The U.S. Department of Agriculture is urging states to review their wolf management policies and work closely with livestock producers as part of a broader effort to protect ranchers from predator losses.
The action follows President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive order titled “Supporting America’s Ranchers,” which includes efforts to increase awareness about reporting livestock losses caused by predators.
USDA said ranchers in areas with wolf populations have faced livestock injuries and deaths caused by the predators. The department is encouraging state officials to evaluate existing policies and ensure producers have access to available assistance when wolf conflicts occur.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service provides wolf damage management assistance through partnerships with state and federal agencies. That assistance can include support for authorized lethal removal of wolves responsible for livestock losses when such action is permitted under applicable state and federal laws.
The department also highlighted recent changes to the Livestock Indemnity Program, which provides financial assistance to eligible livestock owners and contract growers for qualifying animal deaths caused by eligible adverse conditions, including certain predator attacks.
Under the changes, compensation for qualifying predator-related livestock losses has been increased to 100% of the determined market value.
USDA said the efforts are intended to give ranchers additional tools to address predator conflicts while encouraging better coordination among livestock producers and state and federal wildlife officials.