Jefferson City — The rising population of black-headed vultures is spreading throughout the state, and concerns are growing among farmers and livestock producers as reports of these federally protected birds attack their livestock.
Several organizations and state departments have partnered together to help with an emigration strategy.
The blackhead vulture is protected under the migratory bird treaty act of 1918, but livestock producers have been frustrated due to the loss of livestock.
“Blackhead vultures often attack baby calves or baby livestock. We’ve heard from sheep producers and other livestock producers as well. Missouri is a large cattle state, so it has a huge impact on our cattle industry in Missouri, ” said Davin Althoff, Director of Marketing for the Missouri Farm Bureau.
According to Althoff, the U.S. cowherd population is declining, which makes the loss of even a single calf a significant loss for livestock producers.
“it has come to the attention of Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattleman, and Missouri Department of Agriculture that something needed to be done,” said Althoff.
The farm bureau also partnered with MU Extension and the USDA and can grant livestock producers a license to kill up to five black vultures a year as long as producers can prove they have had direct damages from the black-headed vultures.
“They make it quicker and easier for producers to get permits. The issues have been well established that now a producer can simply call the farm bureau and request these permits that have already been pre-authorized basically,” said Dave Marks, Assistant State Director with the USDA.
USDA agents conduct onsite visits to determine if a permit is needed.
According to Marks, black-headed vultures are aggressive and intelligent birds.
“The birds are smart, and if you keep harassing them with laser techniques it will scare them away, but if they realize they’re not getting injured, they will come back. They get used to it just like anything. They’re smart, but if they see you start to lethally remove them, they will get the point,” said Marks.
Marks says once a producer has a permit to kill the birds, they should hang a dead one up to scare off the other vultures. For a list of helpful tips visit https://mofb.org/
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June 16, 2023 at 10:56PM
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Rising black-headed vulture population threatens Missouri livestock, prompts emigration strategy - krcgtv.com
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