WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging state partners to review wolf management policies and strengthen communication with livestock producers as the federal government works to address wolf predation and its financial impact on ranchers. The effort follows President Donald Trump’s September 4 executive order, Supporting America’s Ranchers.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) Policy Director Garrett Edmonds says ranchers still face challenges managing livestock losses to wolves, with policies and protections varying by state.
“Ranchers continue to have to navigate the complexities of working among these apex predators that are protected under a number of different categories and different states,” Edmonds said.
USDA Pushes for Better Communication
In his interview with RFD-TV, Edmonds said he appreciates the administration’s efforts to encourage state agencies to listen to livestock producers and address problems they encounter in the field.
“These are the issues that we’re working every day to raise, whether it’s in the halls of Congress with the agencies themselves or even in the courts,” he said.
He said USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services is an important resource for ranchers seeking help investigating suspected livestock predation.
“They’re a great partnership for them,” Edmonds said. “When it comes to carrying out investigations for purposes of confirming depredations and getting those payments out, we have to have them.”
USDA says APHIS Wildlife Services provides wolf damage management assistance at the request of appropriate state agencies or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Requests for lethal removal must come through those authorities and comply with applicable state and federal law.
Livestock Loss Compensation Increases
Edmonds also pointed to the Livestock Indemnity Program as a resource for producers who lose livestock to qualifying predator attacks.
Under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, USDA’s Farm Service Agency increased payments for qualifying predation losses involving endangered or federally protected animals to 100% of the determined market value. The change is retroactive to January 1, 2026.
A More Coordinated Approach to Wolf Management
Edmonds said clearer communication among agencies could help ranchers navigate reporting requirements and predator-related conflicts.
“Ensuring that ranchers know who to go to for what things, that seems to be an ongoing problem that we’ve seen on the ground in terms of reporting conflicts or depredations,” he said.
He noted that procedures vary by state and that miscommunication can complicate the process.
“If we can streamline communication, keep everyone in the loop, allow the agencies to receive the feedback from the ranchers, the ones on the landscape, the stewards of these lands, I think that will streamline a lot of the problems and pinch points we’ve seen in the past,” Edmonds said.
Edmonds said stronger coordination could help agencies respond more effectively to producers’ concerns, particularly where ranchers must work with multiple agencies on federal lands.
What Ranchers Should Do Now
Ranchers who suspect wolf predation should report the incident to the appropriate state agency or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. USDA also recommends documenting livestock losses and contacting the local Farm Service Agency office to discuss eligibility and application requirements for compensation.
Edmonds encouraged affected ranchers to contact their local USDA offices and review the department’s online resources to understand the steps required in their state.
“The main thing is to go through your local offices, talk to them, go through USDA’s portal that they have available for these types of things,” Edmonds said.
He also invited ranchers operating on federal lands and private property to contact NCBA and the PLC for assistance connecting with the appropriate resources.
LEARN MORE: www.ncba.org/contact-ncba
