U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins called on states to review their wolf management policies and work closely with livestock producers to address wolf predation. This effort follows President Trump’s Executive Order 14425, “Supporting America’s Ranchers,” which aims to provide producers tools to protect their herds and operations.
Secretary Rollins emphasized the impact wolves have on ranchers, noting the threat to livestock and family-run operations built over generations. She urged states to listen to ranchers, reconsider state-specific wolf protections, and partner with USDA to safeguard livestock. She highlighted that lethal removal of wolves can occur when authorized by law and requested by proper authorities.
Representative Harriet Hageman stressed that ranchers face ongoing losses due to protected predators like the grey and Mexican wolf, despite these species surpassing recovery targets. She supports steps to compensate ranchers fairly for losses and to reduce predator threats on their lands.
USDA encourages states to engage directly with ranchers and inform them on reporting suspected wolf predation to state agencies or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) offers wolf damage management assistance at the request of these agencies. Lethal removal requests require proper authorization, agreements, environmental reviews, and legal compliance. APHIS currently supports partners through more than 40 agreements.
Wolf predation raises costs for producers through livestock losses, extra management, and lower animal weights. The Farm Service Agency increased Livestock Indemnity Program payments to cover 100% of market value for qualifying wolf predation losses. Producers affected by wolf attacks can contact their local Farm Service Agency office to learn about eligibility and apply for assistance.
You can find more details at the USDA website: usda.gov/form/ranchers-first.
