7:30 am- 9:15 am
RM 102 – Wildlife and Cattle Management Issues - Bob Bohlender, Nebraska; John Baughman, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Valerie Ragan, USDA/APHIS ;Joan Arnoldi, Michigan Dept. of Agriculture; Bill Hillman, Idaho State Veterinarian; Dale Rollins, Texas A&M University

Wildlife and Cattle Management Issues
Who manages wildlife and who regulates diseases in wildlife? "Wildlife is a public resource not owned by anyone," John Baughman, Executive Vice President of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies told attendees at this Cattlemen’s College session during the Cattle Industry Convention.

He added, "States have a stewardship role and the responsibility to manage for disease in free ranging wildlife." But Baughman also pointed out that two-thirds of the nation’s land is under private land ownership – accounting for most of the country’s wildlife habitat. "So we must work with private landowners in managing wildlife," he said.

His comments were the consensus of other speakers during this session. Veterinarian Valarie Ragan with USDA-APHIS said, "Progress in addressing wildlife disease issues will come through industry partnerships, and the livestock industry needs to be involved."

Also with USDA-APHIS, veterinarian Lynn Creekmore presented a research update on the CWD disease that has been confirmed in deer and elk populations in seven states. Currently, her agency is eliminating farmed deer and elk herds that test positive for the disease. In addition to on-going research to learn more about the disease, surveillance programs are in place to track wild and farmed cervids that become infected. Creekmore is also hopeful that with the current Farm Bill more funding will be developed to implement a herd certification program.

She said, "This disease is a challenge, but by working together and focusing on the science, we can manage it."

- by Kindra Gordon

Managing Wildlife For Fun & Profit

Texas A&M University Extension wildlife specialist Dale Rollins urged cattlemen’s convention attendees to think differently about their land. He asked, "What dictates the value of land in your state?"

He said traditionally the answer to that question has been farming or raising livestock. But, in Texas, the value of wildlife is changing that. "Many ranchers are capitalizing on wildlife, particularly the Bobwhite, in our state." He told producers in the audience, "If you’ve got private land, it could be a viable option and extra income for your ranch through fee hunting, bird watching or recreation."

But he cautioned, "If you try to manage for wildlife and the resulting recreation, you cannot maximize wildlife and livestock at the same time. There are going to be some tradeoffs."

To determine if producers are interested in managing for recreation on their land, Rollins said they must start by determining what their ranch goals are, and then design a management plan to achieve those goals. For more information, visit www.texnat.tam.edu.

- by Kindra Gordon