Bozeman, Mont. (AgPR) | American Agri-Women (AAW) learned firsthand about the impacts and efforts to mitigate livestock predators from a natural resources panel at their annual convention. AAW President Heather Hampton+Knodle said, "People may have seen ranchhands on 'Yellowstone' trying to save their livestock from wolves. Apex predator attacks on cattle, sheep and other livestock aren't just made for TV, they are daily tragedies on many of our Agri-Women ranches and farms around the country." AAW's affiliate Montana Agri-Women lined up the panel to educate members on issue of livestock lost to wolves and other predators. Panelists represented the Montana Livestock Loss Board, The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) and Helle Rambouillet Ranch. The Montana Livestock Loss Board was founded in 2007 to address economic losses of sheep and cattle due to wolf predation and has since grown to include losses due to grizzly bears and mountain lions.
George Edwards, who manages the Livestock Loss Board, outlined how only livestock killed – not maimed or traumatized – is inspected by U.S. Fish and Wildlife representatives to document the type of predator that attacked the animals. The Board bases the monetary reparation on Montana-based market animal prices that fluctuate on an annual basis. Credit is not given to decades of genetics that create higher-value breeding stock. Edwards also spoke of different states’ varied approaches to reimbursing ranchers for livestock lost to apex predators. PERC was represented by its Policy Director, Hannah Downey. Downey described PERC as dedicated to finding free market solutions to incentivize environmental stewardship. Issues related to property rights, land use and recreational access as well as fence laws were highlighted in “PERC Reports Magazine of Free Market Environmentalism” Vol. 40, Issue 2 that featured episodes of the popular television series, Yellowstone. John Helle represented his family’s Rambouillet sheep ranch from Dillon, Montana. The family founded Duckworth Apparel Company to market their sheep’s unique wool and to diversify their income. Helle has also transported his sheep to graze ‘greenways’ near Missoula. He shared the irony that the town passed zoning laws to prohibit ranching on its outskirts and has since seen an influx of invasive and noxious weed species that would have been otherwise controlled through grazing. The panel was among many highlights at the AAW Convention hosted by Montana Agri-Women. The Convention offered opportunities for members to further their mission of uniting women in agriculture, educating each other, and promoting the benefits of U.S. grown food, fiber and renewable fuels. AAW is the nation’s largest coalition of women in farming, ranching and agribusiness with members in 42 states. Learn more at americanagriwomen.org. About American Agri-Women American Agri-Women (AAW) promotes the welfare of our national security through a safe and reliable food, fiber and energy supply. Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers, advocate for agriculture, and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW web site for more information and to join, www.americanagriwomen.org. Find AAW on social media at: Facebook.com/AgriWomen/, Twitter.com/Women4Ag/ (@Women4Ag) and Instagram.com/americanagriwomen/ (@americanagriwomen. #standupspeakout4ag
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Media Contact: Laura Hart VP, Communications American Agri-Women 806-647-5911 - mobile communications@americanagriwomen.org www.americanagriwomen.org
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