA from the University of Sherbrooke. Learn more from Dr. Sylvain Charlebois on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.