Predator Control in Relation to Livestock Losses in Central Texas

Records of the 1971-76 federal-state Animal Damage Control (ADC) program in central Texas reflected 0.27% annual domestic sheep and goat losses to predators despite intensive control efforts. Sheep and goat numbers decreased, but their value, cattle numbers, and cattle values increased. Losses to coyotes and bobcats were proportionately greatest in brushy, uneven terrain on the periphery of the Edwards Plateau. In 1975, cooperative ADC predator control efforts protected 438,649 (40%) of the sheep and goats on 8,912 km2 (3,441 mi2), or 15.5% of the total land area in 21 counties studied at an average cost of 46 cents for each sheep or goat protected. Heaviest losses to predators occurred from October to May when small lambs were present; control efforts were most successful during winters. An estimated cost-benefit ratio to measure the effectiveness of the ADC program was 1:4.5 for 1975. We observed that losses to predators were lowest when annual precipitation was highest; high losses coincided with dry years, which were probably the periods of lowest wild prey abundance.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202