Author: R. G. TaylorPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
The Economics of Sheep Predation in Southwestern Utah
An Economic Analysis of Predation Control and Predatory Sheep Losses in Southwestern Utah
Author: R. Garth TaylorPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Predatory animals
Languages : en
Pages : 232
Book Description
To provide accurate data concerning sheep losses resulting from predation, a verification study of sheep predation was initiated in March 1972 in the Cedar City area of Utah. In cooperation with the Cedar City Wool Growers Association and Southern Utah State College Experimental Farm, ten sheep ranches were chosen as sample operations, forming the data base for the initial phase of the study (1972-1974). Cooperating ranchers were asked to promptly report all sheep carcasses or injured sheep, so that an examination could immediately be made to ascertain the cause of death or injury. Daily horseback searches were also conducted on the spring and summer ranges. Every located sheep carcass was examined to determine cause of death. If a predator was responsible, the kill was photographed and location, date, species of predator and age class of carcass was recorded. Coyotes were the principal predator inflicting 89 to 100 percent of the kills. Lambs were the principal age class of predator kills. The number of sheep carcasses found and verified as predator kills and natural losses was substantially less than the total number lost. Therefore, a proportion was used to estimate the total predation rate. The average predation rate was 5.9 percent expressed as a percent of lamb crop. In the final year of the study (1975) three herds were chosen and research efforts were intensified and the validity of the statistical inference was confirmed. An estimated total predation loss of 3028 lambs was incurred by herds 1-10 in 1972 to 1974. In 1975, 158 lambs were destroyed by predators in herds 1, 3 and 5. These losses were valued at $89,347. Assuming the sample predation rate is representative of predation losses throughout Utah, the state-wide lamb loss to predators was calculated to be 127,521 lambs, representing a direct income loss to the Utah sheep industry of $3,622,061. The indirect or multiplier losses represented an additional $10,072,911 loss to the state economy. Two models were developed. The first, a cost model, illustrated the nature of the costs of coyote predation, their effects upon the rancher and several approaches to profit maximization with and without coyote predation. The second model approached predation economics from a biological standpoint to identify research needs for future inquiries into predation economics. The relationships between coyote population dynamics, coyote control and predatory sheep losses were discussed, leading to the formulation of an economic production function model. The model provides a conceptual framework to determine the effectiveness and optimum rate of predator control efforts.
An Economic Study of Sheep Production in Southwestern Utah
Author: Dee Albert BroadbentPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Sheep industry
Languages : en
Pages : 76
Book Description
Sheep and Lamb Losses to Predators and Other Causes in the Western United States
Author: United States. Department of Agriculture. Natural Resource Economics DivisionPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Coyote
Languages : en
Pages : 48
Book Description
Predation on Domestic Sheep on Summer Range Lands in Southwestern Utah
Author: Brian Carl PalmerPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic dissertations
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Much of the decline of the U.S. sheep industry has been attributed to losses caused by predators. Most predatory losses are inflicted on lambs rather than ewes. Losses have historically ranged from 4-8% of lamb crops, inflicting significant financial loss on ranchers. However, most research providing data on sheep predation is over 20 years old. Changes in the sheep industry as well as predation rates may make previous loss rates inapplicable to current conditions. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are the primary predator of concern when it comes to sheep losses, but increasingly, cougars (Felis concolor) and black bears (Ursus americanus) are reported to be responsible for an increased proportion of lamb losses. I replicated a sheep depredation study conducted during the early 1970s in southwestern Utah and compared the results of the two studies to reassess losses and the predator species responsible for those losses. Total lamb losses to all causes in my study were comparable to losses reported in the 1970s as well as categories of verified and estimated predator losses. There was a significant variation in lamb losses between the 2 years of my study due to an increase in predator kills on sheep. Cougar and bear depredations occurred at significantly higher rates during my study than during the 1970s but did not produce an additive effect to overall predator losses. Most lambs killed by predators were located on or near pasture bed grounds as reported by other studies, but a large number were found>500 m from bed grounds. Rough terrain and scavenging by California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) made location of missing sheep difficult. The ability of cougars and bears to remove sheep carcasses from kill sites made the finding of sheep carcasses more difficult and caused an underreporting of sheep killed by these predators. I found that the loss of sheep to predation continues to be a problem for the sheep industry and its magnitude was unchanged from historic predation levels.
General Technical Report INT.
Author: Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forests and forestry
Languages : en
Pages : 700
Book Description
General Technical Report RM.
Author: Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forests and forestry
Languages : en
Pages : 618
Book Description
Preliminary Report
Author: Dee A. BroadbentPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 36
Book Description
The Welfare of Sheep
Author: Cathy DwyerPublisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402085532
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 374
Book Description
Animal welfare is attracting increasing interest worldwide, but particularly from those in developed countries, who now have the knowledge and resources to be able to improve the welfare of farm animals. The increased attention given to farm animal welfare in the West derives largely from the fact that the relentless pursuit of ?nancial reward and ef?ciency has led to the development of intensive animal production systems that disturb the conscience of many consumers. In developing countries, human survival is still a daily uncertainty, so that provision for animal welfare has to be balanced against human welfare. Welfare is usually provided for only if it supports the output of the animal, be it food, work, clothing, sport or companionship. In reality there are resources for all if they are properly husbanded in both developing and developed countries. The inequitable division of the world’s riches creates physical and psychological poverty for humans and animals alike in many sectors of the world. Livestock are the world’s biggest land user (FAO, 2002) and the population is increasing rapidly to meet the need of an expanding human population. Populations of farm animals managed by humans are therefore incre- ing worldwide, and in some regions there is a tendency to allocate fewer resources, such as labour, to each animal with potentially adverse consequences on the a- mals’ welfare.
Range and Ranch Economics Bibliography, 1968-85
Author: Fred J. WagstaffPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forests and forestry
Languages : en
Pages : 36
Book Description